UCMMA 'The Ultimate Challenge'

Coming to FIGHT NOW TV

More International mixed-martial-arts action slated for 2012

(Press release)

HOBOKEN, New Jersey (February 20 , 2012) - United Kingdom-based 'Ultimate Challenge Mixed Martial Arts' is coming to FIGHT NOW TV TM - America's only 24-hour combat sports and entertainment channel - throughout 2012. A deal was announced today by both principals.

UCMMA co-founder Dave O'Donnell was a driving force behind the first wave of MMA growth in the U.K. with Cage Rage which featured many current and past stars, including Anderson Silva, Vitor Belfort, Michael Bisping, Paul Daley, Ian Freeman, Matt Lindland, Melvin Manhoef, Antonio Silva, Renato 'Babalu' Sobral, just to name a few.

Dave O'Donnell and his new team are now building on that rich tradition of showcasing great talent and discovering future stars with its UCMMA "The Ultimate Challenge" brand.

"We are very excited that we can feature UCMMA events on our channel," commented Mike Garrow, GM and co-founder of FIGHT NOW TV. "The quality of fights UCMMA puts on is excellent, making it a perfect fit with our mission to deliver MMA action, not only from the United States, but around the globe."

FIGHT NOW TV viewers will be able to watch the two most recent UCMMA events in their entirety, Feb. 22 & 23, as part of FIGHT NOW TV's "Every Night a Different FIGHT" programming block, starting at 10pm ET.

The next UCMMA 27 event is set to take place April 7 from The Troxy Theatre in London, England.

(Press release)

LITTLE FALLS, NJ – February 21, 2012 – Worldwide Mixed Martial Arts Sports, Inc. (WMMA) confirmed today that Sean “Big Sexy” McCorkle and Brian Heden will headline its inaugural charitable event, WMMA: McCorkle vs. Heden, Fighting for a Better World. The event will take place on March 31, 2012 at the 12,500-seat Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas, and will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) and the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2).

According to William McFarlane, President of WMMA, “The super heavyweight clash between McCorkle and Heden is sure to bring fireworks to El Paso as well as leave fans watching at home wanting more. By having two veterans of the sport at the top of this card benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project and the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program, it highlights our commitment to quality competition, respect for the sport, and promise to the local community and our real heroes.”

Sean “Big Sexy” McCorkle (14-2), a UFC veteran, is looking to continue his winning ways after winning his last five fights.   One of McCorkle’s most notable wins was in front of his hometown in Indianapolis when he defeated K-1 and Pride veteran Mark Hunt at UFC 119.

The Japanese love their MMA, and someone put together an outstanding "manga" video ahead of the UFC in Japan show.  This is classic stuff.  Also, check out this neat Japanese newspaper article announcing the UFC's return to Japan.

Here is the video:

Both Fedor Emelianenko and Todd Duffee have made mention of a "big announcement" coming soon, so naturally the speculation is that Fedor will be fighting Duffee in the near future.  Todd Duffee was dubbed my many as the "next big thing" when he entered the UFC after going 5-0 with 5 knockouts in his MMA career.  In his first UFC fight, he needed just 7 seconds to knock out Tim Hague.  However, his second UFC fight, against Mike Russow, derailed the hype train as Duffee was knocked out in the third round.

Shockingly, he was cut from the UFC after this fight, not because of the loss, but because he somehow managed to piss off Dana White.  Dana was never explicit in what prompted him to fire Duffee, saying only that it seemed "he doesn't want to be in the UFC, he doesn't like being in the UFC."

That was news to Duffee, who said he had no idea why he was released.  Anyway, Todd signed with Dream and in his first fight he faced Alistair Overeem.  This fight was another very quick first round KO, but Duffee was on the wrong side of it.  The bout took place on New Year's Eve in 2010, and Duffee has not fought since.

Fedor is riding a two fight win streak, his latest being a KO victory of Japanese judo Gold-medalist Satoshi Ishii back in December.  A fight between him and Duffee would be an explosive contest, as both me like to stand and bang. Nothing is confirmed yet, but we'll be keeping on eye on this story as it develops.

Check out this hot promo for the upcoming Miesha Tate vs. Ronda Rousey showdown coming up in March.  Tate is the Strikeforce female bantamweight champ and Rousey wants her belt.  Two very talented fighters who also happen to be smoking hot babes.  Life is good!

The UFC is coming back to AC!  David Weinberg of the Press of Atlantic City did a great writeup about the big return:

The Ultimate Fighting Champion-ship will return to Atlantic City this summer. Plans are being finalized for the country's most popular mixed martial arts organization to come back to the Boardwalk for the first time in seven years on Friday, June 22. The card will be televised on FX as part of the UFC's "FUEL TV" series.

The UFC and New Jersey Athletic Control Board both confirmed Wednesday that the event will be in Atlantic City, marking its first show there since UFC 53 was held at Boardwalk Hall on June 4, 2005." The UFC has reserved that date to come to Atlantic City," said state Deputy Attorney General Nicholas Lembo, who helps oversee MMA with the New Jersey
Athletic Control Board and its commissioner, Aaron Davis.

Officials from neither the UFC nor the NJACB would confirm widespread speculation within the mixed martial arts community that the June 22 card will be held at the new $2.4 billion Revel casino that's scheduled to open May 15.Revel, which is described on its website as a "6.2 million square-foot beachfront entertainment resort," will feature a state-of-the-art, 5,500-seat entertainment arena. Revel spokesperson Maureen Siman declined to comment Wednesday.The UFC also said the
fighters on the card will be announced at a later date.

Read the rest here:  UFC Returns to Atlantic City

Diego Sanchez and Jake Ellenberger fought a war last night, a war that went three rounds.  In the first two rounds, Ellenberger controlled the action and landed the cleaner shots, winning both rounds on all three judges scorecards.  In the third round, however, Sanchez starting coming on strong, and by the end of the round he had Ellenberger's back and was landing hard shot's to Jake's face.  Sanchez won the last round unanimously, but lost the decision by the score of 29-28 on all cards.

After the fight, Sanchez said:

“I thought all main events are supposed to be five-rounds, what happened? I’m ready for more!”

Diego wasn't alone in that regard. A lot of fans were shocked that the fight was only scheduled for 3 rounds, and it was disappointing that it ended so quickly.  Two more rounds could have changed the outcome for Sanchez because he was really starting to pick up steam.  His cardio is second to none, and he would definitely benefit from five rounders.

Dana White also realized that making this main event a three rounder was a mistake:

“From this day forward, as we speak right here, right now today, every fight that is a main event that is not a title fight will be a five-round fight. I can do 33 rounds on FUEL TV if I want to. FUEL TV can’t get enough. We blew it tonight. It should have been a five-round fight.”

Too little too late for Diego Sanchez, but still a good idea.  For some fights, three rounds simply doesn't cut it.  Imagine if Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva was a fiver rounder instead of three?  Dayum!

Props to Diego Sanchez and Jake Ellenberger for a great fight.  They picked up Fight of the Night honors, and a fat check, for their explosive confrontation.  Hell, maybe even a rematch is order. You would hear any complaints from me.