It's not a Georges St-Pierre fight without a Primetime show leading up to it and there's now a premiere date for the 24/7-style countdown show. Spike TV announced Monday that the three-episode weekly series will begin airing Wednesday, April 13 at midnight ET. Cameras have been rolling for a behind-the-scenes look at St-Pierre's training at the TriStar gym in Montreal and opponent Jake Shields' camp with the Cesar Gracie team in California.Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/04/11/gsp-vs-shields-primetime-show-premieres-wednesday/
One can only imagine Dana White's reaction when he heard Tito Ortiz wrecked his car. The good news is that Tito came away unscathed and it was a race car he was driving during a practice run for a celebrity event. But it's begs the question - why is one of the most injury-prone guys in MMA putting himself at risk?
TMZ posted the photo of Tito's trashed Toyota Scion. The gossip website claims Ortiz wrecked the car twice during a Tuesday practice run for the "Fueled by Fame" Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race on Apr. 16.
Ortiz, who has a history of neck and back problems, already bailed on a 2011 fight against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at Ultimate Fight Night 24. He's scheduled to face Ryan Bader in July at UFC 132.
If Tito goes through with the race it is for a good cause.
On behalf of each celebrity racer, Toyota donates $5,000 to Racing for Kids every year and another $5,000 to the winning racer's charity of choice. Racing for Kids, a national nonprofit program benefiting children's hospitals throughout the country, (in this case, Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach and Children's Hospital in Orange County, Calif.), was created as a way to connect sick children with their favorite celebrities and race-car drivers. Toyota has donated more than $1.9 million to various children's hospitals since 1991, on behalf of this race and its participants.
Additionally, a $15,000 donation will be made in conjunction with the 14th-annual "People Pole Award." Sponsored by People magazine, the award honors the pole-position winner of the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race qualifying session on Friday, April 15.
Other celebrities racing include Anthony Anderson, Jillian Barberie Reynolds, Tyson Beckford, Kevin Eubanks, Dennis Haysbert, Megyn Price and Kimora Lee Simmons. The race takes place on the downtown streets of Long Beach, Ca. Insert your Quinton Jackson joke here.
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Scott Coker Comments on Working With Zuffa, Strikeforce's Future Video by Strikeforce
Source: http://www.fighters.com/04/06/5-reasons-to-watch-strikeforce-diaz-vs-daley
Jai Bradney Ebenezer Fontes Braga Chris Brennan Marcelo Brito
Despite sustaining his third loss at Ultimate Fight Night 24 -- often the death knell for a career in the UFC -- Dan Hardy still has the confidence of UFC boss Dana White. After Saturday's fights, White had this to say about Hardy's future employment:
"Not necessarily," White told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "We'll have to wait and see. I [expletive] love that kid."
Apparently, love will keep them together. But considering the competitive nature of the UFC, and the fact that some fighters get cut after just one loss, White's stance is surprising. After looking at both sides, you tell us: Would you cut Dan Hardy?
Yes: Three losses is unacceptable at this elite level of MMA. Sure, one was in a title shot against Georges St. Pierre, but since then he's been taken out by Carlos Condit and Anthony Johnson. He also has not improved in wrestling since coming to the UFC, and lost to both GSP and Johnson because of it. In fact, his last big, convincing win was a KO of Rory Markham more than two years ago.
No: Hardy makes fights fun. From the pre-fight trash talk right down to his mohawk and interplay with Bruce Buffer during introductions, you look forward to watching Hardy fight. He also brings in a fanbase from the UK. The man can sell a fight, and let's face it, the UFC is in the business to make money. Why would they cut such a valuable commodity?
Source: http://forums.ufc.production.sparkart.net/showthread.php?t=83336&goto=newpost
Mixed Martial Arts News Josh Barnett Ricco Rodriguez Tim Sylvia
Dan Hardy and Anthony Johnson meet up tonight on the comeback trail. Hardy is trying to get a win after a knockout loss at the hands of Carlos Condit, while Johnson returns from injuries after 16 months off. Hardy is staring at three straight losses, yet he's an underdog. Hardy at plus-125 is on our best best plays on the card.
Yahoo!'s lead MMA writer Kevin Iole joins us to break down Ultimate Fight Night 24 (Spike 10 p.m. ET/PT) and gives his Vegas odds winners.
Even though this is only his ninth fight since turning pro in 2008, Phil Davis is a huge 3-to-1 favorite over veteran Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. There's value on "Lil' Nog" at plus-220, but only if can stay off the mat against Davis, a former Penn State wrestler.
Leonard Garcia is a favorite over "The Korean Zombie" Chan Sung Jung. Garcia has decision wins over Zombie and Nam Phan, but many observers thought he lost both. Amir Sadollah (4-2, 4-2 UFC) is a massive favorite at minus-300, that in spite of the fact that he's had trouble finishing fights. DaMarques Johnson (12-8, 3-2 UFC) has broken mentally a few times in the past, but he's a pretty dangerous fighter on the ground and brimming with confidence right now.
Michael McDonald and John Hathaway, two of Zuffa's better prospects, are on the Facebook undercard. McDonald, 20, is a big favorite over Edwin Figueroa while Hathaway, 23, who has a limited wrestling experience, faces a good grappler in Kris McCray. This is the second fight at welterweight for the plus-250 McCray.
Keep an eye on Mike Russow against Jon Madsen. The "The Ultimate Fighter 10" alum Madsen has quietly gone 4-0 in the UFC but relies heavily on his takedown game. Russow is a stocky dude with good power in hands. He offers nice value at plus-240. Another TUF alum with a question mark could be Alex "Bruce Leroy" Cacares. He faces an experienced veteran with a lot of motivation in Mackens Semerzier. Semerzier's back is against the wall with three straight losses.
Official plays in bold below.
UFN 24 betting odds (Courtesy Lagasse's Stadium Las Vegas):
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (+220) vs . Phil Davis (-300) - Light heavyweight
Dan Hardy (+120) vs. Anthony Johnson (-150) - Welterweight
DeMarques Johnson (+220) vs. Amir Sadollah (-300) - Welterweight
Chan Sung Jung (-105) vs. Leonard Garcia (-125) - Featherweight
Alex Caceres (+170) vs. Mackens Semerzier (-200) - Featherweight
Mike Russow (+240) vs. Jon Madsen (-320) - Heavyweight
Kris McCray (+250) vs. John Hathaway (-330) - Welterweight
Edwin Figueroa (+220) vs. Michael McDonald (-300) - Bantamweight
Sean McCorkle (+135) vs. Christian Morecraft (-165) - Heavyweight
Mario Miranda (+180) vs. Aaron Simpson (-220) - Middleweight
T.J. Waldburger (+300) vs. Johny Hendricks (-400) - Welteweight
Waylon Lowe (+180) vs. Nik Lentz (-220) - Lightweight
Fedor Emelianenko Yasubey Enomoto Mark Epstein Tom Big Cat Erickson