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Friday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Friday
4:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC: Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis
Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis; Chael Sonnen vs. Michael Bisping; Demian Maia vs. Chris Weidman. From Chicago.
7:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Reloaded
UFC 139: Mauricio Rua vs. Dan Henderson; Cung Le makes his UFC debut against Wanderlei Silva.
12:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Fight Night
Nate Marquardt vs. Rousimar Palhares
2:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Tonight
UFC highlights, analysis and interviews.
3:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: Best of PRIDE Fighting Championship
Bushido
4:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: UFC Wired
Joe Rogan hosts this UFC highlight show featuring some of the best bouts from years past
7:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Reloaded
UFC 158: Georges St. Pierre vs. Nick Diaz
8:00 p.m. ET AXS TV: The Voice Versus
Michael 'The Voice' Schiavello interviews Wanderlei Silva; discusses his rise through MMA, origins of the wrist-roll and rumors of plastic surgery.
9:00 p.m. ET AXS TV: Inside MMA
EPISODE: 320 Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten discuss UFC 168; highlights from around the world; gift ideas for MMA fans.
10:00 p.m. ET AXS TV: AXS TV Legacy Fighting Championship 24
MMA's top contenders and champions take center cage LIVE every Friday night on AXS TV Fights. Ryan Benoit meets Damacio Page in the main event. Plus Olympic wrestling gold medalist Henry Cejudo and former boxing world champion Holly Holm in action.
10:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Tonight
UFC highlights, analysis and interviews.
11:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Unleashed
Benson Henderson vs. Clay Guida from UFC on FOX; Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard from UFC 136. Read more -
Thursday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Thursday
3:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Unleashed
UFC 143 Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit; UFC 142 Rousimar Palhares and and Mike Massenzio; Anthony Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon at UFC 144.
6:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC: Browne vs. Bigfoot
Travis Browne vs. Antonio Silva; Jake Ellenberger vs. Jay Hieron; John Dodson vs. Jussier Formiga; Josh Neer vs. Justin Edwards. From Minneapolis.
12:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Unleashed
Chris Weidman vs. Mark Munoz
1:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Fight Night Condit vs. Kampmann II
Bubba McDaniel vs. Brad Tavares; Takeya Mizugaki vs. Erik Perez; Court McGee vs. Robert Whittaker; Kelvin Gastelum vs. Brian Melancon; Donald Cerrone vs. Rafael dos Anjos; Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann. From Indianapolis.
7:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news.
8:00 p.m. ET NBC Sports Network: World Series of Fighting
10:00 p.m. ET NBC Sports Network: World Series of Fighting
9:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Presents Mark Hunt: the Art of Fighting
10:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Weigh-Ins
Mark Hunt vs Antonio Silva
11:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Tonight
UFC highlights, analysis and interviews.
12:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: Best of PRIDE Fighting Championship
Best of Pride 309 Read more -
Top 5 Stories of the Week
By: Sherdog.com Staff
Will Rousimar Palhares behave himself under the WSOF banner? | Photo: Sherdog.com
Submission specialist Rousimar Palhares has found a new home.
Sherdog.com on Nov. 26 confirmed with World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo that Palhares has signed an exclusive deal with the Las Vegas-based organization. World Series of Fighting officials have not yet announced when “Toquinho” will make his promotional debut.
Palhares was banned from the Octagon following his welterweight debut at UFC Fight Night 29 last month, when the leg lock specialist submitted Mike Pierce with a heel hook in just 31 seconds. However, the Brazilian did not immediately release the hold after Pierce tapped out, prompting Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White to announce his release just one day later. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt previously received a 90-day disciplinary suspension in 2010 after performing a similar act against Tomasz Drwal at UFC 111. “Toquinho” was also suspended by the UFC for nine months after producing elevated testosterone levels following his knockout loss to Hector Lombard in December 2012.
Known for his potent ground game, Palhares exited the UFC with a promotional record of 8-4, earning six victories via submission. A longtime middleweight, Palhares saw his four Octagon defeats come against stiff competition, falling to the likes of Lombard, Dan Henderson, Nate Marquardt and Alan Belcher.
The stories of interest on Sherdog.com this week:
Playing With Fire
Scoring Overhaul Needed
Breaking Barriers
Rematch Makes Sense
Tragic Event
Reader comments are active following the jump. Read more -
Friday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Friday
3:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Unleashed The best fights from the UFC archives, featuring Mauricio Rua vs Dan Henderson, Alexander Gustafsson vs. Vladimir Matyushenko, and Rogerio Nogueira vs Tito Ortiz.
4:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Tonight UFC highlights, analysis and interviews.
4:30 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Primetime UFC 167: Georges St. Pierre vs. Johny Hendricks
5:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter Season 18 Episode 9: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate: Sacrifice Final preliminary fights - one on the men's side and one on the women's.
7:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Reloaded UFC 139: Mauricio Rua vs. Dan Henderson; Cung Le makes his UFC debut against Wanderlei Silva.
10:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Unleashed The best fights from the UFC archives, featuring Lyoto Machida vs. Randy Couture, Vitor Belfort vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama, Nam Phan vs. Leonard Garcia, and Donald Cerrone vs. Dennis Siver.
11:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC: George Sotiropoulos vs. Ross Pearson Rousimar Palhares vs. Hector Lombard; Norman Parke vs. Colin Fletcher; Bradley Scott vs. Robert Whittaker; George Sotiropoulos vs. Ross Pearson. From Queensland, Australia. (Card subject to change)
1:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Tonight UFC highlights, analysis and interviews.
1:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Primetime Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos 3
4:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: UFC Wired Joe Rogan hosts this UFC highlight show featuring some of the best bouts from years past.
7:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Unleashed Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen
8:00 p.m. ET AXS: The Voice Versus Tito Ortiz discusses being kicked off the reality show and his relationship with Jenna Jameson.
8:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC: Belfort vs. Bisping Vitor Belfort vs. Michael Bisping; C.B. Dollaway vs. Daniel Sarafian; Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Ben Rothwell; Thiago Tavares vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov. From Sao Paulo, Brazil.
9:00 p.m. ET AXS: Inside MMA EPISODE: 314 Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten discuss Bellator; Michael Schiavello and Pat Miletich preview Lion Fight 12.
10:00 p.m. ET AXS: AXS TV Fights Lion Fight 12 Malaipet fights Fabio Pinca for welterweight; Tiffany Van Soest meets Magali Foroni; live from Las Vegas.
10:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter Season 18 Episode 9: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate: Sacrifice Final preliminary fights - one on the men's side and one on the women's.
11:00 p.m. ET SpikeTV: Chandler vs. Alvarez: Unfinished Business Michael Chandler and Eddie Alvarez recount their first battle. Experts and fans will also discuss the rematch on November 2nd.
11:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Tonight UFC highlights, analysis and interviews.
11:30 p.m. ET AXS: Countdown to Chandler vs. Alvarez II Lightweight Champ Michael Chandler and former Champ Eddie Alvarez.
11:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Primetime Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos 3 Read more -
Thursday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
Thursday
3:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 1: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 18 Episode 9: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate: Sacrifice Final preliminary fights - one on the men's side and one on the women's.
6:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Fight Night
Nate Marquardt vs. Rousimar Palhares
10:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: Best of PRIDE Fighting Championship
Heavyweights
11:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 18 Episode 9: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate: Sacrifice Final preliminary fights - one on the men's side and one on the women's.
12:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Fight Night Episode 18
Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann; Ryan Bader vs. Carmelo Marrero; Rafael dos Anjos vs. Tyson Griffin; Junie Browning vs. Cole Miller. From April 11, 2009 in Nashville, Tenn.
2:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Unleashed
The best fights from the UFC archives, featuring Mauricio Rua vs Dan Henderson, Alexander Gustafsson vs Vladimir Matyushenko, and Rogerio Nogueira vs Tito Ortiz.
7:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Primetime
UFC 167: Georges St. Pierre vs. Johny Hendricks
7:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Tonight
UFC highlights, analysis and interviews.
8:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 18 Episode 9: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate: Sacrifice Final preliminary fights - one on the men's side and one on the women's.
9:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: Best of PRIDE Fighting Championship
Heavyweights
10:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Fight Night
Lyoto Machida vs. Mark Munoz; Ross Pearson vs. Melvin Guillard; Jimi Manuwa vs. Ryan Jimmo; Norman Parke vs. Jon Tuck; Alessio Sakara vs. Nicholas Musoke; Phil Harris vs. John Lineker. From Manchester, England.
11:00 p.m. ET SpikeTV: Chandler vs. Alvarez: Unfinished Business
Michael Chandler and Eddie Alvarez recount their first battle. Experts and fans will also discuss the rematch on November 2nd.
11:30 p.m. ET SpikeTV: Countdown to Chandler vs. Alvarez II
Read more -
Wednesay MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Wednesday
3:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Fight Night
Lyoto Machida vs. Mark Munoz; Ross Pearson vs. Melvin Guillard; Jimi Manuwa vs. Ryan Jimmo; Norman Parke vs. Jon Tuck; Alessio Sakara vs. Nicholas Musoke; Phil Harris vs. John Lineker. From Manchester, England.
6:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 18 Episode 7: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate: Zone In Rousey delivers Father's Day gifts; semifinal berth up for grabs.
7:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 18 Episode 8: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate: Tied Interviews, match highlights and the history behind Ronda and Miesha's rivalry.
8:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC 166: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos 3: Prelims
K.J. Noons vs. George Sotiropoulos; Jessica Eye vs. Sarah Kaufman; Hector Lombard vs. Nate Marquardt; C.B. Dollaway vs. Tim Boetsch. From Houston.
10:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Fight Night
Nate Marquardt vs. Rousimar Palhares
12:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Ultimate Insider
Behind-the-scenes of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
12:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Fight Night
Lyoto Machida vs. Mark Munoz; Ross Pearson vs. Melvin Guillard; Jimi Manuwa vs. Ryan Jimmo; Norman Parke vs. Jon Tuck; Alessio Sakara vs. Nicholas Musoke; Phil Harris vs. John Lineker. From Manchester, England.
3:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: Best of PRIDE Fighting Championship
Heavyweights
7:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: UFC Primetime
UFC 167 Georges St. Pierre vs. Johny Hendricks
7:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Tonight
UFC highlights, analysis and interviews.
7:30 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news.
8:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: UFC Wired
Joe Rogan hosts this UFC highlight show featuring some of the best bouts from years past.
8:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Ultimate Insider
Behind-the-scenes of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
8:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Primetime
UFC 167: Georges St. Pierre vs. Johny Hendricks
9:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: UFC Unleashed
The best fights from the UFC archives
9:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 18 Episode 7: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate: Zone In Rousey delivers Father's Day gifts; semifinal berth up for grabs.
10:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 18 Episode 9: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate: Sacrifice Final preliminary fights - one on the men's side and one on the women's.
11:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Tonight
UFC highlights, analysis and interviews.
11:30 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news.
12:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Unleashed
The best fights from the UFC archives, featuring Mauricio Rua vs Dan Henderson, Alexander Gustafsson vs Vladimir Matyushenko, and Rogerio Nogueira vs Tito Ortiz. Read more -
Sunday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Sunday
3:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC 166: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos 3: Prelims
K.J. Noons vs. George Sotiropoulos; Jessica Eye vs. Sarah Kaufman; Hector Lombard vs. Nate Marquardt; C.B. Dollaway vs. Tim Boetsch. From Houston.
5:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 18 Episode 7: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate: Zone In Rousey delivers Father's Day gifts; semifinal berth up for grabs.
12:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Fight Night
Nate Marquardt vs. Rousimar Palhares
2:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Ultimate 100 Knockouts
Part 1: Knockouts 100-71
2:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: UFC Preliminary Fights
UFC 166 Prelims K.J. Noons vs. George Sotiropoulos; Jessica Eye vs. Sarah Kaufman; Hector Lombard vs. Nate Marquardt; C.B. Dollaway vs. Tim Boetsch. From Houston.
3:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Ultimate 100 Knockouts
Part 2: Knockouts 70-41
4:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Ultimate 100 Knockouts
Part 3: Knockouts 40-11
5:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Ultimate 100 Knockouts
Part 4: Top 10 Greatest Knockouts
7:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Ultimate Insider
Behind-the-scenes of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
8:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Unleashed
Forrest Griffin vs. Tito Ortiz
10:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 18 Episode 7: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate: Zone In Rousey delivers Father's Day gifts; semifinal berth up for grabs.
11:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 18 Episode 7: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate: Zone In Rousey delivers Father's Day gifts; semifinal berth up for grabs.
12:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC 166: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos 3: Prelims
K.J. Noons vs. George Sotiropoulos; Jessica Eye vs. Sarah Kaufman; Hector Lombard vs. Nate Marquardt; C.B. Dollaway vs. Tim Boetsch. From Houston. Read more -
Top 5 Forum Threads of the Week
By: Jeff Sherwood
Rousimar Palhares was jettisoned by the UFC. | Photo: Marcelo Alonso/Sherdog.com
Rousimar Palhares will have to ply his trade elsewhere.
Palhares was banned from competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship as a result of “unsportsmanlike conduct” that cost him a $50,000 “Submission of the Night” bonus at UFC Fight Night 29 on Oct. 9. Promotion officials announced the news via Twitter after UFC President Dana White told ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap that “Toquinho” had been cut from the organization’s roster. The decision has sparked heated debate.
Known for his effective leg lock attack, Palhares quickly finished Mike Pierce in his welterweight debut at UFC Fight Night 29, which was held at the Jose Correa Gymnasium in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The Brazilian’s skill in applying the fight-ending heel hook was impressive, but his conduct after Pierce surrendered landed him in hot water. After Palhares caught Pierce’s heel, the American tapped out vehemently, and referee Keith Peterson dived into the action to halt the contest, but Palhares did not immediately release the hold.
This marks the second time Palhares has been disciplined for hanging onto a heel hook after his opponent submitted, as the stocky competitor was previously suspended for 90 days by the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board for cranking the potentially dangerous hold against Tomasz Drwal in 2010.
Items of interest on the Sherdog.net forums this week:
Proof Positive
On Deaf Ears
Safe Keeping
Skills Question
Card Swap
Follow the jump for reader comments. Read more -
Friday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Friday
3:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Unleashed
Nate Diaz vs. Takanori Gomi; Nick Diaz vs. Josh Neer; Nick Diaz vs. B.J. Penn.
4:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 18 Episode 5: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate: Redemption Rousey invites her mother to guest coach at practice; bantamweights struggle to keep their weight down; Team Tate's Louis Fisette looks to redeem his elimination fight loss.
5:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 18 Episode 6: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate: Little Princesses Anthony Gutierrez annoys everyone; Julianna Pena gives two female fighters makeovers; Raquel Pennington takes on Jessamyn Duke.
7:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Reloaded
UFC 68: Tim Sylvia vs. Randy Couture. Randy Couture comes out of retirement to challenge for the heavyweight title; Matt Hughes and Rich Franklin.
10:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Unleashed
Rory MacDonald vs. Mike Pyle; Carlos Condit vs. Dong Hyun Kim; Brendan Schaub vs Mirko Cro Cop; Rashad Evans vs Tito Ortiz.
11:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Fight Night
T.J. Dillashaw vs. Raphael Assuncao; Mike Pierce vs. Rousimar Palhares; Joey Beltran vs. Fabio Maldonado; Matt Hamill vs. Thiago Silva; Dong Hyun Kim vs. Erick Silva; Jake Shields vs. Demian Maia. From Sao Paulo, Brazil.
7:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Fight Night
T.J. Dillashaw vs. Raphael Assuncao; Mike Pierce vs. Rousimar Palhares; Joey Beltran vs. Fabio Maldonado; Matt Hamill vs. Thiago Silva; Dong Hyun Kim vs. Erick Silva; Jake Shields vs. Demian Maia. From Sao Paulo, Brazil.
9:00 p.m. ET SpikeTV: Bellator MMA Live
EPISODE: 22 David Rickles vs. J.J. Ambrose; featherweight tournament semifinals; from Wichita, Kan.
9:00 p.m. ET AXS: Inside MMA
EPISODE: 311 Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten preview CFA 24; Michael Schiavello and Pat Miletich preview Legacy FC 24 live in Dallas; features on Henry Cejudo and Helio Gracie.
10:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Ultimate 100 Knockouts
Part 1: Knockouts 100-71
10:00 p.m. ET AXS: AXS TV Fights
Legacy Fighting Championship 24 Ryan Benoit meets Cody Fuller; Olympic wrestling gold medalist Henry Cejudo and former boxing world champion Holly Holm; live from Dallas.
11:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Ultimate 100 Knockouts
Part 2: Knockouts 70-41
11:30 p.m. ET SpikeTV: Bellator MMA Live
EPISODE: 22 David Rickles vs. J.J. Ambrose; featherweight tournament semifinals; from Wichita, Kan.
12:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Ultimate 100 Knockouts
Part 3: Knockouts 40-11 Read more -
UFC Fight Night 29: The Forum Threads
By: Jeff Sherwood
Victory came with a price for Rousimar Palhares. | Photo: Marcelo Alonso/Sherdog.com
Rousimar Palhares made a successful debut at 170 pounds at UFC Fight Night 29, as he submitted Mike Pierce with a heel hook on Wednesday at Jose Correa Gymnasium in Sao Paulo, Brazil. However, his decision to cling to the hold even after Pierce tapped out proved costly.
Despite landing the event’s only submission, Palhares was denied a $50,000 “Submission of the Night” bonus due to what Ultimate Fighting Championship officials deemed “unsportsmanlike conduct.” The Brazilian leg lock ace was behind another such incident at UFC 111, where he submitted Tomasz Drwal with a first-round heel hook. Palhares was subsequently suspended for 90 days because he refused to release the hold after referee Kevin Mulhall had called a stop to the fight.
UFC Fight Night 29 spawned a number of threads on the Sherdog.net forums:
Costly Decision
Trading Places
Derailed
Stunning Knockout
Home Cooking
Gas Station
Follow the jump for reader comments. Read more