Brett Okamoto

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Ben Henderson says nothing has come easy in his MMA career: Hard work pays off as Henderson prepares for WEC title defense; Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010; It’s good to be Ben Henderson right now. The WEC lightweight champion has the opportunity to win the last fight in WEC history Thursday when he faces Anthony Pettis in the main event of the organization’s final show — which happens to be in Henderson’s hometown of Glendale, Ariz.
Amir Khan proves critics wrong in latest win: Overrated, cocky and fragile not good descriptions of Khan following Saturday; Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010; It might be time to forget what you thought you knew about Amir Khan. The British boxer fought and won his second-ever fight in the United States on Saturday, edging Marcos Maidana by unanimous decision in a gutsy effort at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
Live Blog: Khan edges Maidana in fight of year candidate: Amir Khan wins Las Vegas debut in narrow unanimous decision win; Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010; Follow along with the Las Vegas Sun for live, round-by-round updates of tonight's bout between Amir Khan and Marcos Maidana at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
Amir Khan looking to make a statement in Las Vegas debut: British light welterweight eyes division's best with a win this weekend; Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010; British boxer Amir Khan says he’s always dreamed of seeing his name featured in the lights on the Las Vegas Strip. Should he do well in his Vegas debut this weekend, the city often referred to as the boxing capital of the world will certainly invite him back.
UFC to hold April event in Toronto: Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2010; The UFC announced Tuesday its long-anticipated debut in Toronto will take place April 30 at the 69,000-seat Rogers Centre. The event will be UFC 131.
George St. Pierre says he wants to finish more fights: After decisions in three of his last four fights, St. Pierre plans to finish Josh Koscheck; Monday, Dec. 6, 2010; There’s no question Georges St. Pierre has figured out how to win fights as a mixed martial artist. Now he’s trying to figure out how to finish more of them.
Stephan Bonnar pulls a fast one, fights smart in latest win: Known as a brawler, Bonnar takes satisfaction in his 'tomfoolery'; Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010; Stephan Bonnar feels guilty. The UFC light heavyweight returned to the scene of his epic 2005 battle against Forrest Griffin Saturday at “The Ultimate Fighter 12” Finale and did what no one expected him to do.
Jonathan Brookins can't escape old reputation but doesn't mind it: Although still known as 'the guy who fought Jose Aldo,' Brookins adding other titles to go by; Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010; When filming began for the twelve season of the reality series “The Ultimate Fighter” earlier this year, Jonathan Brookins knew that in the eyes of many fans he was nothing more than “the guy who fought Jose Aldo once.” And despite winning over UFC brass on the show and emerging as the TUF 12 winner with a gutsy decision win over Michael Johnson at the finale Saturday, Brookins says not much has changed.
UFC Live Blog: Jonathan Brookins defeats Michael Johnson: Stephan Bonnar dominates Igor Pokrajac, Leonard Garcia decisions Nam Phan; Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010; Jonathan Brookins became the twelfth winner of "The Ultimate Fighter" reality series Saturday, defeating Michael Johnson by unanimous decision inside The Pearl at The Palms.
Weigh-in blog: WEC fighters prepare for UFC debut: Nick Pace misses weight for bantamweight fight against Will Campuzano; Friday, Dec. 3, 2010; The upcoming merger between the UFC and WEC was on display during Friday’s official weigh-ins for “The Ultimate Fighter 12” Finale, which is set to take place this weekend inside The Pearl at The Palms.
Breaking down TUF 12 Finale: Michael Johnson vs. Jonathan Brookins: Johnson happy to prove doubters wrong but says there's still a lot left to accomplish; Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010; As satisfying as it’s been for Michael Johnson so silence all the haters out there, the 24-year-old says as far as he’s concerned, the work has just begun. “It’s not finished,” Johnson said. “Even though I’m fighting for ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ contract, this is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s so much more to go in the UFC. “I’ve got such a long road to go down.”
Chael Sonnen's suspension reduced to six months: Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010; The California State Athletic Commission voted to reduce an original year-long suspension given to UFC middleweight Chael Sonnen to six months Thursday. The commission voted in favor of the reduction 3-to-1.
Breaking down TUF 12 Finale: Stephan Bonnar vs. Igor Pokrajac: To Bonnar, legendary fight against Forrest Griffin feels like yesterday; Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010; In the 5.5 years that’s passed since he fought in the most infamous fight in UFC history at “The Ultimate Fighter 1” finale, Stephan Bonnar has won six fights, lost five, undergone serious knee surgery and appeared close to being cut from the UFC due to a three-fight losing streak. And yet, Bonnar says, that notorious battle against Forrest Griffin that is credited for placing mixed martial arts on the map seems as if it were yesterday.
2010 World MMA Awards results: Jose Aldo, 'Cyborg' Santos, Randy Couture win top honors; Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010; The 2010 World MMA Awards took place inside The Pearl at The Palms Wednesday. Here is a list of the night's winners.
Flu forces Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. off Saturday card: Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010; Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has pulled out of a scheduled bout against Pawel Wolak this weekend at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., because of flu-like symptoms.
Juan Manuel Marquez: I beat Manny Pacquiao twice: Marquez gets through Michael Katsidis, immediately turns attention back to Pacquiao; Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010; From the bottom of his heart, Juan Manuel Marquez believes he’s beaten Manny Pacquiao twice. But that will never be enough to the future hall of famer until three judges sitting ringside agree with him.
Juan Manuel Marquez stops Michael Katsidis, defends lightweight title: Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010; Juan Manuel Marquez defended his lightweight title for the second time Saturday, stopping Michael Katsidis in the ninth round of their title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Despite family tragedy, Michael Katsidis 'here to win': With brother's death still on his heart, Katsidis says he's ready for first world title; Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010; Michael Katsidis has spent the last nine years paying his dues to the sport of boxing so that one day he might fight for a world title. This weekend, all that work finally will pay off.
Following 'the incident,' Paul Daley happy to be with big promotion: Daley looking forward to December fight against Scott Smith, already planning what's next; Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010; Paul Daley's cheap shot at Josh Koscheck following their welterweight bout at UFC 113 in May is so infamous now among the mixed-martial-arts community, the British striker needs to say only "the incident" to have everyone know what he's referring to.
B.J. Penn will stay a welterweight, face Jon Fitch: Dana White interested in Penn at 170, says next challenge is already in place; Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010; It took B.J. Penn 21 seconds to knock out Matt Hughes Saturday in the co-main event at UFC 123. It appears it took Dana White about the same amount of time to find Penn’s next fight.
Live Blog: Rampage Jackson edges Lyoto Machida: B.J. Penn knocks out Matt Hughes in 21 seconds, George Sotiropoulos extends streak; Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010; Follow along with the Las Vegas Sun for live, round-by-round updates of all the action from the UFC 123 card in Detroit, including a light heavyweight matchup between Rampage Jackson and Lyoto Machida.
Weigh-in blog: All fighters make weight for UFC 123: All 22 fighters come in at less-than maximum weight for Saturday's event; Friday, Nov. 19, 2010; Making weight was apparently no problem for all 22 fighters set to compete on Saturday’s UFC 123 event, as not a single one of them took advantage of the extra pound given to each division. A fighter is allowed to weigh in 1 pound over his or her weight limit.
Q&A with light heavyweight Ryan Bader: Friday, Nov. 19, 2010; The UFC held an open question and answer session Friday with up-and-comer light heavyweight Ryan Bader (12-0) at the Palace at Auburn Hills. Bader is expected to face fellow prospect Jon Jones (11-1) in February. Here are a few highlights from his interaction with the fans.
Breaking down UFC 123: B.J. Penn vs. Matt Hughes: Hughes admits he doesn't know which Penn will show up, but expects the best; Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010; During an open media workout Thursday, UFC welterweight Matt Hughes casually admitted he’s wondering the same thing as everyone else when it comes to his upcoming fight against B.J. Penn.
Which B.J. will show up?
'UFC Undisputed' available as iPhone app: THQ Inc. releases popular UFC videogame on mobile devices; Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010; The UFC announced Thursday the release of its “UFC Undisputed” videogame on the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. The game is manufactured by THQ Inc. and available now on the App Store.
Breaking down UFC 123: Rampage Jackson vs. Lyoto Machida: For first time ever, Machida looks to bounce back from loss; Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010; Following every one of the 16 consecutive wins Lyoto Machida strung together to start his professional career, the UFC light heavyweight would remind himself that the result of any fight has no effect on the next one. As the former champion looks to bounce back from the first loss of his career in Saturday’s UFC 123 main event against Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, he’s looking to live by that mindset now more than ever.
T.J. O'Brien 'loves' matchup against Paul Kelly: Despite being eliminated from reality series, O'Brien finds his way into UFC; Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010; T.J. O’Brien says he received the perfect opportunity to break into the UFC with the 12th season of "The Ultimate Fighter" reality series - and he blew it. He doesn’t expect to make the same mistake twice.
B.J. Penn says goal is same as ever - win titles: Despite recent setbacks, Penn still looking to be crowned welterweight and lightweight champion; Monday, Nov. 15, 2010; After suffering the second of consecutive losses to Frankie Edgar in August, B.J. Penn says he returned to his home in Hilo, Hawaii, and spent some time outside the gym. According to the former lightweight and welterweight champion, even though he took off only a few days, he didn't know what to do with himself.
Chad Mendes gives the fans something to talk about: After war or words between Mendes and Javier Vazquez, co-main event lives up to the hype; Friday, Nov. 12, 2010; Following a war of words leading up to their featherweight bout Thursday, Chad Mendes wanted nothing more than to shut the mouth of Javier Vazquez at WEC 52. But in addition to simply defeating Vazquez, Mendes wanted to do it in exciting fashion — something that would get the fans talking.
Urijah Faber a true professional in WEC curtain call: In his final fight in WEC, Faber shows why he's come so far in mixed martial arts; Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010; Urijah Faber put the perfect exclamation point on his WEC career Thursday, submitting Takeya Mizugaki in the first round of their main event bantamweight fight at The Pearl at The Palms. With the WEC set to merge into the UFC at the beginning of 2011, Thursday marked the final appearance Faber would make for the lighter weight organization. And as one might expect, Faber ended his run with the WEC in the same manner he’s carried himself throughout his entire mixed martial arts career. As a true professional.
Live Blog: Urijah Faber submits Takeya Mizugaki in first round: Chad Mendes dominates Javier Vazquez to unanimous decision; Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010; Follow along with the Las Vegas Sun for live, round-by-round updates of the WEC 52 card inside The Pearl at The Palms.
Weigh-in blog: Urijah Faber makes 135 for first time: Faber, Takeya Mizugaki come in at 136 for main event bantamweight fight; Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010; Urijah Faber killed the suspense leading up to his first ever weigh-in as a WEC bantamweight by revealing he was on weight via his Twitter account. But that didn’t stop a slew of his fans from showing up to watch.
Urijah Faber set to start new run in new division: Faber couldn't make himself bigger, so he helped build a home for lightweight fighters; Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010; It took seven years, but this week WEC superstar Urijah Faber finally will compete at his optimal weight. Faber (23-4) is set to make his debut in the 135-pound bantamweight division Thursday, against a game opponent in Takeya Mizugaki (13-4-2) at The Pearl at The Palms.
At 32, Josh Thomson admits he's thought about life after fighting: Stirkeforce lightweight hoping to meet DREAM fighter Tatsuya Kawajiri in next fight; Monday, Nov. 8, 2010; Physically, Josh Thomson doesn't feel anywhere close to the end of his career. Mentally, however, the Strikeforce lightweight admits he looks back on everything he's accomplished in mixed martial arts and sometimes wonders, "What's left?"
Danny Davis Jr. hopes to represent Las Vegas on TUF 13: Homegrown talent one of 300 applicants for next season of UFC reality series; Monday, Nov. 8, 2010; When Danny Davis Jr. first attempted to earn a spot as a contestant on the UFC reality show “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2008, he did so with just two amateur fights worth of experience and practically no grappling skills to speak of. A lot has changed since then.
Juan Manuel Lopez: 'Today, I join the elite of the division': Lopez rolls through Rafael Marquez, sets up potential June date with Yuriorkis Gamboa; Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010; It took Puerto Rican boxer Miguel Cotto about six years to become a household name in the sport. Juan Manuel Lopez appears to be on the same plan. The 27-year-old Lopez (30-0, 26 KO) recorded the biggest win of his career Saturday, stopping two-time world champion Rafael Marquez in eight rounds.
Live Blog: Juan Manuel Lopez stops Rafael Marquez: Glen Johnson knocks out Allan Green in Super Six Tournament; Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010; Juan Manuel Lopez faced the toughest test of his career Saturday in the form of two-time world champion Rafael Marquez at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. He passed with flying colors.
Potential superstar Juan Manuel Lopez set for biggest challenge: Charismatic Lopez looks for major win over Rafael Marquez at MGM Grand Garden; Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010; The sport of boxing is always in need of fighters with superstar potential to carry it into the future. One of those might emerge in Las Vegas this weekend.
Manny Pacquiao: To all the fans, don't worry about me: Boxer, trainer Freddie Roach say training camp is on track for Nov. 13 despite distractions; Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010; Manny Pacquiao will be ready for his Nov. 13 junior middleweight title fight against Antonio Margarito at Dallas Cowboy Stadium. Despite earlier reports in which head trainer Freddie Roach appeared clearly unsatisfied with Pacquiao's recent training camp, both of them have promised the Filipino superstar is back on schedule and ready to go later this month.
Amir Sadollah will feel quite at home in Germany's UFC 122: Sadollah winds down training camp in Holland, looks forward to Peter Sobotta; Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010; Amir Sadollah is expecting a hostile crowd Nov. 13 when he battles Peter Sobotta in his backyard of Oberhausen, Germany, in a welterweight fight at UFC 122. But the one nice thing about having thousands of Germans chant against you is that sometimes it can be hard to tell exactly what they're saying.
Nate Marquardt: I don't care if my opponent is on steroids: UFC middleweight unfazed by Chael Sonnen situation, excited for Okami; Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010; When it comes to the truth behind UFC middleweight Chael Sonnen's alleged steroid use, Nate Marquardt deserves to know more than just about anyone. Marquardt was, after all, one fight away from receiving a shot at the middleweight title back in February when Sonnen defeated him by unanimous decision at UFC 109.
Staph infection forces Ryan Couture off Strikeforce event: Las Vegas lightweight expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks; Monday, Nov. 1, 2010; It looks as though Ryan Couture’s attempt at his first professional winning streak may have to wait until 2011.
Javier Vazquez looking forward to slowing down Chad Mendes: Veteran Vazquez looks to make it three in a row next month in Las Vegas; Friday, Oct. 29, 2010; At this point in his career, every time WEC featherweight Javier Vazquez steps into the cage he does so knowing he's paid his dues to the sport and deserves to be exactly where he is. In Vazquez's opinion, his next opponent can't claim the same.
Dana White announces merger between UFC and WEC: UFC moves to seven weight classes with addition; Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010; The UFC announced Thursday it’s finalized a long-anticipated merger with its sister organization, the WEC. Company president Dana White made the announcement during a national conference call.
Kelly Pavlik says big-name fighters on undercard 'could be a trend': Professional boxing seems focused on building better undercards; Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010; Kelly Pavlik had his streak of three successful middleweight title defenses broken in April with a unanimous-decision loss to Sergio Martinez. On Nov. 13, he’ll see another streak erased.
Local boxer Henry Namauu's dreams get bigger: Once competing just to bring family respect, Namauu starting to believe in world title run; Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010; When former UNLV boxer Henry Namauu began his professional career in 2008, he had no dreams of taking on the top names of the sport or ever competing for a world title. Two years and 10 professional fights later, that's exactly what's on his mind.
Chris Camozzi making the most of second chance in the UFC: Former TUF 11 contestant looks to hand Dong Yi Yang first pro loss; Monday, Oct. 18, 2010; Chris Camozzi knows what it feels like to have his dreams taken away from him. Fortunately, for the UFC middleweight, he also knows what it feels like to get them back.
Los Angeles Lakers players say team in Las Vegas would work: Forward Ron Artest: Las Vegas deserves professional sports team; Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010; Las Vegas was home to NBA basketball Wednesday, as the Thomas & Mack Center hosted a preseason game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Sacramento Kings. Unfortunately for local professional basketball fans, it’s the last time it will happen this year.
Michael Bisping says he's ready for the title, and this time he means it: After years of title talk, Bisping ready to live up to potential in the prime of his career; Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010; Ever since British mixed martial artist Michael Bisping joined the UFC in 2006, he’s claimed he's prepared to be its 185-pound champion. He did so, not necessarily because he believed it all that much, but because it just sounded like the right thing to say.
Nick Diaz decisions K.J. Noons in grudge match: Strikeforce welterweight champion Diaz successfully defends belt; Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010; It took nearly three years, but Nick Diaz finally got his revenge over K.J. Noons. The Strikeforce welterweight champion avenged his only loss in his past 13 fights Saturday, defeating Noons by unanimous decision in a five-round title fight in San Jose, Calif.