MMA-URLS

CHICAGO, Ill. (May 9, 2012) - Bellator Fighting Championships continues to add to its impressive roster, this time adding dynamic featherweight Shanon Slack to its growing list of talent. Slack joins a stacked talent pool that includes reigning Bellator Featherweight Champion Pat Curran, future title challenger Patricio Pitbull, and a collection of some of the top featherweights in the world including Daniel Straus, Marlon Sandro, and "Popo" Bezerra. "The Bellator featherweight division is tough as hell, and it was a huge reason why I decided to join Bellator," Slack said. "The tournament format is something that really stood out to me as well. There aren't any politics involved, and like any fighter, I want my title shot. Any fighter can say they want to take things one fight at a time, but if you aren't in this to become a champion, then you're in the wrong sport." Armed with a wrestling base that earned him a spot as a U.S. Olympic alternate in 2008, Slack has trained with some of the biggest names in the sport and currently is a member of the world renowned Blackhouse fight team. Slack already boasts a spotless record of 3-0, but knows the sky is the limit with Bellator. "I've been around for a while, and now I feel like I'm on a stage where I can showcase my skillset, and everything I bring to the table," Slack said. "After talking to everyone with Bellator, the organization really seemed like the best fit for me, and I can't wait to get into the cage." Slack won't have to wait long, as the former Old Dominion standout is currently slated to take on Booker Arthur at Bellator 69 on May 18 from L'Auberge Casino Resort on Spike.com. "When you look at the roster, you've seen former wrestlers have an incredible amount of success with Bellator," said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney. "Michael Chandler, Ben Askren, and Cole Konrad have all earned titles with a core wrestling base, and Shanon brings that same pedigree into the organization." For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA, follow Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney @BjornRebney and check out Bellator on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Bellator.

Posted in: bellator, featherweight, fighter i, shanon, phenom shanon

Read the full article at MMA Mania

There's a new generation of UFC fighters coming up and they're going to do great things, I'm sure. But how about some of them do a few moderately OK things before declaring they're destined to be the next pound for pound champions of the universe? Check out John Dodson, who's accomplishment of winning TUF puts him on par with other greats such as Mac Danzig and James Wilks. "I would have liked to become the first UFC 125 champ, but I'm not in that flyweight tournament, but its OK, I figured Dana just wants someone else to keep that belt warm up until I can get it. I also want to move back up eventually, because I want to hold the 125, 135 and 145 title all at the same time. I want to be the first fighter ever to be a three weight king. I gotta go big and shoot for the stars!" And then there's Chris Weidman, who's sh*tshow win over Demian Maia has suddenly propelled him into relevancy. When asked jokingly how he'd fare against Anderson Silva: "I think with a full camp, I'll finish him. Obviously I'm not fighting Anderson Silva next, but if I was, that would be my prediction. I'm confident with myself, you have to be as a fighter. I have a lot of respect for Anderson Silva, I think he's awesome." There's a fine line between being confident / promoting yourself and just coming off sounding silly. Hell, it isn't even that fine of a line. Here's some simple tips for fighters: DO talk about becoming a champ someday. DON'T brag that you'll pull off a never before seen championship belt hat trick before you've even had two fights in the UFC. DO be prepared to call someone out if it'll help your career. DON'T make it someone so high above you it just underscores how much worse you are than that guy.

Posted in: fighter, ufc fighters, demian maia, im, fighter i

Read the full article at Fightlinker

Decorated heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem isn’t expected to face UFC title-holder Junior dos Santos until late May but it appears the hard-hitting Dutchman already has his strategy in place, recognizing flaws in the Brazilian boxer’s game he feels he can exploit to the point of victory. The 31-year old “Demolition Man” recently addressed the upcoming bout in an interview with MMAFightCorner where he gave Dos Santos credit but only up to a certain point, saying, “I believe he’s a great fighter. I believe he’s got great hands, great boxing. He’s a clever fighter and has a great team around him,” before adding, “Every fight style has holes. Dos Santos has them too. I don’t want to give away the surprise, but you’re going to see it.” “The game plan is good to go. I already know how to beat him,” Overeem continued on the subject of Dos Santos. “It’s just a matter of training and getting my body and mind in the 100% condition that it needs to be in and it’s going to turn out perfectly-just fine.” As far as who he might face later in the year once he presumably gets by Dos Santos, Overeem was asked if he was partial to a potential pairing against top contender Frank Mir as opposed to Cain Velasquez (rumored to be fighting this summer). “I don’t have a preference,” replied Overeem. “I’ll fight anybody they put in front of me. I’m a fighter, I want to fight a lot. That being said, I’m also ready to beat anybody.” UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta was quoted last week on Twitter as saying the organization was attempting to have Dos Santos defend his belt at the annual Memorial Day Weekend event in Las Vegas, this year’s being UFC 146 on May 26. PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

Posted in: ufc, overeem, i ’m, do, fighter i

Read the full article at Five Ounces of Pain

A lot of Nick Diaz fans are upset because of the result of his UFC 143 fight against Carlos Condit, me included. I don’t disagree with the judges’ scores; I am upset that Nick Diaz, the fighter I had pegged to win, let me down. Diaz was the aggressor in all 5 rounds but it [...]

Posted in: diaz, nick diaz, nick, carlos condit, fighter i

Read the full article at Fighthub TV

There’s no question a professional Mixed Martial Artist competing at the highest level possible has to dedicate a tremendous amount of time to his/her craft, spilling countless gallons of sweat onto the mat in preparation for the task at hand. Few fighters know this better than Mark Munoz, a decorated amateur wrestler who wrote another chapter in his successful career this past weekend by beating Chris Leben at UFC 138. Munoz recently gave fans a glimpse at one of his training sessions leading up to the headlining bout where he also explained how his line of work is similar to his philosophy on life. “Fighting is a metaphor of life,” said Munoz. “We fight against a lot of other stuff in life. For me, I’m able to train, do what I love, and fight inside the Octagon and that’s a metaphor for what I’m actually trying to achieve in life. I’m trying to be the best fighter I can in the Octagon, and now I’m trying to be the best fighter I can be for my family, for my friends (and) my training partners. I fight for everything I can in my life. I fight for everything I can inside the Octagon. I see the two together. It’s a metaphor of my life.” Munoz Credits “The Natural” with Setting him on Road to MMA Success With a win over another established veteran and his eyes on champion Anderson Silva, as long as he keeps grinding, his life only appears to be improving along with the skills he continues to polish inside the gym. Watch the full video below: PHOTO CREDIT – UFC Tweet

Posted in: i ’m, life, mark munoz, munoz, fighter i

Read the full article at Fighters.com