After months of speculation and more than a dozen rumored names, UFC president Dana White today announced heavyweight contenders Brock Lesnar and Junior Dos Santos will be coaches on the upcoming 13th season of "The Ultimate Fighter."
White made the announcement during a media call.
"The Ultimate Fighter 13" debuts March 30 on Spike TV, and a live finale is slated for June 4. The coaches meet in a season-ending fight in June, possibly at UFC 131 in Toronto.
Although initially announced as a middleweight and welterweight season of the UFC's long-running reality series, MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reported earlier this week that producers instead opted to make "TUF 13" a welterweights-only show. Production begins this month in Las Vegas. In an elimination round of fights, 28 hopefuls will fight for 14 official cast spots. The show uses a 32-slot tournament, which includes two "wild card" picks who earn a second life in the quarterfinals.
Over the past couple months, many UFC veterans had been rumored for potential "TUF 13" coaching slots, including Frankie Edgar, Gray Maynard, Frank Mir, Shane Carwin, Wanderlei Silva, Chael Sonnen, Chris Leben, Brian Stann, Dominick Cruz, Urijah Faber, Anthony Pettis, Jose Aldo and others. Ultimately, though, officials went with the big men, Lesnar and Dos Santos.
White said Velasquez's recent shoulder surgery and long layoff opened the door for Lesnar and Dos Santos, which then "made all the sense in the world." However, no interim title will be on the line when the coaches fight, though the winner gets an immediate title shot with Velasquez.
Lesnar (5-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) is a former titleholder who lost his belt to current champ Cain Velasquez in October. The former WWE star has emerged as the UFC's top pay-per-view draw, and his inclusion in "TUF" should translate to big ratings.
Dos Santos (12-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC), meanwhile, recently claimed top-contender status by posting a 6-0 record in the UFC. Recent wins have come over Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic, Gilbert Yvel, Gabriel Gonzaga and Roy Nelson.
"TUF" debuted in 2005 and proved a ratings hit. It also helped the UFC's and MMA's move into the mainstream. Since the debut season, the show has launched the career of more than 100 UFC fighters, and past cast members Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans and Matt Serra went on to win UFC titles.
We hope this isn't the Team Lesnar outfit with accompanying groin sweat spot.
UFC Live Presale Starts Wednesday Tickets go on presale for Fight Club members January 12 for UFC Live Sanchez vs. Kampmann. UFC Live is Thursday, March 3rd, 2011 in Louisville, KY.
A fan will be selected to win our Samurai Shogun Shirt to celebrate Shogun's return after reconstructive knee surgery. Criteria: 1) post your prediction for Shogun vs Evans at MMAMaxim.com or www.facebook.com/MMAMaxim?ref=mf
2) Some information about the way you will help promote us, bushido (the way of the warrior), and/or martial arts or fitness.
Long Beach Fight Night (155 lbs): Eddie Mendez (Riverside Submission) vs Joseph "Black Rooster" Salas from Westminster, CA (Team Oyama/TX House of Champs. Congratulations Joseph (Blue Corner) on your win!
Intro & Round 1 for Eddie Mendez (red corner & gloves) vs Joseph "Black Rooster" Salas
Tyron Woodley's Unanimous Decision Over Tarec Saffiedine In Duel of Emerging Welterweights. Saffiedine (Blue Gloves) was prevented by Woodley for most of the fight from using his striking background. Saffiedine who trains with Dan "Hendo" Henderson at Team Quest was only able to use a few effective strikes like this knee strike.
Ovince St. Preux (Red Gloves) Earns Unanimous Decision Over “Abongo” Humphrey At STRIKEFORCE Challengers on SHOWTIME®
Daniel Cormier Earns Unanimous Decision Over Devin Cole
Amanda Nunes Scores Thunderous 14 Second TKO On Julia Budd
Dr. Rhadi Ferguson Submits John Richard at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn.
NASHVILLE, TENN. (Jan. 8, 2010) –Tyron “T-Wood” Woodley (8-0) continued his streak of perfection, earning a unanimous decision over Tarec “The Sponge” Saffiedine (10-3) in a highly-anticipated showdown of rising welterweight (170 pounds) stars and the STRIKEFORCE Challengers main event Friday night, live on SHOWTIME from Nashville Municipal Auditorium.
The 28-year-old Woodley, a two-time All-American NCAA wrestler for the University of Missouri and St. Louis native, stuck to his game plan, pressing Saffiedine with repeated takedown attempts set up by aggressive strikes. Saffiedine’s balance and takedown defense were strong as expected, however,
Woodley neutralized Saffiedine’s stand-up game, pressing Saffiedine against the fence and striking whenever possible. Woodley’s ground game was superior for the most part as he remained in dominant position for much of the three round encounter.
“I did well,” said Woodley. “He’s got some power and some pop. I think I kept the pressure on him and got some strikes in there. For me, it was about getting out of his range and getting in there when I could. I think I did a good job tonight.”
Former University of Tennessee star linebacker Ovince Saint Preux (10-4) continued his recent surge, earning a unanimous decision over road warrior “Abongo” Humphrey (7-3) of Atlanta. His start made the 27-year-old Saint Preux, a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, the first fighter in history to compete in three consecutive STRIKEFORCE events.
“I knew I had to win the third round to get this fight. He’s definitely a tough opponent,” said Saint Preux, a winner of seven straight bouts.
Saint Preux came out on fire in the opening round of action, mounting Humphrey three times while working aggressively on the ground. In the second stanza, Humphrey scored a knee strike that stunned his opponent and Saint Preux countered with a flurry that hurt Humphrey, but was still unable to finish the fight.
Looking somewhat fatigued in the third, Saint Preux fought off Humphrey well enough to win the round and earn the nod from all three judges.
Two-time United States Olympic wrestling team member Daniel Cormier (7-0) extended his perfect record by dominating a far more experienced Devin Cole (18-9-1) for three consecutive rounds.
It was the first time in his MMA career that the 31-year-old Cormier, who competed five times in 2010, was taken the distance of a fight. He displayed increased versatility in the cage, including a much improved kickboxing game, throughout the matchup.
Cormier was able to take Cole down repeatedly during the contest and control his opponent, but never able to finish Cole.
“He did an incredible job. He can take a shot. I landed some pretty decent shots on him,” said Cormier after the bout. “I want to continue to improve and make my way up the ladder.”
Twenty-two year old Amanda Nunes (6-1) of Patterson, New Jersey by way of Brazil stunned the crowd by decimating fellow prospect Julia Budd (1-1) just 14 seconds into the first round of their meeting.
Both Nunes and Budd who hails from Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada, came out swinging from the outset of the first round, but it was Nunes who landed the first big shot – a straight left hand, which put Budd flat on her back.
Nunes immediately pounced on her downed opponent, raining down on Budd with hammer fists until the referee stepped in and halted the action. The stoppage was Nunes’ sixth consecutive win by way of KO.
United States Olympic Judo player Rhadi Ferguson (3-0) shined in his STRIKEFORCE debut against John Richard (3-2), submitting Richard with a heel hook in the second round (2:00) of their matchup.
Richard, a late replacement for Ferguson’s original opponent, Ion Cherdivara, scored a hard leg kick in the second round that staggered Ferguson and put him in noticeable pain. After Richard charged forward, the fight went to the ground.
From his back, Ferguson looked for the submission, eventually working his way to the heel hook that forced Richard to tap out. Despite the convincing result, Ferguson expressed disappointment with his performance after the fight, stressing his need to gain more experience in the cage.
“I get a D minus,” he said. “I started my camp with a pulled groin and a pulled hamstring and John Richard was a tough opponent. I’m a neo fighter in this sport – I’m young and humble.”
STRIKEFORCE returns to SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast) on Sat., Jan. 29 with a world championship doubleheader at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. In the main event, Welterweight Champion Nick DiazEvangelista Cyborg. Middleweight Champion and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu submission wizard “Jacare” Souza will risk his belt against superstar knockout artist “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler.
In other SHOWTIME televised featured action on Jan. 29, football legend turned MMA upstart Herschel Walker will make his second start in the cage against Scott Carson in a heavyweight bout and unbeaten Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Roger Gracie, the latest offering from MMA’s first family, will square off with former South African National Wrestling Champion Trevor Prangley.
On Sat., Feb. 12, the historic, eight-man single-elimination STRIKEFORCE World Grand Prix – Heavyweight Tournament will kick off live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast) from IZOD Center in E. Rutherford, New Jersey. In one of two tournament bouts on the STRIKEFORCE and M-1 Global promoted card, the legendary Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko will face off with streaking powerhouse Antonio “Big Foot” Silva. In the other tournament contest, former world champion Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski will face Russian Sambo master Sergei Kharitonov, the last fighter to defeat reigning STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight Champion, Alistair “The Demolition Man” Overeem.
Complete STRIKEFORCE Challengers Results:
Main Card:
Tyron Woodley def. Tarec Saffiedine via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Ovince Saint Preux def. “Abongo” Humphrey via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Daniel Cormier def. Devin Cole via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Amanda Nunes def. Julia Budd via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, :14
Rhadi Ferguson def. John Richard via submission (heel hook) – Round 2, 2:00
Preliminary Card:
Thomas Campbell def. Jeremy Wallace via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 1, 1:26
John Salter def. Casey Huffman via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:59
Dustin Ortiz def. Matt Horning via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 2:10
Dustin West def. Daniel Schmitt via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, :09
Charles McTorry def. Krishaun Gilmore via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 2, 3:46
Chris Barnhizer def. Karl Willis via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 2:35
Jason Blackford def. Jeremy Boczulak via submission (heel hook) – Round 2, 1:54
Luke Sanders def. Josh Jarvis via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:15
Stoney Hale def. Gerric Hayes via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
UFC Fighter Nam Phan & MMA Referee Cecil Peoples at Long Beach Fight Night on Jan. 2, 2011.
The UFC's Nam Phan coached his student, Kenny "Spaceman" Quach at the Long Beach Fight Night on Jan. 2, 2011. Quach fought at 155 lbs and exudes Phan's good sportsmanship. We made Nam laugh by telling him we were going to send video to UFC President Dana White to disprove White's comment. White claimed on "The Ultimate Fighter" that Nam was the "worst cornerman in history."
Kenny "Spaceman" Quach
Santa Ana, CA
Nam Phan Ma Du Academy
STRIKEFORCE CHALLENGERS EVENT TO BE AVAILABLE IN A RECORD 61 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS THROUGH SHOWTIME® FREE PREVIEW WEEKEND
This Friday’s STRIKEFORCE Challengers event on SHOWTIME® will be available in a record 61 million households through the SHOWTIME® Free Preview Weekend from Friday, Jan. 7 through Monday, Jan. 10.
The mixed martial arts event will air live on SHOWTIME at 11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast.
In the main event from Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., undefeated welterweight and University of Missouri two-time All-American wrestler Tyron Woodley (7-0) will take on Tarec Saffiedine (10-2), who has won nine of his last 10 bouts. In a featured bout, two-time U.S. Olympic wrestling team member Daniel Cormier (6-0) will face his toughest opponent to date in veteran Devin Cole (18-8-1).
The Free Preview weekend also includes the anticipated series premiers of two new SHOWTIME original series - SHAMELESS and EPISODES - the fourth season premiere of CALIFORNICATION and the premium television premiere of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON. The weekend will also provide access to the critically-acclaimed SHOWTIME original series THE BIG C, CALIFORNICATION, DEXTER, NURSE JACKIE, UNITED STATES OF TARA and WEEDS, all available on SHOWTIME On Demand.
The Free Preview Weekend is available to digital subscribers of participating providers only. Not all services are available in all areas. Previews may contain PG, PG-13, TV-14, TVMA and R rated programming. You must be a digital subscriber to receive video on demand and HD. Viewers who tune in and order SHOWTIME for the first time, can get $25 cash back. For additional details on the offer go to SHO.com/order and for SHOWTIME Free Preview weekend, go to SHO.com/freepreview.
