MMA Blog
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Tuesday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
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Tuesday
6:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Reloaded
UFC 137: Nick Diaz returns to the UFC to face former Welterweight Champion B.J. Penn; Roy Nelson vs. Mirko Cro Cop.
10:30 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC 175: Weidman vs. Machida: Prelims
Urijah Faber vs. Alex Caceres; Kenny Robertson vs. Ildemar Alcantara; Bruno Santos vs. Chris Camozzi; George Roop vs. Rob Font. From Las Vegas.
12:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Reloaded
UFC 137: Nick Diaz returns to the UFC to face former Welterweight Champion B.J. Penn; Roy Nelson vs. Mirko Cro Cop.
7:00 p.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage
7:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale
Frankie Edgar vs. B.J. Penn 3 From Las Vegas.
10:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale
Frankie Edgar vs. B.J. Penn 3 – Prelims from Las Vegas.
10:00 p.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage
12:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale
Frankie Edgar vs. B.J.Penn 3 From Las Vegas.
12:00 a.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage
Seek and Destroy King of the Cage returns to The Coeur D'Alene Casino Resort in Worley, Idaho. The main event features the Welterweight match between CJ Marsh and Jacob Harkness. From May 22, 2014. Read more -
This Week’s MMA Birthdays: Brock Lesnar Turns 37
By: Brian Knapp
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Brock Lesnar turns 37 this week. | Photo: Sherdog.com
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight titleholder Brock Lesnar will celebrate his 37th birthday on July 12.
Lesnar retired from mixed martial arts following his UFC 141 defeat to onetime Strikeforce champion Alistair Overeem in December 2011, returning to World Wrestling Entertainment in a part-time capacity. Whispers of a possible return to the UFC surface intermittently, but he has thus far resisted the temptation.
A four-time NCAA All-American wrestler, Lesnar won a Division I national championship at the University of Minnesota in 2000. He captured the UFC heavyweight crown in just his fourth professional appearance, stopping hall of famer Randy Couture with second-round punches in November 2008. He went on to defend the title on two occasions, besting Frank Mir in their UFC 100 rematch and toppling Shane Carwin in come-from-behind fashion at UFC 116. Health woes slowed Lesnar’s rise significantly, as he endured multiple run-ins with diverticulitis, including surgery to remove roughly a foot of his colon.
Those in MMA celebrating a birthday during the week covering July 6-July 12:
JULY 6
Tom Erikson (50)
Masaaki Sugawara (35)
JULY 7
Jason Brilz (39)
Pat Barry (35)
Eliot Marshall (34)
Stav Economou (28)
Patricio Freire (27)
JULY 9
Renato Sobral (39)
Tim Credeur (37)
Gerald Turek (35)
Alan Patrick Silva Alves (31)
JULY 10
Johnnie Morton (43)
Pete Williams (39)
Gleison Tibau (31)
Lester Caslow (30)
Brock Jardine (29)
JULY 11
Josh Clopton (33)
JULY 12
Keiichiro Yamamiya (42)
Brock Lesnar (37)
Carlos Eduardo Rocha (33)
Mitch Whitesel (33) Read more -
Sunday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Sunday
1:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: UFC Preliminary Fights
Urijah Faber vs. Alex Caceres; Kenny Robertson vs. Ildemar Alcantara; Bruno Santos vs. Chris Camozzi; George Roop vs. Rob Font. From Las Vegas.
1:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 19 Episode 12: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn: The Big Show Last two semifinal battles for spots in the finals.
2:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Fight Flashback
Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate Enhanced coverage of classic bout between female fighters.
2:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Presents
Mana: B.J. Penn's fascinating journey.
3:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Tonight
Special Sunday Edition Live from Las Vegas.
4:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: UFC Ultimate Submissions
6:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Prefight Show
The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale: Edgar vs. Penn 3 Ultimate Fighter finale preview.
7:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale: Edgar vs. Penn 3 - Prelims
Prelims - Jesse Ronson vs. Kevin Lee, Jumabieke Tuerxun vs. Leandro Issa, Adriano Martins vs Juan Manuel Puig Carreon, Patrick Walsh vs. Dan Spohn from Las Vegas.
9:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale: Edgar vs. Penn 3
Justin Scoggins vs. Dustin Ortiz, Derrick Lewis vs. Guto Inocente, Dhiego Lima vs. Eddie Gordon, Corey Anderson vs. Matt Van Buren, Frankie Edgar vs. B.J. Penn From Las Vegas. Read more -
Top 5 Forum Threads of the Week
By: Jeff Sherwood
The UFC and Fox dropped the ax on Chael Sonnen. | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
The Ultimate Fighting Championship and Fox Sports terminated their respective broadcasting services agreements with former title contender and analyst Chael Sonnen.
The organizations announced the move in a joint statement on June 30, roughly 48 hours after reports surfaced that Sonnen had failed a second random drug test in the span of two months. Sonnen allegedly failed a second drug test administered by the Nevada Athletic Commission. Among the banned substances were reported to be human growth hormone, recombinant human erythropoietin and human chorionic gonadotropin.
“This decision comes in light of Sonnen failing a second test conducted by the Nevada Athletic Commission for banned substances in June,” the statement read. “Sonnen was previously under temporary suspension by the Nevada Athletic Commission for failing an initial test conducted in May.”
Sonnen announced his retirement from MMA on June 11, one day after it was revealed he tested positive for two illegal substances: Anastrozole, which is typically used to treat and prevent early stages of breast cancer, and Clomiphene, which is primarily used for cases involving female infertility.
The polarizing Sonnen remains a hot topic on the Sherdog.net forums:
HIGH PRICE
AX FALLS
MIKE CHECK
DIMINISHING RETURNS
REELING IN ROUSEY
Read more -
Saturday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Saturday
7:30 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Fight Flashback
Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate Enhanced coverage of classic bout between female fighters.
8:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Tonight
UFC highlights, analysis and interviews.
9:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Presents
The All American Chris Weidman - Chris Weidman's rise from obscurity.
10:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 1: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 19 Episode 9: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn: Get That Money Field trip to Harley-Davidson Boot Camp; final preliminary bout; semifinal matchups announced.
11:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 1: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 19 Episode 10: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn: One Fight Away Middleweight semifinal matchup.
12:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 19 Episode 11: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn: The Zombie Semifinal slugfest.
1:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 19 Episode 12: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn: The Big Show Last two semifinal battles for spots in the finals.
2:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Countdown
UFC 175: Weidman vs. Machida- Chris Weidman and Alexis Davis prepare for title bouts.
3:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 19 Episode 12: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn: The Big Show Last two semifinal battles for spots in the finals.
4:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Weigh-In
Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale: Edgar vs. Penn 3 Weigh-in from Las Vegas.
4:00 p.m. ET NBC: World Series Of Fighting 11
Justin Gaethje vs. Nick Newell, Jon Fitch vs. Dennis Hallman, Melvin Guillard vs. Gesias Cavalcante, Cody Bollinger vs. Pablo Alfonso
5:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC 1 on 1
Ronda Rousey discusses being a pioneer in her sport.
7:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Prefight Show
UFC 175: Chris Weidman vs. Lyoto Machida Prefight analysis.
7:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: UFC Countdown
UFC 175 Countdown
8:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC 175: Weidman vs. Machida: Prelims
Urijah Faber vs. Alex Caceres; Kenny Robertson vs. Ildemar Alcantara; Bruno Santos vs. Chris Camozzi; George Roop vs. Rob Font. From Las Vegas.
8:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: Weidman vs. Machida: Prelims
Urijah Faber vs. Alex Caceres; Kenny Robertson vs. Ildemar Alcantara; Bruno Santos vs. Chris Camozzi; George Roop vs. Rob Font. From Las Vegas.
10:00 p.m. ET PPV: UFC 175 Weidman vs. Machida
Live from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada, UFC 175: Weidman vs. Machida features a middleweight title fight between champion Chris Weidman and challenger Lyoto Machida. Read more -
Friday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Friday
3:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Fight Night UFC: Swanson vs. Stephens: Cub Swanson vs. Jeremy Stephens; Kelvin Gastelum vs. Nico Musoke; Cezar Ferreira vs. Andrew Craig; Ricardo Lamas vs. Hacran Dias; Clint Hester vs. Antonio Braga Neto; Joe Ellenberger vs. James Moontasri. From San Antonio.
6:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Unleashed Chris Weidman vs. Mark Munoz; Ben Rothwell vs. Brendan Schaub; Cub Swanson vs. Ross Pearson.
7:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC 1 on 1 The career resurgence of Urijah Faber.
7:30 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC From All Angles The remarkable rise of Chris Weidman.
11:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Reloaded UFC 164: Benson Henderson vs. Anthony Pettis From Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
2:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Fight Flashback Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate Enhanced coverage of classic bout between female fighters.
2:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter Season 19 Episode 12: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn: The Big Show Last two semifinal battles for spots in the finals.
3:00 p.m. ET AXS TV: AXS TV Fights Affliction: Day of Reckoning Former UFC heavyweight Andrei Arlovski fights former Pride heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko.
3:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Main Event UFC 162: Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman/Frankie Edgar vs. Charles Oliveira Mixed martial artists train for UFC 162.
4:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Countdown UFC 175: Chris Weidman and Alexis Davis prepare for title bouts.
5:00 p.m. ET AXS TV: AXS TV Fights: Best of 2013 Fights from Legacy, Lion Fight, Resurrection and the MFC; features Holly Holm, Sergio Pettis, Leonard Garcia and Tiffany Van Soest.
5:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Tonight UFC highlights, analysis and interviews.
6:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: America's Pregame UFC 175 Weigh in: Chris Weidman vs. Lyoto Machida From Las Vegas.
6:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Fighter's Cut Gilbert Melendez and Diego Sanchez stage epic slugfest.
7:00 p.m. ET AXS TV: The Voice Versus UFC President Dana White discusses the early days of UFC, boxing vs. MMA, and Fedor Emelianenko.
8:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Fight Flashback Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate Enhanced coverage of classic bout between female fighters.
8:00 p.m. ET AXS TV: Inside MMA EPISODE: 345 Reed Harris; Chuck Liddell; Guy Mezger.
8:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet ONE: UFC Countdown: UFC 175 Countdown Chris Weidman vs. Lyoto Machida
8:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Tonight Special Friday Edition Live from Las Vegas.
9:00 p.m. ET AXS TV: AXS TV Fights Lion Fight 16 Kevin Ross fights Michael Thompson for the super lightweight title; Sindy Huyer fights Tiffany Van Soest; live from Las Vegas.
11:30 p.m. ET AXS TV: AXS TV Fights Affliction: Day of Reckoning Former UFC heavyweight Andrei Arlovski fights former Pride heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko. Read more -
Tiffany Van Soest Lion Fight 16 Video Blog
Follow the jump for reader comments. Read more -
Thursday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Thursday
5:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Tonight
UFC highlights, analysis and interviews.
6:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC From All Angles
The remarkable rise of Chris Weidman.
6:30 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC 1 on 1
The career resurgence of Urijah Faber.
7:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 19 Episode 12: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn: The Big Show Last two semifinal battles for spots in the finals.
8:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Tonight
UFC highlights, analysis and interviews.
9:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Fighter's Cut
Gilbert Melendez and Diego Sanchez stage epic slugfest.
10:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Presents
The All American Chris Weidman: Chris Weidman's rise from obscurity.
11:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Countdown
UFC 175: Chris Weidman and Alexis Davis prepare for title bouts.
12:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Tonight
UFC highlights, analysis and interviews.
1:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 19 Episode 12: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn: The Big Show Last two semifinal battles for spots in the finals.
2:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Main Event
UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman/Edgar vs. Oliveira Mixed martial artists train for UFC 162.
3:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC 1 on 1
The career resurgence of Urijah Faber.
3:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet Ontario: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news.
3:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet East: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news.
4:30 p.m. ET Sportsnet West: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news.
7:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC 1 on 1
Ronda Rousey discusses being a pioneer in her sport.
8:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Presents
Mana: .B.J. Penn's fascinating journey.
9:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Reloaded
UFC 164: Benson Henderson vs. Anthony Pettis From Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
9:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet ONE: UFC Countdown
UFC 175 Countdown
10:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet ONE: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news. Read more -
Brent Brookhouse Joins Press Row
By: Jordan Breen
Every Wednesday, Administrative Editor Jordan Breen welcomes a member of the mixed martial arts media into “Press Row” on the Sherdog.com blog. This week, Breen is joined by Bloodyelbow.com managing editor Brent Brookhouse.
Chael Sonnen's second failed drug test in a matter of weeks, this time for HGH and EPO, has ended his run with the UFC and Fox Sports. Breen and Brookhouse take a look back at the bizarre and sensational circus that Sonnen commandeered for the last five years under Zuffa employ, from his unpredictable emergence as an elite fighter and pay-per-view draw, his role in the sport's testosterone replacement therapy saga and his legal indiscretions outside of MMA. The pair also reflect on how long Sonnen will really be on the outs with the UFC and Fox and why his history of lawlessness is particular unique.
Breen and Brookhouse also consider other kinds of scandals that could ensnare MMA fighters in the future, which UFC fighter is most likely to become a “catfishing” victim and the all-time craziest Sonnen excuses and one-liners.
Grab your credential and get a seat in “Press Row.”
Follow the jump for reader comments and download link. Read more -
Wednesday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Wednesday
4:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Countdown
UFC 175: Chris Weidman and Alexis Davis prepare for title bouts.
6:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Fight Night
UFC: Swanson vs. Stephens: Cub Swanson vs. Jeremy Stephens; Kelvin Gastelum vs. Nico Musoke; Cezar Ferreira vs. Andrew Craig; Ricardo Lamas vs. Hacran Dias; Clint Hester vs. Antonio Braga Neto; Joe Ellenberger vs. James Moontasri. From San Antonio.
9:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Fight Flashback
Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate Enhanced coverage of classic bout between female fighters.
11:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 1: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 19 Episode 6: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn: Fight to Live Controversial decision causes explosive reaction.
12:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 19 Episode 7: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn: Kinetic Chess Tensions boil over at the house in the wake of Roger Zapata's controversial win over; in the sixth preliminary fight, Patrick Walsh against Anton Berzin.
1:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 19 Episode 8: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn: Someone's Getting Bullied Fighters seek a spot in the semis.
2:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 19 Episode 9: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn: Get That Money Field trip to Harley-Davidson Boot Camp; final preliminary bout; semifinal matchups announced.
3:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 19 Episode 10: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn: One Fight Away Middleweight semifinal matchup.
3:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet Ontario: UFC Central
UFC Central Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news
3:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet East: UFC Central
UFC Central Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news
4:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 19 Episode 11: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn: The Zombie Semifinal slugfest.
4:30 p.m. ET Sportsnet West: UFC Central
UFC Central Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news
6:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Ultimate Insider
Struve; Machida; Davis; LeBell Fighters train for upcoming bouts.
7:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 19 Episode 11: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn: The Zombie Semifinal slugfest.
8:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Tonight
UFC highlights, analysis and interviews.
9:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet ONE: UFC Countdown
UFC 175 Countdown
9:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 19 Episode 11: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn: The Zombie Semifinal slugfest.
10:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet ONE: UFC Central
UFC Central Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news
10:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 19 Episode 12: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn: The Big Show Last two semifinal battles for spots in the finals. Read more
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