Brett Okamoto

Story Archive

Dana White talks Rampage vs. Evans, TUF plans: Dana White holds court to answer any and all questions regarding UFC; Wednesday, May 26, 2010; UFC president Dana White is known for sitting down with the media following press conferences and shooting straight answers to any questions. Here are some of the highlights from a recent chat.
Forrest Griffin undergoes surgery, September return at earliest: Las Vegas fighter out of action for 12 weeks while shoulder heals; Tuesday, May 25, 2010; Former UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin underwent minor surgery this month to repair a right shoulder injury that forced him to pull out of a fight with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira scheduled Saturday. The procedure will keep him out of action for approximately 12 weeks and out of the octagon until late September at the earliest, according to his trainer Jimmy Gifford.
Vitali Klitschko still looking for a big fight: European champ Albert Sosnowski promises to give him one Saturday; Tuesday, May 25, 2010; Polish-born heavyweight Albert Sosnowski has promised to do something Saturday he says no fighter in the world was able to do in 2009 - enter the ring against Vitali Klitschko expecting to win.
Jake Rosholt out of action indefinitely with herniated disks: Former UFC middleweight works towards recovery, is certain he'll rejoin organization eventually; Monday, May 17, 2010; Las Vegas-based fighter Jake Rosholt is out of MMA indefinitely due to two herniated disks in his neck. The former UFC middleweight was scheduled to fight veteran fighter Jeremy Horn at a King of the Cage event on April 16 but was forced to pull out because of the injury.
Stephan Bonnar gives his perspective on Garcia vs. Sung Jung slugfest: Epic WEC fight brings back memories of TUF 1 finale for UFC fighter; Sunday, May 16, 2010; The similarities between last month’s WEC fight featuring Leonard Garcia and Chan Sung Jung in Sacramento, Calif. and the 2006 slugfest between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar at the TUF 1 finale are obvious.
Even eerie. It’s something that wasn’t lost on many of the thousands watching Garcia edge Sung Jung in a split decision on April 24 — including Bonnar himself.
Local boxer Andrew Tabiti sets sights on 2012 Olympics and beyond: With UFC fighters for training partners, confidence not a problem as Tabiti enters national tournaments; Thursday, May 13, 2010; Every time 20-year-old amateur boxer Andrew Tabiti spars with professional MMA fighters, his confidence grows. The same can’t always be said of the professionals.
Manny Pacquiao to fight in mid-November, hoping for Floyd Mayweather Jr.: Following Pacquiao's upset win for a seat in the Philippine Congress, negotiations will resume for mega-fight; Wednesday, May 12, 2010; One day after welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao scored a major upset by winning a seat in the Philippine Congress, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum held a conference call with select media members to lay out what’s next for his fighter. His hopes for Pacquiao are the same as the rest of the world - a mega-fight with undefeated welterweight Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Kimbo Slice, Paul Daley both cut from UFC: Sunday, May 9, 2010; http://mmajunkie.com/news/19061/dana-white-following-cheap-shot-ufc-113s-paul-daley-wont-fight-in-the-ufc-again.mma
Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua knocks out Lyoto Machida for UFC title: Paul Daley throws cheap shot after losing to Josh Koscheck; Saturday, May 8, 2010; The Lyoto Machida puzzle has been solved. Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua shocked the MMA world Saturday, knocking out the notoriously defensive Machida in the first round of their UFC light heavyweight title fight in Montreal, Canada. The fight was a rematch of one of the more controversial fights of 2009, when Rua dropped a unanimous decision in Machida’s first title defense.
Breaking down UFC 113: Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio Rua: Shogun still an underdog, but not by nearly as much this time around; Friday, May 7, 2010; The first time Lyoto Machida and Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua fought, it was a matchup between a seemingly unbeatable champion and a fighter that hadn’t quite looked the same since knee surgery. Heading into their highly anticipated rematch Saturday at UFC 113 in Montreal, Canada, it’s safe to say the storyline is a little different.
UFC announces Georges St. Pierre will coach on TUF 12: St. Pierre to coach opposite of Josh Koscheck vs. Paul Daley winner; Friday, May 7, 2010; The UFC has announced its coaches for the 12th season of its reality show, "The Ultimate Fighter." Well, it announced one of them anyway.
Johny Hendricks fighting for experience, not records, at UFC 113: Las Vegas-based fighter plans welterweight title run - in 2011; Wednesday, May 5, 2010; Truth be told, Johny Hendricks could care less if he wins or loses to T.J. Grant in their welterweight fight at UFC 113 in Montreal, Canada this weekend. The Las Vegas-based fighter will have one goal in mind when he steps into the octagon on Saturday, and that is to put himself in a position to learn a thing or two.
Patrick Cote finally returns to octagon at UFC 113: After 18-month layoff, Cote looks forward to getting back to what he loves; Tuesday, May 4, 2010; On October 25, 2008, Patrick Cote became the first UFC fighter to take Anderson Silva into a third round, only to see their championship fight end when he dislocated his right knee while throwing a kick. The injury resulted in a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus.
Floyd Mayweather Jr.: The perfect fighter?: In win over Shane Mosley, Mayweather shows he understands all aspects of boxing better than most; Sunday, May 2, 2010; Regardless of what anyone’s personal feelings are about Floyd Mayweather Jr., there is an undeniable fact the fighter has proven beyond any doubt — he has figured out the sport of boxing.
Live Blog: Floyd Mayweather stays unbeaten, wins decision over Shane Mosley: After a shaky start, Mayweather dominates Mosley in unanimous decision win; Saturday, May 1, 2010; After a shaky start, Floyd Mayweather Jr. went on to dominate Shane Mosley in a unanimous decision win at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The unbeaten fighter improved to 41-0 with the performance. Mayweather stuck mostly to the jab and his elusive defense to frustrate Mosley and avoid another kind of shot that could change the fight. There were times he did let his hands go, landing big right hands in the later rounds that seemed to hurt Mosley but never truly threatened to end the fight.
Kimbo Slice heads to Montreal to face Matt Mitrione: Slice happy to be fighting at heavyweight, still developing ground game at American Top Team; Saturday, May 1, 2010; Sure, Kimbo Slice enjoys fighting for a living. But make no mistake: If he, and not Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, had received an offer to play B.A. Baracus in the new "A-Team" movie, which premieres this summer, fighting would have taken a backseat to an acting career.
Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shane Mosley make weight for welterweight bout: Friday, April 30, 2010; The last time Floyd Mayweather Jr. stepped on a scale for an official weigh-in, he instantly lost $600,000 for being two pounds overweight. His trip to the scale Friday for this weekend’s welterweight fight with Shane Mosley was considerably less expensive.
Episode 5: If it breathes, it bleeds: Wednesday, April 28, 2010; Episode starts with Jamie Yager and a few of the other fighters talking about which of the losing fighters are in the best position to take a wild card spot. Hammortree believes the spot should belong to him since he fought a close decision that didn’t go his way.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. will demand all future opponents take blood tests: Fighter hopes that meeting with Mosley will bring Olympic-style drug testing into forefront; Wednesday, April 28, 2010; Floyd Mayweather Jr. already believes he should go down as the greatest boxer of all time. He’d also like to be remembered as one of the key contributors in wiping performance-enhancing drugs from the sport.
Shane Mosley: Floyd Mayweather fights fighters at the right time: Mosley got the fight he wanted, looks to capitalize on it Saturday night; Tuesday, April 27, 2010; Shane Mosley won’t accuse Floyd Mayweather Jr. of ducking opponents. Mayweather will fight you, says Mosley — but only when you’ve become an older, distracted, less-dangerous version of yourself.
Dana White: Anderson Silva will fight in main event at UFC 117: Despite threats, Silva will not be demoted to fighting on UFC undercard; Sunday, April 25, 2010; Anderson Silva is still on thin ice after his unusual behavior in defending his UFC middleweight title against Demian Maia in Abu Dhabi two weeks ago. But at the end of the day, he’s still Anderson Silva.
Ben Henderson cleans out division, would rather not do it again: Henderson doesn't want more rematches, but that may be only option until lightweight divisions merge; Sunday, April 25, 2010; Ben Henderson came to ARCO Arena Saturday prepared for a marathon. But he wasn’t the least bit disappointed when it turned into a sprint.
Dominant win opens plenty of options for fighter Jose Aldo: UFC President Dana White believes Aldo could make history some day; Sunday, April 25, 2010; Jose Aldo did more than just defend his featherweight title with a unanimous decision win over Urijah Faber Saturday. He also gave UFC President Dana White’s mental health a big boost.
Live Blog: Jose Aldo defends belt, decisions Urijah Faber: Ben Henderson submits Donald Cerrone in first round; Saturday, April 24, 2010; The WEC is at the ARCO Arena in Sacramento for the first pay-per-view event in its nine-year history. Follow along with the Las Vegas Sun for live, round-by-round updates of all the action including a featherweight title fight between Jose Aldo and Urijah Faber.
All fighters make weight for WEC 48: Aldo vs. Faber: Urijah Faber gets warm reception from home crowd; Friday, April 23, 2010; Urijah Faber received a big response from the small crowd that gathered at ARCO Arena for Friday’s official weigh-ins when he came in at 144.5 pounds. Imagine the noise they’ll make if he’s able to reclaim the WEC featherweight title Saturday night.
Ed Soares says recent media coverage of Anderson Silva 'a shame': Manager points out his fighter's undefeated record, says he looks forward to Chael Sonnen fight; Friday, April 23, 2010; The recent negative media storm regarding Anderson Silva’s lackluster performance at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi two weeks ago has been a bit over the top in the opinion of his manger and friend, Ed Soares. Frankly, he even finds it a bit sickening.
Dana White defends Jake Shields, plans UFC show in Afghanistan: UFC president answers any and all questions regarding MMA; Thursday, April 22, 2010; The WEC is set to put on its first ever pay-per-view event this weekend at ARCO Arena, and UFC president Dana White was in town to run Thursday’s press conference for the buildup of the WEC 48 card.
Breaking down WEC 48: Jose Aldo vs. Urijah Faber: Sacramento may be Faber's backyard, but it's been Aldo's home away from home; Thursday, April 22, 2010; Although there is some controversy as to whether or not WEC featherweight champion Jose Aldo actually asked to fight in Urijah Faber’s backyard or not, one thing is certain. The 23-year-old champ has had a good history in this city.
Breaking down WEC 48: Ben Henderson vs. Donald Cerrone: WEC lightweights share plenty of mutual respect after five-rounder last year; Wednesday, April 21, 2010; It took him awhile, but lying half-conscious in a San Antonio hospital bed hours after defeating Donald Cerrone for the WEC interim lightweight championship last October, Ben Henderson finally realized something. He had just fought one heck of a fight.
Shane Roller confident, prepared for WEC 48: Win over Anthony Njokuani could place Roller toward top of division after just 10 professional fights; Tuesday, April 20, 2010; Few professional fighters get away with practicing only once a day. Most prefer getting to the gym two or even three times every 24 hours. Shane Roller? The WEC lightweight admits he’s been getting in up to four practices per day — although, that includes the nightly wrestling matches he has with his young son, Jace, when he gets home.
WEC's Anthony Njokuani making a name for himself: Las Vegas-based lightweight Njokuani goes for fourth straight win on historic WEC card; Tuesday, April 20, 2010; You wouldn’t think that Anthony Njokuani, a Nigerian WEC fighter pushing 6-foot-1, would have the problem of being confused with a short, Asian man. But thanks to a last name that apparently sounds Japanese to most that hear it, Njokuani says it happens all the time.
Jake Shields upsets Dan Henderson for middleweight title: Brawl follows Strikeforce title fight; Melendez and Lawal also victorious; Sunday, April 18, 2010; Jake Shields wasn’t himself during the first round of Saturday’s middleweight championship fight with Dan Henderson in Nashville, Tenn. He spent the rest of the fight making up for it.
WEC officially announces plans for debut in Canada: Lightweight fight between Jamie Varner and Kamal Shalorus scheduled as headliner; Thursday, April 15, 2010; With its first pay-per-view card set to air April 24, the WEC has already announced its plans of another company first for mid-June — Canada. The MMA organization formally announced Thursday it will make its Canada debut with WEC 49 on June 20. Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada will play host for the event.
Episode 3: Going to the third round: Thursday, April 15, 2010; By now, everyone knows that coach Tito Ortiz isn’t fighting Chuck Liddell following this eleventh season of ‘The Ultimate Fighter.’ The reason why however, has yet to be revealed. Maybe this week, we find out.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. says Shane Mosley 'out of character' for upcoming fight: Mayweather Jr. happy to talk Mosley, nothing to say on Manny Pacquiao; Thursday, April 15, 2010; In the sport of boxing, a fighter knows to never get sucked into his opponent’s game. According to Floyd Mayweather Jr., May 1 is still more than two weeks away and Shane Mosley has already made that mistake.
Jake Shields focused on Saturday fight, uncertain what future holds: Despite what any reports say, Shields says he doesn't know who he'll be fighting for after Dan Henderson; Wednesday, April 14, 2010; For the last time, Jake Shields doesn't know what his future holds. And he's sick of talking about it. The Strikeforce middleweight champion faces arguably the biggest fight of his career Saturday - a title defense against former Pride champion Dan Henderson in Nashville, Tenn. - and it seems the only thing people want to talk about is what his plans are afterward.
Liddell vs. Franklin official for UFC 115: Monday, April 12, 2010; http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/UFC-115-main-event-confirmed-Liddell-vs-Frankl;_ylt=AvGeS5RhsMpSOQmgEuts6IA9Eo14?urn=mma,233702
Evander Holyfield has eyes on Klitschkos, no matter what anyone thinks: Following the example of George Foreman, Holyfield vows to not let age stand in his way; Saturday, April 10, 2010; In April of 1991, Evander Holyfield, 28 years old and in the midst of his prime, reluctantly agreed to fight 42-year-old George Foreman. To be frank, it wasn’t a matchup that excited Holyfield all that much. Foreman was 14 years his elder and hadn’t fought in a world title fight since losing to Muhammed Ali in 1974.
Live Blog: Evander Holyfield TKOs Frans Botha in eighth round: Holyfield finds his groove in middle rounds, claims WBF heavyweight belt; Saturday, April 10, 2010; It wasn't a world title fight or in front of a packed house, but four-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield proved he still knows how to box with an eighth-round TKO win over Frans Botha for the World Boxing Federation heavyweight title Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center. Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KO) got off to a slow start in his first Las Vegas fight since 2003, but found his groove in the sixth and seven rounds.
Everything you don't know about Roy 'Big Country' Nelson: Las Vegas native fine with bad-guy image as long as fans are paying attention; Friday, April 9, 2010; When random fans approach Roy Nelson for an autograph, the Las Vegas native likes to give them a pop quiz regarding his last fight to see if they really are true fans or someone just looking for an "I met a celebrity" moment. Usually, they end up passing the test.
Demian Maia knows his strategy for Anderson Silva: Get it to the ground: Brazilian middleweight knows his only shot at UFC 112 lies on the mat; Thursday, April 8, 2010; Jiu-jitsu specialist Demian Maia knows he has a shot at upsetting the seemingly invincible Anderson Silva during their UFC middleweight championship fight Saturday if he can get him to the ground. The only problem: That is one big "if."
Evander Holyfield returns to Las Vegas, a city that's been good to him: Holyfield to fight Frans Botha in first Las Vegas fight since 2003; Wednesday, April 7, 2010; If Evander Holyfield does have one last run at a heavyweight title buried somewhere inside him, it would only make sense it would begin in the city where he has defined his career.
Episode 2: Choosing sides: Wednesday, April 7, 2010; After a first episode filled with nothing but fights, it’s time to pick teams and let the drama unfold inside the TUF house.
Kyacey Uscola gets last chance at UFC through TUF 11: With baby on the way, 'The Ultimate Fighter' contestant finally gets serious with his career; Wednesday, April 7, 2010; Over a span of five years and 33 professional fights, Kyacey Uscola was content to go half-speed in his mixed martial arts career. It took one thing for him to change that: the expectations of his first-born child.
Muhammed 'King Mo' Lawal confident headed into first title fight: King Mo ready to unveil a new fighting style against Gegard Mousasi; Tuesday, April 6, 2010; Top Strikeforce prospect Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal doesn’t fight like a guy with only six professional bouts under his belt. He doesn’t talk like one either.
Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. finally end rivalry, possibly careers: Following a long overdue rematch, promoters agree retirement would be all right for Hopkins and Jones; Sunday, April 4, 2010; In many ways, Bernard Hopkins began his career the minute after losing to Roy Jones Jr. in a middleweight title fight in 1993. After finally avenging that loss with a unanimous decision victory over Jones on Saturday at Mandalay Bay, there are some who would advise Hopkins it would be the perfect way to end it.
Live Blog: Bernard Hopkins survives illegal punches, defeats Roy Jones Jr.: Fighters live up to rivalry with sixth round brawl, Hopkins hangs on for decision win; Saturday, April 3, 2010; The bad blood between Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. boiled over midway through their light heavyweight fight Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Hopkins (51-5-1, 32 KO) ended up defeating Jones (54-6, 40 KO) in a rematch of their 1993 title fight by unanimous decision, but the fight will be more remembered for what happened following the sixth round.
Roy Jones Jr. confident he'll knockout Bernard Hopkins: Jones remembers winning first fight one-handed, now he has two; Thursday, April 1, 2010; In 1993, Roy Jones Jr. stared his trainer Alton Merkerson in the eye and told him not to worry about his health. He had injured his right hand in preparing for Bernard Hopkins, but refused to even consider backing out of his first world title fight. Seventeen years later, Jones is again reassuring Merkerson that everything will be fine.
Fighter Kenny Florian rolls in Charlotte, submits Takanori Gomi: Roy Nelson knocks out Stefan Struve, calls for James Toney to be next; Wednesday, March 31, 2010; With his corner yelling at him to stay focused and technical, Kenny Florian imposed his will and followed his game plan to a T en route to a third-round submission win over Takanori Gomi in the main event of Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 21 in Charlotte, N.C.
Episode 1: Meet the Cast: Wednesday, March 31, 2010; Chuck Liddell is back in the UFC spotlight for the first time since losing to Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua last April, this time as a coach opposite old rival Tito Ortiz in the new season of “The Ultimate Fighter.” With rumors of a Dana White/Oritz quarrel and even the possibility of Rich Franklin stepping in to take his place in mid-season, anticipation is high for this one.

Let’s get to it.