Eddie Alvarez, Shogun/Vera, UFC Light-Heavyweight Title Shot: Morning News Roundup – 7.31.12

The Rexplex Sports Complex in Elizabeth, N.J., in December of 2003.  Ah yes, I remember it well.  The ring was set up next to a skate ramp, with a big curtain seperating us MMA folks from the kids doing tricks on their skateboards.  As for the fights, some lanky dude named Luke Cummo put his jiu-jitsu skills to good use and won his bout via submission, while another up-and-comer named Jay Hieron completely steamrolled over his foe.  We paid attention to those bouts a bit more because Cummo and Hieron were somewhat established in the area, and though people cheered when Eddie Alvarez scored a dominant KO in his MMA debut, no one knew who Alvarez was or what he'd eventually accomplish in the sport.  Why did I take this stroll down memory lane?  Because Alvarez is leading off your morning news roundup.

• Former Bellator lightweight champ Eddie Alvarez has one fight left on his contract, and it looks like it's going to be used for a match-up against fearsome Brazilian monster Patricky "Pitbull" Freire.  When it comes to fighter contracts and the willingness of promotions to re-sign their stars, there are a lot of moving parts that must taken into consideration - things like actual cost, anticipated revenue and just what the parties can do to further each other's interests.  As one of Bellator's first "big" signings, Alvarez brought a ton of credibility to the organization, and Bjorn Rebney definitely made it worthwhile for the Philadelphia native in terms of cheddar.  But nothing lasts forever, so here we are with a high-ranking lightweight very likely about to enter free agency.  What do you do with him if you're Bellator?  Give him a tough, sure-fire exciting match-up that will make your October 12 show a memorable one of course.  And if you're Alvarez, you're going to want to win in the most impressive way possible to make sure your value when you enter free agency is at its highest.  Well, you know who wins in all this?  Us fans, because, Alvarez vs. Freire... yikes!  That's all kinds of "wow"!

 

• Yesterday UFC president Dana White said Saturday's UFC on FOX 4 main event between Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Brandon Vera would determine the number one contender for UFC light-heavyweight champ Jon Jones' belt.  Reactions were mixed (to put it lightly).  Now White is backtracking a little bit and saying that if either of the occupants of Saturday's co-main event - a tilt between Lyoto Machida and Ryan Bader - look impressive enough in victory, they could get the title shot instead.  This certainly makes more sense.  At least, only insomuch as Jones has pretty much slaughtered everyone that he's faced (including Shogun, Vera, Machida and Bader in prior match-ups), and why not offer up the title shot to whoever looks good?  At this rate, Jones is going to be the first UFC champ to get to fight two challengers in the cage at once.  (He'd probably win that fight, too.)

 

• Former UFC welterweight contender Jon Fitch will be facing rising star Erick Silva at UFC 153 in Brazil.  You have to imagine that at this point, after having had a run at the title but failing to move the needle in terms of exciting the fans, Fitch is on that spreadsheet that the UFC keeps that's titled "Fighters To Get Rid Of".  Dude has to do something to get off that list...

 

That's all for now.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/eddie-alvarez-shogun-vera-ufc-light-heavyweight-title-141513056--mma.html

Wagnney Fabiano Kevin Kimbo Slice Ferguson Paulo Filho Mirko Cro Cop Filipovi? Luiz Buscapé Firmino

Autumn Swell #2

Source: http://nedsurfshots.blogspot.com/2012/03/autumn-swell-2.html

Tiki Ghosn Dennis George Kultar Gill Allan Goes Takanori The Fireball Kid Gomi

Wells Shaw Raw Footage

I like raw footage. Wells Shaw has some gnarly raw footage. Via: This Is Feel This.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MostlySkateboarding/~3/jMzl7yRPkVQ/wells-shaw-raw-footage.html

Andre Amade? Dean Amasinger? Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen? Alex Andrade?

The BRITS 2012 lineup

Brace yourselves for DJ Yoda, Mr Thing, Yungun, DJ Cheeba, Bass6, DJ Fuzzy Nuts, Demo Mode, Matt Smooth, DJ Lyley, plus Live sessions from the banging Dr Meaker and reggae skank from the award-winning Idren Sounds. All this on top of the Whitelines Rail Jam, BRITS Sledgercross, Freestyle Academy and the British Championship. For the [...]

Source: http://snowboardaction.net/brits-2012-lineup/

Mirko Cro Cop Filipovi? Luiz Buscapé Firmino Spencer Fisher Jon Fitch Kenny Florian

Matt ‘The Hammer’ Hamill ends retirement, will fight at UFC 152

A one-year retirement was just about enough for light heavyweight Matt "The Hammer" Hamill, who has opted to resume his fighting career and will compete next at UFC 152 in Toronto on Sept. 22.

Hamill will meet UFC newcomer Roger Hollett. UFC president Dana White confirmed the move and said the fighters have verbally agreed to fight each other.

Hamill, 35, rose to prominence in 2006 during "The Ultimate Fighter 3." He is deaf and his struggle to overcome his disability and compete at the highest level of mixed martial arts earned him a large following. He was featured in a 2010 movie, "The Hammer."

When he retired, he had a 10-4 record, including a 9-4 mark in the UFC. He is the only man to have a victory over UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, though it was a highly controversial win. Jones controlled the entire fight, but was disqualified by referee Steve Mazzagatti for throwing an illegal elbow.

The most spectacular win of his career came at UFC 96 in Columbus, Ohio, when he knocked out Mark Munoz with a kick to the head. That earned him the UFC's "Knockout of the Night" bonus, one of three fight night bonuses he earned in his career.

Hamill also earned Fight of the Night bonuses following wins over Seth Petruzelli and Keith "The Dean of Mean" Jardine.

He announced his retirement on his website after he was thoroughly beaten on Aug. 8, 2011, by Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 133 in Philadelphia. Hamill nearly retired after he lost to Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 130 earlier last year, but was convinced to give it one more shot.

But after he was stopped by Gustafsson, he had enough of the physical toll the sport was taking on his body and walked away.

I was ready to make this decision after UFC 130, but my friends, family, coaches and most importantly my daughter encouraged me to give it one last chance. My career has been plagued by injuries starting with 'The Ultimate Fighter' and disrupted my training ever since.

There hasn't been even one training camp where I've been able to train without training around an injury. I have not been kind to my body, and it has nothing left after 28 years of nonstop competition. It's time to finally give it a rest.

Hamill could not be reached for comment Friday and his manager, Duff Holmes, failed to return messages seeking comment.

It is not clear what changed his mind nor how much longer he plans to compete.

UPDATE at 5:32 p.m. ET: Holmes said Hamill had gotten too comfortable with the fame and the lifestyle of a star and that he retired because he didn't have the same drive. Holmes said injuries were a part of it, but a big issue was Hamill's lack of motivation.

He said that Hamill came to the gym in Utica, N.Y., to work out with some of his younger fighters and that those workouts rekindled Hamill's fire.

"I just wanted to make him decided he still wanted to do this," Holmes said. "This is far too difficult a sport to go into fights just half-assing it. When Matt is trained and on, he's a beast. But I was negotiating for him and telling people how great he was looking and then he would come out and look like he did against Rampage. It would make me look like an idiot.

"We talked about what happened. That fame that comes from being a UFC fighter, that's addictive, like a drug. When he retired, the big checks weren't rolling in. He wasn't on a pedestal. It's funny. There's really no difference in him. He was a UFC fighter and now he's a former UFC fighter, but people reacted to him differently. He wasn't being treated like a superstar and I think he missed that and wanted it back."

Holmes said Hamill is back for the long haul and is committed to making a run at the title once again. He said UFC officials had asked him if Hamill would consider middleweight, but Holmes said there is no chance that Hamill could cut to 185 pounds.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/matt-hammer-hamill-ends-retirement-fight-ufc-152-191259330--mma.html

Andrei Arlovski? Ricardo Arona? Noboru Asahi Marcus Aurelio? Mikhail Avetisyan

Fabricio Werdum Wants the Belt after he submits Mike Russow - Fabricio Werdum

Go inside Fabricio Werdum's training camp and hear his strategy for taking down Mike Russow. Not only is he aiming for victory, but wants to be seen as a serious contender for the heavyweight belt. Catch his bout at UFC® 147: Silva vs Franklin II, live on Pay-Per-View, Saturday, June 23 at 10PM/7PM from Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Source: http://mmalice.com/fabricio-werdum/fabricio-werdum-wants-the-belt-after-he-submits-mike-russow-video_6ae793f42.html

Yves Edwards? Justin Eilers? Jon Olav Einemo Per Eklund Jason Ellis

TheSHOOT! - Josh Thomson - Josh Thomson

TheSHOOT! - Josh Thomson Video by Josh Thomson

Source: http://mmalice.com/josh-thomson/theshoot-josh-thomson-video_274f5141f.html

Chris Brennan Marcelo Brito? Rob Broughton? Mike Brown? Junie Browning

Ilja Maran

Iljan Maran goes from LA to NZ in this new clip from Kiwi skate shop, Arcade.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MostlySkateboarding/~3/gCa4bJntyWI/ilja-maran.html

Jesse Forbes Xavier Foupa Pokam Hermes Franca Rich Franklin Ian Freeman

On making tough decisions

Life is full of decisions. Whether you know it or not, you’re making them every day: everything from how many times to hit the snooze button, to the type of creamer you’re going to put in your coffee, to the time you decide to go to bed. These don’t seem like decisions, however, because most [...]

Source: http://skydivechick.com/2012/07/on-making-tough-decisions/

David Heath Delson Heleno Dan Henderson Josh Hendricks Ed Herman

Matt ‘The Hammer’ Hamill ends retirement, will fight at UFC 152

A one-year retirement was just about enough for light heavyweight Matt "The Hammer" Hamill, who has opted to resume his fighting career and will compete next at UFC 152 in Toronto on Sept. 22.

Hamill will meet UFC newcomer Roger Hollett. UFC president Dana White confirmed the move and said the fighters have verbally agreed to fight each other.

Hamill, 35, rose to prominence in 2006 during "The Ultimate Fighter 3." He is deaf and his struggle to overcome his disability and compete at the highest level of mixed martial arts earned him a large following. He was featured in a 2010 movie, "The Hammer."

When he retired, he had a 10-4 record, including a 9-4 mark in the UFC. He is the only man to have a victory over UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, though it was a highly controversial win. Jones controlled the entire fight, but was disqualified by referee Steve Mazzagatti for throwing an illegal elbow.

The most spectacular win of his career came at UFC 96 in Columbus, Ohio, when he knocked out Mark Munoz with a kick to the head. That earned him the UFC's "Knockout of the Night" bonus, one of three fight night bonuses he earned in his career.

Hamill also earned Fight of the Night bonuses following wins over Seth Petruzelli and Keith "The Dean of Mean" Jardine.

He announced his retirement on his website after he was thoroughly beaten on Aug. 8, 2011, by Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 133 in Philadelphia. Hamill nearly retired after he lost to Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 130 earlier last year, but was convinced to give it one more shot.

But after he was stopped by Gustafsson, he had enough of the physical toll the sport was taking on his body and walked away.

I was ready to make this decision after UFC 130, but my friends, family, coaches and most importantly my daughter encouraged me to give it one last chance. My career has been plagued by injuries starting with 'The Ultimate Fighter' and disrupted my training ever since.

There hasn't been even one training camp where I've been able to train without training around an injury. I have not been kind to my body, and it has nothing left after 28 years of nonstop competition. It's time to finally give it a rest.

Hamill could not be reached for comment Friday and his manager, Duff Holmes, failed to return messages seeking comment.

It is not clear what changed his mind nor how much longer he plans to compete.

UPDATE at 5:32 p.m. ET: Holmes said Hamill had gotten too comfortable with the fame and the lifestyle of a star and that he retired because he didn't have the same drive. Holmes said injuries were a part of it, but a big issue was Hamill's lack of motivation.

He said that Hamill came to the gym in Utica, N.Y., to work out with some of his younger fighters and that those workouts rekindled Hamill's fire.

"I just wanted to make him decided he still wanted to do this," Holmes said. "This is far too difficult a sport to go into fights just half-assing it. When Matt is trained and on, he's a beast. But I was negotiating for him and telling people how great he was looking and then he would come out and look like he did against Rampage. It would make me look like an idiot.

"We talked about what happened. That fame that comes from being a UFC fighter, that's addictive, like a drug. When he retired, the big checks weren't rolling in. He wasn't on a pedestal. It's funny. There's really no difference in him. He was a UFC fighter and now he's a former UFC fighter, but people reacted to him differently. He wasn't being treated like a superstar and I think he missed that and wanted it back."

Holmes said Hamill is back for the long haul and is committed to making a run at the title once again. He said UFC officials had asked him if Hamill would consider middleweight, but Holmes said there is no chance that Hamill could cut to 185 pounds.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/matt-hammer-hamill-ends-retirement-fight-ufc-152-191259330--mma.html

Jonathan Goulet Wilson Gouveia Jason Grace Crosley Gracie Gregor Gracie

Autumn Swell #2

Source: http://nedsurfshots.blogspot.com/2012/03/autumn-swell-2.html

Rich No Love Clementi? Mark The Hammer Coleman Wes Soldier Combs? Ray Cooper? Kit Cope?

UFC on Fox 4 Recap: Machida Destroys Bader, Granted Title Shot

UFC on Fox 4 took place tonight live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. While Mauricio "Shogun" Rua dropped Brandon Vera in a gutsy four round performance, the co-main event stole the show as Lyoto Machida dropped Ryan Bader in spectacular fashion. The knockout was enough to convince UFC President Dana White to give the promised title shot to "The Dragon." In other action, Joe Lauzon defeated Jamie Varner in an absolute war and Mike Swick rebounded to crush Demarques Johnson.

MMAFrenzy.com

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/29748/ufc-on-fox-4-recap-machida-destroys-bader-granted-title-shot/

Yoshihiro Akiyama? Gilbert Aldana? José Aldo? John Alessio? Houston Alexander

Ali Drummond For The Harmony

Ali Drummond's new part for The Harmony has me thinking about Waiting For The World in the best possible way.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MostlySkateboarding/~3/ASYhbUOn9Ec/ali-drummond-for-harmony.html

Urijah Faber Wagnney Fabiano Kevin Kimbo Slice Ferguson Paulo Filho Mirko Cro Cop Filipovi?

Renan Barao’s celebration of interim belt includes return home, baked goods (PHOTO)

Renan Barao won the UFC bantamweight interim belt by taking a decision from Urijah Faber on Saturday night. He exuberantly celebrated right after the win, and the celebrations did not stop after he left Calgary.

He brought the belt home to Brazil and posed in front of Christ the Redeemer, his home country's most famous sight.

He went back to Nova Uniao to celebrates with his teammates. Why so serious, UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo?

Perhaps Aldo is just cranky because no one surrounded HIS belt with brownies.

Cheer up, Jose. Renan is sharing his brownies. Sharing is caring, even among UFC champions.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/renan-barao-celebration-interim-belt-includes-return-home-230837774--mma.html

Tom Big Cat Erickson Martinsh Egle Eric Butterbean Esch Efrain Escudero Rashad Evans

XFC 19 Update: Nicolae Cury vs. Roger Carroll Moved to Main Event

After losing Mike Bronzoulis to undisclosed reasons earlier today, XFC 19 now will have a completely new main event as Corey Hill has been moved to an event later this year. Stepping into the main event will be armbar specialist from the Blackzilians camp, Nicolae Curry, taking on fellow submission specialist, Roger Carroll. The event takes place tomorrow on AXStv live from Charlotte, NC.

MMAFrenzy.com

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/29716/xfc-19-update-nicolae-cury-vs-roger-carroll-moved-to-main-event/

Heath Herring Branden Lee Hinkle Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi?

Lyoto Machida, Chad Mendes, Matt Hamill: The Morning News Roundup – 8.4.12

It's fight day!  Which means while you and I are gathering provisions for tonight's UFC on FOX 4 — you know, things like avocados for fresh guacamole, cases of TAB soda and Kleenex for the tears that are sure to come — there are twenty fighters in a hotel in Los Angeles milling about with butterflies in their stomachs, anxious to punch each other in the face.  Hooray!  But despite the violence that's impending on Fuel TV (the preliminary bouts start at 5:00 p.m. EST) and FOX (main card at 8:00 p.m. EST), the news cycle trudges on.  Here, then, are some headlines.

• Although he's fighting in the 205-pound weight class tonight in the co-main event, the simple fact that former UFC light-heavyweight champ Lyoto Machida stepped on the scale at 201 pounds has got people speculating he could move down to the 185-pound division.  My personal policy is to never fix something that isn't broke, but hey, what do I know.

 

• When last we saw UFC featherweight contender Chad Mendes, he was squashing Cody McKenzie like a bug at UFC 148.  When the police last saw Mendes, he was fleeing a 40-person bar fight.  Yikes.  A 40-person bar fight?  See, this is why I only hang out at Chuck E. Cheese.  When little kids brawl, it's harmless.

 

• Fellow scribe Kevin Iole reported yesterday that UFC light-heavyweight Matt Hamill has decided to fight again.  Awesome.  And let's not forget, Hamill is the only person to ever defeat UFC champ Jon Jones, so be excited for that future match-up.

 

That's all for now.  I'll be tweeting my observations of the fights tonight as they happen.  Follow along if you want.  A word of caution, though: as a devout Native American, I'll be undertaking a cleansing ritual at the same time (they're wheeling a TV into the sweat lodge) — but I'll try to keep the hallucinatory stuff under control.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/lyoto-machida-chad-mendes-matt-hamill-morning-news-133924954--mma.html

Karen Darabedyan Viacheslav Datsik Marcus Davis? Tony DeSouza? Edwin Dewees?

THE BRITS ANNOUNCE HEADLINE AND DJ LINE UP 18TH – 25TH MARCH, LAAX, SWTIZERLAND

Brace yourselves for a live AV set from DJ Yoda, a SCRATCH night to remember as Mr Thing and Yungun join Scratch resident Matt Smooth and DJ Lyley, dance floor devastation with DJ Cheeba and a night of technical trickery at the Whitelines Rail Jam. With an on-mountain Reggae BBQ, The Sledgercross and a Punk [...]

Source: http://snowboardaction.net/brits-announce-headline-dj-line-18th-%e2%80%93-25th-march-laax-swtizerland/

Tadhg Steamfist Dixon Joe Doerksen? Chris Dolman Edson Drago? Tomasz Drwal

UFC on Fox 4 Preliminary Recap

MMAFrenzy's coverage of UFC on Fox 4 rolls along with our recap of the preliminary card. The Fuel TV-aired card had the full range of outcomes from fantastic submissions and knockouts to frustrating no decisions. Be sure to stay tuned to MMAFrenzy as we continue to cover UFC on Fox 4 throughout the night.

MMAFrenzy.com

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/29743/ufc-on-fox-4-preliminary-recap/

Ray Cooper? Kit Cope? Wesley Cabbage Correira? Patrick The Predator C?té? Randy The Natural Couture?

UFC on Fox 4 Live Results

UFC on Fox 4 takes place tonight live from the Staples center in Los Angeles, California. The main card will be headlined by a light heavyweight fight between Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Brandon Vera. The card will be co-headlined by Ryan Bader and Lyoto Machida, with the most impressive winner of the four receiving a light heavyweight title fight.

MMAFrenzy.com

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/29740/ufc-on-fox-4-live-results/

Keith Hackney Matt Hamill Volk Han Joachim Hansen Antoni Hardonk

Top ten dive sites around the world

Experienced scuba divers long to explore underwater kingdoms, surrounded by strange and wonderful wildlife. Use your savings to finance trips to some of the top ten dive sites in the world. One of the best dive sites in the world is Yongala in Queensland, Australia. This shipwreck site is the final resting place for the [...]

Source: http://www.dailyscubadiving.com/top-ten-dive-sites-around-the-world/

Volk Han Joachim Hansen Antoni Hardonk Dan Hardy Lee Hasdell

Rory MacDonald Withdraws From UFC 152 Due to Cut, Wants to Fight B.J. Penn at UFC 154

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/2012/8/5/3220937/rory-macdonald-withdraws-from-ufc-152-due-to-cut-wants-to-fight-b-j

Rich No Love Clementi? Mark The Hammer Coleman Wes Soldier Combs? Ray Cooper? Kit Cope?

Video: Upper Upper North Fork Skykomish Waterfall Run

OK, I hang my head in shame… I have not posted on this blog for nearly two months, and I guess it’s time for me to get on it before Ollie from New Zealand writes to me again to say, “What up?”   Really, things have been busy.  More on that later, maybe.  In any [...]

Source: http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/paddle-trips/video-upper-upper-north-fork-skykomish-waterfall-run/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=video-upper-upper-north-fork-skykomish-waterfall-run

Aldrin de Jesus? Todd Duffee? Marvin Eastman? Stav Crazy Bear Economou? Yves Edwards?

Dynamo dominate flat Red Bulls in Houston

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SoccerByIves/~3/1h1ZcECBFNI/ny-drops-match-to-houston.html

Matt Hamill Volk Han Joachim Hansen Antoni Hardonk Dan Hardy

Academy team set to compete in the 2012 Generation adidas Cup

D.C. United’s Academy will kickoff the 2012 Generation adidas Cup in Seattle this Friday, August 3. The Black-and-Red will compete in Group B against FC Dallas (Friday, August 3), LA Galaxy (Saturday, August 4), and Toronto FC (Monday, August 6).

Source: http://feeds.dcunited.com/~r/DCUnited/all/~3/-XCSFWabNck/academy-team-set-to-compete-in-the-2012-generation-adidas-cup

Ba Te er? Ryan Bader? Siyar Bahadurzada Bao Ligao? Josh Barnett?

Joe Lauzon: A Few Words Before Battle

UFC on FOX 4 may have "big picture" relevance because of the light-heavyweight four-way scrum that will determine UFC champ Jon Jones' next opponent, but one shouldn't overlook some of the event's other gems — not the least of which is the match-up between Joe Lauzon and Jamie Varner.  Originally slated to face Terry Etim until Etim bowed out with an injury, Lauzon is primed and ready to explode all over Varner, showering the former WEC champ with submission attempt-shrapnel and fistic debris.  Cagewriter caught up with Lauzon on Thursday, a day that saw the Massachusetts native venturing away from the fighters' hotel and exploring other parts of Los Angeles.

 

First of all, how are you?  Are you healthy?

"I'm good.  There are always little injuries that add up a little bit, but I'm doing good."

You're an old timer now in terms of the fight week experience.  How is it out there?

"It's not too bad.  I have a bunch of guys that are here with me usually, and this week as always.  We like to get out of the hotel room - I used to just sit in the hotel room a lot and that would get a little stale.  So we try to keep busy.  Today we went down to Venice Beach and just kind of moved around a little bit.  I did some training today, nice and light, just to kind of break a sweat and keep things as normal as possible."

Did you prepare any differently knowing your opponent was going to be Jamie Varner?

"Not really.  It was kind of short notice, it was only a couple of weeks.  We switched from getting ready to fight Etim, who is really long and has kind of herky-jerky footwork and keeps you real far away with kicks, to Varner, who is a smoother boxer.  Not so much a kickboxer, but a straight-up boxer with good wrestling.  So we didn't have a ton of time to get super-detailed about stuff.  I was in good shape so we just reorganized our drills, and switched it up a little bit."

Is there any pressure to perform?

"Not more than usual.  I always put a lot of pressure on myself to try to have a spectacular fight and put people away.  It's big show, it's on FOX, but it's really not any different than other shows besides having a little bit of extra media.  It's still a fight.  If it was on the undercard of a Fight Night, it'd be the exact same thing."

Any thoughts on who you'd want to fight next?

"Nope.  I'm one-hundred percent Jamie Varner now, and I'm not even thinking about what's going on after."

Hypothetical: what if it was the PRIDE FC days and the Japanese offer you a wheelbarrow full of money to fight Jon Jones.  Do you take the fight?

"Absolutely.  If they're going to pay me to try to fight Jon Jones, I'm going to shoot a little single[-leg takedown], and if it doesn't go my way, I'm getting the hell out of there.  And then I'll take that wheelbarrow full of money.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/joe-lauzon-few-words-battle-142906171--mma.html

Ian Freeman Don Frye Tony Fryklund Kazuyuki Fujita Masakatsu Funaki

Please Help Fellow Kayaker Matt Thomas Get Back On the Water

A few months ago I joined in as a supporter of the recovery fund for Matt Thomas, and I’m giving it a shout out here for those of you who would like to pitch in as well. Matt Thomas is a former local whitewater kayaker who ended up with spinal cord damage from a mountain [...]

Source: http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/other-stuff/whitewater-kayaker-matt-thomas-recovery-fund/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=whitewater-kayaker-matt-thomas-recovery-fund

Masakatsu Funaki Zelg Benkei Galesi? Mauro Galvao Arman Gambaryan Manvel Gamburyan

Video: Brad X on Punchbowl and Metlako, Eagle Creek

I’ve been meaning to post about a million things on here about upcoming kayak classes in 2012 and good recent videos, etc., but instead have been shlepping around.  Since I have a few minutes though, here’s a nice video of Brad Xanthopoulos (I hope that’s right) doing Punchbowl on the Big Falls section of Eagle [...]

Source: http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/paddle-trips/video-brad-on-punchbowl-eagle-falls/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=video-brad-on-punchbowl-eagle-falls

Tomasz Drwal Joe Hybrid Duarte Aldrin de Jesus? Todd Duffee? Marvin Eastman?

Mid-Season Flow Update for California Rivers

It’s misdummer and although free-run rivers are down to a fish-flow trickle there are still plenty of options for California River enthusiasts.  Here’s the low-down on your current options  from mellowist to maximum gnarl: Super chill:  The section of the South Fork of the American that runs through the Coloma-Lotus Valley is a gentle class [...]

Source: http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/7A_e1VYLaa0/

Dennis George Kultar Gill Allan Goes Takanori The Fireball Kid Gomi Akihiro Gono

11 9 2011

Source: http://nedsurfshots.blogspot.com/2011/09/11-9-2011.html

Vagam Bodjukyan Kotetsu Boku? Tony Bonello Stephan Bonnar Lorenzo Borgomeo?

Annual AO Barn Party

A new Blazo champion was crowned, the balloon-toss went into overtime, and even though the Triva contest had rules this year it was still…………..a hot mess.  But, the carnitas were tasty, there was an abundance of guacamole–which is so rare, yet so fabulous (why is it so rare anyway?  Seriously, have you noticed that? There’s [...]

Source: http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/uEHt6LnYfS4/

Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves? Andre Amade? Dean Amasinger? Jimmy Ambriz

Kilian Zehnder in Zürich

Kilian Zehnder shreds through Zürich with style doing good tricks on cool spots.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MostlySkateboarding/~3/AbuPTjowXMM/kilian-zehnder-in-zurich.html

Vagam Bodjukyan Kotetsu Boku? Tony Bonello Stephan Bonnar Lorenzo Borgomeo?

Judging

I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to judge others lately and I thought I’d share some of my conclusions. Growing up in small town USA you’re almost brought up to judge the behaviors of others. Typically, we all grow up in similar families where anything that seems “out of the ordinary” is [...]

Source: http://skydivechick.com/2012/07/judging/

Mauro Galvao Arman Gambaryan Manvel Gamburyan Sean Gannon Edgar Garcia

New Autumn Swell - The first evening

Source: http://nedsurfshots.blogspot.com/2012/03/new-autumn-swell-first-evening.html

Eric Butterbean Esch Efrain Escudero Rashad Evans Urijah Faber Wagnney Fabiano

This Weekend's Soccer on TV

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SoccerByIves/~3/-eVaiEEE-O8/this-weekends-soccer-on-tv.html

Lee Hasdell Musse Hasselvall Daiki DJ taiki Hata He Peng David Heath

Renan Barao’s celebration of interim belt includes return home, baked goods (PHOTO)

Renan Barao won the UFC bantamweight interim belt by taking a decision from Urijah Faber on Saturday night. He exuberantly celebrated right after the win, and the celebrations did not stop after he left Calgary.

He brought the belt home to Brazil and posed in front of Christ the Redeemer, his home country's most famous sight.

He went back to Nova Uniao to celebrates with his teammates. Why so serious, UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo?

Perhaps Aldo is just cranky because no one surrounded HIS belt with brownies.

Cheer up, Jose. Renan is sharing his brownies. Sharing is caring, even among UFC champions.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/renan-barao-celebration-interim-belt-includes-return-home-230837774--mma.html

Tony DeSouza? Edwin Dewees? Nick Diaz? Tadhg Steamfist Dixon Joe Doerksen?

7 January 2012 - warm water and early sun

Source: http://nedsurfshots.blogspot.com/2012/01/7-january-2012-warm-water-and-early-sun.html

Takanori The Fireball Kid Gomi Akihiro Gono Gabriel Gonzaga Lyman Good Gary Goodridge

UFC 149 Post Fight Press Conference Full - UFC 149

Watch the UFC 149 post-fight press conference live following the event.

Source: http://mmalice.com/ufc-149/ufc-149-post-fight-press-conference-full-video_5a557938e.html

Jai Bradney? Ebenezer Fontes Braga Chris Brennan Marcelo Brito? Rob Broughton?

Kim Tae Got Scuba Diving License

It seems there is nothing that can keep Kim Tae Hee away from planning her recreation; she has now made up her mind to scuba dive. Recently, a photo of Kim appeared on an online community website with the heading “Even Kim Tae Hee’s license photo is perfect”. What we clearly see in the picture [...]

Source: http://www.dailyscubadiving.com/kim-tae-got-scuba-diving-license/

Rolles Gracie Royce Gracie Royler Gracie Ryan Gracie Peter Graham

Eddie Alvarez, Shogun/Vera, UFC Light-Heavyweight Title Shot: Morning News Roundup – 7.31.12

The Rexplex Sports Complex in Elizabeth, N.J., in December of 2003.  Ah yes, I remember it well.  The ring was set up next to a skate ramp, with a big curtain seperating us MMA folks from the kids doing tricks on their skateboards.  As for the fights, some lanky dude named Luke Cummo put his jiu-jitsu skills to good use and won his bout via submission, while another up-and-comer named Jay Hieron completely steamrolled over his foe.  We paid attention to those bouts a bit more because Cummo and Hieron were somewhat established in the area, and though people cheered when Eddie Alvarez scored a dominant KO in his MMA debut, no one knew who Alvarez was or what he'd eventually accomplish in the sport.  Why did I take this stroll down memory lane?  Because Alvarez is leading off your morning news roundup.

• Former Bellator lightweight champ Eddie Alvarez has one fight left on his contract, and it looks like it's going to be used for a match-up against fearsome Brazilian monster Patricky "Pitbull" Freire.  When it comes to fighter contracts and the willingness of promotions to re-sign their stars, there are a lot of moving parts that must taken into consideration - things like actual cost, anticipated revenue and just what the parties can do to further each other's interests.  As one of Bellator's first "big" signings, Alvarez brought a ton of credibility to the organization, and Bjorn Rebney definitely made it worthwhile for the Philadelphia native in terms of cheddar.  But nothing lasts forever, so here we are with a high-ranking lightweight very likely about to enter free agency.  What do you do with him if you're Bellator?  Give him a tough, sure-fire exciting match-up that will make your October 12 show a memorable one of course.  And if you're Alvarez, you're going to want to win in the most impressive way possible to make sure your value when you enter free agency is at its highest.  Well, you know who wins in all this?  Us fans, because, Alvarez vs. Freire... yikes!  That's all kinds of "wow"!

 

• Yesterday UFC president Dana White said Saturday's UFC on FOX 4 main event between Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Brandon Vera would determine the number one contender for UFC light-heavyweight champ Jon Jones' belt.  Reactions were mixed (to put it lightly).  Now White is backtracking a little bit and saying that if either of the occupants of Saturday's co-main event - a tilt between Lyoto Machida and Ryan Bader - look impressive enough in victory, they could get the title shot instead.  This certainly makes more sense.  At least, only insomuch as Jones has pretty much slaughtered everyone that he's faced (including Shogun, Vera, Machida and Bader in prior match-ups), and why not offer up the title shot to whoever looks good?  At this rate, Jones is going to be the first UFC champ to get to fight two challengers in the cage at once.  (He'd probably win that fight, too.)

 

• Former UFC welterweight contender Jon Fitch will be facing rising star Erick Silva at UFC 153 in Brazil.  You have to imagine that at this point, after having had a run at the title but failing to move the needle in terms of exciting the fans, Fitch is on that spreadsheet that the UFC keeps that's titled "Fighters To Get Rid Of".  Dude has to do something to get off that list...

 

That's all for now.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/eddie-alvarez-shogun-vera-ufc-light-heavyweight-title-141513056--mma.html

Bernard Ackah? Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama? Gilbert Aldana? José Aldo?

Hamid meets his goalkeeping idol

Bill Hamid wasn’t selected to this year’s MLS All-Star game, but D.C.’s goalkeeper still made his way to Philadelphia last week as part of Major League Soccer’s marquee event.  While signing autographs at a display just outside PPL Park, Hamid had a curious encounter.

A young fan, with no adult in tow, approached the 21-year-old goalie and asked for an autograph.  After securing the piece of memorabilia, the boy excitedly promised Hamid he’d return in a few minutes – and this time with his dad. 

Source: http://feeds.dcunited.com/~r/DCUnited/all/~3/eeFXY3ZrqL4/future-of-us-goalkeeping-meets-man-who-launched-tradition

Heath Herring Branden Lee Hinkle Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi?

C.M. Punk reenacts finish of Anderson Silva’s fight with Chael Sonnen in WWE match

Professional wrestler C.M. Punk is an MMA fan. He clearly watched the end of UFC 148's main event, with Anderson Silva beating Chael Sonnen after Sonnen threw a spinning backfist. Punk -- is it Punk on second reference? -- reenacted the end of the bout during Monday night's WWE show.

Thanks, Bloody Elbow.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/c-m-punk-reenacts-finish-anderson-silva-fight-125541424--mma.html

David Baron? Phil Baroni Don Barr Pat Barry? Vitor Belfort?

A River Guide’s Morning

It’s early in the morning. You wake up, somewhat begrudgingly, somewhat excitedly, and  go through your somewhat truncated morning routine. You wake your kids or your roommates and load up, bleary eyed, into the car yawning and wiping the sleep from your face. It’s still dark outside. Maybe the first bit of morning light is [...]

Source: http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/8fr8AYYBow4/

Gesias JZ Calvancante? Luiz Cane? Dos Caras Jr ? Phil Cardella Roan Jucao Carneiro

Rich Franklin Pre-Fight Interview vs Silva at UFC 147 - UFC 147

After a 16-month layoff, Rich Franklin is ready to step back into the Octagon and face the "tornado"known as Wanderlei Silva. Will "Ace" be able to make it 2-0 against Silva at UFC® 147?

Source: http://mmalice.com/ufc-147/rich-franklin-pre-fight-interview-vs-silva-at-ufc-147-video_03bb864c3.html

Mike Brown? Junie Browning Paul Buentello? Josh Burkman? Mikey Burnett?

Dana White: Invicta FC 'Is a Great Thing'

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/2012/8/2/3216554/dana-white-invicta-fc-is-a-great-thing

Junie Browning Paul Buentello? Josh Burkman? Mikey Burnett? Murilo Bustamante?

July Intentions

I must admit, I’m stealing this post idea from my friend Ashley – I love her blog and especially reading her monthly intentions and successes from the month prior. The last few months I’ve been writing down my goals on a piece of scrapbooking paper and posting it front and center on my desk at [...]

Source: http://skydivechick.com/2012/06/july-intentions/

Murilo Bustamante? Grant Campbell? Gesias JZ Calvancante? Luiz Cane? Dos Caras Jr ?

Mid-Season Flow Update for California Rivers

It’s misdummer and although free-run rivers are down to a fish-flow trickle there are still plenty of options for California River enthusiasts.  Here’s the low-down on your current options  from mellowist to maximum gnarl: Super chill:  The section of the South Fork of the American that runs through the Coloma-Lotus Valley is a gentle class [...]

Source: http://feed.aorafting.com/~r/aoblog/~3/7A_e1VYLaa0/

Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves? Andre Amade? Dean Amasinger? Jimmy Ambriz

Urijah Faber and Renan Barão throw punches at your head (VIDEO)

Have you ever wondered what it's like to have a UFC fighter's fists fly at your head? Wonder no more.

Luckily, you don't have to feel the actual punches from Urijah Faber and Renan Barão. They'll save those strikes for each other at UFC 149 on Saturday night. Make your predictions on the main event in the comments, on Facebook or Twitter.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/urijah-faber-renan-barao-throw-punches-head-video-141833898--mma.html

Volk Han Joachim Hansen Antoni Hardonk Dan Hardy Lee Hasdell

The long pursuit

Source: http://nedsurfshots.blogspot.com/2012/03/long-pursuit.html

Edgar Garcia Leonard Garcia Andrew Gardner Tiki Ghosn Dennis George

UFC 150 Press Conference Video - UFC 150

http://www.MMAWeekly.com/ was at the UFC 150: Henderson vs. Edgar II kickoff press conference on Tuesday at the Pepsi Center in Denver.UFC president Dana White, lightweight champion Benson Henderson, and challenger Frankie Edgar fielded numerous questions from the media and a throng of fans, talking about Henderson and Edgar's upcoming rematch, as well as many other topics.Henderson and Edgar square off in a main event rematch at UFC 150 on August 11 at the Pepsi Center.

Source: http://mmalice.com/ufc-150/ufc-150-press-conference-video-video_da714c0f5.html

Ralek Gracie Renzo Gracie Rickson Gracie Rodrigo Gracie Roger Gracie

Last day of March

Source: http://nedsurfshots.blogspot.com/2012/03/last-day-of-march.html

Aldrin de Jesus? Todd Duffee? Marvin Eastman? Stav Crazy Bear Economou? Yves Edwards?

Boyd, Cherundolo set to kick off UEFA Europa League quest

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SoccerByIves/~3/WOy3Wiv_E8E/boyd-cherundolo-set-to-kick-off-uefa-europa-league-quest.html

Jonathan Goulet Wilson Gouveia Jason Grace Crosley Gracie Gregor Gracie

Diskerud returns to Stabaek with uncertain future

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SoccerByIves/~3/p90_vpKlpIk/diskerud-returns-to-stabaek-with-uncertain-future.html

Yasubey Enomoto Mark Epstein Tom Big Cat Erickson Martinsh Egle Eric Butterbean Esch

I Would Love to Welcome Brock Back to MMA- Roy Nelson - Roy Nelson

The oft outspoken Roy Nelson shares his feelings about Cain Velasquez getting a title shot, and the possible return of Brock Lesnar to the UFC

Source: http://mmalice.com/roy-nelson/i-would-love-to-welcome-brock-back-to-mma-roy-nelson-video_15b1823b1.html

Mikhail Avetisyan Luiz Azeredo? Luciano Azevedo? Ba Te er? Ryan Bader?

Sabatoge3 Trailer

The Philly heavy Sabatoge3 trailer is way sick. This is definitely one to look out for.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MostlySkateboarding/~3/fkI2wjyeNsI/sabatoge3-trailer.html

Kit Cope? Wesley Cabbage Correira? Patrick The Predator C?té? Randy The Natural Couture? Dan Cramer

Whitewater Kayaking Classes Around Seattle in 2012

If you’re looking for whitewater kayaking classes in the Seattle area in 2012, here are two you’ll want to check out. First off, the Whitewater Fever class run by Northwest Outdoor Center – this is the class that taught me how to roll and helped get me started many years ago.  (I then did absolutely [...]

Source: http://www.ireneskayakingblog.com/kayak-practice/whitewater-kayaking-classes-seattle-2012/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=whitewater-kayaking-classes-seattle-2012

Gerard Gordeau Jonathan Goulet Wilson Gouveia Jason Grace Crosley Gracie

Sounders acquire Martinez on loan

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SoccerByIves/~3/O6fOLcJvcAQ/sounders-acquire-martinez-on-loan.html

Grant Campbell? Gesias JZ Calvancante? Luiz Cane? Dos Caras Jr ? Phil Cardella

Lyoto Machida UFC on FOX 4 Pre-Fight Interview

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2012/8/1/3214298/lyoto-machida-ufc-on-fox-4-pre-fight-interview

Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi? Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah?

Jamie and SCUK at Innsbruck Air & Style

Hoping Jamie Nicholls can top an impressive list of recent UK performances at the 6star Billabong Air & Style this weekend, SCUK Winter Bashers are heading out to the Bergisel Stadium in Innsbruck with a barmy army determined to be heard, possibly felt and most definitely smelt following 24 hours on a coach. Need a [...]

Source: http://snowboardaction.net/jamie-scuk-innsbruck-air-style/

Aleksander Emelianenko Fedor Emelianenko Yasubey Enomoto Mark Epstein Tom Big Cat Erickson

UFC 148 gallery with Anderson Silva’s win and Tito Ortiz’s last fight

Check out pictures from UFC 148 by Tracy Lee. See Anderson Silva celebrating with family, Tito Ortiz's final fight and more.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/ufc-148-gallery-anderson-silva-win-tito-ortiz-175222878--mma.html

Siyar Bahadurzada Bao Ligao? Josh Barnett? David Baron? Phil Baroni

UFC 148 gallery with Anderson Silva’s win and Tito Ortiz’s last fight

Check out pictures from UFC 148 by Tracy Lee. See Anderson Silva celebrating with family, Tito Ortiz's final fight and more.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/ufc-148-gallery-anderson-silva-win-tito-ortiz-175222878--mma.html

Paul Buentello? Josh Burkman? Mikey Burnett? Murilo Bustamante? Grant Campbell?

Highlights: D.C. United 1 - Paris Saint-Germain 1

Buy tickets

Source: http://feeds.dcunited.com/~r/DCUnited/all/~3/6D88oWWQ6sY/highlights-dc-united-1-paris-saint-germain-1

Junie Browning Paul Buentello? Josh Burkman? Mikey Burnett? Murilo Bustamante?

Invicta FC 2 Live Results

Invicta FC will launch its second all-WMMA card tonight live from Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas. MMAFrenzy will have live results for the main card through out the night and a post-fight recap as well. Invicta FC 2 will be headlined by longtime WMMA veteran Shayna Bazler taking on 2004 US Olympic Silver Medalist Sara McMann. The card will be streamed live via Invicta's website beginning at 7 PM ET.

MMAFrenzy.com

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/29615/invicta-fc-2-live-results/

Crosley Gracie Gregor Gracie Ralek Gracie Renzo Gracie Rickson Gracie

UFC 149 will answer these four questions

UFC 149 in Calgary has made more headlines for injuries than it did for high expectations. However, there are still important fights on Saturday in Calgary. They will answer these questions:

1. Does Urijah Faber have another title win in him? Perhaps because of his nickname "The California Kid," or perhaps because he looks so young, it's easy to forget Urijah Faber is 33 years old and has been fighting since 2003. With a shot at the bantamweight interim title on Saturday, Faber has a shot at what might be his last title run. Can he earn the belt, and with it, another shot at champion Dominick Cruz?

2. Is Hector Lombard the real deal? He has a record of 31-2-1, and hasn't lost since 2006. He blew through Bellator to get the middleweight title. Now, he's getting a shot at the UFC and its top-flight talent. Before he can be taken seriously as a contender for Anderson Silva's throne, he needs to get through Tim Boetsch.

3. Is Brian Ebersole ready for a jump in competition? If you were to make a list of UFC fighters with 50 or more UFC wins, would Ebersole be the first name to jump in your head? Because it should. He's 50-14-1, and hasn't lost since dropping a 2008 bout to the larger Lombard. With a win over James Head, Ebersole can leap into the proverbial title mix for a welterweight title.

4. Will fans still care about an injury-ravaged card? Remember when Jose Aldo and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua were on UFC 149? And Thiago Silva? And Michael Bisping and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira? The card presented on Saturday will look very different than the one fans expected.  Canadian fans are known to be very loyal to MMA, but will they still turn out for Faber vs. Barao? And will fans buy the pay-per-view just a few weeks after shelling out cash for UFC 148 and Chael Sonnen and Anderson Silva?

Other popular content on the Yahoo! network:
• Philip Rivers excited for chance to square off against Peyton Manning
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• Bob Costas intends to honor Munich victims, call out IOC
• Y! Finance: America's weirdest restaurants

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/ufc-149-answer-four-questions-213911833--mma.html

Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah? Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama? Gilbert Aldana?

Paul Battlay

Australian Paul Battlay is a fan of the ollie over to grind or slide and I'm into watching that when Paul does it in this new part.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MostlySkateboarding/~3/i0Y5peHi8GA/paul-battlay.html

Nick Diaz? Tadhg Steamfist Dixon Joe Doerksen? Chris Dolman Edson Drago?

Real Salt Lake drops CCL opener to Herediano

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SoccerByIves/~3/kUJ9v2-h7Jg/herediano-downs-10-man-rsl-in-ccl-opener.html

Wagnney Fabiano Kevin Kimbo Slice Ferguson Paulo Filho Mirko Cro Cop Filipovi? Luiz Buscapé Firmino

Pedro Rizzo talks about Fedor and how he will KO him - Pedro Rizzo

Inside MMA correspondent Ron Kruck talks to Pedro Rizzo as he prepares to fight Fedor Emelianenko at M1 in St. Petersburg, Russia June 21, 2012 Win or lose the fight is expected to be Fedor's final bout.

Source: http://mmalice.com/pedro-rizzo/pedro-rizzo-talks-about-fedor-and-how-he-will-ko-him-video_00fc6ecef.html

Tony Fryklund Kazuyuki Fujita Masakatsu Funaki Zelg Benkei Galesi? Mauro Galvao

The next day

Source: http://nedsurfshots.blogspot.com/2012/03/next-day.html

Gregor Gracie Ralek Gracie Renzo Gracie Rickson Gracie Rodrigo Gracie

Bellator Inks Broadcast Deal With R2, Russia’s Leading Sports Network

It would seem the inroads Bellator has made in the Russian market, signing various talent from the country, has paid off for the promotion. It was announced today that Bellator has inked a deal with Russia's leading sports network, Russia 2 (R2), putting the promotion in over 83 million homes starting September 28.

MMAFrenzy.com

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/29678/bellator-inks-broadcast-deal-with-r2-russias-leading-sports-network/

Matt Hamill Volk Han Joachim Hansen Antoni Hardonk Dan Hardy