Cage Talk – MMA – All The Latest Mixed Martial Arts News

The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) voted unanimously to uphold the 12 month suspension they gave UFC Welterweight Nick Diaz after a very long hearing today in Las Vegas, Nevada. Diaz failed a post-fight urine test following his UFC 143 interim title fight loss to Carlos Condit. His urine showed marijuana metabolites.

He was also fined 30% of his purse and bonus from the fight. The suspension runs from the date of the bout, ie. until February 4, 2013.

Diaz appeared before the NSAC with his attorney Ross Goodman. Goodman argued that the appearance of marijuana metabolites in no way indicated that Diaz was impaired during the fight and that the NSAC's rules only prohibit marijuana use at fight time, much like it allows fighters to drink alcohol between fights but prohibits them from fighting drunk.

The argument Goodman presented was very similar to the argument originally presented by Jonathan Tweedale, Commissioner with the Vancouver Athletic Commission here at Bloody Elbow back in February.

Notes from the hearing after the jump...

Goodman attempted to make the claim that the NSAC had no evidence that Diaz was impaired during the bout. The Commissioners do not seem overly sympathetic to that argument.

Nick Diaz was then sworn in. Commissioner Pat Lundvall immediately raised the issue of Nick Diaz' previous suspension in Nevada after his bout with Takanori Gomi at Pride 33 in 2007. Diaz promised the Commission it would not happen again. Lundvall then asked him when he next smoked cannibas and Diaz admitted he smoked immediately on returning home from his hearing.

There followed extensive questioning about Diaz' history of medical marijuana usage, his diagnosis with ADHD and use of prescription stimulants to combat that condition before switching to medical marijuana. The commissioners then zeroed in on Diaz' use of marijuana before receiving his medical marijuana card.

Extensive questioning on Diaz' mode of using marijuana to train followed. Diaz denied that being high while training allowed him to "take more hits." He did admit that sometimes he could attain a certain "zone" of performance but didn't ascribe that directly to his marijuana usage.

An extensive attempt to get Diaz to admit that he had to have a "serious medical condition" to receive a medical marijuana card. Diaz never would admit that was his understanding although the commissioners seemed to think that was a prerequisite of obtaining a California cannabis card.

The Commission then called a Dr. Sample who answered questions about the testing protocol and what the test results could tell us about the timing of Diaz' marijuana use.

At this point the hearing had to adjourn and move to another conference room.

Diaz' team then called in their own doctor (a former employee of Quest Labs) who testifed that "In this case, a sample with 25 ng/ml is consistent with a regular user who stopped 8 days before test sample collection."

The doctor than stated that "It's my conclusion [Diaz] wasn't on THC at the time of the fight."

The doctor stated that he was actually surprised Diaz' metabolite levels weren't higher given his smoking habits and an 8 day period without smoking.

The questioning then focused on Diaz' weight cut and whether there was an inconsistency between what Diaz told his doctor and what he put on his paperwork submitted to the NSAC as regards the size of his weight cut.

After closing statements from Diaz' attorneys, the commissioners spoke. Pat Lundvall expressed her wish that Diaz had applied for a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) before the fight.

Another commissioner said it was unlikely that the NSAC would change their testing apparatus. Lundvall then moved for a 12 month suspension.

Uncategorized

For the second time in five fights, former female pound-for-pound kingpin Megumi Fujii suffered a decision loss.

This time around, it was American Top Team's Jessica Aguilar who accomplished the feat at this past weekend's Bellator 69 event.

In the latest Women's MMA Report installment, MMAjunkie.com Robert Sargent reports on that bout, as well as bringing you recent results bouts contested around the globe. Additionally. Sargent discusses the continued development of July's all-female Invicta FC 2 event.

Uncategorized

The Nevada State Athletic Commission will be meeting today at 12 p.m. ET for a a commission meeting that will see a pair of items with significant impact to the UFC. A 28 item agenda will conclude with two items featuring some of the biggest stars in mixed martial arts as Chael Sonnen and Nick Diaz have their fates determined in different ways.

First up, Sonnen will be requesting a therapeutic use exemption for testosterone replacement therapy. After having been busted after his first meeting with Anderson Silva for elevated testosterone levels, Sonnen is trying to get everything in order prior to their UFC 148 rematch.

Nick Diaz's punishment should also finally be sorted out as he is finally on the agenda after a lengthy (and kind of stupid) process that saw his team as well as the NSAC seem to go to painstaking lengths to ensure nothing happened quickly or was done in anything resembling an orderly fashion.

Having covered a ton of these meetings previously, sometimes they run quickly, other times an agenda item or two take forever and, as such, those final two items may come up quickly, or after a lengthy discussion and then maybe a bathroom break.

We'll have a live video stream after the jump, so make sure you hang out here and talk about what happens.

Live video, via MMA Junkie:

Broadcasting live with Ustream

Uncategorized

You probably heard about Australia's CFC 21 this past weekend because of that embarrassing performance from Bob Sapp, where he rolled over and tapped to strikes in 12 seconds. What you probably didn't know, is that there was a rare submission that was executed on that card.

Somewhere, Eddie Bravo is smiling as Australian flyweight Shabe Kafo (6-2) landed one of his trademark moves during the second round of his bout against Kian Pham. Check out as Kafo finished the fight with 'The Twister':

---

Related: Judo Chop Breakdown: How 'Korean Zombie' Chan Sung Jung Landed Eddie Bravo's Twister | Gracie Breakdown: Alan Belcher Almost Catches Rousimar Palhares With A Twister

---

The submission was originally a wrestling move called the guillotine, which was then popularized by Eddie Bravo in JiuJitsu circles. A handful of people have landed the slick submission in MMA, with the first twister finish in the UFC coming from 'The Korean Zombie' Chan Sung Jung back in March of last year.

HT: BE Reader DamnSevern

Uncategorized

LAS VEGAS - MMAjunkie.com is on scene for today's Nevada State Athletic Commission meeting, and we're providing a live video stream of the proceedings beginning at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

One item on today's agenda is Chael Sonnen's request for a therapeutic-use exemption for testosterone-replacement therapy ahead of UFC 148.

Additionally, suspended UFC 143 fighter Nick Diaz has a disciplinary hearing following his failed drug test in February.

Uncategorized

This past Friday's new episode of "The Ultimate Fighter: Live" saw the total audience size fall to an all-time low with 821,000 total viewers.

The figure marked the fifth episode of "TUF: Live" to score fewer than 1 million viewers and served as the least-watched episode in the 15-season history of the series, MMAjunkie.com today confirmed with an industry source.

The one-hour episode featured two fights as both Team Cruz's Vinc Pichel and Team Faber's Al Iaquinta won quarterfinal-round fights to advance to the 32-man tourney's semifinal round.

Uncategorized

If you watched TUF Live last week, you know by now that Urijah Faber will be meeting Renan Barao for the UFC interim bantamweight title at UFC 148 on July 7th. But even right up until the announcement, Faber was all sorts of confused about who he'd actually be facing. Faber told Pro MMA Radio that Dana White 'basically lied to him' and that he was given the distinct impression that he'd be rematching Ivan Menjivar (the two met in a 2006 bout in the TKO promotion, where Menjivar lost by disqualification due to an illegal kick). Here's what he had to say (transcribed by MMA Mania):

"I had first assumed it was going to be Barao, or McDonald or Menjivar and Barao was my first prediction. I started getting tape on him as soon as I found out about Dominick. This was a couple of weeks ago. Then, when Dana came in to do the announcement, I asked him if there were any hints or insights on who it would be and he was saying 'Oh, you wouldn't believe what all had gone down, how McDonald broke his hand and Barao didn't want to leave Brazil, to leave Aldo's side, because Aldo was training' and all this crazy stuff, so I didn't know for awhile.

Then like two days before the thing, I had text Dana and he was basically lying to me, saying it was gonna be Menjivar. For like two days I thought I might be fighting Menjivar. Then the day of the announcement, I was like 'Are you sure it's not Barao?' And he was like, 'Yeah.' But I had a feeling that it was. Then Dana apologized right before he announced it, for basically lying, which is kinda weird, I thought, because Barao was there. I don't care who I fight, I told Dana I wouldn't say anything anyway, if he was thinking I might spoil the surprise, or what the deal was."

The whole thing sounds really odd. Faber's a company man and it seems pretty obvious that he wouldn't tell anyone who his opponent was going to be if he found out a little while before everyone else. Was Dana really lying to him? Or was it just crossed wires? Either way, Menjivar is now meeting Mike Easton on the card and Faber has a date with Barao.

SBN coverage of UFC 148: Silva vs. Sonnen II

Uncategorized

Think you know Frank Mir?

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir will try to get his belt back in the main event of the UFC 146: "Dos Santos vs. Mir" pay-per-view (PPV) broadcast, scheduled for May 26, 2012 at the MGM Grand Garden Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

But he has to get through Junior dos Santos to do it.

FUEL TV and host Jon Anik caught up with the longtime mixed martial arts (MMA) veteran for its weekly "Ultimate Insider" special, where Mir breaks down everything from his family, his career and of course, banging it out against "Cigano."

In short, they get up close and personal.

You can too, by checking out all the relevant UFC 146 news, information and links in out comprehensive "Dos Santos vs. Mir" fight archive by clicking here. To check out the rest of the UFC 146 fight card and line up click here.

Uncategorized

Good things come to those who wait. The timeless proverb especially holds true for fans of Team Oyama member, Shane Del Rosario, who have waited well over a year to see him in the cage again. After a fantastic, first round submission victory over Lavar Johnson last February, Shane was involved in a car accident in which a female drunk driver hit his car from behind. He suffered a serious back injury that kept him sidelined for the rest of 2011. Now signed with the UFC, Shane's first fight back since his injury is against super tough Croation, Stipe Miocic at UFC 146. In a recent TapouT Radio interview, Shane discussed the impact he hopes to make in the UFC, training with Giva Santana and future plans for his career.

UFC Debut

This is the biggest fight of my career. I'm finally in the UFC, and since it's been 14 months since I last fought, I've been really training my ass off. They took over my Strikeforce contract in December, but I was still working through my injury from the car accident. They told me to let them know when I was recovered, and it just worked out well for the May 26th card.

I was originally signed to fight Gabriel Gonzaga, but the thing with Overeem happened, and they switched me around to fight Miocic. It's probably a blessing that the fight got switched, because now Gonzaga is injured too. It's a bummer that he can't fight.

Training For Miocic

I'm doing all my normal training; my pads, mitts and sparring. Originally, when I thought I was fighting Gonzaga, I was training for a big heavyweight, and a black belt in jiu-jitsu. Now I've got a guy that's more my size, who is more of a boxer and wrestler type. Not to underestimate his ground game, but I don't think he'll be the same level as Gonzaga. I think it's going to be more of a boxing fight. I know he likes to throw because he was a Golden Gloves boxer.

From what I've seen from his fights, he's an athletic guy, and he has great cardio. When we get in there, I think we're going to go hard for all 15 minutes. I don't see him going straight to the ground. He's a boxer, and us stand up guys take pride in our striking, so we want to showcase that. I think the fans want to see that as well. Two big heavyweights throwing with each other.

I think we're both athletic guys, and we're both fast. I mean, if he does take me down, I'm fine with that. I've been training really hard with Giva Santana, my jiu-jitsu coach, and I feel real comfortable on the ground. I think if it goes there, my jiu-jitsu skills will be better than his.

Training With Giva Santana

It's great training with Giva. He's obviously a lot lighter than me, but we've been teammates and he's been my coach for four years now. Before, when it was stand up and muay thai, I was in there all day long, but when it was time to roll, I was the first one making a break for the door [laughs].

Over the past two or three years, I've seen the importance of having a good ground game and wrestling technique, so I really focused myself on that, and I've accomplished three submissions because of it. He;s a really great guy all around. He;s been like a father figure to me, and has pretty much taught me most of what I know in jiu-jitsu.

He's 40 years old and still fights. He;s the kind of guy that I wish we could have seen him fight years ago, because I know he could have done a lot of things. He's the reason I train hard, and hopefully I can get either a knockout or a submission for him.

I started out as primarily a muay thai guy, and all I wanted to do was try to look for that knockout, but my last few fights, I've gotten submissions. It's nice to know that I've improved my jiu-jitsu game to that level. I don't mind going to the ground, and looking for that submission. I feel very comfortable both off my back or in top control.

Thoughts On Heavyweight Division

I think it's finally a full division now. Before it was always, 'The UFC guys are the best' or 'The Strikeforce guys are the best', but now, everyone is pooled in the same place. Now everyone is fighting each other. There are so many great guys. I think Dos Santos is a great champion. There's Cain Velasquez and Frank Mir, who is not only a great fighter, but is a seasoned veteran. I think with all of us being in the same place, it's going to make for some great fights over the next couple years.

Plans For The Future

I've sparred with the likes of Junior dos Santos, Brock Lesnar and Pat Barry, and I was able to hold my own with those guys. I think my game is up there, and obviously, with some more fights to get back into the swing of things, I think I'm definitely going to be a force in the UFC. I think after three fights, I'll definitely be looking to be a contender. I think I've paid my dues, and now it's my time to shine. I'm looking forward to showing everyone that I'm the real deal.

Follow Shane via his Twitter, @DelRosarioMMA

Uncategorized

As a follow-up to this weekend's story of UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones' arrest for driving while under the influence of alcohol, word began to leak of Jon having ran into some prior issues with the law while behind the wheel.

After seeing a report on Saturday of this incident, we awaited word from the Albuquerque Police Department and we now have confirmation that it was legitimate so we have provided a copy of the police report from a November 24, 2011 incident.

Jon was pulled over for flying around a corner in his car and losing traction before pulling into the parking lot of a "fully nude club" (Fantasy World).The police pulled him over in the parking lot and ran his license, they then realized it was suspended and, as a result, Jones' car was towed. The charges were dismissed in a March 8, 2012 trial (as pointed out by The MMA Corner).

Follow after the jump for more details and a PDF copy of the official police report.

Thanks to Luke Thomas for his assistance in confirming this report.

From the report:

On 11/24/11 I observed a black Bentley turn Northbound on Jefferson NE from Westbound McCleod NE. The vehicle came around the corner sideways and tires squealing. The vehicle continued North at a high rate of speed and pulled into the Fantasy World parking lot. I conducted as traffic stop and contacted the driver, identified as Jonathan Jones. I ran Jones drivers license through MVD and it was suspended. I then ran his drivers license through NCIC and they confirmed his it was suspended. Jones was cited for loss of traction and suspended drivers license. Jones vehicle was towed from the scene.

PDF copy of the police report: Jon Jones November 2011 Police Report

Uncategorized

Turns out this town is big enough for the both of them after all.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight number one contender Chael Sonnen, who is scheduled to challenge Anderson Silva for the 185-pound title (again) at the upcoming UFC 148: "Silva vs. Sonnen II" pay-per-view (PPV) event on July 7, 2012 in Las Vegas, was granted a conditional Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) earlier today by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).

But he will be subjected to a battery of blood tests before and after the Fourth of July weekend fight card to monitor his intramuscular injections, which he applies himself, twice a week. He will also be limited in how close to fight night he can administer his last injection prior to competing.

Sonnen, who reportedly suffers from hypogonadism (his nads are sperm challenged), was bagged and tagged by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) back in August 2010 for improperly disclosing his Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) prior to his first "Spider" fight in Oakland.

This time, apparently, his papers were (mostly) in order.

Sonnen was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) last year for fabricating testimony in a previous hearing while accounting for his failed drug test at UFC 117 -- not to mention his felony conviction in Oregon for money laundering.

Part of his defense strategy was dropping NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer's name in reference to conversations they (never) had about policy and procedure as it related to his TRT.

Sonnen said today it was merely "bad information" from his ex-manager, but has since properly disclosed his TRT use (which began back in 2008) to athletic commissions prior to competing in the states of Illinois at UFC on FOX 2 and Texas at UFC 136. The NSAC has requested a copy of those disclosures as part of his conditional TUE.

He further stated, under oath, that he's never taken anabolic steroids.

Phase one of operation "Silva vs. Sonnen II" is now complete.

For more on his upcoming title fight against Anderson Silva at UFC 148 click here. To read more from his hearing today in front of the NSAC check out our live blog and real-time updates here.

Uncategorized

LAS VEGAS - The Nevada State Athletic Commission will not stand in the way of Chael Sonnen's rematch with Anderson Silva.

NSAC officials on Monday ruled unanimously in favor of granting Sonnen a therapeutic-use exemption for the use of testosterone in advance of the UFC 148 headliner.

The ruling means a major administrative roadblock has now been cleared for the blockbuster matchup, which takes place July 7 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The event's main-card airs live on pay-per-view while preliminary-card fights air on FX.

Uncategorized

Sorry, "Bones," but fame doesn't adhere to the unified rules of mixed martial arts (MMA).

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones is finding out the hard way, following his arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) back on May 19, 2012 in Binghamton, NY, what happens when you make a mistake under the scrutiny of the public microscope.

Especially when that mistake can have potentially life-threatening consequences.

Jones, who admits he "screwed up" and "gave leeway" to the haters, took to his official Facebook page earlier today (May 21) to apologize for "embarrassing" and "letting down" the people who have supported him before, during and after his recent run-in with the law.

Those comments (transcribed by Middle Easy) after the jump.

"Man I haven't added anyone new to my Facebook page in like three years and right now I'm so glad that I haven't. It has literally been sickening to have so many people try to kick me while I'm down. At the same time, I totally understand, I gave them the leeway to. I screwed up, big time. Just needed to say thank you to all you guys for being amazing friends/supporters.

Always having to deal with so many critics, haters and fickle mma fans, I almost forgot how strong of a home base I had (607 and people that knew me before I was a champion fighter). Although the hell that will come with this hasn't even started yet, I want you guys to know how much better you've all made me feel, not only about this situation but about life, everything. It's good to feel that people are there and care. With that being said, I felt I should apologize to you first.

I'm truly sorry to those of you that I may have embarrassed in any way, to those of you with kids that I may have let down. I will prove to them as well as to myself, that no matter what is happening in life, we can always work our way back and make things even better than before. Reading you guys uplifting comments was a great reminder for me to not give up on who I am or all the hateful people. I'm not gonna allow this situation to outweigh the positive. I love you guys right back and I promise to make things right. PS sorry about the terrible grammar :)"

While Jones had his fair share of haters prior to last weekend's arrest, part of the overwhelming backlash stems from his recent UFC sponsorship, where he told media members his new sponsorship deal was attributed to his squeaky-clean image, because he's not the type of person to get popped for driving while intoxicated (DWI).

Whoops.

In any event, Jones will have to work his way back into the good graces of the UFC brass and passionate fan base, which he can do starting with the build to his fight against Dan Henderson at the UFC 151 pay-per-view event on Sept. 1 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Well, the champ said he's sorry. Do you accept his apology?

More on his DUI arrest right here.

Uncategorized

Guess which Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) star is getting his own signature gym?

Turns out longtime mixed martial arts (MMA) veteran and UFC champion across two different weight classes, B.J. Penn, is getting a 37,000 square foot UFC gym with his name on it located in the Kaka’ako community of Honolulu, Hawaii.

As "The Prodigy" explains in a recent press release, it's "the future of fitness."

"I’ve always dreamed of putting my name on a gym in my homeland of Hawaii and I’m so grateful that I finally have the opportunity to do so with my partners at UFC GYM," said Penn, a native of Hilo. "My new signature gym is not a traditional health club or just a fight club, but it offers all the tools you and your family needs to get results. UFC GYM BJ Penn is truly the future of fitness!"

The B.J. Penn Gym motto is "train different."

Penn, who recently turned down a comeback fight against Josh Koscheck, is currently enjoying a self-imposed retirement, but can at least keep himself in fighting shape with his own signature gym nearby.

Alright fight fans, the (gym) floor is yours.

Uncategorized

Veteran referee Herb Dean will oversee the UFC 146 main event between Junior Dos Santos and Frank Mir. Adalaide Byrd, Glenn Trowbridge and Tony Weeks will judge the contest.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission today issued the assignments at its monthly meeting in Las Vegas, which MMAjunkie.com attended.

The NSAC made the decisions based on recommendations suggested by executive director Keith Kizer. The pool of available officials also included Yves Lavigne, Steve Mazzagatti and Josh Rosenthal.

Uncategorized