UFC 146: dos Santos vs. Mir

UFC 146 winners Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez ready for a rematch

Dos Santos and Velasquez each notch TKOs at the MGM Grand Garden Arena

May 27, 2012 (2 a.m.)

By Case Keefer

Cain Velasquez’s celebration after brutalizing Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva for nearly four minutes in the most lopsided fashion imaginable at UFC 146 consisted of hugging a couple of his coaches and nothing else. Velasquez was similarly emotionless at the post-fight press conference, sporting a blank stare for 30 minutes without flinching. Allow Velasquez to explain his detached state.

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  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.

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  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
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  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.

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  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
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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.”

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.