Heavyweight Sean McCorkle Denounces ESPN’s Claims of Poor Fighter Pay in the UFC

 Posted by at 4:39 PM  UFC  No Responses »
Jan 172012
 

Former UFC heavyweight Sean McCorkle spoke out against ESPN's claims that the promotion pays fighters poorly. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

The following excerpts were posted Monday on the UG forums by three-time UFC veteran “Big Sexy” Sean McCorkle (13-2) in response to recent claims that the promotion vastly underpays its contracted fighters. An investigative documentary series produced by ESPN, “Outside the Lines”, brought the alleged issue to light in a big way late last week when it put the UFC on blast with claims that the company is building itself into a monopoly, making billions annually while paying fighters only a small percentage of its revenue. While the majority of the figures stated in the ESPN documentary came from either anonymous sources, a licensed attorney who has been attempting to unionize fighters for years, or from fighters who have had a falling out with the UFC in the past, the “Outside the Lines” episode has made an impact on the MMA community due to a large number of casual fans viewing ESPN as a reliable source for sports related news. “Big Sexy” felt the exposé portrayed the UFC’s payroll inaccurately, and detailed his own experiences with the UFC’s pay structure during his six-month stint as a UFC heavyweight:

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UFC 130 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Roy Nelson vs. Frank Mir

 Posted by at 8:54 AM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
May 272011
 

The more muscular Frank Mir might be more pliable in Jiu-Jitsu but the wideset "Big Country" Roy Nelson's (right) knockout power is the kind that has ended Mir's night on multiple occasions. With the current and former champion out due to injury and illness, a win Saturday night could put Nelson in favorable position for the heavyweight title. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada lends itself as a familiar host as UFC 130: Rampage vs. Hamill kicks off the 2011 summer season.  The “All-American” Brian Stann (10-3) finds himself back for another run at the middleweight division, this time against former Sengoku champion Jorge Santiago (22-8). “The Pitbull” Thiago Alves (17-7) answers the challenge tossed out by “The Horror” Rick Story (10-2). “Hapa” Travis Browne (7-0-1) and “The Skyscraper” Stefan Struve (18-4) prepare to lock horns in a heavyweight war. With the lightweight title match pulled off the card due to injury, “The Hammer” Matt Hamill (9-2) gets his first taste as a headliner at a steep price against “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (29-8). In the co-main event, former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir (14-5) battles against former International Fight League champion “Big Country” Roy Nelson (15-5). Both men hold a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu to showoff their knowledge on the ground but neither have a problem letting their strikes handle business for them. With something always to gain, a win over a former champion would do wonders for the other’s career. Continue reading »

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UFC 129 Pre-Fight Breakdown: Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida

 Posted by at 6:54 AM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Apr 272011
 

This Saturday night former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida (black trunks) looks to recover from a two-fight skid and regain his place as top contender. Standing in his way will be UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture. (Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)

Toronto, Ontario, Canada gets its first taste of UFC action when the Rogers Centre hosts UFC 129: St. Pierre vs. Shields this Saturday. In the main event, title challenger Jake Shields (26-4-1) hopes to keep his six-year winning streak going when he faces current 170lbs. king “Rush” Georges St. Pierre (21-2) for the coveted welterweight title. The headlining superfight is directly supported by “Junior” José Aldo (17-1) returning from the injured list to face “The Machine” Mark Hominick (19-7) with his featherweight title up for grabs. Nebraska’s favorite fighter “The Hitman” Jason Brilz (18-3-1) enters the cage opposite International Fight League (IFL) veteran “The Janitor” Vladimir Matyushenko (25-5) and Toronto’s native son Mark Bocek (9-3) plans to give former WEC champ “Smooth” Ben Henderson (11-2) a rude welcoming in his UFC debut. In the midst of the action, history will be made as “The Natural” Randy Couture (19-11) enters the Octagon, allegedly for the last time, against the always calm but equally dangerous “The Dragon” Lyoto Machida (16-2). While the UFC Hall of Famer Couture will always be loved and admired for his accomplishments both in and outside the sport, ending his career on the highest possible note with a victory may prove difficult against Machida, who himself looks to get back on the road towards title contention. Continue reading »

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Bellator Heavyweight Champ Cole Konrad to Take On KO Artist Paul Buentello April 23

 Posted by at 5:59 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Apr 062011
 

"The Polar Bear" Cole Konrad returns to action later this month against Paul Buentello in a non-title heavyweight tilt. (Photo courtesy of Bellator)

Bellator Heavyweight Champion “The Polar Bear” Cole Konrad (7-0) returns to the spotlight at Bellator 42 on April 23, opposite UFC and Strikeforce veteran “The Headhunter” Paul Buentello (28-13). The Lucky Star Casino in Concho, Oklahoma plays host to the non-title superfight that is likely the card’s main event. The card is also expected to feature bouts from the Bellator Season 4 Tournaments.

The decorated NCAA Div. I wrestler Konrad hasn’t had any cage time since his submission win over heavy-handed Neil Grove (10-3) to win the heavyweight title at Bellator 32 in October of last year. Buentello has gone 1-1 since his UFC release last spring and is coming off a knockout loss to former UFC Heavyweight Champion “The Maine-iac” Tim Sylvia (28-7) at the War On The Mainland event. Continue reading »

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Looking for the Underdog: “Shogun” Mauricio Rua

 Posted by at 8:42 AM  Features, MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Mar 192011
 

Reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion "Shogun" Mauricio Rua is a decorated member of the old guard of MMA, but he may have trouble dealing with the versatile, unorthodox style of Jon Jones. (Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)

Fresh off its recent acquisition of rival promotion Strikeforce, the UFC will look to make a statement with what will likely go down as a classic championship battle. At UFC 128 tonight “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (19-4), the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, will face off against a very dangerous fighter and quickly rising star in “Bones” Jon Jones (12-1). Even compared to two tough fights with “The Dragon” Lyoto Machida (16-2) this fight will be no picnic for “Shogun”. The promotion’s 205lbs. division has two unchanging themes, and those are the consistently high level of competition and the constant changing of champions. Since 2008 when “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (18-8) lost the belt to Forrest Griffin (18-6), only one champion has successfully defended the belt and even that wasn’t without controversy, as many thought that Rua was the winner in Lyoto Machida’s only title defense at UFC 104 in October 2009. In four years the belt has changed hands four times, and “Shogun” Rua looks to be the man to bring order to the light heavyweight division. The only thing in his way? The same thing that stood in Machida’s, Jackson’s, Griffin’s, and “Sugar” Rashad Evans’ (15-1-1) way: a very skilled and very hungry opponent with all the tools to end his reign.

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Despite Fourth Consecutive Loss, Andrei Arlovski Says: “I’m Not Going to Finish My Career Like This…I Definitely Will Keep Fighting”

 Posted by at 2:13 PM  Features, MMA News, Strikeforce  No Responses »
Feb 202011
 

Former heavyweight champ "The Pitbull" Andrei Arlovski has had a storied career but is currently on the heels of four consecutive losses - three via knockout. Despite the concerns of trainers and doctors, Arlovski says he will not retire. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

“The Pitbull” Andrei Arlovski (14-9) is undoubtedly and by large considered one of the most skilled and dangerous heavyweight MMA fighters of all time. The 1st Razryad International Master in Sambo has seen a lot of glory in his 11-year mixed martial arts career, having been the Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion and later promoted to the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion, taking out some of the most formidable opponents in his weight class along the way. Some of those who have succumbed to Arlovski’s fighting prowess are “The Janitor” Vladimir Matyushenko (25-5), “Cabbage” Wesley Correira (19-15), “The Maine-Iac” Tim Sylvia (28-7), “The Executioner” Paul Buentello (28-13), “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (14-4-1), “Irish” Jake O’Brien (13-3), “Big” Ben Rothwell (27-7), and “Big Country” Roy Nelson (15-5). “The Pitbull” has built an impressive legacy and all the while has maintained his status as a fan favorite. Continue reading »

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Fedor Emelianenko: A Look at the Legacy of “The Last Emperor”

 Posted by at 9:41 PM  Features, MMA News, Strikeforce  2 Responses »
Feb 182011
 

Fedor Emelianenko (right) is undisputedly one of the best heavyweight fighters in the world - but is he THE best? (Photo courtesy of M-1 Global)

“The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (31-3) is a man deemed by many to be the greatest heavyweight fighter on the planet. Going 31-3, 1 No Contest, over what is close to an 11-year career in MMA is an unparalleled achievement, of that there is no doubt, but some question whether his record and fight history provide validation for the claims of his fans? Is he really the greatest fighter of all time? Certainly at one point in time Fedor was the undisputed king of the heavyweight division, but many fans refuse to allow that such claims may no longer be warranted, and worse still, take any argument to the contrary to be a sign of gross disrespect and lack of knowledge.  The following list holds links to video footage of every Fedor Emelianenko fight, from the ones that matter to the ones that MMA history remembers only as a number in his win column, as MMA Gospel looks into what the man behind the legend has really achieved and how his current achievements stack up to both those of his past, and those of his current peers. Continue reading »

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Spilled Bag of Fights: FEDOR!

 Posted by at 11:41 AM  Spilled Bag of Fights  7 Responses »
Feb 142011
 

I gotta be honest with ya, icemigos, I dunno if I’m feeling up to this column this week. I know there’s maybe two or three of you that look forward to it but you want the snarky commentary. Y’know, the comedy gold. But that’s what I’m not feeling. I’ll try and soldier through. Just for you. Maybe it’s Fedor’s sad loss in the opening of Strikeforce’s Heavyweight Grand Prix this weekend and even sadder indication that he may retire following his second loss in a row. Maybe it’s the exceptional amount of douchebaggery that followed on Twitter. Or maybe I’m just feeling moody. Who knows?

I mean, yeah, even the best have to lose eventually but getting caught in an  Arm Bar/Triangle Choke from a top level Jiu-Jitsu guy like Fabricio Werdum is one thing and getting an ass beating in what was, in my book, an 8/10 round is another. There was a lot of venom and vitriol back-and-forth amongst MMA fans following the loss.  Some people seemed to think Fedor was always overrated – these people are clearly dumb. Some people followed the Dana White view that Fedor hasn’t been any good in years and M-1 was sure to coddle their cash cow by giving him easy opponents that had big names but were comfortably past their prime – Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski. Maybe, but at the point Fedor fought them, both guys were only at the beginning of their decline. They were still dangerous guys who were much bigger than Fedor. So, I know you’re thinking “Ice, my main man, please tell us… what IS the truth?! What happened to Fedor? Why? Good God, man! WHY!?” Okay. I will tell you… because I love you and you need to know. You all need to know. So, listen up. Continue reading »

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Titan Fighting Championship 16: Sylvia vs. Wagner Results

 Posted by at 2:01 AM  MMA News  1 Response »
Jan 292011
 

Former UFC Champion Tim Sylvia fell to Titan FC 16 opponent Abe Wagner, who knocked him out just 32 seconds into the bout. (Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)

Tim Sylvia vs. Abe Wagner: Wagner via TKO (Punches), Round 1, 0:32

Rudy Bears vs. Jason High: High via Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke), Round 1, 0:51

Rich Clementi vs. Aaron Derrow: Derrow via Technical Submission (Triangle Choke), Round 3, 3:35

Drew McFedries vs. Gary Tapusoa: McFedriesvia TKO (Punches), Round 3, 4:42

Bobby Cooper vs. Drew Dober: Dober via Unanimous Decision, Round 3, 5:00

Jacob Akin vs. Anthony Gutierrez: Anthony Gutierrez via TKO (Elbows), Round 1, 3:28

Alonzo Martinez vs. Deryck Ripley: Martinez via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 2, 2:19

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Titan Fighting Championship Makes HDNet Debut Tonight with Sylvia vs. Wagner Card

 Posted by at 6:01 PM  MMA News  1 Response »
Jan 282011
 

(Photo courtesy of Titan FC)

Kansas-based mixed martial arts promotion Titan Fighting Championship (TFC or Titan FC) makes its nationwide HDNet debut tonight at 10pm ET with its un-aired local undercard starting at 8pm ET.  Titan Fighting Championship 16: Sylvia vs. Wagner brings its fans at the Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas an impressive card stacked with former champions, UFC alumni, and local circuit stars. Headlining the event is a super heavyweight clash between UFC veteran and two-time champion “The Maine-iac” Tim Sylvia (28-6) and The Ultimate Fighter Season 10 alum “Abe” Abraham Wagner (7-2). Continue reading »

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Randy Couture: He’s Back…Again! (Already)

 Posted by at 4:01 PM  Features, MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Jan 022011
 

After his short-lived first retirement from MMA, Randy Couture (red trunks) returned with a vengeance by defeating then UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia (camouflage trunks) in March 2007 and reclaiming his title. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Well, that was quick. Less than three weeks after “The Natural” Randy Couture (19-10) announced somewhat ambiguously via his personal Twitter and Facebook accounts that he was hanging up his 4oz. gloves for good, MMAFighting.com reported that the UFC Hall of Famer is tentatively slated to face former Light Heavyweight Champion “The Dragon” Lyoto Machida (16-2) at UFC 129 in April. When asked yesterday if the fight with Machida was in the works, Couture said that he had not yet signed a contract, but had verbally agreed to meet with Machida in 2011. Continue reading »

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