I spoke with M-1 Global's CEO Joost Raimond at Fedor's open workout in NYC a few days ago. We discussed M-1's relationship with Strikeforce and we also touched on the negotiation that M-1 Global had with the UFC.

An astoundingly moving highlight video from Machinemen of the legendary collision between Antonio Rodrigo Minotauro Nogueira and Randy "The Natural" Couture.  I found the unique choice of music to be an excellent touch to what turned out to be a highly emotional fight that lived up to the hype.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has never backed down from a challenge and has always faced the best possible competition that MMA could offer in the heavyweight division.  His resume is one of the most impressive in the sport, flaunting a grocery list of respectable opponents like Fedor Emelianenko, Josh Barnett, Mirko CroCop, Frank Mir, Tim Sylvia, Mark Coleman, Semmy Schilt, Heath Herring, Bob Sapp, Sergei Kharitonov, Ricco Rodriguez, Fabricio Werdum, and most recently, Randy Couture.  Come to think of it, the list would be much shorter and tidier had I referenced the relevant heavyweights that he hasn't fought. Post-102, after reestablishing his prestigious reputation with an extremely convincing win over Couture, Nogueira is calling to face the UFC heavyweight champion, Brock Lesnar.  Speaking with MMAWeekly, Nogueira relayed his thoughts on what his next step was:

"I like big fights like that.  I'll be ready if they gave me a good opponent.  It would be my pleasure, but if they gave me a title shot, it would be awesome."

Big Nog also addressed what the fight between he and Brock might entail:

"A lot of jiu-jitsu and good standing up, make him tired man, move around, move around.  When I get his timing, hit him with a good right hand and box him, box him and get him tired.  If he goes on the top into my guard, I can play with him.  Let's see, let's see what is going to happen." 

 "Let's see", indeed.  Before Nogueira quelled any doubts and authenticated his previous stature with his invigorating dismantlement of Couture, I had speculated Gabriel Gonzaga to pose the biggest threat to Brock, being another huge heavyweight (6'2", 250+ lbs), but with phenomenal BJJ credentials and a highly evolving and effective stand-up arsenal.  Even though Nogueira has an inch in height on Gonzaga and only weighs about ten pounds less, he lacks the physically imposing strength and style of Gonzaga. However, now, with the "old" Nogueira apparently taking the helm once again, he represents the best submission fighter in the history of MMA.  Yes, better than Aoki, Maia, Sakuraba, and even Fedor.  No other fighter has been as succesful at the highest level of MMA like Nogueira has using a submission-based MMA style.  His liquid-like technique serves as the perfect antidote to Lesnar's bestial wrestling and brutal top-game, as Nogueira is most dangerous when placed in the exact position that Lesnar prefers his opponent to be in:  on their back.  Even if Nogueira is unable to submit Lesnar, I can't remember the last fighter that he was unable to sweep. Additionally, Nogueira's boxing is still improving.  Not only did his combinations look crisper and tighter, but he seemed to be dialing in some power to his strikes versus Couture, a trait he seemed not to possess in the past.  And, as difficult as it is to replicate or count on, Nogueira has made a name for himself by withstanding unreal punishment only to secure a submission for a dramatic victory. Show me where to sign to put this fight in the works.  Although Nogueira is 3-1 in the UFC, he's only racked up one win after losing to Mir, so he may likely have to battle his way through another contender or two before contesting for the title.

Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva was interviewed by Tatame and revealed that a fight with Josh Barnett may be looming on the horizon in "The Land of the Rising Sun."  Bigfoot will square off with "Big" Jim York at Sengoku 10 on September 23rd, an 11-2 HW fighter with a propensity for finishing fights.  In fact, York's fate has never been decided by score cards in his career, as he's knocked out or submitted all of his victims, lost by submission in his first MMA fight, and was KO'd by Yoshihiro "Kiss" Nakao in Sengoku 2.  Bigfoot revealed that the Sengoku president confirmed to him that he would face Josh Barnett should he defeat York.  Barnett's name has not seen light since it was splashed across every MMA website imaginable after the Affliction debacle, where his pre-fight urine test sounded the steroid alarm, ultimately flatlining the pulse of the entire organization.  This was Barnett's second positive test for steroids in MMA, the first coming immediately after he defeated Randy Couture for the UFC heavyweight title in 2002, tarnishing his new legacy as the youngest UFC HW to date. Coincidentally, "Bigfoot" Silva clobbered the late Justin Eilers in 2008 to attain the Elite XC heavyweight strap, but the now defunct organization flagged Silva's drug test for Boldenone, a performance enhancing steroid.  Despite being fined and suspended for one year, Silva was offered a fight shortly after in Sengoku, which he accepted, much to the chagrin of the California State Athletic Commission. Steroid correlation aside, this would prove to be an interesting and competitive fight between two top heavyweights outside of the UFC, that is, if Silva were to persevere against Nakao in the main event of Sengoku Tenth Battle.

There is a lot of different ways to say Fedor. Tito Ortiz has taken a lot of heat for his pronunciation, but it looks like he's correct. It's Feyador, more or less. In this video, you can listen to Fedor pronounce his own name.

If his video playing prowess is any indication, Tito is back! Check out this video where he crushes his opponent:

There have been many inspirational examples of fighters showing a tremendous amount of heart, exemplifying the oft-referenced "warrior spirit" exuded by such MMA greats as Yuki Nakai, Kazushi Sakuraba, and Javi Vasquez (see Crane vs. Vasquez if curious at the inclusion of the latter).

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Minnesota Mixed Martial Arts fighter Chris Tuchscherer to the list.

You may or may not have read about the unusual circumstances surrounding his fight at UFC 102 against Gabriel Gonzaga, a gorilla-chested BJJ black belt with striking skills sufficient enough to crumble one of MMA's top knockout artists in Mirko CroCop, and the fang-bearing packleader of the proverbial wolves that many speculated Tuchscherer was being thrown to for his Octagon debut.

In the opening moments of the bout, Gonzaga, intending to target the inside of the thigh, swiveled a powerful left kick dead-center into the groin of Tuchscherer; accented by a loud, cracking noise of foot-to-cup that may have shattered any china dinnerware sets within audible range.  Tuchscherer obviously experienced the delay in pain commonly associated with absorbing a blow of large force to the testicles--known well by all males as the gut wrenching "calm before the storm"--as he continued fighting for a moment until the first waves of agony hit him.  He then motioned to the ref with wide eyes and was soon reduced to writhing in pain on the octagon floor, later vomiting into a bucket from the vile trauma.

Goldberg and Rogan had written Tuchscherer off due to the severity of the injury, and were literally astounded when Tuchscherer replaced his mouthpiece with the intent to continue fighting after gritting his teeth through the allotted five-minute respite time.  For reference, I've taken several days off of work for even the slightest graze to this sensitive area, and can admit I've taken much longer than five minutes even for close calls with no contact whatsoever.  Yet Tuchscherer was ready to launch himself back into a full-contact, professional mixed martial arts fight with a top ten heavyweight after only five minutes.

As if this wasn't enough to earn your admiration, Gonzaga treated Tuchscherer to a brutal left high-kick to the face, once again dropping him to the canvas after only a few seconds of action.  This was the same kick (opposite leg) that nearly put CroCop into a coma, and I was surprised that Tuchscherer was not only still conscious, but fighting with all of his might to snare a leg and stand back up.

Gonzaga took advantage of the stunned fighter by peppering him with elbows before attaining mount, where he landed a full-force forearm to the face, which caused Tuchscherer to roll on his back.  Gonzaga began to sink in the choke to cries from Rogan and Goldberg that this time the fight really was about to end, but the dynamic duo ate their words once again as Tuchscherer fought off the choke while taking several left hands in the process.

With blood flowing down a face warped with what can only be described as a look of sheer and utter determination, Tuchscherer once again found himself absorbing heavy leather with Gonzaga first on his back and then back to mount before he bucked Gonzaga off and initiated a scramble with what little energy and straight-sense he had left.  With my jaw dropped firmly on the carpet, I finally called for the ref to think about stopping the fight as Gonzaga hammered another unanswered blow to the turtled Tuchscherer, but Tuchscherer shocked me to the core once again by coming to life and snapping a vicious back-elbow towards the face of Gonzaga.

Feeling frustrated, Gonzaga stood up and walked a few paces away, then charged Tuchscherer and tagged him with a right hand as he attempted to stand.  Finally, Gonzaga unfurled a barrage of punches that caused the ref to intervene.

Tuchscherer never gave up though.  Not after an illegal (albeit unintentional) kick to the groin so severe it caused vomiting.  Not after a high kick connected that might have decapitated a horse.  Not after a 250 pound Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt forced him into the most vulnerable position possible while alternating crushing forearms and choke attempts.

Born from "The Ultimate Fighter", a popular question posed to the fighters by Dana White has become legendary in the sport.  White asked this question when fighters would complain about not getting paid to fight on the show, or when whining because their girlfriend missed them, or they had a sore knee or nagging injury.

White's question was, "Do you wanna be a fuckin' fighter?"  Let me tell you something, Mr. White:  Chris Tuchscherer wants to be a fuckin' fighter.