MMA Quick Hits 7: Mike Goldberg can't say Prodigy Edition

[Pedroia]

Dana said "someone had a irregular test but it wasnt fking Vitor"

I'm trying to like Bisping but it's difficult when he pulls this crap.

[Thumper 88]

haha

[Knockturnal]

Rashad is way more dangerous than Weidman. Rashad has good stand up, and he's big and he can wrestle. I would love to see that fight.

Rashad is a good fighter, but AS would eat him alive. His striking is greatly overrated, he loves to counter strike, but we saw what happened when he fought a real counter striker in Machida.

His only chance is to rely on TD's and LnP, but when Evans can't get it he's lost.

[SLY WILLIAMS]

Rashad looked really bad this weekend. He looked like a shell of the fighter he used to be. I thought he even looked better when he got knocked out vs Machida. He did not seem to have the aggressiveness of the past or the conditioning.

[SLY WILLIAMS]

He put his back against the cage against Bonnar and invited being hit.

I view that as more strategic ploy than wanting to be hit just like when the Diaz brothers do it and Hector Camacho used to do it. For some reason when guys in MMA do that often the other fighter locks up and doesn't throw. Benson Henderson trained for those antics and when Nate did it Benson was ready and dropped him.

I'd love for him to fight Jones. I have little doubt that Jones would beat him because Jones would not live in fear of him. Jones would attack.

[Knockturnal]

World Series of Fighting inks deal with NBC Sports Network, Arlovski vs. Johnson

What started out as a one-off, see-how-it-goes relationship is now a commitment.

The upstart World Series of Fighting today announced a new three-year partnership with NBC Sports Network, which broadcast its inaugural event this past November.

The first event to be televised under the new agreement will take place March 23, as MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) earlier reported, at Revel Casino in Atlantic City, N.J. Sources close to the event said a heavyweight bout between ex-UFC champ Andrei Arlovski (19-9) and Anthony Johnson (14-4) is set as the headliner.

The TV deal calls for a minimum of six events, which will air live and stream on NBCSports.com.

"We are thrilled to call NBC Sports Network the home of World Series of Fighting," stated WSOF President Ray Sefo. "This partnership will allow us to build the World Series of Fighting brand of world-class MMA competition before a dedicated national audience of passionate sports fans and place our athletes on the big stage that they deserve."

WSOF struck a one-fight, time-buy deal with NBC Sports Network this past fall, paying for the right to air its first event, which featured Arlovski vs. Devin Cole in its headliner.

Afterward, WSOF officials were optimistic about a continued relationship, but could not say whether the event would propel the promotion to a long-term deal.

Today's announcement brings the answer to that question.

NBC Sports Network is available in over 80 million households and is the cable TV home of the National Hockey League, Summer and Winter Olympics and Major League Soccer, among other sports properties.

Arlovski and Johnson turned in a highlight-reel performances at WSOF's inaugural event. Johnson knocked out Bellator vet D.J. Linderman, while Arlovski stopped Cole. Both bouts ended in the first round.

For Johnson, the win was his fourth straight since he was released from the UFC after missing weight and then losing to Vitor Belfort at UFC 142. Scheduled to compete at 185 pounds, he was advised by doctors to stop shedding pounds due to dehydration and hit the scales at 197.

Johnson then hit the regional circuit, where he first fought at 195 pounds and then made his debut at light heavyweight, where he has stopped his three past opponents.

Arlovski, who won the UFC title in 2005 and was dethroned one year later, has won four of his past five bouts. A no contest against Tim Sylvia, who took his belt, split his wins.

This past December, Arlovski outpointed Mike Hayes at "Fight Nights: Battle of Moscow 9." He has stopped three of his past five opponents following a four-fight skid that led to his exit from the now-defunct Strikeforce.

AA vs Rumble? Interesting fight, at least we know Rumble will easily make weight.

[SLY WILLIAMS]

I did not even know AA was still fighting. I will watch that fight.

[Rylinkus]

I view that as more strategic ploy than wanting to be hit just like when the Diaz brothers do it and Hector Camacho used to do it. For some reason when guys in MMA do that often the other fighter locks up and doesn't throw. Benson Henderson trained for those antics and when Nate did it Benson was ready and dropped him.

I'd love for him to fight Jones. I have little doubt that Jones would beat him because Jones would not live in fear of him. Jones would attack.

Attacking the best counter puncher we've ever seen in MMA, might not be brilliant. I still think Jones has some holes in his standup. And if there's anyone who can exploit them, it would be Anderson.

[SLY WILLIAMS]

Attacking the best counter puncher we've ever seen in MMA, might not be brilliant. I still think Jones has some holes in his standup. And if there's anyone who can exploit them, it would be Anderson.

I think you are right about Jones having some holes in his game but how many fighters above 150 pounds do not have holes in their game? Some would say that Machida is a world class counter puncher as well but Jones got through him. I do not think AS wants real challenges. I think he wants guys that can not hurt him. I think Jones would beat him in 2 rounds.

[Knockturnal]

I think you are right about Jones having some holes in his game but how many fighters above 150 pounds do not have holes in their game? Some would say that Machida is a world class counter puncher as well but Jones got through him. I do not think AS wants real challenges. I think he wants guys that can not hurt him. I think Jones would beat him in 2 rounds.

I honestly don't see how you came to this conclusion. If there was a history of AS dodging tough competition, I can see your point, but AS has never declined a fight. You're confusing marketable fights with being scare. AS has tried to fight GSP for the longest, but is not AS who's come up with excuses.

A few years ago AS said yes to a fight vs Evans at 205lbs and do you know who declined? It wasn't AS, I'll tell you that much.

[steelcityroller]

World Series of Fighting inks deal with NBC Sports Network, Arlovski vs. Johnson



AA vs Rumble? Interesting fight, at least we know Rumble will easily make weight.

I seen that earlier and was like man if Rumble doesn't make weight....

[Thumper 88]

haha

[steelcityroller]

Mirko Crocop when asked about Alistair Overeem losing to Bigfoot Silva

"Alistair, for the first time since way back in 2007 when he began to gain huge weight, fought without the drugs he had used constantly for years, including testosterone and all the other s--- that goes with it,"

http://www.fightline.com/fl/news/201...mirko-cro-cop/

[Bleacher Bums]

You could tell just looking at Overeem that it was obvious he was on steroids. In this fight he still looked big but not as cut or muscular as he has looked

[steelcityroller]

You gotta see this pic from Overeem vs Bigfoot LOL

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...38959245_n.jpg