Andy Samuelson

Lead MMA/boxing reporter

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Recent Stories (view all stories)

UFC champ Lyoto Machida still fighting like a challenger: 'The Dragon' expects fellow Brazilian Shogun Rua to bring intense game plan for UFC 104 bout; Monday, Oct. 19, 2009; Fifteen opponents have faced Lyoto Machida, and 15 challengers have failed to defeat him. But the one man who knows that Machida most certainly can be beaten, is “The Dragon” himself. “I think no one is unbeatable, anybody can be beaten," said the UFC light heavyweight champ last week during a media teleconference.
Heartaching Pioneers can't pull upset of Las Vegas High: Missed opportunities the difference as Wildcats win crucial Northeast Division tilt; Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009; A win certainly would not have erased the heartache Canyon Springs’ Daveon Collins felt Friday night. Not even the biggest victory would replace the loss the senior wide receiver suffered last week when his mother died. But for his Pioneers teammates, who only hours earlier on Friday attended the funeral of Nicole Hall, think back to the multiple opportunities they had to pull off the upset victory over perennial city power Las Vegas High in a game they dedicated to Collins — the disappointment may be just as strong as it showed on the weary faces immediately after their 24-14 loss at Canyon Springs High.
'Shogun' Rua thinks he can solve Lyoto Machida puzzle: Brazilians square off in main event of UFC 104 on Oct. 24 in L.A.; Friday, Oct. 16, 2009; Like everyone else in the Staples Center next Saturday night, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua knows who the favorite will be when the lights go down for the main event of UFC 104. “It’s only right that he’s the favorite. He’s the number one fighter in the weight class and the champion,” said Rua of facing UFC lightweight champ Lyoto Machida in Los Angeles.
B.J. Penn-Diego Sanchez officially announced for UFC 107: Lightweights to fill void left by hometown hero 'Rampage' Jackson's withdrawal; Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009; The UFC made a handful of official announcements over the last few days, including the much-speculated main event for UFC 107 between B.J. Penn and Diego Sanchez. The pair will fill the void left by hometown hero Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, who was originally supposed to take on his “The Ultimate Fighter” coaching counterpart Rashad Evans, but instead chose to shoot “The A-Team” movie. UFC President Dana White said the explosive lightweights would make Southern fight fans forget that Jackson wouldn’t be in the Octagon.
WEC's Cerrone must beat Henderson tonight to get rematch with Varner: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009; If Donald Cerrone had his way, he’d be punching Jamie Varner in the face tonight in San Antonio and taking away his World Extreme Cagefighting lightweight championship. “I'd like to punch him in his face every time I see him. I just don't like the dude. He's a punk,” Cerrone said of Varner. “He just bugs me. You know he's just one of those people you just see and I hate his face."
Chad Dawson ready to prove to Johnson his first win wasn't a fluke: Just a month away from rematch, IBO light heavyweight champ challenging himself even on 'off days'; Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009; Wednesday was considered a light training day for Chad Dawson, Glen Johnson may be in trouble a month from now. Dawson, the undefeated 27-year-old International Boxing Organization light heavyweight champ, started his morning with a long run up Las Vegas’ considerably elevated Mount Charleston. From there a mandatory tip of the scales for his Nov. 7 rematch with Johnson showed that Dawson weighed exactly 185 pounds — with his clothes on, he made sure to point out. Dawson then headed for a double sparring session with Chris Henry and A.K. Laleye at International MMA Fight Club. A few minutes of speed bag followed, before Dawson (28-0, 17 KOs), who got a few encouraging words from special guest Floyd Mayweather Sr., wrapped up with the taxing task of media interviews.
Randy Couture readies for light heavyweight bout, quest for sixth title: Spike TV officially announces bouts for UFC 105 set for Nov. 14 in England; Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009; Five-time UFC champ Randy Couture will continue down his path for a sixth title when he takes on Brandon Vera in a light heavyweight bout at UFC 105. “I would love to be a six-time UFC champion, to set the bar very high in that regard, and that’s what I want to accomplish at 205-pounds. That is my immediate goal,” said Couture in a release statement today as the UFC officially announced the Nov. 14 card in Manchester, England, which will be shown on tape delay on Spike TV at 8 p.m. PT.
Gina Carano, Randy Couture, Manny Pacquiao bare body, or parts, for ESPN: Kimbo Slice ready for rematch; Walker challenges UFC's White; Lashley to Strikeforce?; Friday, Oct. 2, 2009; Three staples in the Las Vegas fight scene, Gina Carano, Randy Couture, and Manny Pacquiao, will appear in ESPN The Magazine’s first “Body Issue,” which hits newsstands next week. Carano, known as the face of female mixed martial arts, the legendary UFC Hall of Famer Couture, and pound-for-pound boxing king Pacquiao will be among 30 male and female pro athletes posing nude or semi-nude for ESPN’s version of Sports Illustrator’s famous swimsuit edition.
Kimbo Slice out to prove he's legit fighter, continues to share values as a father: Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009; Kevin Ferguson’s life is quite the conundrum. On the one hand, the famous underground fighter known by his alter ego of Kimbo Slice, plays the part of a street thug with his grizzled beard, gold teeth and menacing muscles. But Ferguson the family man is quite the opposite. The 35-year-old native of Nassau, Bahamas is reflective of his own struggles — which included him being homeless for a stint and living out of his car — and tries to pass these life lessons along to his six children. Ferguson embraces both roles; each has helped him reach financial goals and personal incentives that few fighters, or fathers, could ever image.
UFC's Kimbo Slice promises exciting fight with Roy Nelson: YouTube legend says anticipated bout on 'TUF' will live up to its hype; Monday, Sept. 28, 2009; Kimbo Slice wasn’t giving up any secrets Monday afternoon. But the underground street fighter-turned mixed martial artist promised the biggest bout in Ultimate Fighter history Wednesday night will live up to the hype. “A good match-up.

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Episode 2: Evans' squad 2-for-2; stage is set for Kimbo Slice: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009; The drama is supposed to be reserved for the reality TV show on Spike TV, but with Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s latest revelation that he is retired from fighting, the most exciting action involving TUF No. 10 is happening outside the house in Las Vegas. But like they say the show must go on, and this week’s installment while the action is somewhat slow to get started, ends with a big announcement.
UFC's Rampage set to reprise Mr. T's role on 'The A-Team' remake: Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009; http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/mma/08/26/rampage.mr.t/
UFC officially announces Machida-'Shogun' fight for Oct. 24 in L.A.: Monday, Aug. 24, 2009
Couture hosting charity poker tourney today at Golden Nugget: Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009; Randy Couture may be one of the baddest men on the planet, but when it comes to the military the former UFC champ has a big soft spot in his heart. Like several GI events he’s hosted in the past, Couture, a veteran of the Army’s 101st Airborne Division, will be the main man today at second annual “Operation All In” poker tournament that takes place at 2 p.m. at the Golden Nugget.
UFC's counter-programming outdraws Strikeforce show (sort of): Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009; No doubt the biggest fight in female mixed martial arts history Saturday night was quite the successful event as Strikeforce’s bout between Gina Carano and Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos drew 13,524 fans to HP Pavilion in San Jose for an estimated live gate of $750,000. But the show airing on Showtime played second fiddle to UFC’s counter-programming of the promotion’s historic UFC 100 event from July (well, depending on how you view the ratings).
Couture signs on with EA Sports: Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009; At last Randy Couture can have the dream fight he always wanted, the only problem is the format he’ll be battling Fedor Emelianenko will be set on an electronic stage. The UFC legend announced Saturday that he will appear in EA Sports’ “MMA” video game set to be released sometime in 2010, joining the Russian heavyweight Emelianenko and other non-UFC notables Renato "Babalu" Sobral and Gegard Mousasi.
UFC to counter-program Strikeforce event: Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009; The Ultimate Fighting Championship will re-broadcast several bouts from its landmark UFC 100 show on Spike TV on Saturday night.That just happens to be the same day as a big event for Strikeforce, the promotion that's emerging as UFC's most legitimate competitor. The Strikeforce show, featuring the first-ever female championship fight between Las Vegas' Gina Carano and Cris "Cyborg" Santos, will take place Saturday night at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Pride Fighting Championships lives on via Spike TV: Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009; Spike TV will let fight fans relive the best of more than 60 Pride events when host Kenda Perez premieres “The Best of Pride Fighting Championships,” on January 11, 2010 at 11pm ET/PT.
Even in Philly, UFC's White still talking about Fedor, Strikeforce: Friday, Aug. 7, 2009; While the majority of UFC news from the “City of Brotherly Love” caters to tomorrow’s UFC 101 event, UFC president Dana White still can’t stop talking about Fedor and his deal with Strikeforce.
Fedor signs with Strikeforce, M-1 to co-promote: Monday, Aug. 3, 2009; Days after turning down a generous offer from the world's premiere mixed martial arts organization, Russian heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko has signed a multi-fight deal with the California-based Strikeforce, the UFC's biggest competitor.

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