MMA Odds

UFC 100
Frank Mir		+190	+190	+200	+210	+210
Brock Lesnar		-275	-250	-240	-260	-260
GSP		-300	-295	-280	-260	-280
Thiago Alves		+200	+235	+240	+210	+240
Dan Henderson		-300	-285	-290	-290	-290
Michael Bisbing		+200	+225	+245	+230	+230
Jon Jones		-500	-500	-440	-430	-430
Jake O'Brien		+300	+300	+350	+350	+350

Report: Cane Wants Franklin Next

Luiz Cane is hoping to fight former UFC middleweight champ Rich Franklin, according to a report today from MMA Junkie; a bout that immediately struck us here at MMA Fix as a pretty damn good idea. Although the Brazilian may not be a household name like Franklin, (well in comparison to Franklin’s popularity, Cane could probably attend the upcoming UFC 100 Fan Expo and get asked a thousand times for directions to the nearest can) the light-heavyweight has gone 3-1 since arriving in the UFC, with his only loss coming via disqualification.

After defeating Steve Cantwell by Unanimous Decision in April, and with many of the promotion’s other top light-heavyweights committed to bouts; Cane is hoping to fight again in the coming months.

“I’m hoping to fight in the early fall,” Cane said. “And I think the matchup with Franklin would be a great one if the UFC wants to see that fight.”

“But a fight that would fit perfectly would be against Rich Franklin. Without a doubt, this would be a fight that I would love to fight, and I am sure the fans would like to see it too.”

In his TKO stoppages of Jason Lambert and Thierry Sokoudjou, Cane demonstrated not only that he’s a bad ass on his feet, he’s also wildly entertaining to watch beat someone up. Thus, in recalling Franklin’s last bout with Wanderlei Silva, there’s no reason to think that a Cane, Franklin bout wouldn’t also be a slug fest, where one or two of your MMA buddies squeals in ecstatic-creepy-glee throughout.

Franklin is recommitted to making a run in the 205lb. division and also is looking for a bout so…git-r-done Joe Silva, git-r-done.

Posted on July 3, 2009
Filed Under Rich Franklin, UFC | Leave a Comment

GSP Picking Florian Over Penn

Georges St. Pierre is willing to bet that Kenny Florian will be the new lightweight champion, come August 8^th, when the former TUF competitor challenges BJ Penn for his belt at UFC 101. Speaking to MMA Weekly Radio recently, the UFC welterweight champ went with his training partner Florian, when asked to predict a winner.

 I’ve trained with him two times and he looked really sharp. I put my money on him against B.J. Penn

So, yes, one naturally goes with their training partner when asked to make a prediction on their upcoming bout; you have to be there for your fellow co-worker. (Although here at MMA Fix, employees have been known to stab each other in the back with knives on a regular basis; they are plastic, however, and usually still dirty with pastry icing)

While GSP might be biased, Florian has looked unbelievable as of late, and since he lost to Sean Sherk in October, 2006, the Boston native has bulked up both his body and his striking arsenal considerably. As a result, he’s won 6 straight, and taken out some of the division’s best guys on the way. (Plus who will ever forget Florian’s memorable fired up “I finish fights” speech after UFC 73? Although memorable, it still lags far, far, far behind Pete Sell’s post fight-glassy eyed- indiscernible congrats to Matt Brown in March)

Of course GSP’s support for Florian is not just because he’s trained with the lightweight, it stems from his seemingly endless feud with Penn. (Ahh ‘grease gate’, that horse just wouldn’t die would it? In the stable next to it lies the beaten into oblivion ‘did Sherk do roids or not’ dead horse. The carcass of the ‘what’s better UFC or Pride’ horse was finally removed a few months ago) GSP also went on to state on the MMA Weekly show:

Kenny Florian is a great training partner, and is going to be a great champion, and he’s also a greater person and human being (than B.J. Penn),” said St. Pierre.

Yes, another dig at Penn, somehow we’re thinking that if Penn wins on August 8^th, maybe, just maybe, the name St.Pierre might be included in his post fight comments?

All this aside, Penn remains one of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighters, so it will be extremely interesting to see how Florian makes out. (We will begin our UFC Undisputed best of a 100 fights research shortly) To bet on GSP’s upcoming bout with Thiago Alves head here.

Posted on July 3, 2009
Filed Under B.J. Penn, Georges St. Pierre, Kenny Florian, MMA, UFC, UFC 101 | Leave a Comment

Report: Lesnar Fires Back at Mir

As MMA Fix reported earlier this week, the war of words between Frank Mir and Brock Lesnar is beginning to kick into high gear as they approach their upcoming July 11^th bout; a couple of days ago, Mir didn’t have much good to say about Lesnar’s abilities, and cited Forrest Griffin as a more dangerous opponent.

The latest go around centers on comments Mir apparently made to MMA Weekly back in May, where he questioned Lesnar’s motives for fighting, stating that he believes the former professional wrestler is in it more so for the money. (We here at MMA Fix won’t play UFC Undisputed unless there is at least a bucket of fried chicken riding on the outcome) In a teleconference yesterday, Lesnar fired back at Mir, stating that he loves fighting, his next opponent is just angry because he makes more money, (not as much money as The Rock would if he signed with the UFC) and that further:

At the end of the day, you’ve gotta be able to provide for your family. This is a business for me and it just so happens I enjoy getting up every day and going to work. When this is all said and done and everything’s over with, and there’s no money in the bank, I don’t know, to me, it just seems like nowadays, especially with the way the economy is, I want to live comfortably when this is all said and done.

Fair enough. Although one would think that Lesnar’s ‘overhead’ is less, than say Chuck Liddell, due to the fact that the monster heavyweight’s lifestyle is reportedly far closer to Grizzly Adams than P Diddy’s. 

Lesnar also went on to state that he’s put in his time working for next to nothing and that when it comes down to it:

This is prize fighting for me. You look at it any other way, you might as well just go fight in the underground, bare knuckle, or fight in the streets, as far as I’m concerned.

Well, plenty of up-and-coming MMA fighters, even some dudes that have made it to the bigger shows, probably could have made more money delivering pizza on a Friday night, but the point still holds. (Especially near Christmas time when festive tips really start getting thrown around)

Basically, don’t street fight for money kids….only street fight when you’ve struck out with the ladies at the club and you need to prove to yourself or your drunk buddies that you’re still a man….(Make sure you remove your MMA t-shirt beforehand however- that really fires up the crowd and may lessen the likelihood of getting tazered when the cops arrive)

It should be a dandy bout. To bet on Mir vs. Lesnar go here.

Posted on July 2, 2009
Filed Under Brock Lesnar, Chuck Liddell, Forrest Griffin, Frank Mir, UFC, UFC 100 | Leave a Comment

White Confirms Huerta vs. Maynard Possible

In an interview with ESPN 1100 yesterday, UFC President Dana White acknowledged that the promotion is looking to put together a bout between Gray Maynard and Roger Huerta at September’s UFC Fight Night. (According to a report by Fighters Only Magazine- thanks for the tip) White’s comments confirm recent reports that the UFC was lining up a fight between the two notable lightweights.

The report goes on to add that the bout would be the last on Huerta’s contract; the 20-2-1 fighter turned down a new five fight deal with the UFC earlier this year, and that according to White, he’s not sure at this juncture whether or not Huerta will choose to sign with the organization.

I don’t know what Huerta wants to do. We’ve tried to talk to Roger and see what he wants to do. I really don’t know what this kid wants to do. We have one more fight him so we’re going to give him a fight with Gray on free TV and we’ll see what he wants to do.

Now it’s not too long ago that Huerta was the latest fighter to go through the seemingly revolving door on the UFC doghouse, after the lightweight criticized the promotion for how it compensates its fighters last summer. Clearly that’s water under the bridge for White and the UFC, which makes sense, since the vast majority of Huerta’s bouts have been epic-drop the chip dip in your lap-battles. (In fact, rumors persist, that several fight choreographers from Jet Li movies have apparently broke into tears of euphoric-envious joy while watching Huerta’s bouts.)

What might kybosh a new deal with the UFC is that Huerta reportedly wants to pursue an acting career. Yes, following the trail blazing steps of mentors like Stephan Bonnar and Rich Franklin, it looks as though Huerta wants to entrench his legacy, by being involved in a movie that cannot make it straight to DVD and then the $1.99 bin fast enough.

Of course, by now, there has been a long laundry list of fighters to grace (or disgrace) the silver screen, but when will some movies come out about some big name fighters? Played by big name actors? (We here at MMA Fix have written a script with Ben Affleck as the leading role in “The Iceman.” Entourage’s Jeremy Pivens would be cast as Dana White)

At the very least, here’s hoping that Huerta does indeed face Maynard, because that will be one hell of a fight. Maynard continues to impress, and if he can overpower Huerta, like he did to other notable lightweights like Frankie Edgar, the Xtreme Couture fighter could be within striking distance of a title shot.

Posted on July 2, 2009
Filed Under Dana White, Gray Maynard, Roger Huerta, UFC | Leave a Comment

Report: Ortiz Says Strikeforce Deal Nearly Done

Tito Ortiz apparently confirmed at an event in Pittsburgh this past weekend that the former UFC champion is on the verge of signing a 4 fight deal with Strikeforce. According to a report today by Fightline, while addressing the UCFC crowd from the ring, Ortiz stated that not only is he close to signing with the growing Strikeforce promotion, but that further, the 4 fight deal could see him take on Fedor Emelianenko in a catch-weight bout. (We’ll give you a moment to wipe the coffee off your computer screen… or a second to restrain your laughter)

Ortiz also reportedly stated that he will face Renato “Babalu” Sobral in his Strikeforce debut, which will take place in October.

Now, for people that have followed “As the Tito World Turns’ over the last few months, or for that matter years, they are overly familiar with the fact that Ortiz is a master at self promotion. So in other words, much could transpire between now and when a deal (if a deal) gets finalized. (Who knows, perhaps Ortiz will announced that he’s fighting Fedor and his brother Aleks in a three-way cage match)

Although the days when Ortiz ruled the UFC light-heavyweight division are long gone, (his last UFC opponent, Lyoto Machida, probably incurred more damage while shaving that morning) “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” likely has several more years of quality fighting ahead of him, and if healthy, he could be a solid contender for Strikeforce.

In addition, it’s not too long ago that fighters like Ortiz and former ‘nemesis’ Chuck Liddell were really helping put MMA on the mainstream map, not to mention Tito’s participation on ‘Celebrity Apprentice,’ so the charismatic fighter should still be a big draw for Strikeforce. (It also doesn’t hurt that by dating Jenna Jameson, Tito’s name remains tied to thousands and thousands of daily Google searches….)

So, run out and grab your old school Punishment Clothing flame covered shirts and beanies from the garage sale folks, they may come in handy yet. (Especially if you still have your Stone Cold Steve Austin 3:16 denim shorts)

Posted on July 1, 2009
Filed Under Fedor Emelianenko, MMA, Strikeforce, Tito Ortiz | Leave a Comment

Update: Varner Not to be Stripped of Title

WEC Lightweight Champion Jamie Varner will not be stripped of his title as reported, following a story at Vindy.com, which stated that the promotion’s upcoming September 2^nd event would feature a lightweight title fight between Ben Henderson and Donald Cerrone. According to a story by MMA Junkie this afternoon, WEC General Manager Reed Harris maintains that his earlier comments were taken a bit out of context, and that the injured Varner will only be stripped of the belt if he cannot return to defend his title.

Jamie is not stripped of the title,” Harris said. “We’re all hoping Jamie can come back later this year and defend his title against whoever wins the interim title.

Cool beans. Hopefully Varner (who as outlined earlier had so many injuries, after his win over Cerrone, it was like he had been in a train wreck) is back soon enough.

The interim title fight between Henderson and Cerrone will take place in Youngstown, Ohio, September 2^nd, at the Covelli Centre.

Posted on June 30, 2009
Filed Under Jamie Varner, MMA, Uncategorized, WEC | Leave a Comment

Mir: “Forrest is my Worst Nightmare”

 

(photo credit: UFC)

While Frank Mir was rehabilitating the extensive injuries he incurred as a result of his unfortunate motorbike accident a few years back, some people maybe forgot that the heavyweight is actually one of the sport’s best at firing up the drama machine. Now that Mir is back on top of his game, well evidenced in his recent shellacking of Antonio “Minotauro” Nogueira, it’s nice to see the Frank of old throwing out some zingers. (Because let’s face it, after incurring a worse beating at the hands of Brandon Vera than a rodeo cowboy does under a raging bull, what were his smack talk options?)

In a recent interview with Cagewriter, it sounds as though Mir is not overly concerned with what Brock Lesnar will bring to the table for their rematch at UFC 100. (Table metaphorically speaking of course, the massive Lesnar reportedly ate his real table one night while wolfing down a platter of raw steaks) Mir stated that “big guys are easier to fight,” due to a lack of conditioning and technical abilities, and that further:

If I want to sharpen my tools I have to work with somebody who’s not a sitting target like Forrest. Who moves around a lot, he’s extremely conditioned. He’s fast and can throw 300 punches compared to 30 punches a round. Forrest is my worst nightmare. Basically you have to go for broke and knock him out, and if you don’t he’s still going to be standing there coming after you.

High praise for Griffin indeed, while at the same time, fodder that could very well incite Lesnar into tossing Mir like a ragdoll back 50 rows from the Octagon come July 11^th. Although the question begs to be asked: if Forrest is Mir’s ‘worst nightmare’, then what will happen if Anderson Silva leaves Griffin in a bloody heap on August 8^th? Will a hysteric Mir flee to the California hills?

To bet on Mir vs. Lesnar 2 (Mir won by first round kneebar in their bout last February at UFC 81) or other tilts from UFC 100, head here.

Posted on June 30, 2009
Filed Under Brock Lesnar, Forrest Griffin, Frank Mir, UFC, UFC 100 | Leave a Comment

Report: Varner to be Stripped of Title?

Speculation regarding the career of WEC Lightweight Champion Jamie Varner continues to be a hot topic, especially after a report surfaced today at Vindy.com, stating that the promotion plans on stripping Varner of his belt. (Thank to Fighters Only Magazine for the heads up) According to the Ohio media outlet’s report, the WEC will be hosting an event in Youngstown on September 2^nd, which will be headlined by a lightweight title fight between Donald Cerrone and Ben Henderson. According to the story, WEC General Manager Reed Harris stated that Varner may never fight again due to the extensive injuries he incurred in his January bout with Cerrone.

Varner’s road to recovery apparently has been more agonizing than sitting through an entire episode of “America’s Got Talent”. (In fact, several MMA Fix staff members have opted to insert shards of broken glass under their finger nails, and reported back ‘it’s not so bad,’ when compared to the experience of watching the show) Shortly after his memorable five round bout with Cerrone, it was the eye injury Varner  incurred as a result of an illegal knee strike, which appeared to be the most threatening to the talented fighter’s career. (Varner won the bout by Technical Split Decision)

When news surfaced that Varner’s damaged eye would in fact recover completely, the hype machine started to churn regarding a rematch with Cerrone. (One which reached a fever pitch recently, with Cerrone apparently using the kind of rhetoric that won’t win you any points with Glaad- you can ask Dana White all about that)

More recently, however, it was revealed that Varner’s hand was still not completely healed, pushing back Cerrone vs. Varner 2 and leading to speculation that an interim title would be enacted.

In any case, here’s hoping that Varner is back in the cage soon; as a rematch with Cerrone, who is also someone you wouldn’t want to spill your drink on, (unless you would like to live out your days hobbled) is a fight that’s got to happen.

Posted on June 30, 2009
Filed Under Dana White, Jamie Varner, MMA, MMA News, WEC | Leave a Comment

Urijah Faber Is Underpaid

Watch Urijah Faber Talks About His Fight With Mike Brown on RawVegas.tv

Urijah Faber is kind of a badass.

In his last fight, he broke his hand and dislocated his thumb (he could “feel the bones rubbing together”) and still, although he lost, finished the fight.

In our latest MMA Fix, WEC featherweight Urijah Faber talks bout his busted hand, as well as being underpaid, if he’ll move to the UFC, and his next fight with Mike Brown.

Posted on June 30, 2009
Filed Under MMA, MMA News, Urijah Faber, WEC | Leave a Comment

Report: Shields Agrees to Fight Lindland

The upcoming August 15^th Strikeforce event, which will be headlined with the women’s ‘superfight’ between Gina Carano and Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos, could also feature Jake Shields vs. Matt Lindland. According to a recent report from FiveKnuckles.com, sources close to the former Elite XC champion have confirmed that Shields has agreed to fight the accomplished veteran Lindland. The report goes onto add that Lindland is apparently “contemplating the match up, and if he takes the fight, bout agreements will be dispersed shortly.”

One would think that if the money’s right, there’s a strong possibility Lindland will take the fight, after all, this is the same dude that has fought Fedor Emelianenko and “Rampage” Jackson despite being a natural middleweight. (In fact, according to a local Oregon legend, Lindland once challenged an entire camp of lumberjacks to a brawl. The only conditions he set was that they could use their chainsaws, as long as they weren’t turned on…)

The 39 year-old UFC vet, although he won’t be entering any Mr. Universe competitions anytime soon, (he could easily win a ‘Dude Who Doesn’t Look Bad Ass But Could Wipe the Floors with You and Your 6 Buddies’ competition) has 21 victories on his MMA record and has defeated notable fighters like Jeremy Horn, Phil Baroni and Joe Doerksen. In January, Lindland was knocked out six ways from Sunday by Vitor Belfort.

Shields continues to make a solid case that he is not only one of the world’s best welterweights, but that he could be one of the planet’s best pound-for-pound fighters. Case in point, his last fight against highly regarded middleweight Robbie Lawler, who was quickly ‘restrained’ and forced to tap out via Shield’s first round guillotine choke. (Extremely impressive, especially when one considers unreliable reports that Lawler knocked over several buses afterwards with his fists- a scene which allegedly caused several residents to believe that ‘The Hulk’ had stormed into St.Louis)

Of course Shields has also stated his desire to fight Frank Shamrock, as apparently Nick Diaz’s severe beat down of the former UFC champ, didn’t do enough to extinguish the burning fires of hatred for Shamrock throughout Cesar Gracie’s camp. Somehow we’re thinking Lindland vs. Shields might make for a more intriguing match-up…

Posted on June 29, 2009
Filed Under MMA, Strikeforce | Leave a Comment

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