Andy Samuelson

Story Archive

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.
His way or the highway: White's bold personality has helped guide the UFC to global success; Tuesday, July 7, 2009; Dana White’s not hurting for money. If the blacked out Ferrari the UFC president revs off in one of his recent video blogs doesn’t offer enough proof, there’s always that little 10-percent ownership clause for a company that Forbes recently valued at a billion dollars. So why not just speed off into the sunset after Saturday’s historic UFC 100 show and leave the everyday headaches of the world’s fastest-growing sport behind? White is the fiercest fighter in a sport based on the primal instinct. The more he’s challenged, the harder he fights back.
Lesnar's passion in MMA, but he won't pass on paycheck: UFC heavyweight champ says he's evolved since last match with Mir; Monday, July 6, 2009; Physically, Brock Lesnar is already the UFC’s biggest star. The 6-foot-3, 280-pound Lesnar looks to be made more of granite than flesh. A win at Saturday night’s historic UFC 100 event at Mandalay Bay could easily place the behemoth right at the top of the list of mixed martial arts’ biggest stars in terms of financial success and stardom.
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.
Women's champ dazzles in long-awaited rematch: McCarter shows little ring rust against Raika despite lengthy layoff; Saturday, July 4, 2009; Layla McCarter didn’t end her long awaited rematch with Fujin Raika with the explosive knockout she’d hoped for Friday night, but the dazzling display of boxing she did put on at the South Point arena was as fitting as any fireworks exhibition reserved for later on this Independence day. The Las Vegas-based fighter scored a decisive unanimous decision victory, with all three judges scoring the bout 100-90, despite an 11-month hiatus from the ring. “I could definitely feel I was a little off early on, but it was good to knock some of that ring rust off,” said a smiling McCarter, who with the victory retained the World Boxing Association (WBA) and Global Boxing Union (GBU) women's lightweight championships.
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.
Mir jokes about new baby boy, serious about Lesnar: Las Vegas native says he's confident in winning heavyweight title; Tuesday, June 30, 2009; Frank Mir didn’t do much smiling when talk turned to his UFC 100 opponent Brock Lesnar at his open workout last Friday at Striking Unlimited. The one question that did raise a smirk on the UFC interim heavyweight champ’s face was whether or not there is a possibility for Lesnar-Mir III in a couple of decades. The 30-year-old Mir just had his fourth child, son, Ronin Maximus, on June 9. The next day Lesnar had a baby boy. “Maybe, but I sure hope they don’t. I want my kids to all have jobs where they wear ties,” Mir said with a chuckle.
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.
'GSP' prepared for greatest challenge: Welterweight champ says Alves just as dangerous as he is; Friday, June 26, 2009; Georges St. Pierre has squared off in super fights and fought arguably the sport’s top champion, but the popular Canadian says his biggest challenge will come from Thiago Alves on July 11 at UFC’s historic 100th event. “Skill-wise he’s bringing a lot more problems to the table than everyone I’ve fought so far,” said St. Pierre, the welterweight champ.
Tapout moves forward after death of company's founder: Latest ventures reflect Charles 'Mask' Lewis Jr.'s early vision; Thursday, June 25, 2009; The smiles on the faces of Tapout icons Dan Caldwell and Timothy "Skyskrape" Katz revealed what words couldn’t last weekend during the grand opening of the company’s first training center in Las Vegas.
'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.
Brits living American (global) MMA dream: 'TUF' winners credit U.S. role in their recent success; Sunday, June 21, 2009; The Ultimate Fighter winners Ross Pearson and James Wilks have complete loyalty to the United Kingdom, but have no problem thanking the United States or the American-based reality TV show for helping them find big-time mixed martial arts success.
Sanchez defeats Guida in bloody battle: Brits dominate TUF finals: Pearson takes lightweight; Wilks wins welterweight; Saturday, June 20, 2009; Diego Sanchez may have won the main event Saturday night but it was the nearly 2,000 or so fans in the Pearl theater who were the real winners, seeing several fight-of-the-night contenders and one bloody main event that somehow went the distance. Team U.K. made it two-for-two tonight winning both bouts of the TUF finals.
Brits proved tough enough for MMA: Saturday, June 20, 2009; The ninth installment of the UFC’s popular reality television show “The Ultimate Fighter” offered a unique twist as two countries, not mere teams, squared off for the first time for Spike TV audiences. The finale of the season that pitted the United States against the United Kingdom comes today at the Pearl at the Palms when two of the four finalists in the lightweight and welterweight divisions will win guaranteed six-figure fight contracts to compete in the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization.
'Daddy' Stevenson ready to bring big win home: Revamped fighter wants to prove relevance against Diaz, reunite with family; Saturday, June 20, 2009; With four children and a nickname like “Daddy,” obviously Joe Stevenson’s family is of the utmost importance to him. But being a professional fighter sometimes requires significant sacrifices. That’s why for the last eight weeks, the Victorville, Calif.-based Stevenson has called Albuquerque, New Mexico home. “I have my whole concentration on this fight with Nate (Diaz),” said Stevenson.
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.
Fall date likely for Mayweather-Marquez: Two Vegas boxers win at US Nationals; 'Bones' Adams is back; Monday, June 15, 2009; The exact length of Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s postponement for his fight against Juan Manuel Marquez will not be known until doctors evaluate the extent of damaged cartilage to the Las Vegas resident’s ribs. Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer told The Associated Press on Monday that Mayweather did not have any broken ribs, but was in tremendous pain since suffering the injury last week in training camp. “He tried to work through it. He really did not want to postpone the fight, but it came to the point where he could barely sit,” said Schaefer, who said both Mayweather Jr. and Marquez have agreed to the postponement from the original July 18 date and a September date has been mentioned for the former five-time champion — who hasn’t boxed since knocking out Ricky Hatton in December 2007.
Silva not ready to call it quits: 'Axe Murderer' says he can stay aggressive yet control his mistakes against Franklin; Friday, June 12, 2009; Wanderlei Silva is one of the most popular mixed martial artists of all-time. The Brazilian’s go-for-broke style and fearless attitude has earned "The Axe Murderer" fans across the globe. Problem is, sometimes Silva’s ultra-aggressive attitude puts him in excessively compromising situations where he, and not his opponent, is laying face down via a brutal knockout. While reporters this week in Germany seem to think the 33-year-old is closer to hanging up the gloves, Silva insists he’s not ready to be a trainer full-time just yet. "I love to fight, this is so exciting for me. This is my life," said Silva, now training out of his newly opened Las Vegas-based gym Wand Fight Team.
Despite snags, White confident Germany event will go without hitch: Friday, June 12, 2009; UFC president Dana White is no stranger to fighting for mixed martial arts’ legitimacy. The outspoken leader of the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization has had to confront doubters of his sport even before Sen. John McCain branded it "human cockfighting." So the rocky reception for the promotion’s first foray into Germany this Saturday at UFC 99 in Lanxess Arena in Cologne — which has included a local child-protection group helping to ban fans 17 and younger from attending, false media reports that depict the event as a no-holds-barred sport with bare knuckles and few rules, where matches can even end in death — came as no surprise to White or head UFC officials. “This is what we deal with,” White told reporters on a conference call earlier in the week.
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.
Mayweather Jr. proud to be an American: Unretired champ says he's ready to prove boxing's best is back; Friday, June 12, 2009; Floyd Mayweather Jr. might have been a bit late for his arrival at a special Flag Day celebration at his signature gym in Las Vegas’ Chinatown district Thursday, but he definitely didn’t forget his patriotism. “I represented this country in the 1996 Olympic games. When I received a bronze medal, there was nothing like standing up there and holding the American flag,” said Mayweather Jr., whose acrylic American flag sticker on the windows to his gym read: “Mayweather’s America.”
'Cro Cop' says he's back and better than ever: Thursday, June 11, 2009; Croatian heavyweight Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic says he is returning to the UFC this Saturday with his head squarely on his shoulders, which could spell trouble for his UFC 99 opponent, Mostapha Al Turk, at the event in Cologne, Germany. "The UFC was the black spot in my career and my life," said Filipovic, the former PRIDE champ who posted a disappointing 1-2 mark in the premiere mixed martial organization two years ago.
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.
California trumps Las Vegas for MMA news: WEC 41 sets attendance, gate records; Carano to face 'Cyborg' in August; Monday, June 8, 2009; Neighboring California became the hot spot for major mixed martial arts news over the weekend. World Extreme Cagefighting enjoyed its most prosperous night in the promotion’s eight-year history Sunday in Sacramento. The sister organization to the UFC set attendance and live gate records as 12,706 fans showed up to watch WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown defend his title against hometown hero Urijah Faber.
Evans says nightmare gave him needed wake-up call: Former 205-pound champ admits he learned lesson in loss to Machida; Saturday, June 6, 2009; Long before his nightmares became reality on May 23, Rashad Evans knew something wasn’t right during his fight preparation for Lyoto Machida. “I couldn’t even get any sleep before my fight,” said Evans, the former UFC light heavyweight champ. “Usually you have that down time before you have to report. And I was trying to sleep, but every time I slept, I lost in my dream,” continued Evans, who lost his belt to the karate expert via a second-round knockout at UFC 98.
Mosley trying to finalize deal with Pacquiao: WBA welterweight champion says catch-weight fight could happen in October; Wednesday, June 3, 2009; The contracts have yet to be signed, but on paper there seems to be at least a little intrigue for a matchup this fall between two of the top fighters in the world. World Boxing Association welterweight champion Shane Mosley 46-5-0 (39 KOs) said Wednesday that only a few obstacles stand between him and pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao 49-3-2 (37 KOs) securing a catch-weight bout for Oct. 17.
White says Kimbo Slice won't get special treatment: UFC president sticks to claim that Slice's only way into the UFC is via 'TUF'; Wednesday, June 3, 2009; Kimbo Slice could prove to be the biggest addition in UFC history, but company president Dana White said the former street brawler would not get any special privileges during his tenure on the popular Spike TV reality show “The Ultimate Fighter.” “Believe me when I tell you, Kimbo is getting zero (expletive) special treatment,” White said Tuesday at the UFC training center during the “TUF” media day, a day after the news broke that the highest-watched mixed martial artist of all-time would be taking his shot to earn a spot in the most successful MMA organization in the world.
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.
Former Playboy model wins MMA debut: UFC champ's cousin also successful in debut at Tuff-N-Uff event; Sunday, May 31, 2009; LaTasha Marzolla got two of her three wishes granted Saturday night at the Orleans arena. She won her pro mixed martial arts debut and was rewarded with a vodka cocktail after her first-round victory over Christy Tada at the all day Tuff-N-Uff extravaganza. But the whole fixing her face thing might take a little time to get right. “You look fine, just put some cool glasses on,” said good friend and top female fighter Gina Carano as the two celebrated in the locker room afterwards.
Former Playboy model to make MMA debut tonight: Friday, May 29, 2009; LaTasha Marzolla always knew the time spent rough-housing with her younger brother, Michael, in the family living room would pay off some day. The 29-year-old mixed martial artists just hopes she can remember something from those long-ago fighting lessons when she makes her MMA debut tonight against Christy Tada at the Tuff-N-Uff event at the Orleans tonight. “I’m definitely ready to get back out there and fight, it’s been a while,” said Marzolla, who was set to fight earlier in the year before a pair of nagging injuries pushed her back to today’s card. “I’m really confident and I can’t wait to see how I do in my MMA debut.”
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.
Country boy survives bitter rival: After win over Serra, Hughes says he's not quite ready to hang 'em up; Sunday, May 24, 2009; The hatchet might not be completely buried privately but on Saturday night it was at least squashed publically as bitter rivals Matt Hughes and Matt Serra actually hugged inside the Octagon at UFC 98.
Machida KOs Evans for crown: Hughes wins grudge match; Saturday, May 23, 2009; Moments after Lyoto Machida claimed the UFC light heavyweight title, he delivered a message to the buzzing crowd of 12,606 still on its feet inside the MGM Grand: "Karate is back!" And after the explosive performance the undefeated Machida (15-0) had just displayed in his win over Rashad Evans, the martial art may be around for quite some time.
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.
Evans, Machida ready for historic night: Pair of 205-pounders are the first undefeateds to fight for title; Saturday, May 23, 2009; Rashad Evans knows he has to get a grip on Lyoto Machida if he hopes to keep hold of his UFC light heavyweight title belt. Trouble is, nobody in mixed martial arts has been able to keep two hands on Machida, the Japanese-Brazilian fighter with an unusual hybrid technique and a fearsome overall skill.
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.
Tarver's trainer shares tips, wisdom: Jimmy Williams has been around the game 60 years, says he has plenty more to share; Saturday, May 9, 2009; He’s trained champs and chumps. Kids, like Antonio Tarver made it all the way to the top. Others lay dead in the streets. Jimmy Williams’ message of a better life couldn’t save them from some of mankind’s biggest pitfalls: drugs and violence. Williams was a contemporary of Muhammad Ali, Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson. But all accolades and accomplices aside, the 81-year-old’s illustrious career, which also saw him perform a stint as a professional dancer, is best defined in the ring.
Tarver eager for rematch: 'Magic Man' says he's got a powerful game plan for Dawson; Thursday, May 7, 2009; The talk is a lot tamer this time around from Antonio Tarver. That tends to happen when you’ve had your head handed to you like the former light heavyweight champ did last fall, in a lopsided loss to Chad Dawson. But a rematch clause in their first contract allows a confident Tarver the opportunity to take his title back and keep his second-time around streak intact.
'Pac-Man' KOs Hatton in second round: Pound-for-pound king proves more dominant than De La Hoya fight; Saturday, May 2, 2009; After months of promoting "The Battle of East and West," pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao stopped the megafight in a matter of moments. Pacquiao dropped Ricky Hatton twice in the first round, and quickly finished the the IBO and Ring Magazine junior welterweight champ off in the final second of the second round. A vicious left hand left "The Hitman" on the canvas for several minutes while Pacquiao quietly celebrated in his corner.
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.
Pacquiao's fights provide peace in Philippines: Pound-for-pound king dreams of being a politician and promoting change in home country; Saturday, May 2, 2009; Manny Pacquiao has a power that few people, if any throughout the world, possess. When the Filipino fights, men in the Philippines stop fighting. “I told them that if that can be the reason the guns will be silent in my country, I can fight every day — just for them,” said Pacquiao, who has been told by high-ranking military officials that during his boxing matches hostile guerrillas and the army call a truce.
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.