Vitor Belfort is back, TKOs Rich Franklin in first round

Martin Kampmann upset by Paul Daley; Dos Santos stops ‘Cro Cop’

By Andy Samuelson
Sat, Sep 19, 2009 (5:30 p.m.)

Vitor Belfort's return to the UFC became official just three minutes into his bout with Rich Franklin. The Brazilian clipped Ace with a big left and finished the former middleweight champ with three powerful punches on the ground. "Jesus I love you!" screamed the former light heavyweight champ moments after his first-round TKO. Keep reading »

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  Vitor Belfort puts on phenomenal performance in UFC return

  By Andy Samuelson · September 20, 2009 · 1:30 a.m.

  It took four and a half years for Vitor Belfort to get back in the Octagon, but it took him just three minutes and two seconds Saturday night to prove that “The Phenom" had truly returned. The former light heavyweight champ recorded his first UFC win since January of 2004 when he scored a first-round technical knockout of former middleweight champ Rich Franklin in front of 17,428 fans at the American Airlines Center. Keep reading »

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  UFC’s Dana White not impressed with Floyd Mayweather’s comeback fight

  By Andy Samuelson · September 20, 2009 · 3:30 a.m.

  While technical knockouts were happening all around him in Big D, UFC boss Dana White, a longtime boxing fan, was keeping tabs on a bout back in Las Vegas. But much like he predicted, Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s return to the ring was not must see TV. Keep reading »

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  Breaking down UFC 103: Rich Franklin vs. Vitor Belfort

  By Andy Samuelson · September 19, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

  Too bad they tore the top of Reunion Arena here in Big D. Dallas’ long home for sporting events and concerts would have been the perfect setting for the reunion storylines that are sprinkled across the UFC 103 card. Headliner Rich Franklin is making his first appearance on U.S. soil in more than a year as the former middleweight champ takes on former UFC star Vitor Belfort, who is making his return to the UFC, at the state-of-the-art American Airlines Center tonight. Keep reading »

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  UFC 103 Weigh-ins

  By Andy Samuelson · September 18, 2009 · 3:30 p.m.

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  All 26 fighters weighed in for the UFC record 13 fights that will take place at UFC 103 Saturday night in Dallas.

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  Vitor Belfort, Efrain Escudero miss mark at UFC 103 weigh-ins

  By Andy Samuelson · September 18, 2009 · 3:30 p.m.

  UFC 103 fighters were a little on the heavy side today. Main event fighter Vitor Belfort weighed in at a quarter pound over the 196-pound weight limit for his headling bout against Rich Franklin at the catchweight of 195 pounds tomorrow night at the American Airlines Center. The Ultimate Fighter No. 8 winner Efrain Escudero also missed his mark coming in at 157 pounds, two pounds over the lightweight mark of 155. Much like Belfort he had an hour to get to 156. Keep reading »

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  Naturally UFC 103 event is larger in Lonestar State

  By Andy Samuelson · September 18, 2009 · 2:00 a.m.

  You know the saying: “Everything is bigger in Texas.” So apparently does the UFC. The world’s premier mixed martial arts organization decided their second show in the Lone Star state would feature a promotion record 13 fights. “It’s always great to have UFC back in Texas and we know they’re gonna put on one hell of a good show,” Dickie Cole, the state’s combative sport program manager, said in a deep Texas twang. Keep reading »

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  The Return of "the Phenom"

  By Alex Adeyanju · September 17, 2009 · 2:00 p.m.

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  Vitor Belfort makes his return to the UFC Saturday night to face Rich Franklin in the main event of UFC 103 in Dallas.

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  Vitor Belfort Workout

  By Justin M. Bowen · September 12, 2009 · 3:55 p.m.

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  Dana White livid over Rampage Jackson’s Hollywood dream

  By Andy Samuelson · September 17, 2009 · 6:00 p.m.

  The latest edition of "Fireside Chats" — the best moments from UFC President Dana White's conversation with media members at Thursday's UFC 103 pre-fight press conference in Dallas. Keep reading »

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  Frank Trigg eyeing one last title run

  By Andy Samuelson · September 17, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

  Frank Trigg knows he’s good at running his mouth. The veteran fighter made a secondary career as a fight broadcaster for PRIDE Fighting Championship. But at 37-years old, the former wrestler at Oklahoma University knows his fighting days are numbered. That’s why Trigg is looking at his comeback with the UFC has a final opportunity to claim the welterweight title that has so narrowly eluded him. Keep reading »

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  Bonus machine Tyson Griffin not worried about cash award in bout with Hermes Franca

  By Andy Samuelson · September 18, 2009 · 1:00 a.m.

  For the first time he can remember, Tyson Griffin wasn’t immediately back in the Octagon after his win over Rafael dos Anjos at UFC Fight Night 18 in April. Instead the Xtreme Couture fighter was soaking in the sun on his boat at Lake Mead. Keep reading »

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  UFC 103: Prepare for the Unexpected

  By Voja Radosavljevic · September 10, 2009 · 10:30 p.m.

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  Local fighters Frank Trigg and Martin Kampmann talk about their upcoming fights at UFC 103. Trigg returns to the Octagon to face Josh Koscheck, while Kampmann fights Paul Daly.

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  Rich Franklin not thinking about title shots

  By Brett Okamoto · September 8, 2009 · 5:00 p.m.

  Rich Franklin understands that he’ll never get a title shot at 195 pounds. According to the 34-year-old fighter, he’s okay with that. Keep reading »

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  Mirko Filipovic back for good, happy with UFC deal

  By Brett Okamoto · September 8, 2009 · 8:22 p.m.

  Former PRIDE star Mirko ‘Cro Crop’ Filipovic’s return to the UFC in June wasn’t exactly a huge success. The international mixed martial arts star won his fight over Mostapha Al Turk at UFC 99 in Germany when the referee missed an accidental eye-poke that put Al Turk on the defensive. Keep reading »