Andy Samuelson

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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.
UFC's Brock Lesnar trumps Mr. Olympia, talks Shane Carwin: Heavyweight champ says unbeaten challenger offers little competition for UFC 106; Monday, Sept. 28, 2009; Even in this crowd, where the athletes are as chiseled as Adonis himself, Brock Lesnar finds a way to stand out. OK, so the UFC heavyweight champ might be a little less cut than the Jay Cutler’s in the competition, but the former WWE star once again had no problem stealing the spotlight on Saturday at Mr. Olympia at the Orleans.
Rick Story has quite the tale to tell after UFC 103: Washington fighter takes home whopping $130,000 in bonuses with win over Brian Foster; Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009; When Rick Story woke up last Sunday in Dallas he had to pinch himself to make sure what happened Saturday night in the American Airlines Center was indeed real. While the Washington native’s big win wasn’t quite lottery-huge, after all no one had claimed the 55-million jackpot the night before in the Lone Star state — the financial amount on the check coming is way definitely constituted a life-changing number.
UFC's Tyson Griffin may get familiar face in next fight: Teammate Gray Maynard's big win at UFC Fight Night 19 could set up showdown between Xtreme Couture stars; Friday, Sept. 25, 2009; Rather than move a rung higher up the loaded lightweight ladder, Tyson Griffin’s first stoppage in eight tries in the Octagon might have actually landed him a future fight with a teammate. “As far as fighting teammates, it's kind of an unwritten rule that it happens for titles," said Griffin, whose first-round TKO of Hermes Franca last Saturday at UFC 103 in Dallas may force a showdown with fellow Xtreme Couture 155-pounder Gray Maynard.
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 Tito Ortiz on making up with Dana White: 'Huntington Beach Bad Boy' promises exciting return against Mark Coleman at UFC 106; Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009; All Tito Ortiz could do was laugh last week when he saw the gift presented to him from a fan during a UFC Fight Club Q&A session in Dallas before UFC 103. The black T-shirt simply read: “Dana is my Bo$$,” drawing a big roar from the crowd for it’s play on b-words to the famous shirt that the "Huntington Beach Bad Boy" wore when him and UFC boss Dana White were having their long war.
Ex-NFL star Herschel Walker signs fight contract with Strikeforce: Monday, Sept. 21, 2009; Former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL star Herschel Walker is back on the playing field, err, make that the fighting cage. The 47-year-old Walker, a longtime mixed martial artist, has signed a multi-fight deal with Strikeforce, the San Jose, Calif.-based MMA promotion.
Former UFC champ Chuck Liddell debuts on 'Dancing with the Stars' tonight: Former UFC light heavyweight champ teaming up with Anna Trebunskaya on the popular reality show; Monday, Sept. 21, 2009; Dana White has been quite outspoken with his stance on Chuck Liddell ever fighting again, but that doesn’t mean the UFC president doesn’t support his longtime friend’s new career. “I think everyone knows how I feel about Chuck Liddell — he has nothing left to prove, other than he can dance,” joked White Saturday night at the post UFC 103 press conference of Liddell’s stint "Dancing with the Stars" that starts tonight at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
UFC's Dana White not impressed with Floyd Mayweather's comeback fight: President trying to patch things up with Rampage; impressed with Daley's debut and Brazilian heavyweight's big win; Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009; 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.
Vitor Belfort puts on phenomenal performance in UFC return: Former champ ready for next test after taking care of Rich Franklin; Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009; 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.
Vitor Belfort is back, TKOs Rich Franklin in first round: Martin Kampmann upset by Paul Daley; Dos Santos stops 'Cro Cop'; Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009; 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.
Breaking down UFC 103: Rich Franklin vs. Vitor Belfort: Reunion match offers interesting future fights for the winner; Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009; 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.
Vitor Belfort, Efrain Escudero miss mark at UFC 103 weigh-ins: Xtreme Couture's Tyson Griffin to fight Hermes Franca at catchweight of 159; Friday, Sept. 18, 2009; 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.
Naturally UFC 103 event is larger in Lonestar State: Promotion hosts record 13 fights Saturday night at American Airlines Center in Dallas; Friday, Sept. 18, 2009; 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.
Bonus machine Tyson Griffin not worried about cash award in bout with Hermes Franca: Friday, Sept. 18, 2009; 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.
Dana White livid over Rampage Jackson's Hollywood dream: UFC president not worried about Mayweather-Marquez match; Kimbo for real; Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009; 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.
Frank Trigg eyeing one last title run: Former PRIDE announcer ready to back up talk in return to Octagon; Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009; 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.
Gray Maynard scores big win over Roger Huerta at UFC Fight Night 19: Xtreme Couture teammate Mike Pyle also victorious, while Las Vegas fighter Steve Cantwell loses his rubber match with Brian Stann; Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009; Gray Maynard did not know exactly where his win over Roger Huerta Wednesday night ranks in terms of tough fights in his young career.
Melvin Guillard focused on future in UFC, not problems of the past: Louisiana native headlines card tonight in Oklahoma City against Nate Diaz; Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009; Melvin Guillard tries not to think about the past too much. While the memories, many negative, have helped shape the person and fighter he has become, he doesn’t need to waste anymore time on what he could have done different — he’d already spent six months dealing with those thoughts. “It’s been tough. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster,” says the 26-year-old Guillard, who spent six months last year in a Houston jail cell after probation violation for a 2007 drug charge.
Mike Brown to meet Jose Aldo at WEC 44 at the Palms: Tickets for the event in Las Vegas go on sale next Tuesday; Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009; The World Extreme Cagefighting announced today that WEC 44 will take place November 18 at The Pearl at The Palms and feature a main event between WEC featherweight champ Mike Brown and Jose Aldo. “This fight is for more than just the featherweight title,” said WEC GM Reed Harris, of the card that takes place three days before UFC 106 in Las Vegas. “For Mike Brown, a win establishes him as the best featherweight fighter in the history of the sport. For Aldo, who is just 22 years old, this fight could mean the start of an Anderson Silva-like dominant reign.”
Mike Pyle ready to prove he belongs in the UFC: After losing his debut at UFC 98 on short notice, Xtreme Couture fighter '100-percent' ready for Chris Wilson; Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009; Mike Pyle makes no excuses for his first performance in the Octagon, but there are plenty of reasons why his UFC debut didn’t go as he planned. “I actually had been in Bulgaria for a month and a half shooting a movie. I wasn’t in the gym. I wasn’t ready for battle, but I took it anyway,” said Pyle who lost in the first round to Brock Larson at UFC 98 in May after returning from filming for “Universal Soldier: A New Beginning” starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren.
Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin officially announced for UFC 106: Tickets for the event in Las Vegas go on sale this Saturday; Monday, Sept. 14, 2009; The Ultimate Fighting Championship officially announced on Monday its main events for UFC 106, set for Nov. 21 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar will defend his title against the undefeated top contender Shane Carwin. Former UFC star Tito Ortiz also makes his return to the organization, when he faces UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman. “Brock Lesnar has been tearing through everyone over the last year,” UFC President Dana White said. “But in Shane Carwin, he’s not only fighting someone as big as he is, he’s fighting someone who has ended all of his fights in less than three minutes. This is literally the biggest heavyweight title fight ever and may also be the most explosive.”
The merry Mayweathers: Legendary boxing family makes amends: Monday, Sept. 14, 2009; Perhaps it was the fact that Floyd Mayweather Sr. had to bury his 81-year-old father, Theartha, last month, or maybe dealing with his own life-altering disease, sarcoidosis, helped the longtime boxing trainer have a change of heart.

Whatever the reason, Mayweather and his world champion son, Floyd Mayweather Jr., have patched up their near decade long feud.“It's a very good feeling. It's been nine years,” said the 56-year-old Mayweather Sr. of reuniting with his son in and out of the boxing ring. “That's a long time. But we both got older, and we both used some common sense."
Local promotion hosts first fighting event in NW Las Vegas: Friday, Sept. 4, 2009; The amateur mixed marital arts scene in Las Vegas has plenty of competition with top promotion Tuff-N-Uff mixing it up with a handful of other organizations, but Mark Birnbaum thinks there is room to squeeze one more fighting company into the city. And Birnbaum, the owner of two Rapid Rehab centers in Las Vegas and one in Brentwood in Los Angeles, Calif., is betting on a longtime boxing guy will make the difference. “It was really Robert (Johnston’s) idea (to start Las Vegas MMA),” Birnbaum said of his partner. “He’s been in the boxing business for several years and has tons of connections there as well as being connected to just about every casino in town as well.
Looking back at UFC 102: Monday, Aug. 31, 2009; Randy Couture’s homecoming fight might not have been a Cinderella story Saturday night during UFC 102 as the Pacific Northwest native lost to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in a classic battle. But UFC’s first show in the region was a success, drawing 16,088 spectators, a live gate of $1.92 million and one of the loudest crowds in the promotion’s history.
Thiago Silva makes a point to prove he's back against Keith Jardine: Jake Rosholt records his first UFC win, Vera solid but not spectacular; Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009; Thiago Silva insists his finger-pointing to a fallen Keith Jardine was only to make the point that he was back, not taunt “The Dean of Mean” when he was down. His actions moments earlier, when Silva floored Jardine with a big left hook before adding a few finishing blows, would have sufficed. “No, I was just saying I was back,” said Silva (14-1), who rebounded from his only career loss, a first round knockout by light heavyweight champ Lyoto Machida at UFC 94 in January.
Randy Couture inks six-fight deal with UFC: "The Natural" plans on closing his career with organization; Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009; If there was ever a parting gift for all the Randy Couture fans who left the Rose Garden Arena with their heads down Saturday night, UFC President Dana White sure delivered it in a big way in the postfight press conference. “He’s got a lot of fights left on his contract,” White told a reporter who asked what’s next for the 46-year-old Washington native, who before Saturday afternoon had only one fight remaining on his UFC contract. A smiling Couture, who was sporting a big bruise under his left eye that he suffered in his unanimous-decision loss to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira only minutes earlier in the main event of UFC 102, jumped in before White could finish. “We just signed a new contract today,” said Couture, still beaming over the six-fight, 28-month deal.
Nogueira spoils Randy Couture's homecoming: Thiago Silva knocks out Keith Jardine; Marquardt beats Maia; Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009; If the two heavyweight legends were past their prime, someone forgot to tell Randy Couture and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. The two former UFC champs put on an absolute show for the fans inside Portland's Rose Garden Arena. In the end it was the Brazilian Nogueira capturing a unanimous decision victory over the hometown hero, taking the bout by scores of 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.
The battle of the heavyweight greats: Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009; The UFC will make its Portland debut tonight with UFC 102 at the Rose Garden Arena, but one face in the Octagon won’t be a stranger to the fans filling the stands.
Like father, like son: Fighting has brought Randy and Ryan Couture closer together; Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009; PORTLAND, Ore. — The feeling Ryan Couture has tonight watching his famous father, Randy Couture, walk to the Octagon in his return to Oregon no doubt will be an intense one, but the son of the UFC Hall of Famer definitely won’t be as nervous as the first time he watched his dad fight on a big UFC stage. “The first fight I can really remember that was a huge fight was his first fight with Chuck (Liddell). I was really nervous going into that fight because Chuck was knocking everyone out,” said Ryan Couture, who was a 20-year-old attending the fight in Las Vegas in June of 2003. “To see dad come in there and dominate him and put on such awesome performance and show skills he’d never shown before, was really cool.”
UFC looks to be heading to Vancouver: Dana White eyeing June 2010 date for Canada's third largest metro area; Friday, Aug. 28, 2009; While the UFC is still hours away from hosting its first-ever event in the Pacific Northwest with UFC 102 at the Rose Garden Arena Saturday night, UFC president Dana White was already talking about the promotion’s next foray into the region. “We're going to Vancouver. We'll be there soon ... Let's just say we got it done," White said during a pre-fight press conference Thursday afternoon for UFC 102 in Portland, while at the same time other UFC officials were up in Canada meeting with local politicians and media members.
Loss to Lyoto Machida is all the motivation Thiago Silva needs: Brazilian knows win over Keith Jardine could launch him right back up the 205-pound ladder; Friday, Aug. 28, 2009; PORTLAND, Ore. — The tattoos that run on both his forearms serve as constant reminders of the incredible journey and faith it took for Thiago Silva to become one of the UFC’s top light heavyweights. But the ink can’t illustrate the heartbreak of failing for the first time. “You come from a series of victories and all of a sudden you lose, it really messes you up,” said the 26-year-old Silva (13-1), who suffered his first setback to undefeated 205-pound champ Lyoto Machida in January at UFC 94 at the MGM Grand.
Keith Jardine looking for consistency, not new career: 'The Dean of Mean' thinks he can earn top contender status with win over Thiago Silva; Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009; PORTLAND, Ore. — Perhaps it’s the thought of countless clogged toilets that keeps him in the gym a little longer each training session. Or maybe Keith Jardine knows he is in too good of shape to pull off that “famous” plumber look. Whatever the reason “The Dean of Mean” knows his calling is that of a fighter, and if wants to keep competing on the sport’s grandest stage he said he needs to string a few wins together.
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/
Gabriel Gonzaga looking to add a little excitement to his game: Heavyweight contender trying to climb back up the ranks after loss to Shane Carwin; Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009; Gabriel Gonzaga’s most famous UFC moment came when his stunning high kick knocked out Mirko "Crocop" Filipovic in the first round of their bout at UFC 70. While a lot has changed for the now 30-year-old Brazilian since that April night in 2007 in Manchester, England, Gonzaga believes he’s got plenty of big moments left in him and hopes to show off the first one against Chris Tuchscherer Saturday night at UFC 102 in Portland, Ore. “I think to get back to the top you just got to go out there and train hard and hope to score a couple of exciting knockouts or submissions that brings you attention,” said Gonzaga, who brings a 10–4 mixed martial arts record into his bout at the Rose Garden Arena.
Portland fans backing hometown hero in first-ever UFC event: Fans still thanking Henderson for knocking out Bisping; Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009; If tickets sales are a little shy of what UFC officials had hoped for its first-ever event in the Pacific Northwest, the fans already lining up outside the Rose Garden Arena an hour before the first fight certainly aren’t indicative of a sales slump. A line at least a hundred deep lined up outside the box office window, and most of them are ready to root on their hometown hero Randy Couture.
Randy Couture's Muay Thai trainer more than just a masseur: World champion Chong has improved Couture's skill set, spirits; Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009; Hearing your massage skills are on par with your Muay Thai technique is probably not the manliest word-of-mouth campaign an MMA trainer can hope for. “They really were fantastic for relieving tension and helping with your strength-meridians and all that,” former UFC champ Randy Couture said of Quentin “The Dragon” Chong’s post-training recovery regiments. Luckily Chong can also boast that he’s the baddest man on the planet two years running — claiming world Muay Thai titles in 2001 and 2002.
UFC officially announces Machida-'Shogun' fight for Oct. 24 in L.A.: Monday, Aug. 24, 2009
Couture's son victorious, as is best-selling author: Six months of training in Las Vegas gave Matt Polly confidence, skills to walk away a winner in his first, 'and only,' MMA fight; Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009; The biggest storyline Saturday night at the Tuff-N-Uff event at the Orleans was Ryan Couture winning the main event against Palo Verde grad Jimmy Spicuzza. But what the couple of thousand fans crammed inside the Mardi Gras ballroom didn’t know, was the best story of the amateur show was that the middle-aged, pudgy, semi-awkward looking fighter being cornered by UFC legend Randy Couture — was actually best-selling author Matthew Polly.
McCall wins lackluster fight: IBA champ records unanimous decision over Lawrence despite conditioning issues; Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009; Both Oliver McCall and Franklin Lawrence were calling for an immediate rematch in the ring Friday night at the Orleans, but by the fans response to their first fight — few seem interested. While the 44-year-old McCall kept his comeback tour going, as well as his IBA heavyweight belt, several fans walked out of the Mardi Gras ballroom before waiting for the judgment in McCall’s unanimous decision victory.
Ryan Couture ready to get back in ring after first setback: Son of UFC legend faces Palo Verde grad Jimmy Spicuzza in tonight's Tuff-N-Uff event; Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009; This past March Ryan Couture tasted two bitter pills for the first time in his young mixed martial arts career. He suffered a near knockout blow from former training partner Elisey Yarovoy, and then eventually a unanimous decision loss to Yarovoy — the first setback for the 26-year-old son of UFC legend Randy Couture. But the sour moment in Bellingham, Wash., close to where Couture grew up in nearby Woodinville, he says was a necessary process for his continued development in the fight game.