Dana White explains decision to release 'gate keeper' Yushin Okami

This afternoon, news broke that former Ultimate Fighting Championship(UFC) Middleweight contender, Yushin Okami, had been released from the promotion following a devastating loss to Ronaldo Souza at UFC Fight Night 28: "Teixeira vs Bader." The news came as bit of a shock as Okami was able to compile a 13-5 record inside the Octagon and is still ranked in the Top 10, according to the Official UFC rankings. Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports was able to talk to UFC President Dana White to find out the reason the promotion chose to part ways with the Japanese fighter. White had described Okami as the "best fighter to come out of Japan" in the lead up to his UFC 134 bout with Anderson Silva.

 His explanation: 

 "He's been with us forever. He was always a tough guy and was right up there, but it's almost like he'd become a gatekeeper. I like Okami, and you've heard me say this many times, that a win over Yushin Okami meant something. But, he was never able to get over the hump and win one of those [significant] fights. We have a lot of guys coming in and I've been saying this all year: We have a full roster and there are guys who deserve opportunities. When you bring guys in, someone has to go. That's why these fights are so meaningful." 

White also noted on Twitter that Okami can work his way back to the promotion, he'll just have to put together a winning streak elsewhere. In his tenure, Okami was able to pick up wins over some of the best fighters to grace the Octagon, including Evan Tanner, Mark Munoz, Nate Marquardt, and two wins over Alan Belcher. He was also the last man to hold a win over Anderson Silva prior to his UFC 163 loss to Chris Weidman. 

 On a more interesting note, Okami was released earlier this week and now the UFC is searching for a new opponent for Tim Kennedy at Fight for the Troops 3. If I'm Okami's manager, I'm giving Joe Silva a call. White also confirmed that the promotion has released Mike Ricci following his snoozer with Myles Jury at UFC 165. So Maniacs, do you agree with Dana White? Was Okami falling into the 'gate keeper' role? Or did he still have more to offer?

source: http://www.mmamania.com/2013/9/27/4778784/dana-white-explains-decision-to-release-gate-keeper-yushin-okami

Confrontation between Wanderlei Silva and Chael Sonnen

Who needs grainy, poor-quality video footage of the confrontation yesterday between Wanderlei Silva and Chael Sonnen (watch it here) when "Axe Murderer" had a high-definition camera crew in tow at 2013 Olympia Fitness & Performance Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada? Once the dust settled, Silva and his production team apparently headed back to their "Sin City" compound to cut up the promo video up above. 

It's not nearly as bizarre as the one the Brazilian released after Sonnen called him out in his post-fight speech after defeating Mauricio Rua at UFC Fight Night 26 (watch it here), but it does share a similar flavor.

 Check out his latest threatening message: 

 "You are fearful. You are afraid of me. And I will beat you up. I wanted to beat you up today. But, I am a professional, and I don't fight on the street. Real mean talk face to face. With me the talk is straight up. I will punch your face, it will happen soon. I didn't smash you today because I'm a professional and professionals keep it out of the streets. Everything you said about me will have a payback. I will give this as a gift for my people. The beating I will give you will be my gift to the people. I will beat you in front of everyone who you've said bad things about. You will see what will happen to you, you coward. I saw the fear in your eyes today. I heard the fear in your voice when you started talking with that thin voice like a girl. You were shaking in fear. You loser. I didn't punch your face today only because I didn't want to. But, when we step into the Octagon, I will not pity you. I will beat you up. I will hurt you, you fearful loser. You are full of fear. And today I saw fear in your eyes. Your days are numbered. Your time is going to come mother fucker." 

Sonnen, who was in attendance at the NutriShop booth, has yet to comment on the incident; however, he did give Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) LightweightChampion Anthony Pettis props for "having his back" and promised to respond on "UFC Tonight" later this week on FOX Sports 1.

source: http://www.mmamania.com/2013/9/29/4782966/wanderlei-silva-video-chael-sonnen-confrontation-olympia-expo-2013-ufc

Wanderlei Silva posts video after Chael Sonnen confrontation at Olympia Expo 2013: 'Your time is going to come mother f***er'

Wanderlei Silva accosted Chael Sonnen at Olympia Expo 2013 and then used the footage to post this threatening mixed martial arts (MMA) public service message video.

source: http://www.mmamania.com/2013/9/29/4782966/wanderlei-silva-video-chael-sonnen-confrontation-olympia-expo-2013-ufc

Joe Rogan kicks pads super hard with Duane Ludwig

Joe Rogan isn't just the color commentator for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Among his other talents is the fact that he holds a black belt in Taekwondo. He demonstrated some of his kicks with Team Alpha Male head coach Duane Ludwig. He kicks like a boss.

source:  http://www.mmamania.com/2013/9/29/4784462/joe-rogan-kicks-pads-super-hard-with-duane-ludwig

Dana White dragging Joe Rogan to Germany for 'f---ing unbelievable' miracle shot

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White has not been able to convince Freddie Roach to fly to Germany to treat his Parkinson's Disease, but it didn't take much arm-twisting to get UFC color commentator Joe Rogan drugged in Deutschland for a bum neck. White has been praising the shots he received overseas (unavailable stateside) to cure his Meniere's Disease, which was stubborn enough to resist conventional treatment, namely, painful ear surgery that didn't even make a dent in his faulty flaps.

 In fact, the "f---ing unbelievable" treatment was so good, he's going back for more, according to comments he made at the UFC 164 press conference media scrum : "Every fuckin' person I've sent out there has come back. I'm goin' out there with Rogan. I'm going to Germany [before Manchester]. Rogan's neck is messed up. After Rogan does it, you'll be hearin' all about it. 'AND I FUCKIN' DID THIS!' He'll be explaining it to ya'. 

It's awesome, Freddie Roach should do it. I don't need to go back, but what the hell, why not do it again? After you take this shot, like the third day after you take it, I can't explain to ya' how you feel. It's unbelievable how you feel. It's fucking unbelievable." He can thank New York Yankees Third Baseman Alex Rodriguez for that (find out why here).

 "The procedure, performed by doctors at Orthogen Lab Services in Dusseldorf, involves extracting blood from a patient's arm and spinning it in a centrifuge and making a serum that is then injected," as explained by Daily Mail. "Then a naturally-occurring blood protein can act as a long-lasting anti-inflammatory and a painkiller that will delay cartilage damage." Come for the Kleingebäck, stay for the blood proteins.

source: http://www.mmamania.com/2013/8/30/4676116/dana-white-joe-rogan-germany-shot-mma

UFC 168: Weidman vs. Silva II Press Tour: Miami

The UFC continued their UFC 168 press tour yesterday through Miami for a little bit of a press conference/open workout. You can check out the action below. UFC 168: Weidman vs. Silva II is is scheduled for December 28, 2013 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the main event, UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman will put his belt on the line for the first time against former champion Anderson Silva. In the co main event, UFC womens bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey will put her strap on the line against Miesha Tate in a rematch of their Strikeforce bout.

Bellator MMA Results From Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, A.Z. (September 20, 2013) – The final results are in for Bellator MMA’s event live from Grand Canyon University Arena as Douglas Lima earned a $100,000 tournament prize and a guaranteed title shot with his devastating knockout victory over Ben Saunders in the Welterweight Tournament Final.

The event also featured the Bellator Season 9 Welterweight Tournament with Brent Weedman, Ron Keslar, Rick Hawn and War Machine advancing to the semifinal rounds. Ron Keslar will face War Machine and Brent Weedman will fight Rick Hawn in the semifinals on October 18th from U.S. Cellular Center from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Final: Douglas Lima defeats Ben Saunders via KO (head kick) – Round 2, 4:33

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Opening Round: War Machine defeats Vaughn Anderson via technical submission (rear naked choke) – Round 2, 4:01

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Opening Round: Rick Hawn defeats Herman Terrado via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Opening Round: Ron Keslar defeats Sergio Junior via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Opening Round: Brent Weedman defeats Justin Baesman via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 3:20

Lightweight Feature Fight: Efrain Escudero defeats Zack Surdyka via unanimous decision (30-27,30-27,30-27)

Bantamweight Tournament Semifinal: Travis Marx defeats Brandon Bender via TKO (Knee to the Body and Punches) – Round 2, 4:28

Lightweight Feature Fight: LaRue Burley defeats Bubba Jenkins via TKO (Punches) – Round 3, 3:40

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Clifford Starks defeats Joe Yager via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) – Round 3, 5:00

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Liam McGeary defeats Beau Tribolet via KO (Punch) – Round 1, 0:27

Heavyweight Feature Fight: Siala-Mou “Mighty Mo” Siliga defeats Dan Charles via TKO (Punches)- Round 3, 1:26

Welterweight Feature Fight: Adam McDonough defeats Johnny Buck via TKO (Spinning Back-Kick and Punches) – Round 1, 4:51

sources : http://www.mmanews.com/2013/09/bellator-mma-results-from-grand-canyon-university/