UFC on FOX 4 Presser and Highlights

The pre-fight press conference for Saturday's UFC on FOX 4 took place earlier today, and present for the brouhaha was UFC president Dana White and main eventers and co-main eventers Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Lyoto Machida, Brandon Vera and Ryan Bader.� Until I can figure out how to embed video, you're going to have to follow this link to watch it.� The presser itself doesn't start until around the 26-minute mark.� Highlights include:

• White on whether or not the public outcry over announcing that the winner of Shogun vs. Vera would get a title shot caused him any frustration: �"Nope, not at all.� I said it before and I'll say it again: the way that I look at my job is I'm here to give the fans what they want.� They're the ones who decide what they want to see and what they don't want to see.� They weren't thrilled with the just the main event being up for the title shot, then the co-main and main event now are.� Whoever wins the most impressively on Saturday will now get the shot at the title."

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• White on if the performances in the main and co-main event are less than stellar: "If it sucks on Saturday, I'll be the first one standing up here letting you know."

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• Machida on if he'd be interested in a third fight with Shogun: "I think it will be a great opportunity for both of us.� The trilogy will come for me and Shogun for sure."

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• Shogun on a possible third fight with Machida: "I respect a lot Lyoto, and it would be a great opportunity to fight Lyoto.� Maybe in the next TUF season in Brazil.� It would be a dream come true."

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• White on the UFC implementing the ref cam on Saturday night: "I'm still not interested in it? The thing about it is it's great in boxing.� Maybe it'll be fantastic."

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• Vera on if the announcement that his fight could determine who gets the next shot at the title added any pressure: "Everybody's been asking this question, whether or not it means more because there's a title shot on the line.� I don't know what makes you guys think we weren't taking this seriously before, that we weren't going to try to knock the person out that was across from the Octagon from us that evening.� I can't speak for everyone else, but that is after the fact.� That's a bonus."

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• Machida on if he trained with Steven Seagal for this fight: "This camp I did not train with Seagal, but I had a lot of support from my family and from my team.� Maybe I'll have a surprise on Saturday."

Murilo Bustamante  Grant Campbell  Gesias JZ Calvancante  Luiz Cane  Dos Caras Jr  

A Long Day?s Journey Into Fight ? Part 1

The day begins early.� The weigh-ins for Anthony Pipola's fight are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. sharp, and to get to there ? Philadelphia ? from here ? New York City ? in time means at least two hours of navigating rush hour traffic and toll roads.� So we meet at Anthony's coach's place in Queens at 7:00 a.m. and set out, Anthony in the driver's seat and Steve Koepfer, Tyga Maclin and myself along for the ride.� It's Friday.� Ten or so hours after the weigh-ins are the fights ? Matrix Fights, actually, a regional MMA organization maybe one rung below the events you'd see on FOX, Showtime or pay-per-view.� And while the main event features a Bellator veteran and the co-main has a female Strikeforce veteran, somewhere tucked away on the undercard is Anthony's bout.� Anthony is an amateur fighter.� This will be only his second fight.

Nearly every weekend, regardless of whether there's a UFC or Strikeforce or Bellator on television, there's a regional show happening somewhere in the United States.� For Philadelphia there's Matrix Fights, but take a drive down the Atlantic City Expressway and you could catch a Ring of Combat or Cage Fury Fighting Championship, and if you were in California or Florida, it could be a King of the Cage or Art of Fighting.� The common denominator for them all is that each has local fighters, either amateur or pro, on their way up or on their way down, aspiring or expiring.�

Koepfer, a.k.a. "Sambo Steve", runs the school that Anthony trains out of, where Anthony has trained for about a year and a half.� There are others at the school, everyone from weekend warriors to pro fighters, and the weekly team gathering and the sparring it entails has been known to attract a cross-section of former Bellator champs, accomplished amateurs and rising stars.� Tyga, who wrestled at Hunter College, is the school's wrestling coach.� Many amateur fighters have family and friends who come out to see them compete, but the distance between Anthony's neighborhood in Queens and the City of Brotherly Love has made that impossible, so Sambo Steve and Tyga are all he's got.� I'm just here to observe, to see things from the perspective of a fighter.

Snapshot of Anthony: he's not tall, but his broadness offsets his height, giving him the presence of someone strong and physical.� He's a construction worker of sorts, his fulltime job involving working with ConEd to dig up cracked gas mains and repair them, and when he talks of his family ? he's got a wife and three kids ? he beams.� His facial hair leans more towards "why bother shaving with a fight coming up?" than fashion statement.� He didn't sleep much the night before, the accumulating anxiousness making slumber impossible, and that edge of exhaustion and nerves and weight cutting (Anthony is supposed to be 175 pounds; he was 172 when he last checked) is something that lurks close to the surface. �Every once in while he unwraps a Jolly Rancher candy and pops it into his mouth.

"How you feeling?" I ask him after introducing myself from the backseat.

"Good," he says from behind the wheel of his SUV.

"Why'd you take a fight in Philly?" I ask.

"Because they offered it," he says.

For his first fight, which took place in May, Anthony and Sambo Steve drove seven hours to a suburb of Buffalo for a show called TNT Fights.� Under current law, professional MMA competition is illegal in New York State, but the athletic commission has eased up on amateur mixed martial arts, and TNT Fights was New York's first sanctioned amateur MMA event in over a decade.� Unfortunately, other than competing in local underground shows, if Anthony wants to fight it's easier for him to travel to New Jersey and Pennsylvania ? neither of which require as much driving.�

"Wouldn't you rather be fighting in New York?" I ask.

"[Expletive] yeah," he says.� "I'd rather fight in New York.� I'd rather fight on Queens Boulevard.� I work overnight.� [Expletive] this driving to Philly crap."

But we drive.� And drive.� Tyga, whose day job is at one of the Apple Stores in Manhattan, takes a conference call in the backseat.� Sambo Steve plays old television theme songs on his phone, leaving us to guess which shows they're from.� Anthony talks of Japanese MMA ? apparently passion of his.� The mood never once strays from being light.� No one knows anything about the man Anthony is supposed to fight other than that he's from New Jersey and his name is Michael Roberts, and yet the lack of information doesn't seem to bother them.� Then it's 9:30, and we're stuck in traffic on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.� We're late.

Thankfully, when we get to the venue a half hour later, the weigh-ins are still underway.� Unlike other commissions, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission allows for pro/am cards ? fight cards that feature a mix of professional MMA bouts and amateur ones.� The pros slated for tonight's Matrix Fights weighed in the night before.� The amateurs get to do their thing the day of, without fanfare, the commission official telling them to complete some paperwork and step on the scale and that's it.

The venue is a union hall not too far from the heart of the city.� The floor is carpeted, and rows of folding chairs surround the cage that's set up in the middle of a room that could fit somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,500 spectators.� While Anthony weighs in and fills out forms, Sambo Steve and Tyga mingle with other coaches.� A few feet away, one of the female fighters on the card is handed a store-bought pregnancy test to take (standard operating procedure for fighters of the fairer sex).� Some mill about nervously.� Others stare off into space and nod their heads to the music blaring in their headphones.

One hundred seventy-two pounds is Anthony's official weight.� �Andria the matchmaker tells us to come back at 6:00 p.m.� The doors are scheduled to open to the public at 7:00 p.m., and first fight is scheduled for 8:00.� It's only 10:30 a.m. now.

The first order business is to get Anthony some food, so we find him a place that serves breakfast, and eggs, pancakes, oatmeal and freshly-squeezed orange juice are scarfed down.�

The chatter is constant, the talk hovering around Anthony's opponent (no one is completely sure who he was at the weigh-ins ? was he that tall, muscle-bound dude?� Was he the dark-skinned kid with the boxing coach?� Was he even there?).�� It's a funny thing being a fighter's coach on the day of their fight, something akin to having a wife in the beginning stages of child birth.� All the preparation ? whether they're Lamaze breathing techniques or transitions into submissions ? culminates into that one acute moment where the only thing that matters is the thing you're there for, and regardless of whether if it's happening in a delivery room or cage, the focus and singularity of purpose and words of encouragement in the ear are virtually interchangeable.� "You're ready for this," says Sambo Steve, and "Just concentrate on what we worked on," says Tyga, and it's not impossible to imagine those words said to Anthony being said to a woman in the throes of labor.

After our meal we leave Anthony at his car, the idea being that he will nap and rest up.� But that's folly, rest never comes.� Anthony's going to be stepping into the cage in a few hours and stand before someone who wants nothing more than to punch his face in ? how can he sleep?

For lack of nothing better to do, Sambo Steve, Tyga and I are at the movies, and it's there that Anthony finds us killing time.� We watch some art house flick, some tear-jerker that is the farthest thing from violent and motivating and the kind of film that someone with a fight in a few hours would ever want to watch.� Afterwards, we drive over to the venue and sit in the car in the parking lot.

The light mood from hours before has transformed into a tense silence.� Battle is impending.

(End of Part 1.� Tune in tomorrow for Part 2, because, you know, fighting and stuff.)

Edson Drago  Tomasz Drwal Joe Hybrid Duarte Aldrin de Jesus  Todd Duffee 

UFC on Fox 4 comes in a distant second in ratings to the Olympics on NBC

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Saturday's UFC on Fox 4 event saw another dip in viewership for the organization on network television, as the fast overnight ratings have it in at an average of 2.14 million viewers for the two-hour broadcast, according to TVByTheNumbers.com.

That's down from the 2.25 million on average at this stage for UFC on Fox 3 in May, which featured Nate Diaz vs. Jim Miller in the main event. That number eventually adjusted to 2.4 million viewers on average, a significant drop from the first two UFC on Fox events.

Saturday's card, topped by a light heavyweight double feature with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua vs. Brandon Vera and Lyoto Machida vs. Ryan Bader, was still the second-most watched program in the UFC's key demographics, drawing a 1.1 and 4 share in adults 18-49.

Unfortunately for the UFC, Saturday's card was also head-to-head with the Olympics on NBC, which smashed every network by a wide margin, drawing an average of 26 million viewers, as well as a 7.8 rating in the adults 18-49 demo and 27 share.

Penick's Analysis: The Olympics were always going to crush this card, and it certainly didn't help things that Saturday wound up being the final day of swimming, including the final Olympic swim for the most decorated Olympian in history, Michael Phelps. Saturday's card was a fantastically entertaining event, and did feature two former champions in the top two bouts, but they also put Brandon Vera in a main event. In 2012. These types of fights are not going to draw the massive numbers the UFC had expected, and they need to look at the dates they're running as well. They ran up against Cinco de Mayo and one the biggest movie opening weekend ever from The Avengers with UFC on Fox 3, and up against the Olympics here. Some of that is hard or near impossible to anticipate, but there has to be a better job done on the planning side of things to make these Fox cards more of an "event" event for fans.

Kyle Bradley  Jai Bradney  Ebenezer Fontes Braga Chris Brennan Marcelo Brito 

With Emphasis on 'Impressive' Wins, Fans Get Action at UFC on FOX 4

Ebenezer Fontes Braga Chris Brennan Marcelo Brito  Rob Broughton  Mike Brown 

UFC featherweight Chad Mendes wanted for questioning in bar brawl in California

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

UFC featherweight Chad Mendes is being sought for questioning by authorities in his hometown of Hanford, Calif., following a 40-person bar brawl last Saturday in the city, according to The Hanford Sentinel.

Mendes allegedly sucker-punched an individual in the midst of a melee that broke out at the Lacey Inn Bar. After the Gang Task Force arrived to handle the out-breaking brawl, Mendes allegedly began cursing at the authorities when they recognized him and asked him to leave.

According to Assistant Sheriff Dave Putnam, Mendes instead went back into the bar, striking a man who "never even saw him coming." Putnam added, "The victim felt lucky to walk out with just a contusion after being punched by Mendes."

The Sheriff's office has been attempting to contact Mendes since the incident, but have not been able to get a hold of him. If Mendes does not come forward to give a statement on the incident, charges could be filed and an arrest warrant issued.

"If we don't speak with him by Monday, then we'll request that the District Attorney?s Office file charges against him," Putnam said. "Then we can pick him up on an arrest warrant.?

"With his training as a professional fighter, he could be looking at a charge of assault with a deadly weapon," Putnam said. "That's something the District Attorney's Office will have to weigh out when they make their filing decision."

Penick's Analysis: This is certainly not a good situation, but Mendes hasn't given his side of the incident yet, and no charges have officially been filed against him. Being a professional fighter is not going to work in his favor in the event of assault charges, but at the moment he's just being asked for a statement. If they have witnesses who corroborate the sucker-punching story, Mendes is almost assuredly going to face some type of charge, and if he did go in and sucker punch someone, that's a ridiculous and disappointing move from a young and promising competitor.

Lyman Good Gary Goodridge Gerard Gordeau Jonathan Goulet Wilson Gouveia

Mike Swick Doesn?t Know the Meaning of ?Ring Rust?

Two and a half years ago, Mike Swick left the Octagon plagued by medical issues and a shadow of his former self.� But the TUF 1 veteran that entered the cage tonight at UFC on FOX 4 seemed to be every bit the exciting fighter he once was ? and he was more than capable when it came to sealing the deal for the win.

From the outset, the bout between Swick and DaMarques Johnson was a showcase of explosive brutality, with "Quick" cracking Johnson with a right hand that forced the TUF 9 runner-up to consider the wisdom of engaging in any slugfests.� Again and again that right hand landed, but Johnson mixed things up by taking the fight to the ground.� There, he was on top, raining down punishment and attempting submissions while Swick struggled to survive.

Swick, however, was a man determined, and when Round Two began, he caught one of Johnson's kicks, threw him down, and dropped a bomb ? another right hand ? square on Johnson's jaw.� The TUF 9er was out cold at the 1:20 mark of the second round.

With the win, Swick answered a ton of questions in terms of whether or not he could return to form.� He also proved one very important thing: Despite a two-and-a-half year layoff, Mike Swick doesn't know the meaning of the phrase "ring rust".

Edgar Garcia Leonard Garcia Andrew Gardner Tiki Ghosn Dennis George

Dana White breaks down decision to hand Lyoto Machida a title-shot

UFC President Dana White was left with a good problem to have last night when Lyoto Machida and Mauricio Rua both emerged from their respective rumbles at UFC on FOX 4 with a strike-based stoppage in tow. Machida?s came in the second round of his co-headlining clash with Ryan Bader after dropping ?Darth? with a [...]

Mikhail Avetisyan Luiz Azeredo  Luciano Azevedo  Ba Te er  Ryan Bader 

UFC featherweight Chad Mendes wanted for questioning in bar brawl in California

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

UFC featherweight Chad Mendes is being sought for questioning by authorities in his hometown of Hanford, Calif., following a 40-person bar brawl last Saturday in the city, according to The Hanford Sentinel.

Mendes allegedly sucker-punched an individual in the midst of a melee that broke out at the Lacey Inn Bar. After the Gang Task Force arrived to handle the out-breaking brawl, Mendes allegedly began cursing at the authorities when they recognized him and asked him to leave.

According to Assistant Sheriff Dave Putnam, Mendes instead went back into the bar, striking a man who "never even saw him coming." Putnam added, "The victim felt lucky to walk out with just a contusion after being punched by Mendes."

The Sheriff's office has been attempting to contact Mendes since the incident, but have not been able to get a hold of him. If Mendes does not come forward to give a statement on the incident, charges could be filed and an arrest warrant issued.

"If we don't speak with him by Monday, then we'll request that the District Attorney?s Office file charges against him," Putnam said. "Then we can pick him up on an arrest warrant.?

"With his training as a professional fighter, he could be looking at a charge of assault with a deadly weapon," Putnam said. "That's something the District Attorney's Office will have to weigh out when they make their filing decision."

Penick's Analysis: This is certainly not a good situation, but Mendes hasn't given his side of the incident yet, and no charges have officially been filed against him. Being a professional fighter is not going to work in his favor in the event of assault charges, but at the moment he's just being asked for a statement. If they have witnesses who corroborate the sucker-punching story, Mendes is almost assuredly going to face some type of charge, and if he did go in and sucker punch someone, that's a ridiculous and disappointing move from a young and promising competitor.

Murilo Bustamante  Grant Campbell  Gesias JZ Calvancante  Luiz Cane  Dos Caras Jr  

A Long Day?s Journey Into Fight ? Part 2

It's time to go inside the venue. �Anthony, Sambo Steve and Tyga head to a hallway upstairs that will serve as the locker room for them and half the fighters on the card (the locker room for the other half is a hallway downstairs).� I shake Anthony's hand and wish him luck.� As I leave to go to my spot at cageside, his coaches are taking turns reminding him he's ready.

Since Anthony's opponent has sold a fair number of tickets, their bout is moved to later in the card.� In the meantime, other fighters do their thing.� A heavyweight smothers another on the ground and earns a decision.� A wiry submission wizard ties his foe in knots.� A fighter lands a crushing left that earns him a TKO victory.� A woman with purple hair gets out-boxed and loses a decision.� A bantamweight named Julio Arce, a precision instrument honed to a keen edge and sporting an 11-0 amateur record, has his first pro bout, and he's almost surgical in the way he scores a knockout in just under two minutes.� Anthony's got a ways to go before he reaches that level of experience, but when he enters the cage to take on Michael, he's moving one step closer.

Michael and Anthony are now standing across from each other, the classic stand-off, minus the sixguns but complete with cold stares and bad intentions.� Michael is taller with a build like an action figure, and upon his face is a look determination that threatens to wilt those not prepared for it.� With a gesture and a shout, the referee signals for them to begin.

From the outset it's clear Michael's got the edge in striking ? his reach enables him to tag Anthony from a distance, his footwork enables him to maintain range, and his confidence has him firing off salvos at will, forcing Anthony to cover himself with his forearms and absorb the barrage.� What Anthony does have, though, is tenacity, and it comes out in his dogged takedown attempts.� The first few yield no fruit, Michael is able to protect his hips and sprawl out of trouble.� But eventually the New Yorker is successful in putting his opponent on his butt, and in the waning seconds of the first round, Anthony gets Michael down against the cage, rises up and knees him in the chest (think: Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen at UFC 148).� Though the�crowd is certainly partisan and cheering loudly for Michael, it's hard to say who the judges will favor for Round 1; Anthony makes it a little easier for them all in the next frame.�

There's more wrestling, and at one point Michael lowers his hands in anticipation of another takedown attempt and gets cracked in the jaw.� Anthony can't seem to keep Michael down when he puts him there, but by virtue of his success in getting the fight horizontal ? and the number of Matt Hughes-style slams he executes ? he's scoring points.

By the third round, Michael has things figured out, and he's able to avoid Anthony's grasping arms and stay on top.� Anthony's stuck underneath for the duration.� From cageside, Sambo Steve and Tyga shout frantically for their ward to get up, but he's spent, and when the clock runs out it's clear that block of time belonged to Michael.

(In an unexpected funny moment, when Anthony is struggling to get up from below Michael, he blindly swings his arms back and accidently punches the referee in the face.� The ref, Gasper Oliver, laughs about it afterwards.)

The time after the bout ends and before the judges' scorecards are read is always one of activity and emotion.� While doctors rush the cage and examine the combatants, searching for outward signs of trauma and concussion, the coaches are again by their respective warrior's side, alternating between congratulating and managing expectations.� And unless what transpired was anything but a brutal beatdown, there's always questions running through everyone's heads.� Who did enough to win?� Who took which rounds?� It's an impromptu math that overtakes those standing in the cage, and it even draws in those on the other side of the fence.�

At the signal, Oliver grabs the wrists of the two fighters and pulls them to the center.� The announcer, an older gentleman with the kind of big white hair that would paint him as a stock villain in any number of Harry Potter flicks, reads the official scores, his voice going into the microphone in his hand and echoing throughout the union hall.� It's a split decision.� Anthony has won.

The rest of the card breezes by.� Anthony, Sambo Steve and Tyga join me at cageside for the bouts ? their jobs are done, so it's time to relax and take in the sights.��A female Strikeforce veteran in the co-main event�goes down in the second round, the victim of a knockout cross.� A Bellator veteran in the main event gets the job done via relentless jiu-jitsu, but he has to work for it, his opponent fighting him hard every inch of the way.�

And then this installment of Matrix Fights is over, and all that's left is to collect the gear and go home.� Upstairs, the losing half of the main event is emotional over his defeat, and the female Strikeforce vet is shedding tears, too.� But Anthony is happy.� We make our way to the parking lot and join in the exodus.

Outside of Philly we stop at a Wawa for some post-fight grub, scarfing down sandwiches and gulping down drinks.� Anthony gobbles up a quesadilla and an apple turnover ? his victory meal ? and on the ride home we trade stories, the talk trailing off us exhaustion overtakes those of us who didn't fight.� It's past midnight when we get back to New York City, and one by one, Anthony drops us off.� Soon it's just�me and him in the car.

Still buzzing from having fought and won, Anthony shows no signs of being tired, and talks of his family, of food, of the buttermilk pie he makes and its superiority to the one his wife makes.� We pass by a billiards hall.� A�fistfight has spilled out into the street, two shirtless men swinging their arms wildly as a dozen or so others hoot and holler around them.� Anthony drives slowly through the melee, stops the car a half a block up the road, leans out his window, and watches.�

I'm incredulous that he'd have any interest.� After all, only a few hours before he'd fought in a cage, then watched some high-level MMA from cageside.� How could he want more fighting?� But maybe that's the point.� It was a long day's journey just so he could have his second venture into the realm of sanctioned combat, and for Anthony ? just like for any fighter ? it's a constant trek.� He'll have other bouts, other trips to Upstate New York and maybe Pennsylvania again and probably even New Jersey.� Like all who train and slip on the gloves and step into the cage, it's up to him to decide when it truly ends.

He drops me off a few minutes later, and after I congratulate him on his win once more, Anthony continues on.� His journey isn't quite over.

Jim Genia�goes to fights�in person so you don't have to.� Follow him here.

Andre Amade  Dean Amasinger  Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade 

Rousey, Kaufman, Carano ? The World According to Munah

In case you were wondering, female mixed martial arts is still very much alive and kicking.� The latest installment of the Invicta Fighting Championships is this Saturday night, and in August, Strikeforce returns to Showtime with a main event that will feature champ Ronda Rousey attempting to remove challenger Sarah Kaufman's arm in the most painful, non-surgical way possible.� Yep.� Wimmins.� They be fightin'.� So in the spirit of all this impending violence perpetrated by the fairer sex, Cagewriter tracked down 125-pound female fighter Munah Holland, who knocked out Strikeforce veteran Carina Damm two weeks ago at Matrix Fights (a regional show in Philadelphia) to get her perspective on things.� She is, after all, on the front lines.

Things to know about Holland: she's a product of the Tiger Schulmann MMA system, and manages one of the organization's gyms in New Jersey.� In 2004, she won the prestigious Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament, transitioned to professional fighting with Chuck Norris' ill-fated kickboxing promotion the World Combat League, and now fights in the cage, shimmying out of the clutches of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts and feeding them knuckles until they fall.� �In her MMA debut, Holland brutalized Kim Couture for three rounds; more recently, she's KO'd top New England fighter Marianna Kheyfets in Bellator and put away Damm.

That's Holland.� Here's what she had to say about some of her fellow fighters:

On Strikeforce bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey - "Ronda is, I would say, this deliciously deadly, amazing person.� She has something that, when I watch her fight, is incredibly contained, and at the same time, explosive.� It's really fun to watch, and her ground game is sick.� She is definitely a force to be reckoned with, no matter her opponent in front of her.� I can't wait for the upcoming fight between her and Sarah Kaufman ? I think that's going to be a great fight."

On top Strikeforce bantamweight challenger and former champ Sarah Kaufman - "I've watched Sarah for a long time, because as a female martial artist, she was one of the girls I knew about first.� She's got really, really powerful hands ? like, lead in her hands.� She's very dangerous.� She's constantly evolving? got a lot of heart, and like Ronda, she's a force to be reckoned with.� And Sarah has some very good wrestling, so it's going to be interesting, because if Sarah can maintain her wrestling defense and use her hands and use her range, it could be a really interesting fight.� If it stays standing, Sarah can do some damage with her hands.� We haven't really seen Ronda's chin, we don't know how much damage it can take."� Her prediction for the August 18 Strikeforce title fight?� "If it stays standing, Sarah's going to have the advantage.� If it goes to the ground, my gut says Ronda."

On former Strikeforce bantamweight champ Miesha Tate - "I love Miesha.� I once said this out loud and people heard me, but if you have a bum that looks like Miesha's, you've got to plaster it everywhere.� She's beautiful, she's tough as nails.� And that fight with Ronda, that was sick."

On former Strikeforce featherweight champ Gina Carano - "Gina, I think, has done a world of good for female fighting in general.� She's chosen her own path, and gone the way she feels where her future lies.� You have to do whatever it is you have to do in this world to have a life and a good living, but I thank her for exposing female martial artists to the world, and making it important for people to watch and making it exciting for people to watch, and proving that, regardless of whether it's females or males, it's just a great sport to watch.� She proved that the numbers can be there, that the seats can be filled for female mixed martial artists just as they can for men."

On former Strikeforce featherweight champ Cris "Cyborg" Santos ? "Cyborg would scare most grown men away in the cage.� The first time I saw Cris Cyborg, I was like, 'Uh, this woman is just frightening.'� And frightening in a good way.� What a beast.� What a beast of mass proportions.� This girl? frightening strength, amazing ability coming from Chute Boxe, can really take so much.� She's just like a pitbull.� She's just going to keep on coming and keep on coming."

On female MMA pioneer Tara LaRosa - "Long before Gina or Cyborg came into the picture, you'd hear about Tara just making her way through one person after another in the circuit ? especially in New Jersey, where she's got a lot of fans.� For me, she was definitely an inspiration.� We can do it, we can do it really well and with a lot of class."

On hoping to fight in the UFC one day - "Oh yeah.� Some little girls want to grow up and wear pink slippers, but for me, the thought of being in the UFC?� I hope it gets to that point for women, I hope it gets to that point in my MMA lifetime.� We can only hope for that.� Who wouldn't want to be in that arena?"

On Dana White reconsidering his stance on not allowing women in the UFC's Octagon - "I don't know any woman who wouldn't want to see women in the UFC, and I hope Dana White considers that at some point.� Because we'll bring the crowds, we'll fill the seats, and people really enjoy watching it."

Jim Genia tweets here and wrote this book.� So what?

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Ryan Bader prefers second meeting with Jon Jones over Dan Henderson fight

Former Ultimate Fighter winner Ryan Bader knows what is at stake for him tonight against Lyoto Machida. Bader and Machida will collide in the co-main event of UFC on FOX 4. It has been determined that the most convincing winner between the headliner between Mauricio “Shogun” Rua-Brandon Vera and the Bader-Machida will receive the next [...]

Luke Cummo  Jeff Big Frog Curran Dai Shuanghai  Mac Danzig  Karen Darabedyan

Three stars from full week of MMA: Chris Weidman, Nate Marquardt and Jason High

With UFC on Fuel 4 and Strikeforce: Kennedy vs. Rockhold in one week, the MMA world had plenty of great performances to choose from. Who rose above the rest to be a star? Here are Cagewriter's choices. Tell us yours in the comments, on Facebook or on Twitter.

No. 1 star -- Chris Weidman: With title-shot implications hanging over his bout with Mark Munoz, Weidman wanted to make a statement. He made a clear one with a second-round elbow that knocked Munoz out.

No. 2 star -- Nate Marquardt: A year ago, he was unemployed after out-of-whack testosterone levels forced him out of a UFC bout. Now, he's the Strikeforce welterweight champion due to a memorable fourth-round knockout of Tyron Woodley. Today, you spell redemption N-A-T-E.

No. 3 star -- Jason High: Strikeforce showed almost every fight from Saturday night's card. Every fight, except High's 26-second submission of Nate Moore by guillotine. It wouldn't have taken much to squeeze in a minute of fighting, but they didn't. Instead, check out the play-by-play from MMA Junkie to find out what happened:

After High landed a pair of leg kicks, Moore opted to shoot for a takedown. But when he did, High took quick advantage and latched onto Moore's neck with a guillotine. Seconds later, that was all she wrote ? Moore was forced to tap.

It was High's seventh win in a row.

Shane The Engineer Carwin  Jason Hollywood Chambers Ryo Piranha Chonan  Dan The Sandman Christison  Logan The Pink Pounder Clark 

Rory MacDonald suffers cut, out of UFC 152 bout with B.J. Penn

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

B.J. Penn's return to action may be in jeopardy, as the fighter he chose to return against is out of their bout at UFC 152. UFC President Dana White, speaking to reporters after the post-fight press conference for UFC on Fox 4 on Saturday night, revealed that Rory MacDonald has been forced out of their bout after suffering a major cut in training.

Per White, via several reporters on Twitter, revealed that MacDonald suffered a gash to his forehead while training, and he won't be healed in time to take the bout on Sept. 22.

That leaves Penn without an opponent at the moment, and there's no word on a replacement. The bout was to have been his first since losing to Nick Diaz last October, and now his return is in doubt. He had retired after the loss to Diaz, but the bout with MacDonald was one that intrigued him and got him to return to action.

Penick's Analysis: I honestly don't know where they go from here with Penn. He could delay his return to action and wait for MacDonald to heal up if that's the fight that he wants to take. Or, he could take a different opponent on the card, but who that would be at this point is hard to say. Would he take a fight with Siyar Bahadurzada? Doubtful. Would a rematch with Diego Sanchez interest him? Perhaps. Will the UFC break up a different bout to put a more interesting fight together? Maybe. It's hard to say what's going to happen next, and this is just really unfortunate news tonight.

Manvel Gamburyan Sean Gannon Edgar Garcia Leonard Garcia Andrew Gardner

Chris Weidman?s big win and more pictures from UFC on Fuel 4

Check out the gallery from Tracy Lee of pictures from UFC on Fuel 4. See Chris Weidman's big win, Aaron Simpson's welterweight debut and the rest of the action from the fights.

Lee Hasdell Musse Hasselvall Daiki DJ taiki Hata He Peng David Heath

Dana White: Nick Diaz not getting Anderson Silva fight, bout "makes no sense in any universe"

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

"No. No. Alright, so, you lost at 170 lbs. to Carlos Condit, you were fighting for a shot at the 170 lb. title. Losing at 170 does not give you the opportunity to fight the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world at 185 lbs. You know, would Nick Diaz against Anderson Silva be fun and interesting and whatever? Absolutely. Any time Nick Diaz or Anderson Silva steps in there, it's fun and exciting. It just makes no sense in any universe."

-UFC President Dana White closes the door on Nick Diaz getting a fight with Anderson Silva in an interview with MMAHeat's Karyn Bryant (transcribed by BloodyElbow.com).

Penick's Analysis: White's reasoning is pretty funny considering the recent records of the men vying for a Light Heavyweight Title shot on Saturday night at UFC on Fox 4, but I digress. He's not wrong, and Diaz from a sporting perspective absolutely doesn't deserve a fight with Silva at this stage in their respective careers. Still, It would be an interesting bout were it to happen, and one lots of fans would certainly be willing to plop money down for, but it was never a truly realistic option for Diaz in his next fight. He'll need to pick up a win when he returns from suspension, and then he and his camp can talk about a big money featured matchup.

[Nick Diaz art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

Vitor Belfort  Robert Berry David Bielkheden Michael Bisping  Dan Bobish

Dana White on Overeem-JDS

Jon Fitch Kenny Florian Jesse Forbes Xavier Foupa Pokam Hermes Franca

B.J. Penn wants to move Rory MacDonald bout to UFC 153 in Rio, MacDonald eyes UFC 154 in Montreal

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

News of an injury to Rory MacDonald hit on Saturday night, a cut above his eyebrow that took him out of his UFC 152 bout with B.J. Penn. The cut was sustained while sparring, and required 38 stitches, according to MacDonald's manager Lex McMahon, who revealed the extent of the injury in an interview with MMAFighting.com's Ariel Helwani.

"Rory sustained an injury during sparring resulting in a significant gash above his right eye," McMahon said. "Rory immediately saw a doctor who administered 38 stitches. The significance and location of the would would make it impossible for Rory to train for a sustained period."

MacDonald would like to simply postpone their fight, but that will depend on how long Penn is willing to wait out of action. In comments on his own personal site, Penn revealed he'd be willing to keep the fight together for UFC 153 in Rio de Janeiro.

"I am sorry to hear about the injury to Rory, this is a fight that got me out of retirement and one that I was looking forward to," Penn said. "I would like to wish Rory a speedy and healthy recovery and request a postponement of our fight to the Rio card."

"To Rory, let's stay with VADA and continue through with the program from now until we fight!"

However, because the cut will not allow him to train for some time, MacDonald is targeting his return for UFC 154 in Montreal, and McMahon hopes Penn is willing to hold out a little longer to keep the fight.

Said McMahon, "We have notified the UFC that Rory will be ready to fight in November and requested that if it works for the UFC, and B.J. will agree, that Rory would love to fight B.J. on Nov. 17 in Montreal."

Penick's Analysis: Well, Penn holding out for MacDonald's return would shore up any issue of Penn finding a replacement for UFC 152. That's a definite blow to that card if Penn is gone, but with MacDonald being the man he'd like to face, he may be more willing to hold out for his return. Whether he's willing to hold out more than a month remains to be seen, but if he does hold out until the Montreal card, that event will feature three major fights in the welterweight division.

[B.J. Penn art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

Kultar Gill Allan Goes Takanori The Fireball Kid Gomi Akihiro Gono Gabriel Gonzaga

A Long Day?s Journey Into Fight ? Part 1

The day begins early.� The weigh-ins for Anthony Pipola's fight are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. sharp, and to get to there ? Philadelphia ? from here ? New York City ? in time means at least two hours of navigating rush hour traffic and toll roads.� So we meet at Anthony's coach's place in Queens at 7:00 a.m. and set out, Anthony in the driver's seat and Steve Koepfer, Tyga Maclin and myself along for the ride.� It's Friday.� Ten or so hours after the weigh-ins are the fights ? Matrix Fights, actually, a regional MMA organization maybe one rung below the events you'd see on FOX, Showtime or pay-per-view.� And while the main event features a Bellator veteran and the co-main has a female Strikeforce veteran, somewhere tucked away on the undercard is Anthony's bout.� Anthony is an amateur fighter.� This will be only his second fight.

Nearly every weekend, regardless of whether there's a UFC or Strikeforce or Bellator on television, there's a regional show happening somewhere in the United States.� For Philadelphia there's Matrix Fights, but take a drive down the Atlantic City Expressway and you could catch a Ring of Combat or Cage Fury Fighting Championship, and if you were in California or Florida, it could be a King of the Cage or Art of Fighting.� The common denominator for them all is that each has local fighters, either amateur or pro, on their way up or on their way down, aspiring or expiring.�

Koepfer, a.k.a. "Sambo Steve", runs the school that Anthony trains out of, where Anthony has trained for about a year and a half.� There are others at the school, everyone from weekend warriors to pro fighters, and the weekly team gathering and the sparring it entails has been known to attract a cross-section of former Bellator champs, accomplished amateurs and rising stars.� Tyga, who wrestled at Hunter College, is the school's wrestling coach.� Many amateur fighters have family and friends who come out to see them compete, but the distance between Anthony's neighborhood in Queens and the City of Brotherly Love has made that impossible, so Sambo Steve and Tyga are all he's got.� I'm just here to observe, to see things from the perspective of a fighter.

Snapshot of Anthony: he's not tall, but his broadness offsets his height, giving him the presence of someone strong and physical.� He's a construction worker of sorts, his fulltime job involving working with ConEd to dig up cracked gas mains and repair them, and when he talks of his family ? he's got a wife and three kids ? he beams.� His facial hair leans more towards "why bother shaving with a fight coming up?" than fashion statement.� He didn't sleep much the night before, the accumulating anxiousness making slumber impossible, and that edge of exhaustion and nerves and weight cutting (Anthony is supposed to be 175 pounds; he was 172 when he last checked) is something that lurks close to the surface. �Every once in while he unwraps a Jolly Rancher candy and pops it into his mouth.

"How you feeling?" I ask him after introducing myself from the backseat.

"Good," he says from behind the wheel of his SUV.

"Why'd you take a fight in Philly?" I ask.

"Because they offered it," he says.

For his first fight, which took place in May, Anthony and Sambo Steve drove seven hours to a suburb of Buffalo for a show called TNT Fights.� Under current law, professional MMA competition is illegal in New York State, but the athletic commission has eased up on amateur mixed martial arts, and TNT Fights was New York's first sanctioned amateur MMA event in over a decade.� Unfortunately, other than competing in local underground shows, if Anthony wants to fight it's easier for him to travel to New Jersey and Pennsylvania ? neither of which require as much driving.�

"Wouldn't you rather be fighting in New York?" I ask.

"[Expletive] yeah," he says.� "I'd rather fight in New York.� I'd rather fight on Queens Boulevard.� I work overnight.� [Expletive] this driving to Philly crap."

But we drive.� And drive.� Tyga, whose day job is at one of the Apple Stores in Manhattan, takes a conference call in the backseat.� Sambo Steve plays old television theme songs on his phone, leaving us to guess which shows they're from.� Anthony talks of Japanese MMA ? apparently passion of his.� The mood never once strays from being light.� No one knows anything about the man Anthony is supposed to fight other than that he's from New Jersey and his name is Michael Roberts, and yet the lack of information doesn't seem to bother them.� Then it's 9:30, and we're stuck in traffic on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.� We're late.

Thankfully, when we get to the venue a half hour later, the weigh-ins are still underway.� Unlike other commissions, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission allows for pro/am cards ? fight cards that feature a mix of professional MMA bouts and amateur ones.� The pros slated for tonight's Matrix Fights weighed in the night before.� The amateurs get to do their thing the day of, without fanfare, the commission official telling them to complete some paperwork and step on the scale and that's it.

The venue is a union hall not too far from the heart of the city.� The floor is carpeted, and rows of folding chairs surround the cage that's set up in the middle of a room that could fit somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,500 spectators.� While Anthony weighs in and fills out forms, Sambo Steve and Tyga mingle with other coaches.� A few feet away, one of the female fighters on the card is handed a store-bought pregnancy test to take (standard operating procedure for fighters of the fairer sex).� Some mill about nervously.� Others stare off into space and nod their heads to the music blaring in their headphones.

One hundred seventy-two pounds is Anthony's official weight.� �Andria the matchmaker tells us to come back at 6:00 p.m.� The doors are scheduled to open to the public at 7:00 p.m., and first fight is scheduled for 8:00.� It's only 10:30 a.m. now.

The first order business is to get Anthony some food, so we find him a place that serves breakfast, and eggs, pancakes, oatmeal and freshly-squeezed orange juice are scarfed down.�

The chatter is constant, the talk hovering around Anthony's opponent (no one is completely sure who he was at the weigh-ins ? was he that tall, muscle-bound dude?� Was he the dark-skinned kid with the boxing coach?� Was he even there?).�� It's a funny thing being a fighter's coach on the day of their fight, something akin to having a wife in the beginning stages of child birth.� All the preparation ? whether they're Lamaze breathing techniques or transitions into submissions ? culminates into that one acute moment where the only thing that matters is the thing you're there for, and regardless of whether if it's happening in a delivery room or cage, the focus and singularity of purpose and words of encouragement in the ear are virtually interchangeable.� "You're ready for this," says Sambo Steve, and "Just concentrate on what we worked on," says Tyga, and it's not impossible to imagine those words said to Anthony being said to a woman in the throes of labor.

After our meal we leave Anthony at his car, the idea being that he will nap and rest up.� But that's folly, rest never comes.� Anthony's going to be stepping into the cage in a few hours and stand before someone who wants nothing more than to punch his face in ? how can he sleep?

For lack of nothing better to do, Sambo Steve, Tyga and I are at the movies, and it's there that Anthony finds us killing time.� We watch some art house flick, some tear-jerker that is the farthest thing from violent and motivating and the kind of film that someone with a fight in a few hours would ever want to watch.� Afterwards, we drive over to the venue and sit in the car in the parking lot.

The light mood from hours before has transformed into a tense silence.� Battle is impending.

(End of Part 1.� Tune in tomorrow for Part 2, because, you know, fighting and stuff.)

Ryan Gracie Peter Graham Forrest Griffin Tyson Griffin Karn Grigorian

UFC ON FOX 4 LIVE RESULTS: Penick's round by round coverage of "Shogun vs. Vera" event

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

UFC ON FOX 4: "SHOGUN" VS. VERA
AUGUST 4, 2012
LIVE FROM LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Link to Rich Hansen's Preliminary Card Report: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_PPVs_6/article_14027.shtml

-Curt Menefee opens up the Fox broadcast, then they moved to a nice opening video package narrated by Ving Rhames to set the stage for tonight's broadcast. Menefee is joined by Randy Couture and Brian Stann on the desk in the arena, and they run down the fights coming during tonight's broadcast.

[Commercial Break]

-After break, they send down to Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan, who update viewers on the issues that have plagued Mike Swick in the last couple of years, keeping him out of action. We get the behind-the-scenes video packages instead of the typical PPV black and white talking head interviews. It's a great change from the norm.

[Commercial Break]

FIGHT ONE: MIKE SWICK VS. DAMARQUES JOHNSON (WELTERWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Swick engaged first from the outside, but Johnson blocked the attack. Swick connected on a big overhand right that rocked Johnson, but Johnson grabbed a clinch and recovered. Swick connected again with the right, but Johnson took that one better. Johnson backed Swick up and tried to unleash, but his attacks were blocked. Johnson landed a good right in close. They exchanged strikes. Johnson powered Swick down and got into his guard. He landed a hard elbow and tried to pass, but was held in guard. Johnson landed more strikes from the top. Swick kicked Johnson off and ate a couple strikes as he tried to get up. Swick started connecting on some big shots, then Johnson connected back as they just swung wildly at each other. Johnson then grabbed a clinch and took Swick down again. Johnson worked to the full mount. Swick tried to roll out, but Johnson stayed on him. Johnson landed a big elbow and several strikes. Johnson tried to take his back, but Swick managed to avoid that. Johnson then tried to set up for the D'Arce choke. He didn't have it locked on, and Swick survived, regaining guard. Johnson landed a couple of big elbows. He got in a couple more strikes before the round ended.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Johnson. Hectic, crazy, sloppy, fun first round there. Johnson's ground work and strikes landed standing took the round, but Swick hit him with some big shots.

ROUND TWO: Johnson was smiling to start the second round. Swick landed the first right. They traded punches. Swick landed a good counter left as Johnson missed a strike. Johnson was winging sloppy punches that were being swung aside. He threw a kick that was caught. Swick put him on his back, then knocked him out cold with a huge diving strike onto the ground. He added two unnecessary shots with him out cold. Herb Dean slow on the reaction. That's Swick's first win in over three years.

WINNER: Swick via KO at 1:20 of the second round

STAR RATING: (***-) That was really fun and violent, but really sloppy. Johnson was leaving himself open to those counter-punches all fight, and Swick pounced on the first opening he was given. It was a big, needed win for him, and in Johnson's case he put forth an entertaining fight, keeping his spot on the roster safe for now.

-Video packages hit for Jamie Varner and Joe Lauzon to set the stage for their bout.

[Commercial Break]

FIGHT TWO: JOE LAUZON VS. JAMIE VARNER (LIGHTWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Varner looked to engage early, popping in and out with strikes that Lauzon mostly blocked. Varner landed a big left to the body and popped away. Varner landed a good body kick as Lauzon tried to engage. Varner rocked Lauzon with a big overhand right, but Lauzon recovered. Lauzon landed a couple of strikes in close and hurt Varner briefly with a knee. Varner connected on a short hook. Varner went for a flying knee but Lauzon blocked it. Lauzon connected on a couple of strikes. Varner landed a good body kick. He landed a couple more strikes. Varner connected on a few more that Lauzon tried to block. Lauzon landed a short combo that pressed Varner back. Varner slowed down, but he continued to attack as Lauzon came in. Lauzon landed a right. Varner knocked Lauzon down with a big punch and dropped into his guard. Lauzon tried to lock on an inverted armbar, but Varner got free. He ended the round with a couple of knees to the body as Lauzon went to a turtled position. Good round.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Varner. He was at risk of losing that one as he significantly slowed throughout the round, but the knockdown took it back for him. He's got to avoid fading here, though.

ROUND TWO: Lauzon moved forward to kick off the second round, but Varner looked to have recovered some of his energy. He landed a couple of early kicks as he circled on the outside. He threw a nice combo with a couple getting through. He landed a nice counter as Lauzon rushed in. He landed another overhand left. Varner landed a couple of jabs. He got in good leg kick that nearly tripped Lauzon. Lauzon continued to move forward, though. Varner landed a hard body punch and a good knee behind it. He landed an elbow in tight. Varner nearly tried a takedown, but didn't pursue it. Lauzon went for a takedown, but Varner grabbed for a guillotine. Lauzon escaped and went for a rear naked choke, but Varner stood up with him on his back and got free. Crazy exchange. Varner landed a nice left. He landed a hard combination again with Lauzon covering up. Varner connected on several more vicious body shots. He continued lighting Lauzon's body up. Lauzon rushed at him and got him to the ground. He started landing strikes on the ground, but Varner worked back to his feet. Lauzon held the clinch and tried to bring him back down. He got his back again on the ground and pulled him down. Varner defended the rear naked choke. Lauzon transitioned to the mount. Varner was clearly exhausted, but continued defending. Varner escaped and wound up on top. Ending the round with elbows.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Lauzon. He was getting out-struck massively the first three minutes of the round, but he turned it around in a big way on an exhausted Varner.

ROUND THREE: Action was halted early as Varner started without a mouthpiece. They restarted with Varner landing a couple of elbows. Lauzon shot in, but Varner held him off. Varner scored a takedown and put Lauzon on his back. He passed to half guard. Lauzon then swept him and got to his feet. Varner landed a big combination. They traded jabs. Varner threw a few hard elbows. He shot in again and scored another takedown, but Lauzon swept him. Varner rolled through and then Lauzon caught him in a triangle choke. Varner tried to fight it off, but Lauzon finished the choke and forced the tap. Holy hell, that was an awesome, awesome fight.

WINNER: Lauzon via submission (triangle choke) at 2:44 of the third round

STAR RATING: (****) That's an easy "Fight of the Year" candidate. The clear cardio issues will drag it down for some, but this was a more technically sound version of the famous Forrest Griffin-Stephan Bonnar back and forth on the first Ultimate Fighter Finale event. Varner was blasting Lauzon with power punches, but Lauzon stayed in there and worked in some fantastic grappling exchanges as well. That was just a fantastic fight, and exactly the type of thing the UFC wants to show off to fans on Fox.

-The video packages for Lyoto Machida and Ryan Bader air.

[Commercial Break]

FIGHT THREE: LYOTO MACHIDA VS. RYAN BADER (LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Machida patiently took the center of the cage as Bader circled around the outside. Machida landed a quick side kick to the leg. Bader rushed in and ate a knee to the body, but connected on a few body punches of his own before backing out. Machida landed a fast, powerful kick to the body. Machida landed another hard knee as Bader tried to engage. The knee landed again, and it continued to keep Bader on the outside. Bader tried to run in with punches and Mahcida stepped aside. Machida started getting more comfortable and moved his hands around a bit. He landed a nice right as he side-stepped Bader again. Machida threw a couple of front kicks that Bader was able to block. Machida landed a nice right to the jaw with perfect timing. Bader missed another swinging right. He got tagged by another right from Machida. Machida landed a nice elbow as Bader got in close for a clinch. Machida separated and landed another straight kick. Machida went for a high kick but Bader was just out of range. Machida landed the short elbow in again, then another body kick. He got in one more punch before the round ended.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Machida. Not enough damage for a 10-8, but that was a dominant round for Machida. He's got Bader completely out-classed on the feet right now.

ROUND TWO: Machida landed a leg kick early. The crowd chanted loudly for Machida. Machida landed a hard right as Bader briefly clinched. Machida knocked Bader down and out with a huge right as Bader tried to rush in. That was only a matter of time. Machida's style was a nightmare for Bader.

WINNER: Machida via KO at 1:32 of the second round

STAR RATING: (**+) Fantastic performance from Machida. He was clearly the better fighter, had Bader out-classed on the feet, and ended the fight in spectacular fashion. I just can't see a loss to Dan Henderson and a win over Brandon Vera for Shogun making him leapfrog Machida here for the title shot.

[Commercial Break]

-Randy Couture and Brian Stann discuss the main event bout before throwing back down to Goldberg and Rogan to discuss the main event. Final video packages are next, and the main event comes after the break. They may be running over time tonight, as this main event is a five-rounder.

MAIN EVENT FIGHT FOUR: MAURICIO "SHOGUN" RUA VS. BRANDON VERA (LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Vera threw a couple of early kicks to the body on Shogun. Shogun caught a kick from Vera and took him to the ground quickly. He dragged him from the cage as Vera tried to post up. Shogun tried to pass but Vera held him in half guard for a time. Shogun managed to edge to side control, but Vera made him work for it. Vera scrambled and Shogun grabbed for a guillotine. He landed a hard knee to the body, but Vera got to his feet and threw a couple of kicks high. Shogun grabbed a clinch. Vera grabbed for a guillotine and dropped down. Shogun finally worked out and landed an elbow in Vera's guard. Shogun landed a nice right and passed to half guard. Shogun landed some hard punches that hurt Vera, but Vera recovered and stopped the assault. Shogun again passed to side control. He got Vera's back and got both hooks in with 40 seconds left. He landed some strikes to the head, and Vera tried to defend. Shogun rode out the round in that position.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Shogun. Close to a 10-8, but not quite enough offensively from Shogun. Still, he controlled position the entire round, save for the guillotine attempt.

ROUND TWO: Shogun landed a trip kick to Vera, then landed a couple of hard strikes that hurt Vera. Vera was reeling on the cage and Shogun tried to tee off. Vera recovered enough to fire back and he survived the attack. He landed a hard elbow to Shogun that slowed him for a moment. They traded strikes and Vera landed a left. Vera landed a few strikes, ending with a body kick. He landed a kick to the thigh. Vera landed left, then Shogun hurt him with another right and went back to the knees. Shogun grabbed a headlock and brought Vera down. He landed some more strikes but Vera worked to his feet. Shogun landed two big punches. Shogun landed another right, then got hit by an elbow from Vera. They clinched and traded knees to the body. Vera then scored a takedown of his own. Vera landed some shoulder strikes, but he didn't look to advance further than that. He rode out the round on top.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Shogun. Vera did get in some good offense down the stretch, but I don't think it was enough to offset the damage he took early. Really close round though.

ROUND THREE: Vera rushed in early and landed a couple of strikes before initiating a clinch. Shogun turned him around and they traded knees on the cage. Vera separated with a knee but tumbled back a bit. Shogun walked him down and landed a couple of hard strikes. Vera landed a good thigh kick after some body punches. Shogun landed a good left. Shogun grabbed a headlock and landed a knee that dropped Vera down. We're officially at the overrun of the broadcast as well. The action stalled until Shogun stood and landed an uppercut and a knee on the ground. Vera got to his feet and landed a couple of nice strikes. Vera landed another combo. Shogun landed a hard right. Vera landed a big combo that sent Shogun to the cage. He went for a knee, then Shogun grabbed a clinch and scored a takedown. Shogun tried to move to mount, but Vera held on. Shogun landed some strikes in half guard. Shogun rode out the round on top.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Shogun. He's getting tired right now, but he's still ahead. Vera's getting more offense in as the fight wears on, but he's falling shy of what he needs to do here.

ROUND FOUR: Vera landed a hard body kick. He got clipped by a right as he walked in. He landed a couple kicks and a knee to the body. Shogun landed a hard left, then tried for another takedown, but got stuffed. Shogun landed a couple of nice knees. Vera tried to get in some knees, but Shogun had him out of position. The crowd got a little restless with the clinch. They traded a few strikes. Shogun landed a nice uppercut. They battled a bit in the clinch. They finally separated. Shogun landed a huge combination. Vera was hurt, Shogun dropped him with more strikes and finished him on the ground. Needed finish from Shogun after a grueling battle.

WINNER: Shogun via TKO at 4:09 of the fourth round

STAR RATING: (***-) Another good fight on this card, and one of Vera's gutsiest performances in years. He got hurt badly throughout the fight, but he was still coming back with strikes and landed some big shots on Shogun as well. It was a grueling affair as they were very tired by the fourth round, but Shogun pulled it out with a big finish when he needed it.

-Dana White comes in to announce the next 205 lb. challenger after Dan Henderson. White said Machida looked the most impressive tonight, and said he seemed like he had the fire inside him to get the shot and that he wants the title shot, and he's going to get the shot.

Keith Hackney Matt Hamill Volk Han Joachim Hansen Antoni Hardonk

UFC on FOX 4 Post-Fight Videos

Yoji Anjo  Ao Hailin  Shinya Aoki  Andrei Arlovski  Ricardo Arona