Andy Samuelson

Story Archive

Fun has begun for Hatton-Pacquiao bout

Boxers will square off May 2 at the MGM Grand

Thursday, March 5, 2009

While Manny Pacquiao fans line the streets by the thousands in his native Philippines to watch the universally regarded pound-for-pound champ box, another prize fighter thinks he’s got just the type of style to stop Pacquiao’s legendary status from growing.

UFC expands empire with announcement of 99th event

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

The Ultimate Fighting Championship took its next step towards global growth Tuesday, announcing UFC 99 “The Comeback,” which will take place June 13 in Cologne, Germany.

UFC 98 set for May 23 at MGM Grand

Monday, March 2, 2009

Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir will fight for the right to be called heavyweight champion when the two title holders battle at UFC 98 at MGM Grand.

Biffle finds luck at LVMS

No. 16 cars holds off teammate to stop 76-race winless streak

Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009

Greg Biffle had some bad breaks Saturday at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He was caught speeding, heck Biffle even ran out of gas, not once, but twice — while leading the Sam’s Town 300. But the No. 16 Roush Fenway Racing Ford overcame all of those problems and got lucky at just the right time as he held off teammate Carl Edwards down the home stretch of a green-white-checkered-flag finish. "It feels great to get back in Victory Lane," said Biffle, who snapped a 76-race winless streak by crossing the finish line .391 seconds ahead of Edwards in a race that was plagued by 12 cautions, one short of the race record.

The ups and downs of race day

Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009

Anything and everything can happen on race day. The "key" is how good your support staff is. Luck wasn't on hometown hero Kyle Busch's side as he wrecked out early on, but Greg Biffle did benefit from good fortunes in Las Vegas when he won the Sam's Town 300.

Oh Brother! Busch brothers qualify 1-2 for Sunday's Shelby 427 at LVMS

Friday, Feb. 27, 2009

For all their success in racing, the Las Vegas-based Busch brothers did something they've never done before Friday — qualify 1-2. But in order to win his first race at his home track, Kyle Busch will have to do so from the back of the field. Not exactly the award the Las Vegas native was hoping for, especially considering the 23-year-old Busch will be the pole-sitter for Sunday’s Shelby 427 after laying down a new track qualifying record in 29.033 seconds, 185.995 mph at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Busch brothers happy to be back home

Las Vegas natives Kyle and Kurt Busch put on show for kids sake

Friday, Feb. 27, 2009

It had to feel like old times for the Busch brothers Thursday night as they once again raced each other on a track in their hometown. “I think I passed him once, but his car may have been running out of juice,” said a laughing Kyle Busch, of overtaking his brother, Kurt, at his own charity event at Pole Position Raceway behind the Palms casino. "I don’t recall that,” said the elder Kurt, with a big smile.

Entry list in for Shelby 427 and other NASCAR Weekend notes

Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009

Fifty-one race teams, the second-most entries ever for a NASCAR Sprint Cup race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, filed entries for Sunday’s Shelby 427.

‘Grease-Gate’ still a slippery subject

Monday, Feb. 23, 2009

The talk surrounding Georges St. Pierre’s illegal use of Vaseline in his victory over B.J. Penn at UFC 94 on Jan. 31 may have died down a bit, but the subject is still a tough one to get a handle on.

Californians move out of comfort zone

Sanchez, Stevenson change up training camps for today's fight

Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009

Diego Sanchez (21-2 MMA) left his San Diego surroundings to tackle the rugged terrain and 7,000-foot elevation that Lake Tahoe offered. Meanwhile Joe Stevenson (29-9) made an even larger move last year, leaving the lights of Las Vegas to return to his hometown of Victorville, Calif. But for today’s 155-pound bout (which will air tape-delayed at 9 p.m. on the west coast on Spike TV), the main event of the UFC’s fourth show in England in just over a year, Stevenson (who lost to B.J. Penn last January in England) sequestered himself even further away from his family — holing up with just his training staff in a house 20 minutes away from his wife and children.

Lessons from legends

Jorge Lopez credits UFC's best for his success in the sport

Friday, Feb. 20, 2009

Normally fight victors don’t end up riding in the back of an ambulance. But last Saturday night Jorge Lopez found himself in that exact predicament trying to pass his 45-minute trip from Buffalo Bill’s casino in Primm to Las Vegas’ University Medical Center in peace, rather than rehashing the punishing blows he received from Brent Cooper during the main event of the “Worlds Collide” show that made this precautionary trip to the doc possible.

UFC ref enjoys working dual-sport show

UFC 97 saved; Parisyan pleads case; Female boxer's debut delayed

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

UFC referee Steve Mazzagatti is comfortable ruling fights outside the Octagon as he returned to his roots at this past weekend's smaller show in Primm. UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta ensures April show in Montreal will go on as planned.

UFC 94 numbers released; White working on show in Mexico

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009

Official figures for UFC 94 reveal the promotion's gate total was the sixth-largest in the organization's history as well as the highest-attended UFC show in MGM Grand Garden history.

Chip off the Couture block

Son of legendary UFC champ scores solid win in second amateur bout

Monday, Feb. 16, 2009

Obviously it’s a bit premature to lump Ryan Couture into the same sentence in terms of mixed martial arts skills as his legendary father, Randy Couture, but Sunday night the younger Couture definitely impressed in the main event of the TUFF-N-UFF Amateur Fighting Championship.

MMA amateurs proud of paternal bonds

Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009

Ryan Couture didn't take up mixed martial arts to follow in his famous father, Randy's footsteps. But now that he chose the fight path, he wants to prove he belongs on his own merit. Art Martinez, on the other hand, is trying to fill a role similar to the elder Couture and show his young son, Isaac, that fighting isn't necessarily a bad thing.

'Worlds Collide' event ends with a bang

Dual sport show a hit among fans, pro fighters, promoters

Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009

Former boxer Fernando Vargas’ future in the promotional part of the fight game looks pretty bright after his first foray Saturday night in Primm. Then again, if Vargas’ predictions are going to be this accurate, the Oxnard, Calif., native might want to relocate to Las Vegas full time and become a professional handicapper. The two-time world champ promised a massacre at the Star of the Desert Arena, and Jorge Lopez and Brent Cooper all but delivered on that bold bloodbath proclamation at the combined mixed martial arts and boxing event dubbed “Worlds Collide.”

MMA, boxing worlds collide for West Coast fighters

Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009

Mixed martial arts fans and boxing purists get the opportunity to watch the best of both worlds tonight at the Star of the Desert Arena as an eight-fight, dual-sport event appropriately titled “Worlds Collide” takes place in Primm.

Vargas enjoys role as pioneer promoter

Jones Jr. joins dual promotion game; UFC 96 finalized

Friday, Feb. 13, 2009

Former champion boxer Fernando Vargas loves boxing, but says the future of the fight game involved mixed martial arts.

Light heavyweight champ enjoys a break

Evans says diet, time away from family are hardest part of sport

Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009

Rashad Evans shared stories with UFC Fight Club members before UFC 94 of his bout against Forrest Griffin, why he hates to diet and how he can tell whether he’s winning a fight or losing by his wife’s trademark screams.

Jon Jones happy to prove himself on big stage

Undefeated light heavyweight says win over Bonnar is just the beginning

Monday, Feb. 9, 2009

After recording the biggest win in his young mixed martial arts career a little more than a week ago at UFC 94, 21-year-old Jon Jones joked with a reporter who asked him if he “could suplex God?” “No, not ready to do that quite yet,” the New York native said, after first mimicking classic Bruce Lee hand movements and puckering his lips. The media members gathered at the postfight press conference laughed. Somewhere inside the MGM Grand, UFC veteran Stephan Bonnar did not.

Riddle hoping to repeat historic punch

'TUF' alum ready for second fight tonight after relocation to Las Vegas

Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009

So how do you top the perfect punch? "You just go out and try to do it again,” said UFC welterweight Matt Riddle, with a big laugh.

Penn's camp asks for review in Vaseline allegation

Penn's lawyer doesn't file official complaint in letter

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009

A lawyer for B.J. Penn has requested the Nevada State Athletic Commission review the UFC 94 title fight between Penn and Georges St. Pierre last Saturday night at the MGM Grand, saying the illegal use of Vaseline by St. Pierre’s corner prevented Penn’s ability to perform against the UFC welterweight champ.

Super Bowl puts superfight, sport in spotlight

Penn talks retirement; UFC looks to Far East; WEC adds class

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009

While official numbers have yet to be released, Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White said he expected UFC 94 to surpass both UFC 91 (Randy Couture-Brock Lesnar) and UFC 92 (The Ultimate 2008) as the top-selling pay-per-view event in the organization’s history, with more than 1.3 million buys (which would top the 1.25 million pay-per-views that Oscar De La Hoya-Manny Pacquiao “Dream Match” in December generated).

'Grease-Gate' clouds superfight

NSAC director Kizer says no formal complaint has been filed

Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2009

No one from B.J. Penn’s fight team filed an official complaint to the Nevada State Athletic Commission over illegal tactics utilized by Georges St. Pierre’s corner in the Canadian’s victory over Penn Saturday night at UFC 94, said NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer late Monday afternoon. However, Kizer said the commission has already warned St. Pierre’s camp of their misconduct of inappropriately rubbing Vaseline on St. Pierre’s back, shoulders and chest in what mixed martial arts fans are referring to as “Grease-Gate.”

St. Pierre defeats Penn after four rounds

Lightweight champ unable to continue into fifth round

Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009

Georges St. Pierre left little doubt this time. After winning by decision in his first bout with B.J. Penn three years ago, the UFC welterweight champ dominated the lightweight champ Saturday night at the MGM Grand, winning by TKO after Penn could not continue after the fourth round.

Penn ready to back up words

Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009

B.J. Penn has had plenty to say in the build-up of tonight’s super fight with Georges St. Pierre at the MGM Grand. While Penn admits, in part, he’s been talking more trash before this fight to try to gain a mental advantage over St. Pierre, he insists the Canadian’s camp is the one fueling the verbal fire.

St. Pierre out to prove he's the sport's best

Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009

Tonight is personal for Georges St. Pierre, and it has very little to do with B.J. Penn. “For me when I compete, I compete against myself,” said the UFC’s welterweight champion, who goes into tonight’s superfight at the MGM Grand against the lightweight champ sporting a 17-2 record. “Last time I fought B.J. Penn I won in a decision. This time if I want to do better I need to finish him out.”

Penn, St. Pierre stay quiet at UFC weigh-in; big jackpot winner does not

Friday, Jan. 30, 2009

The real excitement Friday afternoon at the MGM Grand wasn’t inside the Grand Garden Arena during the official weigh-ins for tomorrow’s UFC 94. Nope, just hundreds of yards down the casino’s main corridor came a woman’s loud screams — the sound of someone who had just one a big jackpot.

Hatton-Paqcuiao set for May 2 at MGM

Pound-for-pound king could hold three titles at the same time

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

The month-long drama surrounding the potential boxing megabout between junior welterweight champ Ricky Hatton and pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquaio is over. Promoters for the two boxers announced their official agreement Wednesday, setting the match for May 2 at the MGM Grand.

Lesser-known fighters ready to put on big show

Win by Silva or Machida keeps record intact; sets up likley title shot

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009

The mixed martial arts world will be watching UFC 94 for the superfight between UFC champions Georges St. Pierre and B.J. Penn. But what they very well could see Saturday night is a lesser-known pair of fighters stealing the show at the MGM Grand. “The fight that has kind of gotten overshadowed by this thing, which is another amazing fight, is Thiago Silva and Lyoto Machida,” UFC president Dana White said during Wednesday’s media conference.

Bonnar glad to be back in Octagon

Light heavyweight embraces historic fight against Griffin, ready to start new chapter in his career at UFC 94

Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009

Without knowing who he was, it would have been real easy to confuse Stephan Bonnar with the rest of the young males watching UFC 93 on Jan. 17 at Green Valley Ranch’s Ovation Lounge.

'Ultimate Fighter' coaches excited about new format

Henderson, Bisping plan on cleaning up hit reality TV show

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009

"The Ultimate Fighter 9" coaches Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping are excited to be a part of the first-ever Team U.S.A. vs. Team U.K. challenge on the UFC's popular reality TV show. The two also plan on doing a better job of keeping their fighters in check when the action moves outside the Octagon.

TV show, trash talk fuel next weekend's megafight

UFC president, pair of fighters ready for rematch

Monday, Jan. 26, 2009

Dana White’s job as head of the Ultimate Fighting Championship is to hype fights that millions of mixed martial arts fans worldwide want to watch. Arguably, no one does a better job of promoting than the president of the sport’s premier organization. However, every once in a while, White finds himself on the other side of the Octagon — becoming just as big of a fan as say any of the 20- to 30-year-old males shelling out big bucks to sit so close sweat could hit them. “At the end of the day I’m a fan, I love this stuff,” White said. “Even though we are the ones who put on all the bells and whistles. We know the music, the lights, and all the stuff that is going to happen.

Page's miscue gives TOC title to Allen

Earl Anthony named PBA's top bowler of all-time

Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009

On a day when Earl Anthony was named the Professional Bowlers Association’s top bowler of all-time, Rhino Page had the perfect opportunity to cement his own name beside that of the legendary bowler at Red Rock Lanes.

The reigning PBA Rookie of the Year needed a spare on the final frame to defeat good buddy Patrick Allen and take home the H&R Block Tournament of Champions title.

White offers big plans beyond next week's big fight

Friday, Jan. 23, 2009

The news coming out of Thursday’s Ultimate Fighting Championship media teleconference wasn’t necessarily all that big, but as usual, UFC president Dana White’s proclamations were. “The crazy thing about this sport is we haven’t even scratched the surface on how big this thing is going to be,” White said.

A tale of two conventions

Despite objections from a few, porn and electronics shows succeed hand-in-hand

Monday, Jan. 12, 2009

Snoop Dogg’s classic hit “Gin and Juice” played on the iPod as four Asian businessmen crowded around the Sergio booth at the Consumer Electronics Show Friday afternoon to check out the company’s iSpin, a mini mixing device on the small scale of a DJ’s turntables. Less than a football field away inside the Sands Expo Convention Center, the same rap song was pulsating through much larger speakers and another group of salespeople were pedaling their wares.

Techies know how to party, for charity

Invite-only event at LAX provides plenty of star power

Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009

Adult starlets were scattered all across Las Vegas on Friday night at various soirees and nightclubs for pre-AVN award fun, but the techies from the other convention in town seemed to have more substantial star power. While Diana Ross was belting out tunes at the annual Monster Cable’s Retailer Awards, a handful of other celebs mingled with invite-only Consumer Electronics Show attendees at the PC.com/Intel party at LAX at the Luxor.

Lobos fall short on last-second shot

Toppert's missed 3-pointer keeps UNLV's 25-game win streak intact

Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009

It wasn't just the crowd of 14,189 that gasped as Toppert’s shot bounced high into the air off the back iron and into the outstretched palm of Lobo Tony Danridge, who missed the ensuing tip-in at the buzzer, allowing UNLV to escape with a 60-58 victory in a Mountain West Conference opener for both teams.

Adams upbeat despite senior struggles

Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009

UNLV guard Wink Adams isn’t exactly having the time of his life like those Hallmark cards say you're supposed to do during your senior year of school.

UNLV ekes out 60-58 win over New Mexico

Rebels extended win streak against MWC foes to 25

Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009

New Mexico's Chad Toppert couldn't have asked for a better look to end UNLV's win streak against Mountain West Conference foes Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center. But his wide-open, game-winning three-point attempt rimmed out and the Rebels held on for their first conference victory of the season.

NYE Blog: Craziness abounds on Las Vegas Strip

Steaks, Megabucks, sports bets and daredevils help ring in 2009

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008

OK, so it is officially Dec. 31 in the world’s craziest party city (or NYE for all 10 of you drunks who happen to stumble upon this blog), and I’m already on deadline....

Las Vegas' Mir completes journey

Bonanza grad again a UFC champ after upset of Nogueira

Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008

There's still a piece of the heavyweight title out there waiting for Frank Mir. But after Saturday night it appears anything is possible for the 29-year-old Las Vegas native, who became the first fighter to stop Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira with a third-round TKO at UFC 92. More importantly the win completed Mir's full circle journey back to the top of the UFC after a serious motorcycle accident left him in the depths of depression two years ago.

Evans wins light heavyweight title

Mir becomes first to stop 'Nog', 'Rampage' gets revenge

Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008

It was a night for the underdogs at UFC 92 Saturday night at the MGM Grand. Rashad Evans stunned the sellout crowd by winning the light heavyweight title over fan favorite Forrest Griffin. Las Vegas' own Frank Mir pulled off an even bigger upset when he dismantled Antonio Nogueira in their interim light heavyweight title fight. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson got the revenge he has longed for by knocking out Wanderlei Silva in the first round.

Unassuming champ ready for challenge

'Ultimate Fighter' alums to prove who the show's best is tonight

Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008

If Tuesday’s dress rehearsal offers any indication of how tonight’s Ultimate Fighting Championship’s light heavyweight title fight at UFC 92 will go, then the champ, Forrest Griffin, already finds himself a round behind on the scorecards.

Respectful heavyweights ready for title fight

New reality TV star Nogueira careful of Las Vegan's jiu-jitsu skills

Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008

The funniest part of Tuesday’s Ultimate Fighting Championship’s press conference for its end-of-the-year show, UFC 92 this Saturday at the MGM Grand, came when Frank Mir and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira were posed for their showdown photos.

Revamped ‘Rampage’ ready for return to Octagon

Former UFC champ says he's put problems in past, ready for Silva

Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008

While the Ultimate Fighting Championship was enjoying arguably its best year ever in 2008, one of the promotion’s highest profile fighters endured a difficult, downward plight.

'Axe Murderer' aims to silence 'Rampage' again

Silva shooting for first UFC win over Jackson, third all-time

Monday, Dec. 22, 2008

The two may have played nice on the last media teleconference, but make no mistake about it, there is no love lost between Ultimate Fighting Championship fighters Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

UFC's best not burdened by holidays

Fighters on December's stacked card plan to celebrate after the fact

Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008

‘Tis the season … unless you’re a mixed martial artist who's been cooped up in the gym training for the last two months. “I never really liked the holidays anyway,” said a monotone-sounding Forrest Griffin, during a teleconference Tuesday when he was asked if it’s difficult to train during the holiday season.

Underdogs become 'Ultimate Fighters'

Escudero upsets Nover, Bader defeats Magalhaes

Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008

Ryan Bader and Efrain Escudero pulled off big upsets Saturday night to secure guaranteed "six figure" contracts with the UFC.

Media finalists honored at luncheon

Students to present ideas on TV, radio and print media

Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008

The hard work had been handled two weeks earlier, thus the only thing left for this year’s Sun Youth Forum media finalists to do was sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labor — which on Monday’s menu meant Asian chicken followed by chocolate cake.