Anderson Silva shows off goofy side (VIDEO)

If Anderson Silva is your favorite fighter, chances are it's not just because he can front kick people into oblivion or pull last-minute triangle armbars out of thin air. He also has a goofy side to him fans can relate to. The top fighter in the world puts that goofiness on full display in the blooper reel from his series of Budweiser ads that will be aired in Brazil.

Did you know that Silva can dance? Perhaps he needs to be the next fighter on "Dancing with the Stars."

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Tito Ortiz Inducted into UFC Hall of Fame Hours Before UFC 148 Fight

Tito Ortiz (Pictured) will be giving multiple speeches this July 7th. Just hours before facing Forrest Griffin in his final fight inside the Octagon, Ortiz will be reading his UFC Hall of Fame induction dictation at the Fan Expo at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. While the former light heavyweight champ’s inclusion [...]

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Terry Etim injured, out of UFC on Fox 4 bout with Joe Lauzon

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Terry Etim continues to find himself on the sidelines, as he's suffered another injury that has taken him out of a fight with Joe Lauzon at UFC on Fox 4. Etim had hoped to bounce back from a vicious knockout loss to Edson Barboza in January, but he'll once again be delayed.

Etim's had lengthy layoffs before in his career, with a 19-month layoff hitting him after an April 2010 loss. He'll hope this layoff is considerably shorter.

Lauzon is likely to remain on the card, though no opponent has yet been named for the event. He's also looking to bounce back from a knockout loss, his coming against Anthony Pettis at UFC 144 in February.

Jason Hollywood Chambers Ryo Piranha Chonan  Dan The Sandman Christison  Logan The Pink Pounder Clark  Steve The Snake Claveau 

WALKER: Team Curran MMA Training Blog June 2012 - A Return to the Gym

By: Brad Walker, MMATorch Columnist

So I haven't obviously had much time of late to work on my training blog and now have made it a monthly piece. This has been one of my slowest months thus far as related to work in the gym, but full speed ahead when it comes to learning. I will get into that more in a bit but let me tell you my focus this month; understanding fitness. I regressed pretty heavily due to needing to remain home while my wife healed up from the birth of our second daughter, and I walked back into the gym at 340 heavy and achy pounds. Thankfully the gym helped me lower that number quickly and in the healthiest way possible.

In my time back I have re-lost 12 pounds and currently stand at 6'5 and 328 pounds of happy father. I finally spoke to Jeff about the best ways to lose healthy weight and it was like lighting a lightbulb above his head because he certainly didn't mind discussing a plan. After he took some time to recover from his bout with Johnny Eduardo and subsequent release from UFC we spoke at length about how I should attack my goals for fitness. I spend more than enough time on the treadmills at the gym already and have been badly neglecting classes - but I knew there was more I needed to know, and who better to ask than a guy who owns a gym, stays in shape and used to run a nutrition company? I knew it was the first step to finding my way into a healthy lifestyle and I could not have been more right.

As soon as Jeff and I started talking about caloric burn and empty calories I knew I had hit a home run. He taught me that your resting caloric burn is generally your weight in kilos multiplied in a simple equation to know how much you need to eat to maintain your current weight. It's simple enough math but when you realize that 500-1000 calories less per day amounts to 1-2 pounds a week things really come into focus. After our discussion he gave me contact information for a trainer who does strength training with many of the Team Curran pros and we decided to meet with him last week. As I walked in to meet Dave Davis for the first time in his speed center I was at least a little nervous, and toting both of my daughters with me.

My mind was racing, looking around me at all the strength related equipment - what kind of brute could be running this ship? Well boy did I feel silly when I met Dave who is one of the nicest guys you could ever come across and a very motivated trainer. We discussed options for frequency of visits and how he could also work up a program for me that I could memorize and do at Jeff's gym as well. Everything else aside his openness and willingness to work with my schedule was phenomenal. His center is a pretty cool place and actually gave me flashbacks to Brock Lesnar's prime time specials prior to his fight with Velasquez.

I'm finally on the necessary course for health and fitness to get in shape safely and healthily under the guidance of two very health savvy gentleman. It makes me wonder where I would be if I had never approached Jeff about weight loss in the first place - because I certainly wouldn't be this far down the path. People tend to consider MMA fighters as brutes who scream "Kill! Death! Murder!" but the fact is guys like Jeff Curran put that presumption to rest in quick fashion. He's not only a fighter searching for his path back to the UFC but a dedicated and motivated teacher and an extremely resourceful guy. Now I continue my quest towards health under the guidance of both Jeff and Dave while furthering my knowledge of MMA through learning the skills these men and women use in the cage.

Follow me on twitter - @BradMMATorch

Jeff Curran as well - @BigFrogBJJ

And Team Curran - @TeamCurranMMA

and last but not least Dave Davis and his speed center - @DavisSpeedCTR

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Aaron Simpson will honor Pat Tillman at UFC on Fuel 4

Aaron Simpson went to Arizona State with NFL player and Army Ranger Pat Tillman. Simpson became friends with Pat's brother Kevin, and Pat and Kevin would come to wrestling meets to support Simpson and the other Sun Devil wrestlers.

"I can remember exactly where I was when I found out Pat was killed, and how I handled it, which wasn't good," Simpson told Cagewriter. To honor Tillman and his legacy, Simpson will wear the number 42 on his fight shorts for his bout with Kenny Robertson at UFC on Fuel 4.

"I want people who don't know him to at least give notice to who he was. Look him up. Honor his family, his wife, and bring more viewership to his foundation, the Pat Tillman Foundation."

Tillman surprised the sporting world when left a promising and lucrative NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals to become an Army Ranger after the September 11th attacks. He was killed in a friendly fire incident in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004.

He went to high school in the San Jose area, where Simpson's fight will take place. It seemed like the perfect time for Simpson to honor Tillman. Kevin agreed.

"I texted Kevin, and he said, 'Pat would really appreciate it. Pat would have loved this,'" Simpson said.

"He didn't want to be known for what he did in serving the military. He was the kind of guy that wasn't about himself or bringing recognition to himself or what he did. He was a team player. I don't want to make too big. In a way, it's a kind of personal thing. I just want to remember him."

The Pat Tillman Foundation gives scholarships to military families. Support them here.

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Tito Ortiz talks about UFC 148, the Hall of Fame and the next chapter

It's going to be an eventful summer for Tito Ortiz, a man who was recognized as one of the most important fighters in the growth of the UFC when the promotion decided to induct him into their Hall of Fame. He will fight Forrest Griffin on July 7 at UFC 148, making it the third time the pair will meet. After that bout, Ortiz plans to retire.

"I've done everything," Ortiz told Cagewriter. "My body has taken the toll. (back injury, acl replacement) My body just can't train, and training is hard on your body, so I wanted to go out on my own terms."

But before retirement, he will fight Griffin. The pair first faced off at UFC 59. It was a close fight won by Ortiz and was considered one of the best fights of 2006. Griffin took the rematch by split decision at UFC 106. Though they've fought each other for six rounds, Ortiz said he still is studying Griffin because it's part of the job.

"Gotta do your homework. I've got to do as much homework as I possibly can. I see mistakes that he does," Ortiz said. "It doesn't matter that it's my last fight. I'm still pushing my hardest."

He was touched by the UFC deciding to make him a Hall-of-Famer.

"It means all the hard work that I did means something. I've worked really hard in this business for 15 years. I've gotten to succeed, to be very successful, at mixed martial arts in the UFC."

Because he has been in the fight game for so long, he has not had as much time to spend with his family as he would like. He has three sons, and is happy the next stage in his life will involve plenty of time with them.

"First thing is being a full-time father. Being with my kids every single day. I'm starting the second chapter of my life, and it's truly about family."

Follow Tito Ortiz on Twitter for more as he prepares for UFC 148.

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Urijah Faber teaches CNN?s Soledad O?Brien about rear naked chokes (VIDEO)

UFC bantamweight contender Urijah Faber stopped by the set of CNN's "The Starting Point" to talk about his new book, "The Laws of the Ring", and ended up tapping out to host Soledad O'Brien. The lessons starts at 1:20 with Faber admitting there are MMA moves that could kill, including a rear naked choke.

Faber is a busy man these days. Michael Chiesa, his fighter the latest season of "The Ultimate Fighter," won the show on Friday night, earning both Chiesa and Faber a Harley-Davidson. He is preparing for a chance at the bantamweight interim belt at UFC 148 and publicizing a book.

If you skipped straight to choke, it's worth your time to go back and watch the first part of the interview. Faber handles the questions well and lets O'Brien choke him out, being careful to mention the honor in tapping out.

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Audio/Video - Full UFC 148 Media Conference call feat. Anderson Silva's tirades

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

The UFC has released the full audio of the media conference call for UFC 148 from Monday, where Anderson Silva unleashed his verbal tirade against rival Chael Sonnen. Listen below in the embedded clip:



Video URL: http://youtu.be/timXwA4hlMA

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Ahead of UFC 148, Randy Couture Believes Tactical Roles Reversed for Silva vs. Sonnen 2

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George Roop out of UFC 149 fight due to injury

Fans in Calgary might want to be careful as they head to the arena for UFC 149, as it appears the injury bug is still very much present in relation to the July 21 card. Earlier today the UFC announced featherweight George Roop was hurt while training for a scheduled fight against Antonio Carvalho and [...]

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Melvin Guillard Defends Greg Jackson?s Alleged Boring Game Plans

Of the 23 Octagon bouts that took place this past weekend between UFC on FX 4 and UFC 148, the hottest topic to emerge was the float-like-a-butterfly-and-hardly-sting-like-a-bee strategy lightweight Clay Guida employed in a decision loss to Gray Maynard. Once again, UFC president Dana White and fans blamed MMA guru Greg Jackson for masterminding another [...]

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Morning Report: UFC.com Hacker Arrested by FBI, Joe Rogan Gets His Black Belt

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Vitor Belfort interested in fight with Michael Bisping, move to light heavyweight

It looks like a rematch between rivals Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva may not be a lock after all. The two talented middleweights were expected to fight at UFC 147 before Belfort suffered a broken hand while training for the bout. While UFC officials pointed to the possibility of the two meeting in October when [...]

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Cain Velasquez does not have a broken hand

In a summer filled with injury after injury to main event fighters, it's pleasant news when a UFC star is not injured.

Word spread on Wednesday from Junior dos Santos' camp that Cain Velasquez had an injured hand. With Velasquez rumored to face JDS at UFC 152 in September, it was appeared to be another UFC main event blown to bits.

However, Velasquez is doing just fine. The former champ's coach, Javier Mendez, confirmed to MMA Fighting that Velasquez's hand is not broken and they are preparing for him to fight on Sept. 22.

Phew. If you're reading this and you're a UFC star, be careful, OK?

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Terry Etim Injured, Jamie Varner Now Fights Joe Lauzon At UFC On Fox 4

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Jamie Varner Replaces Injured Terry Etim Against Joe Lauzon at UFC on FOX 4

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Alistair Overeem 'confident' he'll be licensed for UFC return; declares himself heavyweight number one contender

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What happens when UFC 147 opponents share an elevator? (VIDEO)

During fight weeks, the UFC houses all of its fighters and staff at the same hotel. From Tuesday, when the fighters arrive for pay-per-view events, to Sunday, when they leave, there are plenty of opportunities for awkwardness as opponents see each othe...

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?Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman? Tickets on Sale Today

“Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman” takes place August 18th inside Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California. UFC Fight Club members will have the opportunity to purchase seats for the show today at 1PM ET/10AM PT. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to Strikeforce and UFC Newsletter subscribers on Thursday, June 28th at [...]

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Bellator signs capoeira artist Marcus Aurelio to welterweight roster

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Bellator has signed another competitor to their welterweight division for their upcoming seventh season, as the organization announced on Monday that they have signed Marcus Aurelio. No, not the former UFC lightweight and longtime veteran, the 26-year-old capoeira artist who has won six straight fights since losing his MMA debut in 2005.

"Marcus is an absolute explosive anomaly in our sport," said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney. "If you have never seen him fight, you are missing something totally unique and special. Marcus brings a completely unique style and confidence to the cage that I've never seen before. It will be great to see how his explosive capoeira translates in the Bellator cage."

"I'm really excited to have signed with Bellator," Aurelio said. "I'm happy that they see my potential. I know they have some of the best fighters in the world and I?m ready to prove my worth against top tier competition. This is a huge accomplishment for me and everyone who has helped me get to where I am."

"I feel that my style of fighting is very dynamic and explosive. I certainly don't enter the cage to win on points. It's instinct for me, I'm always looking to finish my opponent. I think it's exciting for the fans."

Aurelio will make his Bellator debut on August 24 at Bellator 73, which takes place from Harrah's Tunica in Tunica Resorts, Mississippi.

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