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UFC 146: dos Santos vs. Mir

UFC 146: dos Santos vs. Mir

  • Frank Mir of Las Vegas goes down after a blow from heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos of Brazil during UFC 146 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, May 26, 2012.

    Brock Lesnar, Alistair Overeem could remain players in UFC heavyweight class

    May 27, 2012

    By Case Keefer

    Brock Lesnar may have experienced a change of heart since announcing his retirement from the UFC last December. Speculation on Lesnar ran rampant after the former heavyweight champion was spotted with UFC President Dana White at UFC 146 on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. White did little to quell the clamor at the post-fight press conference, and said a return to the octagon was a possibility for Lesnar.

  • Heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos of Brazil celebrates after a successful title defense against Frank Mir of Las Vegas before the fight was stopped during UFC 146 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, May 26, 2012.

    UFC 146 live blog: Junior dos Santos defends belt against Frank Mir

    May 26, 2012

    By Case Keefer

    The UFC heavyweight championship belt is finally staying with the same owner for more than one fight. The golden strap is headed back to Salvador, Brazil, with Junior dos Santos. Former champion Frank Mir was no match for dos Santos, who officially claimed a second-round TKO victory at 3:04.

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    UFC 146 Weigh-in

  • Cain Velasquez, left, and Antonio Silva face off after weighing in for UFC 146 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Friday, May 25, 2012.

    UFC 146 weigh-in: Heavyweights in good spirits for packed crowd

    May 25, 2012

    By Case Keefer

    Fighters typically dread weigh-ins more than any other experience during a UFC week. Starving and dehydrated in order to reach the weight limit, they can’t wait to step on the scale and get it all over with. The process is less arduous when it comes to heavyweights.

  • Dave Herman, right, of Temecula, Calif. takes up a victory pose during a workout at the MGM Grand Wednesday, May 23, 2012. Trainer Daniel Woirin looks on at left. UFC 146: "The Heavyweights" will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday.

    Roy Nelson, Dave Herman share quips before punches at UFC 146

    May 25, 2012

    By Case Keefer

    Speaking in superlatives is a popular way to give a bout context in mixed martial arts. When Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos met for the heavyweight title last November, for example, the matchup was referred to as a bout between the two best fighters in the division.

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    UFC 146 Press Conference

  • Heavyweight fighter Stipe Miocic laughs during the press conference for UFC 146 in the lobby of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Thursday, May 24, 2012.

    Firefighter, former college athlete Stipe Miocic making his mark in the UFC

    May 24, 2012

    By Case Keefer

    Getting punched in the face, Stipe Miocic will say succinctly, was never his thing. The former two-sport Division-I athlete would lend a hand to professional fighters in the Cleveland area looking for help with their wrestling, but he wasn’t seeking a career in mixed martial arts. “My coaches were like, ‘You’re going to fight,’” Miocic said. “I was like, ‘Eh, we’ll see.’”

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    UFC 146 Workouts

    Fighters work out for UFC 146 at MGM Grand on Wednesday, May 23, 2012. UFC 146: "The Heavyweights" is at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday.

  • Featherweight fighter Diego Brandao of Albuquerque, New Mexico, shadow boxes during workouts for UFC 146 at the MGM Grand Wednesday, May 23, 2012. UFC 146: "The Heavyweights" will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday. Brandao will fight in a preliminary bout before the pay-per-view.

    With pressure subsided, Diego Brandao more than ‘the crazy Brazilian’

    May 23, 2012

    By Case Keefer

    Diego Brandao is fully aware of how he came across on “The Ultimate Fighter” 14. “I was the crazy Brazilian,” Brandao said. Brandao took no issue with the portrayal because, well, it was true. Being on the set of the UFC’s biannual reality television show brought out both the best and worst of the 24-year old featherweight.

  • Undefeated heavyweight contender Cain Velasquez flexes at a weigh-in before UFC 99.

    UFC 146 breakdown, betting odds and picks

    May 23, 2012

    By Case Keefer

    Underdogs have more than held their own in UFC main events so far this year. Through 11 fight cards in 2012, favorites are barely out-performing their upset-minded opponents. The underdog has prevailed in five events, including a streak of two straight.

  • Junior dos Santos celebrates with his new UFC heavyweight championship belt at UFC on FOX in Anaheim, Calif. Dos Santos defeated former champion Cain Velasquez by knockout at 1:04 of the first round.

    Dos Santos wants tougher testing for performance enhancers

    May 23, 2012

    By Case Keefer

    Joining an ever-expanding chorus, heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos believes the UFC should implement a more stringent drug testing policy. Dos Santos has spoken out against the use of performance-enhancing drugs vigilantly ever since scheduled UFC 146 opponent Alistair Overeem tested positive for an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone level.

  • Frank Mir smiles during a work out as he prepares for an upcoming fight Thursday, May 19, 2011.

    Frank Mir relaxed, confident ahead of bout with Junior dos Santos

    May 11, 2012

    By Case Keefer

    At a press conference to announce UFC 146 earlier this year, Frank Mir openly expressed concern in facing then co-main event opponent Cain Velasquez. Velasquez, a former collegiate All-American wrestler at Arizona State, was exactly the kind of fighter that has given the local 32-year old fits throughout his career.

  • Jimmy "Giff" Gifford tapes up Frank Mir's hands before a workout as he prepares for an upcoming fight against Roy Nelson at UFC 130 Thursday, May 19, 2011.

    UFC 146: A look at the reshuffling caused by Alistair Overeem’s ouster

    May 9, 2012

    By Case Keefer

    Asked which fighter on the upcoming Memorial Day weekend card at the MGM Grand Garden Arena had the most to lose, UFC President Dana White came to a resolute conclusion. “I’d probably have to say (Frank) Mir,” White said after a recent press conference. “Mir’s been in so many title fights and held it twice.”

  • UFC fighter Alistair Overeem speaks before the Nevada State Athletic Commission on testing positive for high testosterone levels Tuesday, April 24, 2012. The fighter faces possible denial of a license that could prevent participation in any upcoming events.

    UFC’s Alistair Overeem denied license to fight after failed drug test

    April 24, 2012

    By Case Keefer

    Not only is Alistair Overeem out of UFC 146, but the heavyweight will likely miss the rest of 2012 after the Nevada State Athletic Commission turned down his request for a license Tuesday. Overeem and his lawyer, David Chesnoff, appeared before the commission to apply for a license and explain a positive drug test that saw Overeem’s testosterone-to-epitestosterone level register more than double the 6-to-1 limit at 14-to-1.

  • Alistair Overeem, left, and Frank Mir laugh during a news conference Tuesday, March 27, 2012 to advance the all heavyweight card at UFC 146.

    Frank Mir gets title shot against Junior dos Santos at UFC 146

    April 20, 2012

    By Case Keefer

    Next month’s UFC 146 received a major makeover on the eve of UFC 145. UFC President Dana White announced through twitter that Las Vegas fighter Frank Mir would step in to face Junior dos Santos for the heavyweight championship on May 26 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

  • Alistair Overeem answers a question during a news conference Tuesday, March 27, 2012, to advance the all-heavyweight card at UFC 146.

    Alistair Overeem fails drug test, makes fate of UFC 146 main event unknown

    April 4, 2012

    By Case Keefer

    The heavyweight championship fight slated for May 26 in Las Vegas at UFC 146 is in serious jeopardy of not happening. The Nevada State Athletic Commission announced Wednesday that Alistair Overeem, who was supposed to challenge Junior dos Santos in the night’s main event, had failed a pre-fight drug test.

  • Champion Junior Dos Santos answers a question during a news conference Tuesday, March 27, 2012 to advance the all heavyweight card at UFC 146.

    Challenge to stabilize UFC heavyweight division awaits Junior dos Santos

    March 27, 2012

    By Case Keefer

    The UFC heavyweight championship belt has commitment issues. A version of the belt — either the unified or interim strap — has rested around the waist of seven different men over the past five years. It’s traveled through five different time zones.

  • Stefan Struve celebrates after beating Christian Morecraft by TKO in the second round at UFC 117 in Oakland, Calif.

    UFC Notebook: Las Vegas getting an all-heavyweight main card for next event

    March 14, 2012

    By Case Keefer

    The next UFC card in Las Vegas is shaping up as a historic event for the local fight promotion. For the first time in history, every bout on the pay-per-view card of UFC 146 — scheduled for May 26 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena — will feature the heavyweight division. The UFC revealed the plans Wednesday afternoon and announced the final fight scheduled for the main card.

  • Frank Mir talks to the media during a news conference in advance of UFC 130 Wednesday, May 25, 2011. Mir will face fellow Las Vegan Roy Nelson in a heavyweight bout on Saturday.

    Frank Mir, Cain Velasquez to determine top contender in UFC 146 bout

    March 7, 2012

    By Case Keefer

    UFC 146 has quickly turned into a showcase for the promotion’s heavyweight division. The UFC revealed a third heavyweight fight slated for the event, which takes place May 26 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, on Wednesday afternoon.

  • Roy Nelson spars during open workouts for UFC 143 at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012.

    Roy Nelson and Antonio Silva scheduled to meet at UFC 146

    March 7, 2012

    By Case Keefer

    Roy Nelson is staying in the UFC’s heavyweight division for now. UFC officials confirmed Wednesday that Nelson (16-7 MMA, 3-3 UFC) will meet Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva (16-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) in heavyweight action at UFC 146 on May 26 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

  • Heavyweight Alistair Overeem flexes on the scale during the UFC 141 weigh-in at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. Overeem faces Brock Lesnar at the arena Friday.

    Heavyweight championship on tap for UFC 146 in Las Vegas

    March 6, 2012

    By Case Keefer

    The two most powerful strikers in the UFC have a date set for a showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos (14-1 MMA, 8-0 UFC) will make his first title defense on May 26 in Las Vegas against top contender Alistair Overeem (36-11 MMA, 1-0 UFC) at UFC 146. The fight will headline the city’s annual Memorial Day weekend fight card, the UFC officially announced Tuesday afternoon.