The Hottest Fans of MMA
The continued rise in popularity of MMA does not only attract more and more fans all over the world, it also attracts very hot women (just check out Arianny Celeste, Rachelle Leah or even Brittney Palmer). For the women in this gallery, very hot is an understatement. FYI, I saved the best for last, enjoy.
Changing New York Political Winds Could Affect MMA Sanctioning
MMA in NY
Making news in the world of MMA…
Changing New York Political Winds Could Affect MMA Sanctioning (MMA Fighting)
Thirty-Two Great Calls in Sports (Sports Illustrated)
Looking 4 Larry Presents A Short Film By Frank Shamrock (Heyman Hustle)
Shane Carwin vs. Roy Nelson Set for UFC 125 (Bloody Elbow)
Video: UFC Primetime – Lesnar vs. Velasquez Episode 2 (Cage Potato)
Video of the Day
This Killer Smile Will Make Your Day
Arianny Celeste Poses For Playboy’s November Issue
Arianny Celeste @ Playboy.com
The Knockout Flaunts Her Killer Physique in 8-page Nude Pictorial
“I could defend myself for sure, but I don’t think I could beat anybody up in the Octagon,” says the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s premier Octagon Girl Arianny Celeste. The exotic beauty shows off her toned physique in Playboy’s November issue — she appears on the cover as well as in a seductive 8-page nude pictorial inside the magazine (on newsstands and online at www.playboydigital.com Friday, October 15, with additional photos available at www.playboy.com/celeste).
The 24-year-old Las Vegas native not only thrives circumnavigating the Octagon,, she also hosts a web-based show about the sport on UFC.com called UFC Ultimate Insider, which she describes as “Access Hollywood meets mixed martial arts.” She’s also pursuing a music career and recently recorded her first pop single, “Fight to Love Me,” which will be available in late October. Playboy caught up with the UFC’s leading lady to discuss her busy career, the UFC and her unique look.
On the UFC: “I love the fights, though at first it was hard to watch…At the same time I have my favorite fighters, so I am a little bit biased.”
On the duties of an Octagon Girl: “Just don’t trip over your feet, and try to look hot and graceful.”
On her look: “I have a very different and unique look, and I like that…I love my legs – they’re super-strong and lean. I’m proud of these stems.”
On posing for Playboy: “This was my first nude shoot, and I was surprised at how confident I was. But I’m usually running around naked, so it came naturally.”
All images courtesy of Playboy.com.
The Aging MMA Fighter
David Bautista
It seems everybody wants to be an MMA Fighter these days from Herschel Walker, to Bobby Lashley, to Jose Canseco to even a behemoth of a man in Shaquille O’Neal. The latest candidate in a long line of aging fighters is former WWE entertainer David Bautista. However, with the exception of Bobby Lashley, the one thing these men have in common is being over the hill, as in very near to, or over 40 years of age (Lashley being 34).
Sure, one can say all of these athletes are in superior condition compared to the average 40 year old, but what would possess them to enter such a physically strenuous, and tough sport such as MMA. Obviously, one can easily make the argument for a desire to fight, the rising popularity of the sport, or even the dominance of UFC Heavyweight (and former WWE entertainer) Brock Lesnar, but what else could drive someone at a late athletic stage in their lives to a career in MMA?
If you ask any of the athletes where they get inspiration from, more often than not, the answer will likely be Randy Couture, who, only now, at the age of 47, is contemplating retirement. Randy Couture started fighting at the age of 34, which back in 1997 would have given him the title of oldest fighter. However, Couture’s ability to put together fight plans of highly strategic proportions (and carrying them out) would oftentimes be the deciding factor in him winning fights.
Do these other guys have what it takes to compete with the best in MMA? Bobby Lashley has just come off a loss against a seemingly unknown fighter (yet more experienced) in Chad Griggs. Lashley’s MMA fighting career with Strikeforce is now on the line as a result, with the current rumor being that they will not reward Lashley with a contract extension.
Herschel Walker is another superior athlete coming from a professional football background. Football is probably one of the most brutal sports out there and being a Running Back, as Walker was, is a position that creates a considerable amount of damage to the body. However, Walker did get a win in his MMA debut, but that was also against a virtual unknown in Greg Nagy (now sitting at 1-3). We’ll see how he does in his next fight, scheduled for December 4th (almost a full year after his last fight) even though Strikeforce has yet to find him a “suitable” opponent.
Prior to Walker getting into MMA was Jose Canseco, who would not be as lucky as Walker in his first foray into the sport. Canseco’s 1st bout against the gigantic Hong Man Choi would, in all likelihood, spell the end of Canseco’s MMA fighting career, as he submitted to strikes early in the first round.
Shaquille O’Neal has yet to fight professionally in MMA but he has been training very hard (and calling out Hong Man Choi as his first opponent). Unfortunately, O’Neal is still playing in the NBA and has stated that he will not pursue MMA until his basketball career is over. How successful would O’Neal be in a sport that has seen many a giant fall?
Finally, we get to former WWE superstar David Bautista, who is adamantly pursuing a 3 fight deal with Strikeforce. Bautista is 41 years, is obviously in good shape for his age and is currently training with Nick Diaz and Cesar Gracie, but will that be enough to succeed? Do you think Bautista would be successful, do you think he has what it takes, most importantly, do you think his aging body can handle the tough world of MMA? It makes you wonder, if not for the success and emerging popularity of MMA as a whole, what else could these aging athletes do in order to, for lack of a better phrase, make ends meet?
The Lovely Ladies of Cage Rage
Cage Rage is not yet on the level of the UFC or Strikeforce in the world of MMA, but they did not slack off when it came to rounding up talent for they’re ring girl postions. These ladies truly are lovely and can easily keep men going to Cage Rage events.
Win at UFC 121 Likely Gives Jake Shields Title Shot
Jake Shields
Making news in the world of MMA…
With Win at UFC 121, Jake Shields Likely to Fight for UFC Welterweight Title (MMA Fighting)
10 Fighters Strikeforce Must Build Around To Remain Successful (Bleacher Report)
Wrestlers Turned MMA Fighters (Sport Illustrated)
UFC 120: Dan Hardy’s Secret Weapon (Telegraph)
UFC 124 Press Conference in Montreal (UFC)
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Family Feud – The Answer is PENIS!
Do You Know The Real Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley?
Paul Daley
When thinking of welterweight contender Paul Daley, what is the first thing that comes to mind? For most, it’s the strike to Josh Koscheck after their fight during UFC 113, and not the aggressive striker, or acclimated Muay Thai fighter that he is. The irony is, the Diaz brothers (Nick and Nate), for example, engaged in a brawl during a Strikeforce card that wasn’t even remotely justifiable, and yet, not even a slap on the wrist for their lack of self-control. Was Daley wrong in his actions? Absolutely, and he has taken his punishment respectfully, but what about Koscheck? If you watched that fight and assumed Daley got up and did what he did as a result of simply being out-wrestled, your assumption could not be farther from the truth.
While watching the fight live, it certainly appeared that Daley lost his mind, and the shame of it is, very few people actually know why that is. Just as there are strict rules in the UFC regarding a punch thrown after the bell, the exact same policies are in effect for fighter’s behaviourisms during the actual fight. One being that a fighter is not permitted to speak to their opponent during the bout unless it is fight related. Perhaps these rules don’t apply to Koscheck, as he had Daley tightly in his guard and continued to verbally assault him minute after minute. After the bell, Daley had enough, and struck Koscheck. Daley’s temper got the best of him, but the public has yet to hear any apology from Koscheck regarding his unprofessional tactics during the fight.
While Daley has successfully moved on and obtained a contract with Strikeforce, the actual truth behind his dismissal from the UFC is mind-blowing. MMA fans tuned in to watch what harsh words White would serve Daley with at the press conference, and he made it very clear that
“He’ll never come back; I don’t care if he’s the best 170-pounder in the world, he’s never coming back here.”
While White was on point with his comments, he neglected to utilize that same professionalism with one individual: Paul Daley. What many imagined had occurred, actually did not. Paul was made aware of his termination not by the UFC, but by a fan. Yes a fan, anxiously awaiting Daley’s autograph, notified him. To take it a step further, Paul has not spoken to, or heard, even one peep from White since UFC 113. As a result of his actions, Daley apologized to Koscheck publicly, got fired from the UFC, and ended up serving a thirty day suspension issued by Quebec’s Athletic Commission.
The Interview
Paul Daley’s record is currently 25-9-2, and the 27 year old contender is ready to face off against Scott Smith at the December 4th Strikeforce event: Henderson vs Babalu. We caught up with the heavy hitter during his busy schedule, here’s what he had to say:
Fight Girl: Congratulations on your win over Jorge Masvidal. Imagining it has been quite some time since you have won a fight over a point advantage, is there anything you would change looking back at the fight now?
Paul Daley: I would have liked to have been out to the USA earlier instead of the Wednesday before the fight, but the US Embassy took a while with my visa, but they came good in the end.
FG: It’s no secret you’re an aggressive striker. Some would say if your ground skills were parallel with your stand up you would be unstoppable. Do these opinions alter your views or the techniques you work on when training?
PD: I am always working to improve in all areas, the more I fight the better I get.
FG: You recently completed wrestling training in Texas over the summer. What are your thoughts on fans and even other fighters (Bisping for example) making remarks regarding UK fighters selling out by training in the States?
PD: I train all over the world. I train where I can concentrate without interference and get the best out of my coaches, whether it’s in the USA, Holland or Thailand.
FG: You’re a busy man with the recent success of your training club “The Spirit Dojo Mixed Martial Arts Academy” in Nottingham. Would you say you have a deeper passion for training others or for competing at this stage in your life?
PD: I have a deeper passion for life, I have a lot I want to achieve and I am confident I will.
FG: Now that the public is aware of your upcoming fight against Scott Smith, should they brace themselves for an all out slug fest?
PD: I don’t really get into slugging matches. I hope to go in, get the job done quickly, and winning without having it go to the scorecards.
FG: Dream fight, you versus who?
PD: I want to be the champ wherever I fight, so I guess right now that would be Nick Diaz.
FG: Is it safe to assume in the event that your good friend Dan Hardy fights Josh Koscheck that you will be in Dan’s corner?
PD: I would love to be, I think that would make for an awesome fight.
FG: Last question, what is one thing the MMA community would be surprised to learn about Paul Daley?
PD: I don’t know, but if I think of something you’ll be able to read about it on my blog at www.semtex.tv
Daley KO’s Hazelett
Four Protégés Travel the World to Train MMA
EA Sports MMA
October 11, 2010 – EA SPORTS MMA and Sherdog.com, a property of CraveOnline, have partnered together for a unique fighting initiative called Sherdog MMA Fighter Exchange. The program mirrors EA SPORTS MMA’s career mode where young fighters travel the globe to learn various martial arts disciplines. This initiative features four young, up and coming MMA fighters and pairs them with STRIKEFORCE stars Luke Rockhold, Jason “Mayhem” Miller, Gegard Mousasi and reigning STRIKEFORCE Middleweight Champion Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza. These eight fighters will each go to different countries around the world to train and expand their MMA skill set by participating in training sessions in Brazil, Japan and the United States.
Sherdog.com will be providing a behind the scenes look throughout the fight camps with blog and video coverage of each fighter. After completing their respective training camps, the protégés return to prepare for their debut at the December 4th STRIKEFORCE: Henderson vs. Babalu event in St. Louis where their undercard fights will be streamed live by Sherdog.com.
In EA SPORTS MMA’s Career Mode experience, fighters can travel the globe to learn new techniques and disciplines from top MMA trainers like Randy Couture, Pat Miletich, Rickson Gracie and Bas Rutten. EA SPORTS MMA is the only game that allows you to go beyond the cage, travel the globe and experience different fighting environments, rule sets, and training locations.
The award winning EA SPORTS MMA will feature the most authentic, intense and broadest mixed martial arts experience to date – complete with a vast array of top fighters and fighting styles from around the world. EA SPORTS MMA will be available on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on October 19.
For more information about EA SPORTS MMA, visit www.easportsmma.com, or follow the game on Twitter at www.twitter.com/easportsmma and Facebook at www.facebook.com/easportsmma.
Diaz vs. Noons II Aftermath
Diaz vs Noons II
Around the world in MMA…
Diaz vs. Noons II Aftermath (Cage Potato)
Chuck “The Iceman” Lidell Sues MMA Authentics for $350,000 (Bleacher Report)
Rare One on One Interview With Fedor (Bloody Elbow)
Tito Ortiz Experiencing Personal Issues (5th Round)
Batista looking to ‘get something on paper’ with Strikeforce regarding MMA debut (MMA Mania)
Here are the full results of Diaz vs Noons II
Main Card
Nick Diaz def. KJ Noons via unanimous decision
Josh Thomson def. “JZ” Cavalcante via unanimous decision
Marloes Coenen def. Sarah Kaufman via submission (armbar)
Tyron Woodley def. Andre Galvao via first-round TKO
Undercard
Ames Terry def. David Marshall via unanimous decision
Josh McDonald def. Ron Keslyar via unanimous decision
Jess Bouscal def. Luis Mendoza via submission (arm triangle choke)
Video of the Day
Nina has a Domo backpack
EMBED-FOUNDRY CAMS: Time to Burn with Nina – Watch more free videos
Strikeforce Heavyweights Take a Back Seat to Brocktober
Brock Lesnar
Today in the world of MMA…
Strikeforce Heavyweights Take a Back Seat to Brocktober (MMA Fighting)
MMA’s Favorite Punch: Top 10 KO’s By Overhand Right (Bleacher Report)
Clay Guida on Fighting Words (HDNet Fights)
UFC 120 Conference Call Highlights (Bloody Elbow)
Scott Coker Hires Extra Security for the Noons vs Diaz 2 Bout (Low Kick)
Video of the Day
Girl gets destroyed by dodgeball
EMBED-Chick Gets Owned By Dodgeball – Watch more free videos
