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Video: One Championship 26 Askren vs. Santos Preview
By: Mike Fridley
Ben Askren puts his One Championship welterweight title on the line against Luis Santos on April 24.
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Picture: CM Punk Poses With Anthony Pettis, Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley at Roufusport
By: C.J. Tuttle
Now that Phil Brooks has officially chosen to take his talents to Roufusport in Wisconsin, mixed martial arts fans can expect a steady stream of updates on his training progress. The first such item comes in the form of posing with teammates Anthony Pettis, Ben Askren and a visiting Tyron Woodley.
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Zach Arnold Joins Press Row
By: Jordan Breen
Every Wednesday, Administrative Editor Jordan Breen welcomes a member of the mixed martial arts media into “Press Row” on the Sherdog.com blog. This week, Breen is joined by FightOpinion.com founder Zach Arnold.
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Damon Martin Joins Press Row
By: Jordan Breen
Every Wednesday, Administrative Editor Jordan Breen welcomes a member of the mixed martial arts media into “Press Row” on the Sherdog.com blog. This week, Breen is joined by Fox Sports MMA writer Damon Martin.
With Olympian and former Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren bound for One FC, Breen and Martin discuss the real motivations behind the former Missouri Tiger wrestler's decision to sign with the Singapore-based promotion and the UFC's rationale for not signing him. The pair also discuss Askren's new relationship with One FC's flagship gym, Evolve MMA, and the rare entrepreneurial set-up that motivated the company to sign him.
Breen and Martin also ponder whether or not Askren will wind up against a faded Phil Baroni, why Carlos Condit it an ideal foil for Askren, the “Funky” one's disc golf prowess and the subtleties that make Askren a unique personality in a sport full of trash-talking, brash athletes.
Grab your credential and get a seat in “Press Row.”
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Top 5 Forum Threads of the Week
By: Jeff Sherwood
Ben “Funky” Askren cut ties with Bellator in November. | Photo: Keith Mills/Sherdog.com
While Ben Askren appears close to signing on One Fighting Championship’s dotted line, UFC President Dana White thinks the former Bellator MMA welterweight champion should plant his flag closer to home.
In a video interview with MMAJunkie.com, White advised Askren to join the Las Vegas-based World Series of Fighting organization, where bouts with champion Steve Carl and Ultimate Fighting Championship veterans Josh Burkman and Jon Fitch could await. Askren was granted his Bellator release on Nov. 14, clearing him to sign elsewhere.
Askren was a four-time NCAA All-American wrestler, two-time national champion and two-time recipient of the prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy at the University of Missouri. He represented the United States at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing before transitioning to the professional mixed martial arts scene in February 2009.
A Hartland, Wis., native, Askren has started his MMA career with 12 consecutive victories. He won the Bellator Season 2 welterweight tournament with victories over Ryan Thomas and Dan Hornbuckle before capturing the organization’s 170-pound crown with a unanimous decision over Lyman Good at Bellator 33 in October 2010. Askren successfully defended the title four times prior to being cut loose. He last appeared at Bellator 97 in July, when he stopped Andrey Koreshkov on fourth-round punches in Rio Rancho, N.M.
Items of interest on the Sherdog.net forums this week:
Unsolicited Advice
Question of Need
Lacking Skill
Hanging On
Dirty Deeds
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Top 5 Forum Threads of the Week
By: Jeff Sherwood
Ben Askren is testing the free agent waters. | Photo: Keith Mills/Sherdog.com
Ben Askren on Nov. 14 was granted his release by the Bellator MMA promotion, clearing him to sign with a suitor of his choosing.
Askren was a four-time NCAA All-American wrestler, two-time national champion and two-time recipient of the prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy at the University of Missouri. He represented the United States at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing before transitioning to the professional mixed martial arts scene in February 2009.
A Hartland, Wis., native, Askren has started his MMA career with 12 consecutive victories. He won the Bellator Season 2 welterweight tournament with victories over Ryan Thomas and Dan Hornbuckle before capturing the organization’s 170-pound crown with a unanimous decision over Lyman Good at Bellator 33 in October 2010. Askren successfully defended the title four times prior to being cut loose. He last appeared at Bellator 97 in July, when he stopped Andrey Koreshkov on fourth-round punches in Rio Rancho, N.M.
At 29, Askren would seem to be a prime target for other prominent MMA promotions, including the Ultimate Fighting Championship. However, UFC President Dana White has indicated, at least publicly, that he has no current interest in signing the undefeated welterweight. Where Askren will eventually land remains anyone’s guess.
Items of interest on the Sherdog.net forums this week:
Funky Situation
Caught in the Act
Damage Control
Alternative Reality
Nick of Time
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Chuck Mindenhall Joins Press Row
By: Jordan Breen
Every Wednesday, Administrative Editor Jordan Breen welcomes a member of the mixed martial arts media into “Press Row” on the Sherdog.com blog. This week, Breen is joined by MMAFighting.com's Chuck Mindenhall.
Following Anthony Pettis' thrilling capture of the UFC lightweight title and its momentarily-confusing conclusion, Breen and Mindenhall discuss the nature of excitement in the sports and what makes a fight or fighter entertaining. The two discuss what sorts of fights typically become “Fight of the Year” candidates, the assumption that MMA folks hate decisions and whether or not the finish to Pettis-Benson Henderson 2 was in fact “anti-climactic.”
Breen and Mindenhall also discuss UFC boss Dana White's role in shaping public opinion, the very different paths of “excitement” followed by Ben Askren and Clay Guida and even fake gum chewing.
Grab your credential and get a seat in “Press Row.”
The above file can be saved in MP3 format here.
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Wednesday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Wednesday
3:00 a.m. ET Sportsnet Pacific: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news.
6:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 5 Episode 8: Not on the Concrete Dana White sits down with the Coaches to decide the 4 quarterfinal match-ups. A brutal street fight takes place in the house that has serious ramifications.
7:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 5 Episode 9: It Was a Brawl In the second quarterfinal fight Brandon Melendez (Team Pulver) takes on Gray Maynard (Team Penn).
9:30 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Tonight
EPISODE: 104
10:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Cub Swanson shares his inspiring story of perseverance; Heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez full blast; Bruce Buffer reflects on a career; behind the scenes with the Octagon girls.
10:30 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Best of Urijah Faber As a pioneer for the lighter weight classes, Urijah Faber quickly became an icon and a champion.
11:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
EPISODE: 145
11:30 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
EPISODE: 146
2:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Tonight
EPISODE: 104
2:30 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
EPISODE: 146
3:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Gray Maynard vs. Clay Guida
Gray Maynard vs. Clay Guida; Spencer Fisher vs. Sam Stout; Brian Ebersole vs. T.J. Waldburger. From Atlantic City, N.J.
3:00 p.m. ET SpikeTV: Bellator 360
The Featherweights featuring Pat Curran The Featherweights are highlighted with guest Pat Curran.
4:00 p.m. ET SpikeTV: Bellator 360
The Middleweights
5:00 p.m. ET SpikeTV: Bellator 360
The Welterweights featuring Ben Askren The Welterweights are highlighted with guest Ben Askren.
6:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: Best of PRIDE Fighting Championship
Countdown of the fastest fights.
6:00 p.m. ET SpikeTV: Bellator 360
The Lightweights featuring Michael Chandler The Lightweights are highlighted with guest Michael Chandler.
7:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Tonight
EPISODE: 104
7:00 p.m. ET SpikeTV: Bellator 360
The Featherweights featuring Pat Curran The Featherweights are highlighted with guest Pat Curran.
7:00 p.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage
Magnaflow 1
7:30 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
EPISODE: 146
8:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Reloaded
UFC 137: B.J. Penn vs. Nick Diaz Nick Diaz returns to the UFC to face former Welterweight Champion BJ Penn; Roy Nelson vs. Mirko Filipovic.
8:00 p.m. ET SpikeTV: Bellator MMA Live
Summer Series 1 Muhammed Lawal vs. Seth Petruzelli; Renato 'Babalu' Sobral and War Machine in separate fights.
8:00 p.m. ET The Score: UFC Wired
Joe Rogan hosts this UFC highlight show featuring some of the best bouts from years past.
9:00 p.m. ET The Score: The Ultimate Fighter Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen
The Ultimate Fighter features professional MMA fighters living together in Las Vegas, Nevada, and follows them as they train and compete against each other for a prized contract with the UFC.
9:00 p.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage: Greatest KO's 2
Devastating knockouts that changed the history of MMA.
10:00 p.m. ET SpikeTV: Fight Master: Bellator MMA
Season 1 Episode 1: Fight to Choose The elimination round begins as ten fighters battle in the cage to determine who will make the Fight Master Tournament.
10:00 p.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage
Magnaflow 1
11:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 5 Episode 10: Traitor
11:00 p.m. ET SpikeTV: Fight Master: Bellator MMA
Season 1 Episode 1: Fight to Choose The elimination round begins as ten fighters battle in the cage to determine who will make the Fight Master Tournament.
11:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet West: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news.
11:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet ONE: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news.
12:00 a.m. ET Sportsnet Ontario: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news.
12:00 a.m. ET Sportsnet East: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news.
12:00 a.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage: Greatest KO's 2
Devastating knockouts that changed the history of MMA.
12:00 p.m. ET SpikeTV: Bellator MMA Live
Summer Series 1 Muhammed Lawal vs. Seth Petruzelli; Renato Sobral and War Machine in separate fights.
12:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC 161: Rashad Evans vs. Dan Henderson Prelims
Roland Delorme vs.Edwin Figueroa; Sean Pierson vs. Kenny Robertson; Sam Stout vs. James Krause; Jake Shields vs. Tyron Woodley. From Winnipeg. Read more -
Chad Dundas Joins Press Row
By: Jordan Breen
Every Wednesday, Administrative Editor Jordan Breen welcomes a member of the mixed martial arts media into “Press Row” on the Sherdog.com blog. This week, Breen is joined by ESPN.com contributor Chad Dundas.
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After a week rough of publicity for Bellator MMA, Breen and Dundas discuss the ongoing issues facing the promotion as it heads into the 2013 Summer Series. The two outline the nasty legal situation with former champion Eddie Alvarez, current welterweight titlist Ben Askren's comments about the promotion's drug testing policies, Leonard Garcia's “phantom” offer and what the company can do to combat these particular situations.
Breen and Dundas also discuss Bellator's free agent strategies, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Motley Crue as entrance music and much more.
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Luke Thomas Joins Press Row
By: Jordan Breen
Every Wednesday, Administrative Editor Jordan Breen welcomes a member of the mixed martial arts media into “Press Row” on the Sherdog.com blog. This week, Breen is joined by Luke Thomas of MMAFighting.com and SiriusXM Radio.
With the first trimester of 2013 now in the books, Breen and Thomas look back on a weird-yet-refreshing four months of MMA. The two opine on how curious matchmaking across multiple promotions and a surprising wealth of outstanding fights have reinvigorated the sport after a tumultuous 2012 plagued by injury. The duo also discuss how the emergence of Ronda Rousey and the UFC women's 135-pound division, as well as the ongoing saga of Fallon Fox have created crucial new discourse within MMA.
Breen and Thomas also go in on Bellator champ Michael Chandler's Dave & Buster's commercial, the emergence of Ilir Latifi, Ken Shamrock battling Ian Freeman and more surreal topics from 2013 thus far.
Grab your credential and get a seat in “Press Row.”
The above file can be saved in MP3 format here.
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