MMAPreview.com

The Sunday Junkie: March 14 edition

MMAPreview — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:30:00 +0000

Next week kicks off one of the busiest periods of mixed martial arts
events in recent memory, but this week went without a major card.

As such, this week’s edition of The Sunday Junkie, MMAjunkie.com’s
weekly reader-feedback feature, touched on a variety of subjects.

While the success of the UFC, WEC and Strikeforce were all topics for
debate, this week’s winner, Mike Rice, took what may prove an unpopular
stance on counter-programming tactics.

UFC 111’s Mir says Carwin more dangerous than Lesnar, OK if Velasquez gets first crack

MMAPreview — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:00:00 +0000

After splitting a pair of bouts with UFC heavyweight champion Brock
Lesnar, former title holder Frank Mir has made little effort to hide his current
motivation.

As such, some have labeled Mir a “stalker” because of his singular focus
on a rubber match with the champ.

Nevertheless, Mir carries on in search of facing Lesnar once again. But
standing in his way at UFC 111 is undefeated challenger Shane Carwin,
who Mir says may actually be a tougher opponent.

Hardy predicts UFC 111 finish, but he’ll let St-Pierre decide which round

MMAPreview — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:05:00 +0000

UFC welterweight title challenger Dan Hardy won’t bring too many
surprises to the cage when he faces champion Georges St-Pierre at UFC
111 on March 27.

The British slugger’s striking attack has earned him a perfect mark in
the UFC, so why change things now?

In fact, Hardy said the only surprise will be finding out what round he
knocks out his Canadian foe, and “The Outlaw” is just fine with letting
St-Pierre choose his own fate.

Ray Mercer vs. Ron Sparks set for April 16 King of the Cage event in Michigan

MMAPreview — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:10:00 +0000

Olympic gold medalist and former world champion boxer Ray Mercer will put on the four-ounce gloves once again on April 16 and face
undefeated super heavyweight Ron Sparks at a recently announced
King of the Cage event at Cobo Arena in Detroit.

The matchup was announced on the most recent edition of HDNet’s “Inside
MMA,” and the same network will air the event’s main card.

Mercer is best known to MMA fans as the man who knocked out former UFC
heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia at a June 2009 Adrenaline MMA event, while Sparks has fought exclusively on the local circuits since his 2006 debut.

UFC on Versus 1’s Paul Buentello talks “huge move” to Grudge Training Center

MMAPreview — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:40:00 +0000

Heading into his UFC 107 contest with Stefan Struve, much of the talk
surrounding Paul Buentello’s training camp – or rather, his lack of one.

Forced out of his normal routine at California’s American Kickboxing
Academy, Buentello scrambled to find a suitable training home.

But as his UFC on Versus 1 bout with Cheick Kongo approaches, little
word has escaped about where “The Headhunter” was getting ready.
Buentello recently said there’s a reason for that.

Bellator calls Monday press conference, expected to announce signing of Roger Huerta

MMAPreview — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight Roger Huerta (20-3-1
MMA, 0-0 Bellator) is set to test his mettle in Bellator Fighting
Championships’ season two eight-man lightweight tournament.

Sources close to the situation confirmed to MMAjunkie.com that the popular lightweight received his formal
release from the UFC this week, which opened the door to finalize a deal
with the upstart promotion.

Bellator has called a video press conference for Monday at 3 p.m. ET that
will stream live at Bellator.com.

10 Bouts Booked for UFC 113

MMAPreview — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 08:25:38 +0000

Joey Beltran will meet undefeated heavyweight prospect Chad Corvin in a preliminary matchup at UFC 113 “Machida vs. Shogun 2” on May 8 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

GSP Training Like a ‘Maniac’ for Hardy

MMAPreview — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 08:24:50 +0000

Georges St. Pierre says he’s training like a maniac for Dan Hardy.

Week-in-Review: List of UFC, WEC & Strikeforce Matchups Announced

MMAPreview — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 08:24:19 +0000

A complete list of significant new fights reported. Some may be repeated from previous sections:

Strikeforce boss sees DREAM co-promotion as key component of future operations

MMAPreview — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:40:00 +0000

In the early years of the new millennium, with the UFC struggling for
U.S. acceptance and PRIDE in its Japanese heyday, the companies toyed
around with the idea of co-promotion through fighter sharing.

The UFC has since changed courses on that thought, and you’re unlikely
to see a fighter under Zuffa contract ever appearing in another promotion.

But Strikeforce has recently partnered up with DREAM to exchange
fighters across the Pacific Ocean, and Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker
recently told MMAjunkie.com that he envisions a
flourishing relationship moving forward.