Andy Samuelson

« Older
Newer »

Blog Post Archive

Episode 2: Evans' squad 2-for-2; stage is set for Kimbo Slice: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009; The drama is supposed to be reserved for the reality TV show on Spike TV, but with Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s latest revelation that he is retired from fighting, the most exciting action involving TUF No. 10 is happening outside the house in Las Vegas. But like they say the show must go on, and this week’s installment while the action is somewhat slow to get started, ends with a big announcement.
UFC's Rampage set to reprise Mr. T's role on 'The A-Team' remake: Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009; http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/mma/08/26/rampage.mr.t/
UFC officially announces Machida-'Shogun' fight for Oct. 24 in L.A.: Monday, Aug. 24, 2009
Couture hosting charity poker tourney today at Golden Nugget: Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009; Randy Couture may be one of the baddest men on the planet, but when it comes to the military the former UFC champ has a big soft spot in his heart. Like several GI events he’s hosted in the past, Couture, a veteran of the Army’s 101st Airborne Division, will be the main man today at second annual “Operation All In” poker tournament that takes place at 2 p.m. at the Golden Nugget.
UFC's counter-programming outdraws Strikeforce show (sort of): Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009; No doubt the biggest fight in female mixed martial arts history Saturday night was quite the successful event as Strikeforce’s bout between Gina Carano and Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos drew 13,524 fans to HP Pavilion in San Jose for an estimated live gate of $750,000. But the show airing on Showtime played second fiddle to UFC’s counter-programming of the promotion’s historic UFC 100 event from July (well, depending on how you view the ratings).
Couture signs on with EA Sports: Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009; At last Randy Couture can have the dream fight he always wanted, the only problem is the format he’ll be battling Fedor Emelianenko will be set on an electronic stage. The UFC legend announced Saturday that he will appear in EA Sports’ “MMA” video game set to be released sometime in 2010, joining the Russian heavyweight Emelianenko and other non-UFC notables Renato "Babalu" Sobral and Gegard Mousasi.
UFC to counter-program Strikeforce event: Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009; The Ultimate Fighting Championship will re-broadcast several bouts from its landmark UFC 100 show on Spike TV on Saturday night.That just happens to be the same day as a big event for Strikeforce, the promotion that's emerging as UFC's most legitimate competitor. The Strikeforce show, featuring the first-ever female championship fight between Las Vegas' Gina Carano and Cris "Cyborg" Santos, will take place Saturday night at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Pride Fighting Championships lives on via Spike TV: Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009; Spike TV will let fight fans relive the best of more than 60 Pride events when host Kenda Perez premieres “The Best of Pride Fighting Championships,” on January 11, 2010 at 11pm ET/PT.
Even in Philly, UFC's White still talking about Fedor, Strikeforce: Friday, Aug. 7, 2009; While the majority of UFC news from the “City of Brotherly Love” caters to tomorrow’s UFC 101 event, UFC president Dana White still can’t stop talking about Fedor and his deal with Strikeforce.
Fedor signs with Strikeforce, M-1 to co-promote: Monday, Aug. 3, 2009; Days after turning down a generous offer from the world's premiere mixed martial arts organization, Russian heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko has signed a multi-fight deal with the California-based Strikeforce, the UFC's biggest competitor.
Fedor not in UFC, but on the cover of EA Sports video game: Wednesday, July 29, 2009; The latest chapter in the Fedor Emelianenko saga came in and went on Wednesday with little action. Sure the Russian heavyweight, regarded by many mixed martial arts pundits as the world’s top fighter, announced that he will be the new cover boy for EA Sports’ upcoming video game titled “EA Sports MMA” — but the Octagon-shattering news UFC fans were hoping for, that Emelianenko would announce he’s signing with the world’s premiere MMA promotion, will have to wait until Friday, if ever.
'Affliction: Trilogy' canceled, apparel company to join UFC; Ortiz may as well: Friday, July 24, 2009; Headliner Josh Barnett's failed drug test that Affliction vice president Tom Atencio called "just another bump in the road” on Wednesday became a monster sink hole Friday as the start-up mixed martial arts organization was forced to not only cancel its third show, "Affliction: Trilogy," set for Aug. 1 in Anaheim — but fold as a promotion all together.
Pacquiao-Cotto set for Nov. 14 at MGM: Monday, July 20, 2009; Filipino boxing star Manny Pacquiao will return to Las Vegas in November to take on Miguel Cotto at a catch weight of 145 pounds.
UFC 100 fighters test clean for drugs: Friday, July 17, 2009; All four headliners in the two title fights, Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir, and Georges St. Pierre and Thiago Alves, were tested for abusive drugs, like marijuana and cocaine, as well as anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancers. Yoshihiro Akiyama, Mark Coleman, Jon Fitch, Shannon Gugerty, Dan Henderson, Jon Jones, Dong Hyun Kim, Tom Lawlor and Jim Miller were also tested.
UFC inks TV deal in Mexico: Thursday, July 9, 2009; Two weeks ago it was China, on Thursday Mexico stepped into the forefront as the UFC’s latest global partner. The world’s premiere mixed martial arts organization announced that it has signed a multi-faceted television agreement in Mexico with Grupo Televisa S.A.B. — the world’s largest Spanish-speaking media company.
No. 2: Top 5 significant fights in UFC history: Thursday, July 9, 2009; UFC president Dana White credits Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar’s epic back-and-forth battle in April of 2005 for single-handily saving the struggling mixed martial arts organization. No other UFC war gets White’s official “most important fight in UFC history” seal of approval. But there’s been plenty of other brawls, sprawls, and mauls that head up a short list of bouts that could be referred to as the best-of-the-best.
Holly Madison to serve as honorary Octagon girl: Tuesday, July 7, 2009; Former Playboy model Holly Madison will be making yet another costume change in Las Vegas. The star of the newly-premiered “Peepshow” production at Planet Hollywood will serve as an honorary Octagon Girl at this Saturday’s UFC 100 event at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
No. 4: The Ring Girl: Logan Stanton breaks mold for UFC models: Tuesday, July 7, 2009; To say Logan Stanton was a little shocked when she found out that UFC president Dana White wanted to meet with her, is a flat out understatement. The 20-year-old model knew White from watching UFC events at various spots in Miami, but obviously she thought that the UFC’s tastes in Octagon girls didn’t exactly match her slender frame. “Dana called up my agency and requested I meet with him. I was kind of unsure why at the time,” Stanton said recalling the life-changing meeting with a little laughter.
No. 6: The Ref: Dean relishes role, making right calls: Sunday, July 5, 2009; His fame might not quite be in Ed Hochuli's league just yet, but if the UFC’s rapid growth continues at its current pace Herb Dean may just track down the NFL veteran official in terms of popularity. “It’s kind of strange, I always thought refereeing would be a thankless job that people wouldn’t really pay attention to unless you messed up,” said the 38-year-old Dean, a Pasadena, Calif. native who has been refereeing mixed martial arts fights for more than a decade.
No. 7: Brave new world: UFC goes global: Saturday, July 4, 2009; The physical fireworks will be exploding today as Americans celebrate their independence, but for U.S. fight fans a similar celebratory event will take place next Saturday when the Ultimate Fighting Championship makes mixed martial arts history with its 100th show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. While no country as helped put the competition on the map more than the United States, UFC brass know for the sport to take its next step it has to appeal to a global audience.
No. 8: The Cutman: Blood is Stitch's trade and his bond: Friday, July 3, 2009; When you bathe your hands in blood enough times, few situations tend to disturb you. While that sentence may sound like the M.O. for a serial killer, it’s actually a day-to-day motto for UFC cutman Jacob “Stitch” Duran. In his more than 14 years of tending to the mugs of boxers and mixed martial artists since moving to Las Vegas, there have only been two situations that have made the legendary cutman queasy.
UFC/Maxim to crown Octagon girl at Fan Expo: Thursday, July 2, 2009; As if next weekend wasn’t already the hottest event in UFC history, the first-ever Fan Expo just turned up the temperature considerably. The UFC and Maxim magazine announced today that they would name a winner in the first-ever Maxim/UFC Octagon Girl contest on the expo’s second day, Saturday, July 11.
Cerrone, Henderson to fight at WEC 43 in Ohio: Tuesday, June 30, 2009; The first World Extreme Cagefighting event in Ohio will feature an interim title on the line when Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone takes on Ben Henderson for the WEC’s lightweight crown at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio on Sept. 2.
HBO announces 'Mayweather/Marquez 24/7' back on: Monday, June 29, 2009; The fight is back on, and so too is the hype. HBO Sports announced today that Mayweather/Marquez 24/7 is set to air Saturday Aug. 29. The four-episode, all-access series spotlights the irrepressible superstar Floyd Mayweather’s return to boxing in a year and a half against the highly respected Mexican fighter Juan Manuel Marquez.
'TUF' finale outdraws U.S. Open, MLB: Tuesday, June 23, 2009; So the UFC isn’t mainstream just yet, but Saturday night’s television ratings for “The Ultimate Fighter” finale at the Palms were just another sign that mixed martial arts is gaining ground fast. Spike announced today that season-ending event for TUF No. 9 Team U.S. vs. Team U.K. drew 663,000 viewers in the male 18-34 demographic, outdrawing both the U.S. Open golf on NBC (384,000) and Major League Baseball on FOX (184,000) which aired earlier in the day.
Tapout taps into fitness training: Friday, June 19, 2009; Mixed martial arts clothing giant TapouT is expanding its lifestyle brand into a new arena today, opening the first TapouT Research & Development Training Center in Las Vegas.
UFC confirms remaining bouts for July's 100th show: Thursday, June 18, 2009; The UFC confirmed the remaining fights for its historic 100th anniversary card set for July 11th at Mandalay Bay on Tuesday.
Couture, Nogueira official for UFC 102 in August: Monday, June 15, 2009; The long-rumored homecoming for Randy “The Natural” Couture was made official by the UFC on Monday. The 45-year-old former heavyweight and light heavyweight champ will take on Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira at UFC 102 on Aug. 29, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. “We’re extremely excited to be heading to Portland,” said UFC president Dana White, of the UFC’s first promotion to the Pacific Northwest.
IBO champ Dawson inks rematch with Johnson: Friday, June 12, 2009; International Boxing Organization light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson must like rematches. Fresh off his second straight victory over Antonio Tarver, Dawson (28-0, 17 KOs) is set to square off again against former light heavyweight champ Glen Johnson, who he defeated in a disputed unanimous decision victory in April of 2008.
First UFC gym to open in Concord, Calif.: Wednesday, June 10, 2009; The Ultimate Fighting Championship announced today that Concord, Calif. is going to be the home for the company’s first-ever UFC gym. Concord, which is located 29 miles east of San Francisco, was chosen in part because of its proximity to the residences of New Evolution Fitness Company (partnering with the UFC in the fitness venture) co-founders Mark Mastrov and Jim Rowley.
Kimbo Slice to compete on 'The Ultimate Fighter': Tuesday, June 2, 2009; Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White promised more surprises in store for the 10th season of the UFC’s popular reality television show “The Ultimate Fighter,” but few in the mixed martial arts community could have guessed the secret would be this big. Kevin Ferguson, known to the fighting world as Kimbo Slice, will compete on the latest version of the Spike TV series that begins taping Wednesday and is scheduled to air in September.
Jackson, Evans to coach 'TUF' season No. 10: Thursday, May 28, 2009; The UFC’s popular reality TV series, “The Ultimate Fighter” will definitely be bigger for season No. 10 — hard not to be considering the show will feature the heavyweight division for the first time since season No. 2.
Limp Bizkit to perform at UFC 100 event: Saturday, May 23, 2009; Rap-rock and nu-metal band Limp Bizkit will add a little more history to the UFC 100 extravaganza when the multi-platinum-selling group makes its first North American concert in eight years as a part of the UFC 100 weekend.
McCall ready for return to glory: Friday, May 22, 2009; It’s been 19 months since he’s been in the ring, but a former champ returns to Las Vegas to see what he’s got left. No this isn’t Floyd Mayweather Jr., “The Pretty Boy”, isn’t set to return until July. Instead former heavyweight champ Oliver McCall will be highlighting the main event of Crown Boxing's fight card tonight at 7 p.m. at The Orleans against Australian John Hopoate.
Antillon stays perfect with stoppage: Saturday, May 2, 2009; Urbano Antillon probably would have rather started his weekend without a nice-sized gash over his left eye. But all things considered, the WBC’s top-ranked lightweight contender made out OK in his fifth-round technical knockout of Tyrone Harris Friday night at the new Joint inside the Hard Rock.
Mayweather Jr. to announce comeback Saturday: Friday, May 1, 2009; Apparently Floyd Mayweather Jr. wants in on Saturday's party too. A source confirmed to the Los Angeles Times' Lance Pugmire on Friday night that HBO and Golden Boy Promotions have called an 11 a.m. news conference tomorrow, just hours before Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao's megafight at the MGM Grand, to announce the return of "Pretty Boy Floyd."
Pro Hatton crowd sings praises to their hero at weigh-in: Friday, May 1, 2009; Round one goes to the Brits. The large majority of fans attending Friday’s weigh-in for Saturday’s megafight between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton were on “The Hitman’s” side, and if there was any doubt about it — the flag-waving, song-chanting, pint-drinking pro-Hatton supporters made sure the rest of the 5,000-plus crowd heard about it at every possible opportunity.
No. 3: Trainers' stories hidden behind trash talk: Thursday, April 30, 2009; If the two trainers could ever get past their trash talking personas, the public might get an insider’s look into their real personalities. What one may find out is despite all of Floyd Mayweather Sr. and Freddie Roach’s agreed upon differences, the two are more similar than they would like to admit.
De La Hoya says no flu fears for Pacquiao-Hatton: Wednesday, April 29, 2009; The first case of the swine flu was discovered in northern Nevada today, but concerns that the deadly disease would have any impact on Saturday’s megabout between Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao in southern Nevada were quickly squashed at a press conference at the MGM Grand. “There's no concern about it here now," retired boxing star and co-promoter of “The Battle Between East and West” Oscar De La Hoya told the AFP on Wednesday.
No. 6: An international affair: Monday, April 27, 2009; There will be flags a waving and Christmas-themed singing, and that’s just the crazy scene that will play out to those lucky enough to be inside the MGM Grand next Saturday night. Two worlds away the celebration will be even more intense as Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton meet in a megabout to decide boxing pride, and fan superiority between each superstar’s large legion of supporters.
No. 8: Watching how a world is watching: Saturday, April 25, 2009; The most glamorized build-up is taking place on HBO’s award-winning “24/7” series, a show that offers an all-access look into each fighter’s training camps, the escalating side bout between the two outspoken trainers (Freddie Roach and Floyd Mayweather Sr.), and of course, the importance this match holds in Pacquiao’s native Philippines and Hatton’s home of Manchester, England.
Extreme athletes, musicians to perform at Galleria Mall today: Saturday, April 18, 2009
Big poker weekend on tap: Friday, April 17, 2009; Two big poker tournaments take place in Las Vegas this weekend.
Despite last showing, Silva says he'll be strong at UFC 97: Friday, April 17, 2009; Despite a lackluster showing in his last win, Anderson Silva promises a quality performance in his bout against Thales Leites.
MMA Notes: White’s vlog, Affliction’s stance, Ortiz and more: Thursday, April 16, 2009; UFC 94 replay a big hit. Dana White talks about his video blog, while Affliction's Tom Atencio says he won't try to counter UFC.
Lindland to screen MMA film at East Side Cannery tonight: Friday, April 10, 2009; Matt Lindland knows tonight he’s in the right town to truly get some actual feedback about the film based around his life in the fight game. “I’m super excited because Vegas is a fight town with knowledgeable fans who love the sport,” said Lindland, a mixed martial artist who fittingly goes by the nickname “The Law” since the name of the film is "Fighting Politics.” There will an 8:15 p.m. screening tonight of the documentary, which is part of the 2009 Las Vegas International Film Festival, at the East Side Cannery. Tickets are $7 and there will be a Q&A session afterwards with Lindland.
UFC announces more bouts for 100th show: Friday, April 10, 2009; A day after officially announcing the three headlining “superfights” for UFC 100, the promotion confirmed five more bouts for the historic event on Thursday.
Brown-Faber II set for June 7 in Sacramento: Tuesday, March 31, 2009; Mike Brown and Urijah Faber's much anticipated rematch is set for June 7 at Arco Arena in Sacramento, Calif.
Sanchez-Guida to face off at 'TUF' finale: Monday, March 30, 2009; The UFC announced that Diego “The Nightmare” Sanchez and Clay “The Carpenter” Guida will headline the "The Ultimate Fighter" finale on Saturday, June 20 at The Pearl at The Palms.
UFC's Silva trumpets trainer's high-tech approach: Thursday, March 26, 2009; Wanderlei Silva's latest project is helping fellow countryman, friend, and trainer Rafael Alejarra launch mmaconditioning.tv — an interactive Web site that showcases the innovative training techniques Alejarra uses.