This Friday, July 27th on Shotime, EliteXC in association with King of the Cage will have 10 fight event with the main event featuring Lightweights Edson Berto vs. KJ Noons.  Berto is an exciting fighting who is on the rise how has won in his last nine fights has eight wins and one draw.  Even more impressive is that each of those wins has come via submission or TKO.  In his last fight (EliteXC Strikeforce) he dispatched highly regarded Victor Valenzuela, aka “Joe Boxer” with a heal hook 47 seconds into the first round.

Also on the card is a rematch between Welterweights Aaron Wetherspoon (King of the Cage title holder) and Jeremiah Metcalf (Gladiator Challenge title holder).  Wetherspoon won a majority decision when the two fought in a year ago. 

Here is the rest of the complete fight card, we’ll keep you posted with the results as they come in: (more…)

In a recent interview with B.J. Penn and CBS television (Los Angels affiliate KCAL9) Penn had a lot to say about his future and most noteably the recent MMA steroids scandal.  What was on his mind?

First, BJ really wants to be the UFC Lightweight title holder, a dream he’s had for years.  He was looking forward to fighting Sean Sherk and putting on a memorable fight until he was busted. 

When asked about Sherk getting suspended for steroids, his repsonse was “When I first heard of the news I thought, isn’t it obvious that he’s on something the way he looked?”  Penn didn’t finish there, (more…)

 
…at least since 2003.  Randy, aka The Natural or Captain America, is and always has been a great champion and one of the most talented fighters the sport has ever seen.  But what most fans may not be aware of is that he has had problems stringing victories back-to-back.  His pattern:  Beats Tito Ortiz in September 2003 and loses next fight to Vitor Belfort in January ‘04.  Comes back to beat Belfort in their rematch, (more…)

By Michael Hans

Growing up when I missed behaved my mom and dad would threaten me with the belt. Sometime the threat was enough, sometimes I got it. Either way I learned quickly that when my parents got serious I’d better listen up or pay the price. They got their point across loud and clear. On July 19th the UFC posted on their website that “Sherk & Franca tested positive for banned substances and face possible suspension and fines from the California State Athletic Commission”.

The Lightweight Champion tested positive for Nandrolone Metabolite. A drug originally used to improve the physical performance of race horses. This is not what the UFC or the MMA world needs right now. We are all riding high on a wave of positive press and spectator interest. Sherk already took half a year off because of injury and the Franca fight was his first title defense. If he gets suspended that would mean close to a year and half with no activity. People will start saying “what belt”. I say take belt.

Dana White and the UFC have stated that they will support whatever the CSAC decides to do with the two fighters. But, I think the UFC shouldn’t wait. Strip Sherk of the title. Send a clear message to all of their fighters and fans that cheating will not be tolerated. I suggest that they use their upcoming PPV’s to have a four man tournament for the belt. Spencer Fisher vs. BJ Penn and Roger Huerta vs. Kenny Florian for round one and the winner of those two fights meet for the title before the end of the year.

The fans win by getting to watch three great fights. The UFC wins with the increased viewership, and the fighters win by learning that their health is important and that cheating will not be tolerated. Dana take the belt and get your point across.

Thx2 guest contributor Michael Hans

The Lowdown:  On Friday Sherdog editor Josh Gross wrote a sarcastic article picking apart Dana White and his handling of the recent MMA steroid “fiasco.”  In response, Dana White (authenticity has not been verified) posted a message on the Underground Forum explaining himself and taking a few shots at Gross and the rest of the Sherdog crew with comments such as “You guys just keep selling DVDs and chasing my guys around for video interviews so you can make more money and keep eating and I will handle the UFC and it’s fighters.”

The real story is what the members of the Undergound Forum had to say about the matter.  Because we do not operate under bias and only aim to deliver mma news of interest and entertainment, here are some of their responses:

-”Listen Josh “save the whales” Gross- I can’t save the world by myself. So roll your boss back into the ocean”

-”Josh Gross is a better man than Dana White. Gross tells the truth, while Dana’s relationship with the truth has been tenuous at best.”

-”To me the letter is funny and true either way, the f*ckss at Sherdog are just begging to go out of business, from the hack reporting to the BULLSH*T forum they run where a bunch of know nothing aholes ban new members within minutes for no reason.”
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The 74th installment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, named Respect, will happen on August 25, 2007 and will be headlined by the Heavyweight Title fight between Randy Couture and Gabriel Conzaga.

Here is the UFC 74 fight card in its entirety:
Randy Couture vs. Gabriel Conzaga (heavyweights)
Frank Mir vs. Antoni Hardonk (heavyweights)
Renato Sobral vs. David Heath (light heavyweights)
Kendall Grove vs. Patrick Cote (middleweights)
Thales Leites vs. Ryan Jensen (middleweights)
George St. Pierre vs. Josh Koscheck (welterweights)
Roger Huerta vs. Alberto Crane (lightweights)
Kurt Pelegrino vs. Joe Stevenson (lightweights)
Clay Guida vs. Marcus Aurelio (lightweights)