http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/22/Ufc98poster.jpg

UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida is an upcoming mixed martial arts event to be held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on May 23, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Fights
Main Card
Light Heavyweight Championship bout: Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida
Welterweight bout: Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra
Middleweight bout: Xavier Foupa-Pokam vs. Drew McFedries
Middleweight bout: Chael Sonnen vs. Dan Miller
Lightweight bout: Sean Sherk vs. Frank Edgar


Preliminary Card
Welterweight bout: Brock Larson vs. Chris Wilson
Heavyweight bout: Pat Barry vs. Tim Hague
Lightweight bout: Phillipe Nover vs. Kyle Bradley
Light Heavyweight bout: Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Andre Gusmao
Welterweight bout: Yoshiyuki Yoshida vs. Brandon Wolff
Lightweight bout: Dave Kaplan vs. George Roop
(http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=eventDetail.FightCard&eid=2001)

Dana White UFC 98 Video Blog - 5/20 & 5/21
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Countdown to UFC 98
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Dana White UFC 98 Video Blog - 5/18/09
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Dana White UFC 98 Video Blog - 5/19/09
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Lyoto Machida - Countdown to UFC 98, Karate
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Hughes vs Serra - The Verbal Battle Continues
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Matt Serra UFC 98 Video Blog - Day 2
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Matt Serra UFC 98 Video Blog - Day 2
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Matt Serra UFC 98 Video Blog - Day 1
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this is a fight that i really could give a **** less about.

I have a feelin that the Serra fight will be called off. God really doesn't wanna see this fight happen.

i think Machida will win, but Rashad will put up a great effort in defeat

Even though I dont think Machida will ever lose. Im going for Rashad still. I like Rashad more than Machida.

I like Machida in this fight, Evans is damn solid though so you can't count him out.

This card is pretty bad. What the hell is Irvin doing on the main card?

Evans got outstruck by Griffin. I really dont see him being able to figure out Machida. This fight could be potentially embarassing for Evans.

no way "sugar" gets by machida, lyoto might even finish him

evans decisioned by machida [bore fest]
serra submitted by hughes [to sleep i hope]
irvin koed by mcfedries [brutal ko]
edgar decisioned by sherk [technical shootout]
miller koed by okami [3rd rd wakeup ko]

evans decisioned by machida [bore fest]
serra submitted by hughes [to sleep i hope]
irvin koed by mcfedries [brutal ko]
edgar decisioned by sherk [technical shootout]
miller koed by okami [3rd rd wakeup ko]

i'm gonna change my username to darthrapist

I'm excited for this one! Machida and Rashad are both, in my eyes, the #1 and #2 205lb. fighters in the world yet no one gives them the credit they deserve. Tough one to call...Machida's hard to take down and fights off his back well, whereas Rashad's got good striking and very good wrestling...iunno, I'd think Machida but i can definitely see where Rashad could give em trouble.

A few years back i would have said Hughes would take Serra down and Ground and pound him out no problem but nowadays iunno...Serra could always land a big shot or catch em off his back, which he's good at doing.

Other than that....GOOOOO SHERK!!!!!

JAMES IRVIN OFF UFC 98 WITH KNEE INJURY (http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8683&zoneid=13)

Light heavyweight James Irvin will not make his UFC return as scheduled, MMAWeekly.com has learned.

In an appearance on MMAWeekly Radio Wednesday night, Irvin's manager, Mike Roberts of MMA Inc., said his client had suffered a torn meniscus in training and will not be able to face Drew McFedries at UFC 98.

The May 23 fight was to be Irvin's first since a suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission barred him from professional competition for nine months. Irvin tested positive for painkillers methadone and oxymorphone following a bloody loss to Anderson Silva at the UFC's quickly assembled UFC Fight Night 14 last July. The 30-year-old Sacramento resident admitted his use of the drugs in a letter to the NSAC prior to the formal suspension.

The injury will keep Irvin out an additional five weeks, said Roberts.

A replacement opponent has not yet been found for McFedries. The Miletich fighter's back is against the wall for the May fight, having suffered two consecutive losses with a 3-4 UFC record. His professional record stands at 7-5

Rocky Marciano
Floyd Mayweather Jr
Paul Williams
Hozumi Hasegawa
Manny Pacquiao
Thomas Hearns

why did you post up my favorite boxers?


JAMES IRVIN OFF UFC 98 WITH KNEE INJURY

Irvin is doo doo anyways. He talked all that mess to get owned by one punch. He got punched once and stiffened up. He didn't even try to shrimp up on the ground or anything. He is garbage, should have stuck to football.

Okami better knock Miller out. Then go up to Dana and ***** slap his ass for not giving him, his deserved title shot. ****in 8-1 in the UFC. KOed a past UFC champion, owned Swick on the ground, and only lost to Franklin. C'mon already Dana, give him his shot, you prick.

why did you post up my favorite boxers?




Irvin is doo doo anyways. He talked all that mess to get owned by one punch. He got punched once and stiffened up. He didn't even try to shrimp up on the ground or anything. He is garbage, should have stuck to football.

Okami better knock Miller out. Then go up to Dana and ***** slap his ass for not giving him, his deserved title shot. ****in 8-1 in the UFC. KOed a past UFC champion, owned Swick on the ground, and only lost to Franklin. C'mon already Dana, give him his shot, you prick.

Fa sho. Okami is just what Machida was, a very good but not very exciting fighter. Okami needs to score a nice KO like Machida did against a good name and he will get his shot. I'm personally waiting for it.

But Okami hasn't had anywhere near the competition that Machida has had during his UFC run. Okami's biggest wins are against a former champion who hadn't fought in 2 years and hadn't been training all that much during his time away. And the other is a DQ against Silva. Other than that he has only been able to stop Kalib Starnes and Rory Singer in the UFC and took until the 3rd rounds to do so, and the rest have been pretty boring uneventful points victories. He's more like Kongo, in that he's deserving in a sense of him having a load of fights in the UFC but not quite getting that signature win that says he's deserving of a title shot. If he had beaten Franklin then he woulda got one, but he didn't. Hell he was still given a title shot but that went to Cote when he got injured. Plus after Silva's last fight I wouldn't want to see 5 rounds of Okami trying his best not to engage in anything offensive while Silva practices his dance moves.

What's the deal with everyone talking about Serra and lucky shots? Isn't this guy a BJJ expert?

Ed Herman agrees to replace Yushin Okami in UFC 98 bout with Dan Miller (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14740/ed-herman-agrees-to-replace-yushin-okami-in-ufc-98-bout-with-dan-miller.mma)

Veteran middleweight Ed Herman (15-7 MMA, 4-4 UFC) has agreed to replace injured Yushin Okami (23-4 MMA, 7-1 UFC) in a UFC 98 bout with Dan Miller (11-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC).

A source close to the organization today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) Herman has accepted the bout, which the UFC is expected to officially announce later today.

While "The Ultimate Fighter 3" runner-up is a known commodity, Herman isn't exactly the "awesome replacement challenger" UFC officials promised earlier today.

UFC 98 takes place May 23 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and airs on pay per view.

Okami vs. Miller had been slated for the night's pay-per-view main card. However, the fight has since been stripped from the organization's official fight card, and it's unknown if Herman vs. Miller will retain the televised spot.

Okami, a longtime middleweight contender, was forced off the card today with a torn ligament. In the official announcement, the UFC said it would name "an awesome replacement challenger," though the Twitter posting didn't go into any further detail.

The new fight, though, does feature two fighters who recently tasted victory.

As MMAjunkie.com reported earlier this month, Herman's dominant victory over David Loiseau at UFC 97 likely saved his UFC career. UFC President Dana White stated after the event that a loss, which would have been Herman's third straight, would have likely earned him the Team Quest fighter his walking papers.

Instead, he could now take a main-card slot against one of the middleweight's division's fastest-rising prospects. Miller, a former IFL fighter, has defeated Rob Kimmons, Matt Horwich and Jake Rosholt since signing with the UFC last year.

Irvin off UFC 98 card, Foupa-Pokam to replace if immigration issues resolved (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14736/irvin-off-ufc-98-card-foupa-pokam-to-replace-if-immigration-issues-resolved.mma)

The UFC has pulled a James Irvin (14-5 MMA, 4-4 UFC) vs. Drew McFedries (7-5 MMA, 3-4 UFC) bout from the official fight card for UFC 98 due to a knee injury suffered by Irvin.

And while Xavier Foupa-Pokam (20-10 MMA, 0-1 UFC) has been reported as Irvin's replacement, a source close to "Professor X" told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) the French fighter can only take the bout if immigration issues are resolved in time for the May 23 event.

The Irvin vs. McFedries fight had been scheduled for the televised main card of UFC 98, which takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The event airs on pay per view.

Foupa-Pokam has agreed to the bout, but immigration problems need to be resolved quickly. Otherwise, the UFC could tap a different replacement fighter for Irvin, who was forced off the card with a torn meniscus in his right knee.

The injury, which happened on the same knee Irvin blew out in a loss to Thiago Silva in 2007, happened this past Friday during a training session, according to Irvin's manager, Jeff Meyer of MMA Inc. Although surgery has been recommended, Irvin is getting a second (and possibly third) opinion.

If Foupa-Pokam is cleared as a replacement, it's unknown if his bout with McFedries will remain on the main card. It could be demoted in favor of a preliminary bout such as Brock Larson vs. Chris Wilson (which was originally slated for the main card before Larson replaced Josh Koscheck), Pat Barry vs. Tim Hague, or Houston Alexander vs. Andre Gusmao.

Regardless of the fight's placement on the card or his opponent, McFedries looks to rebound from a recent rough stretch in the UFC, and he could be fighting to save his job in the organization. The hard-hitting Miletich Martial Arts fighter has suffered consecutive submission losses to Thales Leites and Mike Massenzio. He's won just one of his past four bouts.

Foupa-Pokam, meanwhile, would try again for his first UFC win. He made his octagon debut earlier this month at UFC 97 but suffered a tough-fought unanimous-decision loss to former PRIDE star Dennis Kang. The loss snapped the kickboxer's seven-fight win streak and was just his second loss in his past 14 fights.

Another opponent switch: Miller now meets Sonnen, not Herman, at UFC 98 (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14745/another-opponent-switch-miller-now-meets-sonnen-not-herman-at-ufc-98.mma)

After Yushin Okami (23-4 MMA, 7-1 UFC) was pulled from the card with a torn ligament, recent UFC 97 winner Ed Herman (15-7 MMA, 4-4 UFC) was approached about filling in and fighting Dan Miller (11-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) at UFC 98.

But instead, Chael Sonnen (21-10-1 MMA, 1-3 UFC), who's scheduled to fight Wilson Gouveia at UFC 102 in August, will take on Miller.

However, the UFC has yet to officially announce the latest change to a fight card plagued by injuries.

UFC 98 takes place May 23 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and airs on pay per view.

As MMAjunkie.com reported on Wednesday, the UFC confirmed Okami had been scratched from the main-card bout due to injury. Herman was then contacted about taking the open spot, and the bout appeared a lock.

However, the UFC instead has decided to go with Sonnen, who last competed at UFC 95, where he suffered a first-round submission loss to Demian Maia. Sonnen, who had been competing in the WEC before the organization eliminated its middleweight division, had won seven of his previous eight fights before the defeat.

Sonnen is currently in his second stint with the UFC. He went 1-2 in the organization from 2005-2006, which included a unanimous-decision win over Trevor Prangley at UFC Fight Night 4.

As of now, he's still scheduled to fight Gouveia in August.

Although not official, the Miller vs. Sonnen bout will likely remain on the night's televised main card.

UFC middleweight Dan Miller making the best of UFC 98 appearance (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14747/ufc-middleweight-dan-miller-making-the-best-of-ufc-98-appearance.mma)

The situation has quickly changed for UFC middleweight Dan Miller (11-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC).

After three-straight wins in the UFC, Miller was set to face top 185-pound contender Yushin Okami at UFC 98 in May.

On Thursday, the Japanese product was forced to withdraw from the bout due to an injury suffered in training. While disappointed, don't expect to hear Miller complain.

"(My brother and UFC lightweight) Jimmy and I are pretty quiet," Dan Miller recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). "We don't really talk much crap. We basically just go in and fight and do our job. That's it."

Miller has done his job well, winning his past nine official contests. Three of those have come in the UFC, including first-round submission wins over Jake Rosholt and Rob Kimmons.

Miller also earned a decision win over fellow IFL veteran Matt Horwich, and he was looking forward to the step up in class with Okami.

"I'm happy with what they've given me so far, but it does (frustrate me) a little bit," Miller said. "I believe I can compete with the higher level. Coming in and fighting, [the UFC] basically gives you the ground-level guys at first. So yeah, it frustrates you a little bit."

A win over perennial contender Okami at UFC 98 would have certainly propelled Miller to a contender slot of his own. Instead, it appears the New Jersey resident will face Chael Sonnen (21-10-1 MMA, 1-3 UFC) at the Las Vegas event.

While Miller doesn't want to delay his shot at the title, his division's belt is currently on hold anyway. Champion Anderson Silva will next face Forrest Griffin in the 205-pound division.

"It's tough," Miller said. "[Silva] sells a lot of tickets, and he's the champ. So there's not much really you can say. What am I going to say? If he wants to test himself, and they're willing to let him do it, then so be it.

"(But) It bothers me a little bit, just because it ties it up. If I keep winning, I'm going to have to wait longer for my shot."

While a change of opponent just over three weeks out is nothing unusual in the fight game, losing the chance to establish yourself as a contender in the UFC is obviously disappointing. While Miller falls into that category, he's still remaining optimistic.

Training partners Matt Serra and Frankie Edgar will still be appearing on the main card, and Miller plans on making the most out of his fourth trip to the octagon in eight months.

"I'm extremely excited to be part of this card," Miller said. "It's going to be fun to be out there and fight on the card. I wish I could watch it, but it's going to be great to fight on it."

Bisping was robbed against evans so i see Machida beating him.

Hope Machida wins. I lost all respect for Rashad after the Bisping fight.

Hope Machida wins. I lost all respect for Rashad after the Bisping fight.

That was a robbery, Bisping won that fight.

Bisping ain't that bad, Rashad looked good against top notch opposition in only 13 fights. He finished Liddell, Lambert and Griffin. He's a legit top 3 in his weight class.
But i would put Lyoto and Shogun ahead of him. Rampage is weak from his back.

Lyoto by wide, boring UD.

Xavier Foupa-Pokam, Chael Sonnen official as replacements for UFC 98 (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14755/foupa-pokam-sonnen-official-as-replacements-for-ufc-98.mma)

UFC 98 is once again officially complete, as Xavier Foupa-Pokam (20-10 MMA, 0-1 UFC) and Chael Sonnen (21-10-1 MMA, 1-3 UFC) today were officially announced as participants on the evening's main card.

Foupa-Pokam meets fellow striker Drew McFedries, while Sonnen faces middleweight prospect Dan Miller.

Headlined by a light-heavyweight title fight between champion Rashad Evans and challenger Lyoto Machida, UFC 98 takes place May 23 in Las Vegas.

Foupa-Pokam looks to rebound from a loss in his UFC debut. The French national dropped a unanimous decision to Denis Kang at UFC 97 in April.

McFedries was originally slated to face James Irvin. The former light heavyweight was looking to make his first run in the 185-pound division, but a torn meniscus forced Irvin out of the bout.

Sonnen will also be looking to rebound from a defeat. The four-time UFC veteran and WEC title challenger was submitted by top contender Demain Maia at UFC 95 in February. The bout was Sonnen's first in the UFC in nearly three years.

Miller had been expectd to face top 185-pounder Yushin Okami. The Japanese fighter was forced to withdraw from the card with a torn MCL.

UFC 98 has already lost its orginal main event when an an injury to interim heavyweight champion Frank Mir forced the delay of his title unification bout with Brock Lesnar to July. Top welterweight Josh Koscheck was also forced to withdraw from the card due to injury.

The full card now includes:

MAIN CARD

* Champ Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida (for light-heavyweight title)
* Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra
* Xavier Foupa-Pokam vs. Drew McFedries
* Dan Miller vs. Chael Sonnen
* Frank Edgar vs. Sean Sherk

PRELIMINARY CARD

* Brock Larson vs. Chris Wilson
* Pat Barry vs. Tim Hague
* Kyle Bradley vs. Phillipe Nover
* Houston Alexander vs. Andre Gusmao
* Brandon Wolff vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
* David Kaplan vs. George Roop

I'm excited for this one! Machida and Rashad are both, in my eyes, the #1 and #2 205lb. fighters in the world yet no one gives them the credit they deserve.
really ? what circles u hang in dude

i hear nothing but lyoto is thr future p4p no1 mma fighter.
and rashad is the look like **** and win big king.



off topic: phallusy - im not s****** btw, im his no1 fan

Broken hand forces Houston Alexander off injury-riddled UFC 98 card (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14768/broken-hand-forces-houston-alexander-off-injury-riddled-ufc-98-card.mma)

Add Houston Alexander to a list that already includes Frank Mir, Josh Koscheck, Yushin Okami and James Irvin.

Alexander (8-4 MMA, 2-3 UFC), a light heavyweight who was in a must-win situation, suffered a broken hand has been forced out of a scheduled UFC 98 preliminary-card bout with Andre Gusmao (5-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) .

Gusmao will likely remain on the card, which takes place May 23 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, though a replacement has not been named.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) first reported in January that the Alexander-Gusmao matchup had been added to the UFC 98 card.

After bursting on the UFC scene with swift and brutal knockouts of Keith Jardine and Alessio Sakara, Alexander has since suffered first-round losses to Thiago Silva (TKO), James Irvin (KO) and Eric Schafer (submission). Prior to the losing skid, Alexander went 8-0 (with one no-contest) in a nine-fight span.

Gusmao, who was forced off a January UFC 93 card with an injury, made his only UFC appearance at 87, where he suffered a unanimous-decision loss to Jon Jones and snapped a five-fight win streak he pieced together during the first three years of his career.

Man this card has changed more times than Paris Hilton's dirty panties.

Evans standup trumps machida's stick and run like a wuss routine.. I think rashad with the ko in round 2 when machida gets shin splints from sprinting around the octagon.

Machida stick and run routine is what will win him the match. It irratates the other guy which he ends up making mistakes and cost him the match...

Rashad has better wrestling. I am not sure about there ground game. Both are great at striking. I think this will be interesting. We might have a new champ!

Krzysztof Soszynski replaces injured Houston Alexander at UFC 98 (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14777/krzysztof-soszynski-replaces-injured-houston-alexander-at-ufc-98.mma)

The shuffling of UFC 98's fight card continued today, as Team Quest fighter and "The Ultimate Fighter 8" cast member Krzysztof Soszynski (17-8-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) was named as a replacement for the injured Houston Alexander (8-4 MMA, 2-3 UFC).

Soszynski will meet Andre Gusmao (5-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) on the preliminary card of the May 23 event in Las Vegas.

The UFC today announced the change, one day after confirming Alexander's withdrawal from the event after suffering a broken hand.

Soszynski will return to action on just one month's rest. "The Polish Experiment" earned a submission win over Brian Stann on the main card of UFC 97 on April 18. The win was Soszynski's fifth straight victory, and it earned him a $70,000 bonus for the evening's "Submission of the Night."

Gusmao will be looking for his first win in the octagon. The Brazilian lost a unanimous decision to Jon Jones in August 2008. The four-time IFL veteran had been undefeated before making his UFC debut.

Alexander was the latest victim of the injury bug that has plagued UFC 98. Frank Mir, Josh Koscheck, Yushin Okami and James Irvin had all previously withdrawn from the card for various ailments.

No timetable has been given for Alexander's return to action.

The oft-updated official fight card for the event now includes:

MAIN CARD

* Champ Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida (for light-heavyweight title)
* Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra
* Xavier Foupa-Pokam vs. Drew McFedries
* Dan Miller vs. Chael Sonnen
* Frank Edgar vs. Sean Sherk

PRELIMINARY CARD

* Brock Larson vs. Chris Wilson
* Pat Barry vs. Tim Hague
* Kyle Bradley vs. Phillipe Nover
* Andre Gusmao vs. Krzysztof Soszynski
* Brandon Wolff vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
* David Kaplan vs. George Roop

****e TV debuts "UFC 98 Countdown" preview show on May 21 (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14782/****e-tv-debuts-ufc-98-countdown-on-may-21.mma)

The UFC and ****e TV's official preview show for this month's UFC 98 event debuts May 21.

"UFC 98 Countdown" airs at 11 p.m. ET/PT, and a replay is set for 6 p.m. ET on May 23, the day of the pay-per-view event.

UFC 98 takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and features a main-event title fight between UFC light-heavyweight champion Rashad Evans and top contender Lyoto Machida.

In addition to examining the night's headliner, "UFC 98 Countdown" will also detail the long-brewing feud between co-main-event fighters Matt Hughes and Matt Serra. The fighters were both coaches on the sixth season of "The Ultimate Fighter," and a season-ending fight between the two former welterweight champs originally was slated for UFC 79. However, Serra ultimately was forced to pull out of the event with a back injury.

Serra hasn't fought since an April 2008 title loss to Georges St. Pierre, and the fight with Hughes will be his first in 13 months.

The latest card for (the injury-riddled) UFC 98 event includes:

MAIN CARD

* Champ Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida (for light-heavyweight title)
* Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra
* Xavier Foupa-Pokam vs. Drew McFedries
* Dan Miller vs. Chael Sonnen
* Frank Edgar vs. Sean Sherk

PRELIMINARY CARD

* Brock Larson vs. Chris Wilson
* Pat Barry vs. Tim Hague
* Kyle Bradley vs. Phillipe Nover
* Andre Gusmao vs. Krzysztof Soszynski
* Brandon Wolff vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
* David Kaplan vs. George Roop

Added Matt Serra's Blog

anybody fancy a bet? I got Machida

anybody fancy a bet? I got Machida

Its unfair that a poster like you who always pays his bets gets stuck with morons who dont pay theres

added matt serras blog day 2

Rashad has better wrestling. I am not sure about there ground game. Both are great at striking. I think this will be interesting. We might have a new champ!
Different ground fighting styles, MAchida i would say is the much better submission grappler, good submissions good at fighting off his back and locking up the submission whereas Rashad's the better wrestler and ground and pound fighter.

added preview

added preview

you always have the best sigs on boxingscene :boxing:

added new blog

you always have the best sigs on boxingscene :boxing:

Cheers dude.

Different ground fighting styles, MAchida i would say is the much better submission grappler, good submissions good at fighting off his back and locking up the submission whereas Rashad's the better wrestler and ground and pound fighter.

while i dont think Rashad has ever attempted a submission in his time in the UFC, he has shown pretty good submission defense

it'll be interesting to see who manages to have control if the fight goes to the ground

Rashad hasn't attempted a takedown in his last two fights, so we might not see much in the way of ground fighting, unless machida scores one of his patented trip takedowns

The more I think about the outcome of this fight, the more I see Machida winning a split decision.

I really hate Evans, cannot stand one thing about him.
I hope Machida kicks his face in...

I like Evans and is one of my favorite MMA fighters but I'm gonna have to go with my boy Machida.

I think for Rashad to win he has to ge the takedown. if not, Machida decision, and you will probally fall asleep

To be perfectly honest, Machida is going to TKO him. Rashad isn't going to be able to land power shots on him, because as fast as Rashad is, Machida is faster. Rashad will be dropped and finished on the ground.

Sean Sherk works on reputation restoration (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14808/sean-sherk-works-on-reputation-restoration.mma)

From his shredded abdomen to his massive trapezius to his cauliflower ears, Sean Sherk looks every bit the wrestler. He's built like a guy who could pick you up and drive you repeatedly into the mat for the sheer joy of it.

It's pretty much what he did to Kenny Florian when he won the Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight title at UFC 64 in Las Vegas on Oct. 14, 2006. That raw power is what has helped him to become one of the world's elite mixed martial artists.

It's been a different Sherk in the cage in his past two outings, however. The Sherk who dropped a title fight in Las Vegas to B.J. Penn at UFC 84 on May 24, 2008, and the one who claimed an exciting unanimous decision from Tyson Griffin at UFC 90 in Chicago on Oct. 25 was far more willing to fire his hands and trade punches.

He not only was willing to box, but he also actually made the conscious decision to eschew wrestling and rely upon his standup. He's worked on his boxing since he was a boy, but he built his professional reputation as a powerful and hard-nosed wrestler.

He's showing other aspects of his game more frequently now, though, all part of a desire to become the most complete fighter he can. He's been working on a slew of new submission moves as well, though it's unlikely he'll be taking part in a black-belt ceremony any time soon.

But when he meets Frankie Edgar in an important lightweight bout at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas on May 23 as part of UFC 98, he'll be a lot more versatile than he was just a few short years ago.

"The great thing about this sport is that, even after all these years as a pro fighter and 40 fights, I'm still learning and still adding a lot to my game," he said. "I relied on my wrestling for a long time in my career, but the way this sport has evolved, you really can't be one dimensional and compete at the highest level."

Sherk is 37-3-1, and his only losses have come to three of the best fighters ever to compete in the UFC: Matt Hughes, Georges St. Pierre and Penn, all of whom at one point or another have held the welterweight title.

He's clearly one of the game's top talents, though his name in rarely mentioned is such talk.

And he's still has to prove that his gaudy record is the result of genetics, talent and hard work more so than from chemistry.

He failed a post-fight urinalysis following his victory over Hermes Franca in a lightweight title bout at UFC 73 in Sacramento, Calif., on July 7, 2007. He was suspended for a year by the California State Athletic Commission.

Sherk, though, was incensed by the charge and vehemently denied the allegations. He hired an attorney to prove his innocence and presented a compelling case.

The problem from his standpoint is that it was the media that heard his entire presentation, not the commissioners who would decide his fate.

"Guys who are accused of murder were given more rights than I was in this particular situation," Sherk said.

He ultimately managed to get the penalty reduced to six months, though the damage to his career, his finances and, most importantly, his personal reputation, was anything but reduced. He lost significant money in sponsorships, money he hasn't regained nearly two years later.

He looked no less ripped and appeared no less powerful than he did before, and he passed every test he was given, yet many of his sponsors simply wanted nothing to do with him.

"I lost tons of sponsors," Sherk said. "Basically, I can't get a nutrition company to sponsor me. None of them want to touch me. I've had people straight up tell me they don't want anything to do with me because of the steroid stuff."

Keith Kizer, the executive director of the Nevada Athletic Commission, said Sherk just passed yet another test. He was tested randomly prior to his UFC 98 bout, along with Hughes, Edgar and Matt Serra.

He also was clean both prior to and after his bout at UFC 84, Kizer said.

That's of no surprise to Sherk, who said he's at least gratified that California has revamped its testing procedures since his case.

He wants to move on and be recognized for his accomplishments and not for having been tagged as a steroids user.

He's not so naive, however, to think that's a simple task. He passed polygraph tests, blood tests and urine tests in an attempt to prove his own veracity, yet to no avail.

With the passage of time, he believes he may finally be vindicated. He was chosen randomly by Kizer for prefight testing this time, but he's going to be the most-tested fighter in MMA by the time he's through.

"I'm becoming a better fighter all the time, and I'm becoming more well-versed in all aspects," Sherk said. "That's usually not what people want to talk to me about, though. It's not what some of these sponsors think. I understand where they're coming from, but it's frustrating for me because I'm an innocent party who has done nothing but work as hard as I possibly could to become as good as I possibly can."

If he keeps defeating the best the UFC throws at him, he believes that sooner or later his reputation will be restored.

And then, he'll be judged by the ability he shows in the cage and not by the thought that he became better through artificial means.

"The way our sport is evolving is incredible," Sherk said. "The next group of guys coming in are a lot more well-rounded than the group of guys they're replacing. It's a constant improvement process. I want people to look at me and say, 'This guy did everything he could to be a complete fighter,' and not look at me and think of me as a guy who cheated and took a shortcut."

As Sherk well knows, however, that is much easier said than done.

UFC 98: EVANS SAVING HIS ENERGY FOR MACHIDA (http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8744&zoneid=2)

If there was a lesson Rashad Evans learned from his title-winning victory over Forrest Griffin at UFC 92, it was to conserve his energy.

In post-fight interviews, the light heavyweight champ said he wanted to plunk a bed down in the Octagon; he’d never felt so tired before a fight.

Backstage, he had made the classic mistake of getting too warm, too soon.

“I just felt really good, man,” he told MMAWeekly.com. “I had a good night of sleep, I woke up, had a really good breakfast, and the nerves weren’t really bad. I just felt like I had an abundant amount of energy.

“I came into the dressing room, and the minute I got into the dressing room, I started jumping around right away. I was jumping around when Cheick Kongo was fighting – really, really early. I should have waited a little bit.”

It could have been worse. He could have been Sam Stout, who's UFC 97 bout was moved from first-up to co-main event due to a scheduling snafu on the undercard. Stout was on and off the mitts for six hours.

This time out, Evans wants to make sure he hasn't drained himself before he gets to the cage.

He sees his first defense against Lyoto Machida as an immediate statement in the division.

“Machida’s probably one of the best guys,” said Evans. “I know if I beat Machida, there’s not gonna be too many guys tougher than that in the weight class. I like to go right to the top. I don’t want to delude myself and think that I’m a lot better than I really am. I don’t run away from a challenge like that.”

There’s a mixture of wait and see and indifference about the UFC 98 main event. Historically, the two have been known to counter-fight: Evans with the traditional mix of MMA styles, Machida with a unique point Karate and Muay Thai attack. The question is how they will mesh, and whether it will entertain.

Evans took two rounds to arise from his energy dump against Griffin, and when he did, he quickly mustered the power to end the fight. He may not have that opportunity against Machida.

But whether fans are excited or not, he isn’t interested. While he doesn’t plan on boring the crowd, or himself for that matter, he’s more concerned about what Machida may to do him. The undefeated Brazilian is a riddle that no one has managed to solve, and he might very well not be the one to do it.

“This is a journey, and it’s a challenge for me in every single fight,” he said. “If I knew I was going to win every fight, then I wouldn’t want to fight. I like the fact that there’s a chance that I might get my ass whooped. That excites the hell out of me. That makes me lose a little bit of sleep. That makes me train a little harder. That’s what you need in every fight.”

He’s mum about any Machida weaknesses he plans on exploiting. He and Greg Jackson have formulated a plan, which Evans is willing to throw out the window if things go awry.

“I plan on going into this fight knowing the plan and let it happen,” he said. “Just go with the flow. Machida’s very clever and tricky with his movement, so it’s going to be a chess match.”

Whether chess match translates to stalemate, the world will see. Contrary to the dogfight he anticipated with Griffin, Evans visualizes a sudden, violent ending to the encounter with Machida. And given his recent performances, he has the tape to back him up.

“I see maybe a one-hitter quitter happening,” he continued. “Getting caught with that one shot – boom! Clean.”

The belt at the night’s end is an afterthought. The idea that a victory would make him a “legitimate” titleholder is of no use. Like fans’ shifting allegiances, they distract from what he fights for.

“I haven’t even really thought about it,” he said. “Being a 'legitimate champion,' that’s something for other people. That doesn’t really mean anything to me. Whether I go in and win or lose, it’s not about that to me. It’s just about competing and giving everything you have.”

And as he learned, not gassing before that happens.

bet every fight on the card is more exciting than the 5rd snooze fest i predict as the main event.

Could Matt Serra's UFC 98 fight with Matt Hughes be his final one? (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14857/could-matt-serras-ufc-98-fight-with-matt-hughes-be-his-final-one.mma)

Matt Serra has crammed more accomplishments and accolades in 14 career fights than most fighters could ever dream of achieving.

Serra won "The Ultimate Fighter 4" in 2006 and went on to win the UFC welterweight title from Georges St. Pierre a year later with one of the biggest upsets in MMA history.

But could an upcoming grudge match with Matt Hughes at UFC 98 be Serra's final task before retirement?

He's not closing the door on that possibility.

"I look it at like this," said Serra, who meets Hughes in the UFC 98 co-main event on May 23 in Las Vegas. "I feel like if I retired tomorrow, I have enough to tell my grandkids what I was doing. I'm very fortunate where I have two successful mixed-martial-arts schools in Long Island, N.Y. ... The fighting to me, I always felt that if my heart weren't in it and I'm doing it for the wrong reasons, then I'm not going to do it because I don't feel like I need to do it."

That's not to say Serra (9-5 MMA, 6-5 UFC) is at that point quite yet.

"I do it enjoy it," the 34-year-old said. "I do love it. There's nothing better to me than getting paid to do what you love. I love what I do in the offseason. I love teaching. I love teaching jiu-jitsu. I love teaching martial arts (with) everyone from kids to other fighters who want to be champions someday.

"But I also love to compete. And while I still can do it and have the hunger for it and the desire, I'm still going to do it. I'll take it a fight at a time."

But how much does the Hughes fight factor into the decision? Would a "TUF" title, a welterweight belt and a victory over a longtime and bitter rival be enough to call it a wrap on his career?

"I'm putting a lot on this fight," Serra said. "I want that notch in my belt. In the future there are guys like GSP and Matt Hughes, who I'm sure are going to be hall-of-famers. If I get Matt Hughes under my belt and take care of him, even if I would not be considered one of the best ever, I'd have some victories over some guys who will be.

"I can live with that."

So is it a distinct possibility we could see Serra in the UFC octagon for the final time next week? Could the fight with Hughes – a year and a half in the making – mark the end of one of UFC's most improbably successful careers?

Serra isn't saying yes. But he's not saying no either.

"I don't know, man," Serra said. "I just want to take care of Matt Hughes, and then the only thing for sure is that I'm going to have some pizza and pasta because I haven't had any in three months. But after that, we'll see what's up."

Sean Sherk, Frank Edgar, Matt Serra clean in pre-UFC 98 drug tests (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14867/sean-sherk-frank-edgar-matt-serra-test-clean-in-pre-ufc-98-drug-screens.mma)

LAS VEGAS - UFC 98 main card competitors Sean Sherk, Frankie Edgar and Matt Serra have all passed pre-event drug test administered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer confirmed the results with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) following today's NSAC hearing at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building in Las Vegas.

Kizer also indicated the commission was still waiting on the results of a sample from Matt Hughes.

All four athletes will compete on UFC 98's main card, which takes place May 23 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

While Sherk was part of a well-documented suspension by the California State Athletic Commission following his July 2007 UFC title defense victory over Hermes Franca, Kizer insisted his selection was done strictly on a random basis.

The NSAC also required a clean test from Sherk before his May 2008 loss to B.J. Penn at UFC 84.

"The last time we made him do a test because of the prior suspension," Kizer said. "This one, him and Edgar was just the fight we picked, just like Serra and Hughes."

Sherk and Hughes were also approved for the renewal of their NSAC licenses to compete in mixed martial arts as part of today's proceedings. Former NFL lineman and current MMA heavyweight Marcus Jones also received his NSAC license.

All three applications were quickly approved without debate, though Commissioner Pat Lundvall did question Sherk, who was present via telephone, on his interaction with the legal system in the years following a conviction for assault in 1994.

Sherk indicated he had not been involved in any further issues with the law since the incident.

UFC veteran Marvin Eastman was also on the day's agenda for license approval, but "The Beastman" neglected to send in an application prior to the meeting. Eastman will be eligible for approval at the NSAC's next meeting, which Kizer recommended the commission hold prior to June 13.

Machida will offer Evans a very different challenge than he's ever faced. There's no way to effectively prepare for an opponent like Lyoto, because of his lone wolf style. He'll shrug off Evans' takedown attempts, full stop. If Evans choses to be aggressive and move forward, he'll find Lyoto too elusive and then, when Evans waits for Lytoto to come to him, it will be from a long distance out.

I see this a very easy UD for Machida, or possibly a stoppage.

Machida will offer Evans a very different challenge than he's ever faced. There's no way to effectively prepare for an opponent like Lyoto, because of his lone wolf style. He'll shrug off Evans' takedown attempts, full stop. If Evans choses to be aggressive and move forward, he'll find Lyoto too elusive and then, when Evans waits for Lytoto to come to him, it will be from a long distance out.

I see this a very easy UD for Machida, or possibly a stoppage.
I agree, I don't see Evans being effective against Machida's standup, and I think Machida will be able to largely nullify Evans' wrestling.

UFC 98: PHILLIPE NOVER AFTER FIRST UFC WIN (http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8753&zoneid=2)

It’s been a while since Phillipe Nover has been seen in the Octagon. In fact, it’s been almost five months since we’ve seen The Ultimate Fighter finalist lose to Efrain Escudero. In that period of time, he has been training hard to improve his game to make himself a threat in the lightweight division.

Returning at UFC 98, Nover will be taking on Kyle Bradley in a chance to get his first official win in the cage.

“I feel great,” said Nover on a recent episode of MMAWeekly Radio. “I've definitely been itching to get back in there. I actually, from my track record, don't fight that often, so I'm used to the downtime and taking a few weeks off. Now that I'm fighting full time and training full time, I definitely got the itch so I can't wait to get in there.”

Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White had lots of impressive things to say about Nover when he was on The Ultimate Fighter, drawing comparisons to the likes of Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva. While flattered by the comments, he realizes that he is not at that level yet.

“It depends how you take Dana White's words. I'm not on GSP's level or Anderson Silva's level. They're years and years ahead of me. They're training full time and they are super-talented, but there is no telling in the next five years if I can get to a championship level. I'm training my ass off and I have some talent, so it depends how you take it. Anderson Silva would whoop my butt. I'm not at their level, but maybe someday I will be.”

Most fighters would love to have their boss compare them to the likes of two dominating champions, but Nover was more taken back by a different comment that White made.

“I took it as a big compliment,” Nover offered. “One of the biggest compliments that I saw on an episode is that he said I'm possibly one of the most talented guys to get on the show. That just blew my mind.

"I try not to let things gas my head up. It added some pressure and added some nervous energy, but I really wanted to out in that fight with Escudero and knock his head off and say, 'yeah, I'm really good.' But strategy-wise, I was out strategized. Just over committing to power punches, things of that nature.”

When Nover lost to Escudero in the finals, it was the first loss of his career. After finishing his opponents quickly on the show, the loss took him by surprise. But like all good fighters do, he took his loss as a learning experience and is ready to unleash his newfound lessons on Bradley at UFC 98.

“It wasn't such a bad loss as in getting knocked out or submitted. I wasn't really hurt after the fight. More than anything I felt like I was mentally put in a different place. I didn't know how to come back from that. I went back to the drawing board and looked at things very positively," he recalled. "I saw the things that I need to work on and my holes are wrestling, which I've been working on day and night putting the puzzle pieces together, working on my wrestling and working on my hands. You have to put all the puzzle pieces together. I'm more a strategist now and in this next fight, you'll see that.”

Now more focused than ever, Nover realizes the opportunity that he has and doesn’t want to spoil it, which is why he has now transitioned to full time training.

“People would kill to get in my position,” he said humbly. “They have the talent, but they don't have the people around them or the ability to be like I do because I got on the show and got to show them the type of fighter I am to show them that I'm a UFC caliber fighter.

"The only way to prove you are a fighter is to train full time. I can't be working forty hours a week as a nurse and go and train. It's too draining for me.”

Nover’s opponent hasn’t had great success in the Octagon going 0-2, but losing to very tough opponents Chris Lytle and Joe Lauzon. Even though Bradley hasn’t won a UFC fight yet, Nover realizes the threat that Bradley possesses, especially because it could be win or be cut from the UFC.

“He's definitely a wounded dog right now and he's going to go all out. It's do or die for him, so I'm taking him very seriously," Nover said. "He's fought two tough guys and he didn't lose to scrubs. He has a decent record and he has a few knockouts on his record, so he is going to pour it all out and he's going to try to knock my head off. He'll try to win by any means, so I'm taking that very seriously. I'm not underestimating him at all."

Machida: ‘I’ll Bring Him into My Game’ (http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/1/machida-ill-bring-him-into-my-game-17459)

Since Lyoto Machida arrived in the UFC with his unique Shotokan striking style, many have called him a boring fighter. However, six back-to-back victories against opposition like Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, Tito Ortiz, and Thiago Silva have left little doubt of the unorthodox fighter’s efficiency in the Octagon.

It reminds Machida of another Brazilian competitor who walked before him.

"When Royce [Gracie] started to beat his opponents on the ground, the American fans were not used to the ground fighting and also criticized his style, but soon his efficient results changed peoples’ mind,” says Machida. “I’m not pretentious to compare myself to the legendary Royce, but I truly think something similar is happening with my standup style. Now I feel people are starting to understand and respect.”

Machida will have an opportunity to gain even more respect when he faces UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans at UFC 98 on May 23 in Las Vegas. Both fighters have remained undefeated in their 14 career bouts, marking the Brazilian’s biggest challenge to date. However, he does not worry about the pressure.

"I’m very happy because I’ve always dreamed about this moment,” says Machida. “Actually, I’ve already faced the worst pressure. In the fight against Ortiz, for example, I was in the middle of [Ortiz’s] personal war against Dana White and the boss threw all the responsibility on my shoulders.”

Machida also felt the heat going into his 2003 bout against another former UFC champion.

“I felt a lot of pressure when I fought Rich Franklin in Inoki Bomb-Ba-Ye in Japan,” says Machida. “At the time, I had just two MMA fights and he was undefeated with nine knockouts, and many people came to tell me that if I stayed on my feet, I would be knocked out fast. But my father said, ‘It’s not like that; go there and believe in our art.’ I did what he said and knocked him out in the second round.”

Machida, a native of the Amazon, might be the only fighter of Brazil’s elite to not rely on a top MMA training center for his striking.

"I see the preparation for a MMA fight as a set of many important points like sparring, structure, food and family support. Even having Anderson [Silva], [Vitor] Belfort, [Antonio] Minotauro [Nogueira] and other excellent partners in Rio de Janeiro, here in Belém (Para state) I have a more complete package,” says Machida. “I’m close to my family, counting on my father and brother´s support, eating my food, in my city, with excellent trainers, good sparring and making my own schedule.”

The son of a Japanese father and a Brazilian mother, the fighter points to his patriarch Sensei Machida, a Shotokan master, as one of his greatest influences.

"My father is a amazing strategist; when he looks at someone fighting he knows exactly what I have to do,” says Machida. “But my father is hot tempered -- he wants me to decide the fight fast, while my brother, Shinzo (a 2006 world-champion silver medalist in Shotokan karate) is more balanced and fights just like myself. Joining the tactics of my father and the equilibrium of Shinzo, I have the perfect package in my corner.”

Still, with a stacked corner, Machida expects a stiff test from Evans.

"He is a excellent wrestler,” says Machida. “Tito Ortiz tried to take him down, but he couldn’t. I’m not going to lose energy trying. He is also a good striker -- very cold and strategic. That became clear during his last fight when Forrest [Griffin] was beating him up and he suddenly turned the fight in his favor. Certainly, he is studying a way to not get into my game, but my father, brother and I, we are also studying a way to bring him into my game. All I can say is that the fans can expect a great fight.”

Added Serra/Hughes promo vid

I have no doubt in my mind Machida would more than likely bring Rashad into his game. I just cant see Machida losing, that is a REAL martial artist right there.

I like Rashad a bit more than Machida though. Rashad would be like half a point more liked than Machida, in my book. So, even though I think Machida will win, I gotta go for Rashad.

UFC's Pat Barry brings heavy blows (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14892/ufcs-pat-barry-brings-heavy-blows.mma)

Pat Barry has the kind of concussive punching and kicking power that can take him a long way in the Ultimate Fighting Championship's heavyweight division, even if his cell phone is filled with voice mails and text messages telling him he's a fool to compete with the big boys of mixed martial arts.

He's 5 feet, 11¼ inches tall and weighs 230 pounds but is derided as a "midget" who would be better off fighting as a 205-pounder.

Barry, who may be the most brutally honest man in MMA this side of Dana White, doesn't believe he's too small to be a factor at heavyweight.

And while he concedes he'd like to run into some of those anonymous Internet tough guys who fill his phone with venomous messages picking apart every aspect of his game, at least he's taking some of their advice to heart.

Barry, a one-time kickboxer in K-1, has moved to MMA and fashioned a 4-0 record. He's one of the many up-and-coming heavyweights that White, the UFC's outspoken president, is so excited about.

He meets Tim Hague on May 23 in UFC 98 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in a bout for which he'll give up about five inches and 35 pounds. He's not bothered by that, though he does get irritated by the constant refrain of many of his critics to drop to light heavyweight.

But where Barry agrees with them is the need to shore up his wrestling and his jiu-jitsu.

"I've gotten better at defending the takedowns, and I've gotten a lot better at exploding back to my feet once I hit the ground," said Barry, whose childhood home in New Orleans was destroyed in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina. "I've gotten better at defending submissions. It's all coming.

"I'm a quick learner, and I'm a student of my trade. I've immersed myself in wrestling and jiu-jitsu. I've got Cliff Notes on wrestling and jiu jitsu, and I have to catch up on the years and years of experience all these other guys have."

He probably never will earn a black belt in jiu jitsu, and he probably is not going to qualify for the 2012 Olympic wrestling team. But he doesn't have to do either of those things to become one of the UFC's elite heavyweights.

He simply needs to become proficient at defending the takedown and must improve his submission defense. Barry has that rare kind of power that can knock down a man twice.

"When I talk about a guy like Pat Barry, I think it's smart to remember a kid like Thiago Alves," White said. "When Alves came to the UFC, all he was was a striker. He had nothing else. But he hooked up with a great team and he learned, and look at his takedown defense now. It's world class. Matt Hughes couldn't get him down [at UFC 85], and he's one of the greatest wrestlers ever in mixed martial arts.

"Pat has to get better at those things, but it's not like he's not capable of doing it. He's an extremely powerful guy, and if he develops in those other areas, he'll be right there with anyone in the heavyweight division."

Barry stopped Dan Evenson with kicks in the first round of his UFC debut at UFC 92 on Dec. 27 in Las Vegas, but that was not enough to satisfy his critics, who responded to his win by ridiculing Evenson.

It's part of the game, Barry is learning, but he's motivated to develop a more well-rounded game not only to silence the critics but also to increase the size of his paychecks.

He has the ability to become a big-time attraction with his power, but he still is scratching and clawing to survive. And while the life of a professional fighter might seem glamorous to some, Barry insists there isn't anything glamorous about scrimping and saving as you're trying to make a name for yourself.

"People come up to me and they say, 'Man, you're famous and you must be rich because I've seen you've got fights on YouTube,'" Barry said. "Rich? YouTube don't pay nothing. I'm still eating tuna out of a can, man."

But he'll be able to buy the biggest steaks he can find if he manages to gravitate toward the upper reaches of the UFC's heavyweight division.

The heavyweights typically are the sport's least talented fighters, but the UFC has developed a quality core of men who give the division the depth it hasn't had in years.

Men like champion Brock Lesnar and challengers Cain Velasquez, Shane Carwin and Junior Dos Santos, among others, aren't out of reach if Barry can continue his development.

"All those guys were questionable at one point or another, and some of them still have questions they need to answer," White said. "But they've developed and improved, and people see them differently now."

Barry said he barely could believe what he saw the first time he watched Velasquez, who probably is the UFC's top prospect.

Barry said fighters no longer are one-dimensional, but he said Velasquez takes being multidimensional to another extreme.

"I'm studying this stuff day and night because I have a very short period of time and I have to get this quick," Barry said of his wrestling and jiu-jitsu. "People don't 'just' punch and kick any more. They don't 'just' wrestle any more. There are no more Royce Gracies, where they'll just take you down and submit you. Everybody is good at everything.

"A prime example, the No. 1 example, a scary man who I don't want to see anytime soon, is Cain Velasquez. The first time I saw him fight, I had no idea he was not a striker. I thought, 'This guy is a badass kickboxer,' and he's beating guys to pieces. Afterwards, I found out he's not even a striker."

Barry laughed, knowing this is the type of guy he'll be facing before long.

"You see a guy strike like that and you think, 'He's got to have a long, long background as a kickboxer,'" Barry said. "No. The guy is a wrestler. He's a stud wrestler who happens to know how to punch and kick. That gave me chills.

"That right there is why I'm wrestling and doing jiu jitsu 10 days a week. I'm doing it nonstop, almost because I'm trying to get ready for guys like him. He's a super stud the world should watch out for. ... Those are the kinds of guys I'm going to have to fight, so it's not a surprise what I'm doing in training. But I'm an athlete, and I know I can pick this up."

If he does, the UFC will have another sensation on its hands. Barry has the power to score a knockout with either hand or either leg, and that's a rare commodity in the fight game today.

He knows that if he lands, he has the ability to end the fight at any time.

"I've kicked people before in the legs, and you see it transfer to their face and they're going, 'Oh, wow,'" Barry said. "Everyone is this business has been hit hard before, but I hit scary hard.

"I'm a Mike Tyson-esque kick boxer. Tyson wasn't a pitty pat puncher who would beat you with accumulation. Every time Tyson hit you in the head, he was trying to make your ear fall off. Being that I'm seen as a smaller heavyweight, that's my goal. I have to hit you and end the fight as quickly as possible, especially in MMA, because if I fall to the ground, I'm in trouble right now."

Let him put his hands on you, though, and it's a different story.

"I have to make guys not want to come close to me at all," Barry said. "If I punch you, you'll think you've stepped on a land mine. If I kick you, it's over, no matter who you are and where it hits you. You're going to be hurt. Something's going off your body. I've hit guys and in my mind as they're laying there, I'm like, 'Damn, man. I don't ever want to know what that feels like.'

"That's what I do. I'm a finisher."

Definitely pulling for Evans in this one. If he wins, then he'll finally fight Jackson which is the fight I want to see most. I think I'm the only one who's going for Evans. While I understand Machida is an excellent fighter and very elusive and technical, Evans has been very impressive and his heavy hands is what I think will be able to win this bout. It won't be an easy match for any of these two...

Definitely pulling for Evans in this one. If he wins, then he'll finally fight Jackson which is the fight I want to see most. I think I'm the only one who's going for Evans. While I understand Machida is an excellent fighter and very elusive and technical, Evans has been very impressive and his heavy hands is what I think will be able to win this bout. It won't be an easy match for any of these two...

Evans doesn't have the stand up skills to trade with Machida.

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/3950/machidagif.gif

Evans doesn't have the stand up skills to trade with Machida.

Evan's been impressive in his stand-up as of late. Machida isn't much a knock-out artist. Most of his wins have come by decision.

Evan's been impressive in his stand-up as of late. Machida isn't much a knock-out artist. Most of his wins have come by decision.

I know this, Machida is a better technical striker than anyone in the division and possibly the sport. He doesn't go for the knockout because he doesn't need to. Evans KOd a washed up Liddell for the title shot and won the title against a defenseless Griffin. Rashad's straight forward boxing style, while it has improved greatly, is tailor-made for Machida's evasive striking.

Believe me, I'd love to see the Detroit brawler knocking everyone out. You're talking to someone who still believes in Wanderlei Silva. But you can put any brawler in any weight class against Machida, and Machida will win.

I know this, Machida is a better technical striker than anyone in the division and possibly the sport. He doesn't go for the knockout because he doesn't need to. Evans KOd a washed up Liddell for the title shot and won the title against a defenseless Griffin. Rashad's straight forward boxing style, while it has improved greatly, is tailor-made for Machida's evasive striking.

Believe me, I'd love to see the Detroit brawler knocking everyone out. You're talking to someone who still believes in Wanderlei Silva. But you can put any brawler in any weight class against Machida, and Machida will win.

Silva is my favourite 205 pounder of all time by the way and I haven't totally given up on him.

I do admit that Machida has excellent stand-up skills and is very elusive. However, Evans found a loop-hole in Griffin's defense and took advantage and that's what cost Griffin the match. There's no excuses there. Evans was in top notch shape for that match. And I believe he will be in top-notch shape for this match as well. Even his trainer admitted that they love when he's the underdog because it keeps them more focused and not in as much pressure. All I'm saying is even though Machida is elusive, if Evans can get in some punches through, it will spell trouble for Machida. He's never really been put to much of a test and I think Evans will do that...

Griffin slipped up and Evans pounced no doubt. But Griffin is knowhere near as elusive, in fact he isn't elusive at all. The guy has never had good defence, he's just been a very tough hardworking fighter. Machida's best attribute is his offence and his footwork which is impossible to figure out or time. Rashad is a straightforward striker with no real x-factor in that area other than he has power. But hitting a guy like Chuck who was slowing down alot and hitting a guy like Griffin who is there to be hit is completely different fom hitting a guy like Machida who doesn't stay still and doesn't give his opponents time to settle or find a rhythm so that they can time him. Plus you have to take into account that Machida during his UFC career has never lost a fight, and more impressively has never lost a single round either. Rashad on the other hand looked unimpressive against Bisping in a fight which I felt he lost. And both Chuck and Griffin were getting the better of him until they made mistakes. Machida doesn't make mistakes and is a better fighter all round which works in his favour as he has more options.

The fight I always point to when looking at this matchup is both their fights against Tito. Rashad had trouble against Tito. He ended up walking away with a suspect draw which I again felt should have gone Tito's way. Machida on the other hand, outmuscled, outwrestled and outstruck Tito with ease. Now styles do make fights, but with Rashad you have pretty much a copy of Tito but with better striking. But even so it's not good enough to get the better of Machida IMO.

Griffin slipped up and Evans pounced no doubt. But Griffin is knowhere near as elusive, in fact he isn't elusive at all. The guy has never had good defence, he's just been a very tough hardworking fighter. Machida's best attribute is his offence and his footwork which is impossible to figure out or time. Rashad is a straightforward striker with no real x-factor in that area other than he has power. But hitting a guy like Chuck who was slowing down alot and hitting a guy like Griffin who is there to be hit is completely different fom hitting a guy like Machida who doesn't stay still and doesn't give his opponents time to settle or find a rhythm so that they can time him. Plus you have to take into account that Machida during his UFC career has never lost a fight, and more impressively has never lost a single round either. Rashad on the other hand looked unimpressive against Bisping in a fight which I felt he lost. And both Chuck and Griffin were getting the better of him until they made mistakes. Machida doesn't make mistakes and is a better fighter all round which works in his favour as he has more options.

The fight I always point to when looking at this matchup is both their fights against Tito. Rashad had trouble against Tito. He ended up walking away with a suspect draw which I again felt should have gone Tito's way. Machida on the other hand, outmuscled, outwrestled and outstruck Tito with ease. Now styles do make fights, but with Rashad you have pretty much a copy of Tito but with better striking. But even so it's not good enough to get the better of Machida IMO.

Excellent points and opinion. While I am not going for Machida nor believe he will beat Evans like the 95% out there, I do respect your opinion and commend you for your knowledge of MMA. I'm not closed-minded about this fight. Even though I don't believe it will happen, I understand Machida can beat Evans and you've made an excellent argument to show that. It should be interesting no matter who wins in that match...

Added Lyoto Machida - Countdown to UFC 98, Karate promo video

LARSON WANTS TO FINISH WILSON, BE A CONTENDER (http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8780&zoneid=13)

Former WEC welterweight contender turned UFC prospect Brock Larson has done his homework.

He knows that to get in the good graces of the UFC execs’ that he needs to:
A) Win decisively and impressively. Check.
B) Be on call for potential early comebacks. Check.

Fresh off of a two-minute drubbing of Jesse Sanders this past April at UFC Fight Night in Nashville, Tenn., headlined by former foe Carlos Condit, Larson made his return to the big show after a more than two-year absence. It had been an eight-month lapse since his prior bout with the WEC against former title challenger Carlo Prater.

Larson showed the sort of tenacity and experience that he brings in every fight; poised and ready to go. It’s hard to argue with the results.

“(The fight with Jesse) was real good. It was how you envision the perfect fight and that’s what we planned and that’s what we did, so it feels good,” he proclaimed as a guest on MMAWeekly Radio.

Outside of his two losses to Top 10 welterweights Jon Fitch and Carlos Condit, the Minnesota native is nearly perfect as a professional. Having been victorious 25 out of 27 tries, Larson has defeated 17 of those opponents by way of submission (which he describes as Gorilla Juijitsu) and four by way of knockout.

It's interesting to note that in one night alone, in his Extreme Challenge days, Larson took on former IFL middleweight champion Ryan McGivern, UFC and Strikeforce veteran Ryan Jensen, and current TUF contestant Demarques Johnson of Team USA to claim honors as Extreme Challenge 63 tournament champion.

Stepping up on short notice to replace an injured Josh Koscheck at UFC 98 in Las Vegas, he will lock horns with Chris Wilson on the preliminary portion of the card. After having the layoff between transitioning from the WEC to the UFC, Larson is pleased with the workload and has no complaints or hesitations coming into this fight just over a month out his last appearance.

“Work is good, work is good. I’m happy to be fighting again” he said.

“I was quite happy to hear that (the UFC) were interested and I was glad to take the fight. At first they offered it to me, but they didn’t know for sure if they were going to offer it to me or maybe another fighter, so I was happy that I got the call and was glad they obliged.”

With his sights set on Wilson (for the moment), the newly minted father expressed his interests in vindication, a rematch stemming from his WEC days with Carlos Condit, who was unsuccessful in his own UFC debut.

“I’m game. I don’t know what Condit plans on doing, but whenever they want to put that fight together I’ll be up. Nothing against Condit, not that he’s not a great fighter, but I think that I could change some things around a little bit and get victorious in that fight.”

With training partners in former UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk and current UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar at the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy and some cross-training with former UFC middleweight champion Dave Menne, it’s that kind of atmosphere that keeps Larson motivated and eager to learn.

“We’ve got all these guys that are getting ready for fights anyways; there’s an Extreme Challenge that a lot of local guys are getting ready for as well so everybody’s training.

“Dave Menne and his guys... I’ve been at his gym sparring and training as well. Everybody in there seems to be getting after it right now, so it’s good timing for me; get ready and get some good training in.”

Obviously putting in the time and effort going into a fight with a well respected veteran in Chris Wilson, who has defeated the likes of Rory Markham and Jay Hieron in his IFL days, Brainerd, Minnesota’s favorite son is looking to make a statement that a fighter of his caliber should not be stuck on the untelevised broadcast, but rather propelled to main card status and considered a contender in the shark tank that is the UFC welterweight division.

“Nobody has been able to finish Chris, so it’s going to be a challenge for me to get out there and to finish him. He’s had three fights now (in the UFC) and nobody’s been able to go outside the distance with him except for some tough dudes, so I’m excited to break that streak and be the first guy to finish him.”

JITTERS GONE, "PROFESSOR X" READY FOR UFC 98 (http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8781&zoneid=13)

He certainly didn’t look it, but Xavier Foupa-Pokam says the UFC jitters got him at UFC 97.

“I was feeling very great in the locker-room, and just before the corridor to the path to the Octagon,” Foupa-Pokam told MMAWeekly.com. “Then, I started to feel tense and didn't fight the way I should have. I wasn't lucid; I was short of breath.”

“Professor X” is far from alone in the experience. The UFC debut continues to be, for lack of a better term, an “X factor" when evaluating newcomers. Foupa-Pokam had 29 fights on his resume when he stepped into the cage. But as so much anecdotal evidence has shown, even the most experienced fighters can lose their composure when they step onto the big stage.

His opponent, Denis Kang, suffered his own jitters on his debut at UFC 93, despite 40-plus fights on his ledger.

Nevertheless, Professor X blasted Kang with kicks and punches throughout much of their three-round battle, looking every bit an explosive menace. But he says adrenaline made him more tired than ever before.

“I had troubles recovering rapidly, and I made mistakes I normally never do that spoiled a lot of energy,” he said. "Normally, I often go to a fight very confident. I consider a fight like a party that celebrates the end of a hard preparation; that's maybe why I often dance a bit when on the path to the cage or the ring. The day before the fight, I was still wondering why a lot of journalists were asking me if I wasn't afraid of feeling too nervous on this first UFC fight. Now I understand why.”

Foupa-Pokam is embarrassed when he looks at the fight now.

“I feel particularly ashamed of myself when I see me bending over and putting my hands on my knees,” he continued. "I had never done this before. I always work a lot on my conditioning; stamina has always been considered as one of my strengths. When people watch the fight, they have a feeling I have no takedown defense, no wrestling, and no ground.”

In the end, it was Kang’s ground game that won him the unanimous decision from the judges. A humbling moment for the Professor, to be sure, and one he never wants to repeat again.

Foupa-Pokam, a native of Paris, France, was ordered to take up a sport by his mother at age 11 along with his brother. His brother chose soccer; he chose karate. After seven years of katas, he got bored with “high-level karate strategies” and took up Muay Thai at a school next to his house. Champ Cyrille Diabate, current striking coach for Team USA on “The Ultimate Fighter” season nine, ran the school. Nine years later, he and Diabate still train together. A former TV cameraman, he’s now a full-time fighter.

Foupa-Pokam faces slugger Drew McFedries at UFC 98, a short-notice replacement for the injured James Irvin. While he would love the opportunity to stand and trade, the Professor is not banking on it.

“I wish he would!” said Foupa-Pokam. “But it’s MMA, not Muay Thai, and I have to be ready for everything.”

He says the fact that he and McFedries are southpaws doesn’t complicate the fight.

“It's not easier or harder to fight a southpaw, it's just different,” he said. “Of course, I'm more used to fighting righty guys in competition, but I’ve already had southpaw opponents.”

Plus, he has years of experience with Diabate, a lefty with range.

More than any technique, though, he wants to prove that UFC 97 will never happen again.

“I've had a short, but complete fight preparation for this one,” he said. “I kept working on everything at the same time. I'm looking forward to show everybody that the Kang bout was an accident.”

SERRA VS HUGHES MOVES FROM REALITY TO REAL (http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8782&zoneid=13)

“I’ll tell you this for sure, I’ve got one more fight left in me. Matt Serra needs to come up with a game plan now. My wife wants it. I want it. And I know these fans want it, too.”

Such were the words of Matt Hughes nearly one year ago after losing to Thiago Alves at UFC 85. New week, on May 23 at UFC 98, that fight will finally happen. In reality, it's been much longer than a year in developing.

The two were supposed to have faced each other at UFC 79 after serving a stint as coaches on Season 6 of The Ultimate Fighter. Serra, however, had to withdraw from the bout due to a herniated disk in his back.

“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do,” Serra said at the time. “I’m devastated, especially because this was such an important fight. I was looking forward to fighting Matt Hughes... All I can do now is to get better and to fight again as soon as possible.”

Instead of fighting Serra for the welterweight championship the New Yorker had surprisingly taken from Georges St. Pierre at UFC 69, Hughes accepted a rematch with St. Pierre at UFC 79. He was handed a second defeat via the Canadian, then moved on to be TKO'd by Thiago Alves at UFC 85.

Serra didn't return until UFC 83, where he was soundly defeated in his own rematch with St. Pierre, giving up the title and taking some of the shine off the still desired grudge match with Hughes.

Hughes, however, suffered a knee injury in the bout with Alves and has been on the sidelines until now.

Both are healed up and ready to finally step in the Octagon together on Saturday night. And despite the lengthy delay for both of them since their last bouts, the fan anticipation has steadily grown as UFC 98 nears.

"Yes, we’ve both had injuries but I mean that happens in our sport when you’re as rough on our bodies as we are. But I mean I think the fans still want to see it," said Hughes recently. "Obviously, him and I still want this fight to go on. So the bottom line nothing’s really changed."

Serra agreed, "There was a big build up, and unfortunately I had to withdraw and that killed me at the time. And I’m just happy that it’s happening man. I’m thrilled that it’s going to be happening on the 23rd; better late than never you know."

The animosity between the two really goes back to season four of The Ultimate Fighter in the fall of 2006 when Serra was a contestant as a former UFC fighter trying to make a comeback, whilst Hughes was a coach opposite Georges St. Pierre. Their open criticism, stemming from a personal dislike of each other, really started to make itself known to fans during that season.

After all this time, at least for them, their disdain for each other hasn't waned. And for those that ask the question, Serra insists that none of their friction is manufactured. They just plain don't like each other.

"Nothing’s manufactured here. That’s what’s really – that I have to stress to people. They’re like, 'oh man, you know is that all fake, the TV?' I’m like no, not really, because basically if the cameras aren’t there I’ll be doing the same thing.

"I didn’t have any agenda you know with anything as far as I do this and it’ll lead to this and that. I think it’s great. I mean, it creates a hype, and people like – they like going in there wanting to see me either get beat down or me to beat down Matt Hughes.

"A lot of times some of the greatest fights are what builds them up, with like Ali and Frazier and whatnot, you know, with the pre fight stuff. But this one is just genuine.

"The only fight I want to fight right now, the only person I want to fight is Matt Hughes. I feel like it’s something that never got finished. We were on that show together. And it’s not only for us, for everybody, for the fans, for us, for everything."

And on Saturday night, at UFC98, everybody who wants this match-up will finally get it.

Champ Rashad Evans makes "simple" changes for Lyoto Machida at UFC 98 (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14907/rashad-evans-makes-simple-changes-for-lyoto-machida-at-ufc-98.mma)

Despite defeating Forrest Griffin, Chuck Liddell and Michael Bisping in a span of 13 months, UFC light-heavyweight champion Rashad Evans (13-0-1 MMA, 8-0-1 UFC) will once again enter the cage as the underdog.

Challenger Lyoto Machida (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) is too elusive, they say. His style is too evolved.

"Sugar" has heard the doubters before.

"I don't take it personal," Evans said on a recent media call. "Whether they believe I can win or don't believe I can win it, I mean it really doesn't matter because it's not the first time I've been the underdog going into a fight.

"And I haven't lost yet. So it really don't matter."

Of course, Evans isn't the only one who hasn't lost yet. Both champion and challenger bring an undefeated record to Saturday night's "UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida" main event in Las Vegas.

And while Evans has shown a penchant for devastatingly powerful striking, it is Machida's unique application of karate that has many MMA observers – and Las Vegas oddsmakers – identifying "The Dragon" as the one to beat. Evans respectfully disagrees.

"You know [Machida] has got an interesting style," Evans said. "It's pretty tricky at times, but I think that anybody going against him is going to have their own way of doing things, and they're going to have their own style.

"So it's just making simple adjustments and it should be alright."

Like six UFC opponents before him – and like B.J. Penn, Rich Franklin and Stephan Bonnar before Machida's entrance into the UFC – Evans will try to make the "simple" adjustments necessary to defeat the Brazilian challenger.

Unlike that impressive list of previous victims, Evans will rely on master gameplanner Greg Jackson to craft that strategy.

"There's just certain aspects that [Machida] does," Evans explained. "His movement may mask it a little bit, but it's simple – the simple principles that he's trying to do that you look for.

"Watching Machida's tapes I've definitely seen enough that I can do myself in areas that fit into what I do well. So I'm not worried about it."

Never one to lack in confidence, Evans has openly said he wanted to take this fight. While many fans clamored for Evans to face former champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, the current champ identified Machida as "more deserving" and the "better fighter."

And while often branded as "****y" or "arrogant" during his rise to the top, it's an attitude practically necessary for any fighter hoping to remain champion.

"I enjoy training," Evans said. "I enjoy getting better. But the ultimate test is when you get to go out there and fight. And as much as I can go out there and fight then, the better.

"I've been successful so far, and I've been enjoying this whole learning experience. So keep them coming."

UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, despite recent criticisms of his counter-attacking style, has certainly made waves with nine-straight wins in the octagon. Evans has yet to receive that type of praise, despite putting together a nine-fight unbeaten streak of his own in the UFC.

But despite a seeming lack of respect for the "TUF"-winner-turned-UFC-champion, Evans is just focused on the task at hand – and becoming the first fighter to make the "simple" adjustments necessary to slay "The Dragon."

"Accomplishing what me and Lyoto have accomplished, it wasn't an easy task," Evans said. "So I guess there's some small sort of accomplishment as far as being a big deal.

"But when I go in there and fight Lyoto, I mean it don't matter if I'm undefeated or not, you know? I'm just trying to win that one fight."

Simple enough.

Despite delay in fighting Matt Serra, Matt Hughes insists nothing changed (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14908/despite-delay-in-fighting-matt-serra-matt-hughes-insists-nothing-changed.mma)

A fight nearly three years in the making, it's difficult to imagine two opponents less similar then former UFC champions Matt Hughes (42-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC) and Matt Serra (9-5 MMA, 6-5 UFC).

The well-documented rivalry that began in 2006 with "The Ultimate Fighter 4" – and later reached a boiling point in "TUF 6" – will finally be decided at Saturday night's "UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida" in Las Vegas.

And while the bout may have lost some luster in the eyes of the public, Hughes insists nothing has changed for the participants.

"I don't think it changes a whole lot," Hughes said on a recent media call. "Yes, we've both had injuries, but I mean that happens in our sport when you're as rough on our bodies as we are. But I think the fans still want to see it.

"Obviously, him and I still want this fight to go on. So the bottom line is nothing's really changed."

Originally scheduled to meet in December 2007 at UFC 79, a Serra back injury forced the delay of the contest. Hughes then suffered a knee injury in his most recent fight, a June 2008 loss to current top contender Thiago Alves.

Hughes said he was able to recover fully without the need of surgery.

"In the last fight I tore my MCL and partially tore the PCL, but they grew back together," Hughes said. "I did not go under the knife."

And while Hughes hasn't fought in over 11 months – and hasn't registered a victory in over two years – the once-dominant, guaranteed hall-of-famer insists his time off has been a good thing.

"Well you know, I'm getting older now," Hughes said. "So the time off was actually pretty nice. But I've switched things up a little bit. I went to a lot of training camps. I went out a lot to different places and didn't stay home as much."

Hughes is undoubtedly one of the most dominant fighters in UFC history. The former champion put together two separate six-fight winning streaks in the UFC, won the welterweight title on two different occasions and defended the belt seven times.

And despite those successes, Hughes has suffered recent criticism largely due to the potential character flaws so readily pointed out by Serra. But with his place in UFC lore firmly secured, Hughes insists the positives have far outweighed the hate.

"I think any time you voice your opinion or you're just an outspoken guy or you just wear your heart on your sleeve, you're going to have people that love you and people that hate you," Hughes said. "And I get a fair amount of fan mail. And obviously I get some hate mail, too.

"I don't mind you know. It's all part of the game and I don't sweat it either way."

For all of bravado, all of his promises, all of his glories, Serra has put together just a 2-2 record in hist four years in the UFC.

While a stunning victory over Georges St. Pierre has cemented "The Terror's" own place in the annals of UFC history, it's hardly a record unmatched by his peers.

Meanwhile, the legendary Hughes has put together just a 4-3 mark in that same time frame – though his supporters would undoubtedly point out that the wins included B.J. Penn and Royce Gracie, while the losses came to the two men who will contest the 170-pound belt in July.

It's an emotion-filled battle, that even if a little late is certainly better than never.

They share a first name, they've taken turns wearing the same UFC belt. But in the words of Hughes, the two Matt's are simply "just two different people."

FOR RASHAD EVANS, UFC 98 IS BUSINESS AS USUAL (http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8783&zoneid=13)

He is the Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion of the world.

He won season two of The Ultimate Fighter reality series.

His professional mixed martial arts record stands at 13-0-1.

His wins include knockouts of former champions Forrest Griffin and Chuck Liddell and a split decision over fellow Ultimate Fighter winner Michael Bisping.

He trains at one of the most respected fight camps in the world, Greg Jackson's MMA, alongside top fighters like Georges St. Pierre, Keith Jardine, Nate Marquardt, and Donald Cerrone.

Yet, when Rashad Evans steps into the Octagon at UFC 98 on Saturday night, he will be considered the underdog; an assumption supported by current betting lines, both online and in Las Vegas. It's not the first time he hasn't been expected to win, and probably won't be the last. Either way, it doesn't really faze the champion.

"I don’t take it personal. Whether they believe I can win or don’t believe I can win it, I mean it really doesn’t matter because it’s not the first time I’ve been the underdog going into a fight," he said recently. "And I haven’t lost – and I haven’t lost, yet. So it really don’t matter.

"I’m still the underdog going into this fight. So it feels like business as usual."

The perceptions of Evans as an underdog are somewhat unusual for a fighter that has his resume and is undefeated going into the fight. Of course, Machida is also undefeated, having beaten many top-level fighters himself. And it's not often that two world-class competitors in mixed martial arts, especially competing for a title, enter the bout undefeated.

"Accomplishing what me and Lyoto have accomplished, it wasn’t an easy task," said Evans in reference to neither of them having lost a fight. "So I guess there’s some small sort of accomplishment far as being a big deal. But you know, when I go in there and fight, just like Lyoto probably, it don’t matter if I’m undefeated or not. I’m just trying to win that one fight."

Win the fight is something that no fighter has done with either Evans or Machida, but Evans isn't troubled by the prospect of trying to be the first to knock Machida down from the ranks of the unbeaten.

"He’s got an interesting style. It’s pretty tricky at times, but I think that anybody going against him is going to have their own way of doing things. And they’re going to have their own style. So it’s just making simple adjustments and it should be all right," said Evans.

“I’m not going to add any pressure to myself to say it’s going to be this kind of fight or that kind of fight. I’m just going to go out there and fight my best.

"I don’t know how I’m going to approach this fight until probably fight day. You know it depends on how I feel when I come out. Sometimes you go out there and you see opportunities and sometimes you don’t. When you go out there and fight, if you have your mind set on just one thing and you go out there and you don’t see it then it takes you a while to recover. So I like to just react on my feet man. And if I see an opening I’m going to take it. And if I don’t, then I’ll just sit back and chill."

Lyoto Machida and the Revenge of Karate (http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/1/lyoto-machida-and-the-revenge-of-karate-17521)

Saturday, Lyoto Machida may well wind up finishing what Minoki Ichihara started.

Ichihara, if not the pioneering karateka to step into a mixed-rules ring, was certainly the first to do it for the benefit of a television satellite truck. An elite daido juku fighter in Japan -- a hybrid of judo and kyokushin karate -- Ichihara admitted himself in the 16-man draw of the second Ultimate Fighting Championship in March 1994.

Stout, serious and possessed of Bluto-like forearms, he was eager to meet Royce Gracie, whom he had watched and admired during the first tournament. Like Gracie, Ichihara sported a gi. Unlike Gracie, he was unaware it did him more harm than good: Gracie used it to choke him into submission after five minutes of protracted struggling.

Because UFC II’s success on VHS made it the viral video of its time, karate’s combat impotence was not an easy thing to keep a tarp over. As events wore on, the idea that someone who spent a portion of the day in kata or in stilted, mechanical fight posture would be an effective antidote to the Gracies -- or later, the wrestlers, kickboxers and now wrestler-kickboxer hybrids -- became laughable. Traditional arts were relics, sneered at by fight fans who knew better. Fights were won or lost based on the time spent gathering mat burn, not perfecting cinderblock parlor tricks.

But everything comes back in style eventually. (Possible exception: Zubaz.) Ichihara had fought blindfolded: His karate had no prior knowledge of what waited for him in the ring. Like all styles, it learned. The wrestlers used to beat up the kickboxers until the kickboxers learned to defend themselves on the ground; the wrestlers started getting beat up by the kickboxers until their striking caught up. Now everyone can wrestle and kick, and the better athlete usually wins.

The advent of the athlete -- as opposed to the stylist -- in the past 10 years created narrow opportunity for karate to make cameo appearances in fights, but only under the control of cross-trained competitors. Shonie Carter whipping a spinning back fist out of his pocket against Matt Serra in 2001 was a condition of his kickboxing and wrestling proficiency. He was in control of the fight, so he could get cute. You have to know the rules before you can start breaking them.

No traditionalist has validated that to greater effect than Lyoto Machida, who is taking his 14-0 record into a Saturday title bout with Rashad Evans, also undefeated at 9-0-1.

Machida is not a “karate fighter” in the sense Ichihara was; he’s trained extensively in jiu-jitsu, muay Thai and other styles to help complete his library of martial arts. What makes Machida a story is his footwork and defensive posturing, which is classically old-fashioned. And that’s frustrating, because the sledgehammer-swinging combat hybrid fighter of 2009 doesn’t go into a gym and practice mounting or defending attacks with hands low and chins up. For them, Machida’s style might as well be pluto-fu.

It’s a blend of technique that’s had answers for everyone from Rich Franklin (good striker with Western sensibilities) to Thiago Silva (jiu-jitsu, aggression) to Tito Ortiz (power, power, power). The only question left is the one Evans is more than capable of asking: What happens when an explosive wrestler decides he doesn’t want to keep swinging at air -- he wants to plant you on your ass and pummel until you sneeze bone fragments?

It’s a great question -- Evans/Machida holds more interest for me than any fight so far this year -- and the answer is going to have real influence on how aspiring fighters choose to train. When Royce Gracie proved his style’s efficacy in a real fight, schools began painting “and jiu-jitsu” in their front windows. Ichihara might find considerable irony in MMA franchises forced to add “and karate” to their yellow page ads.

Toiling in some putrid gym somewhere right now is a guy building a base of wrestling and kickboxing who’s going to start ending fights with some bizarre krav maga or kung fu mysticism. And it’ll work only because being eccentric in the ring comes with having a contemporary base.

When you can meet someone at his own game and not be disassembled by your own ignorance, you can begin to impart your own. Machida has figured this out. Now it’s up for everyone else to figure him out.

12 Questions for Sean Sherk (http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/1/12-questions-for-sean-sherk-17520)

In his quest to return to the top of the lightweight division, former champion Sean Sherk will meet Frankie Edgar in a pivotal main card bout at UFC 98 “Evans vs. Machida” this Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The sculpted 35-year-old Minnesota rebounded from his title fight loss to B.J. Penn a year ago with a unanimous decision victory against Tyson Griffin at UFC 90 in October. Sherk (33-3-1) has lost to only three men -- Penn, current UFC welterweight king Georges St. Pierre and future UFC hall of famer Matt Hughes -- and remains one of the sport’s most underappreciated fighters.

In this exclusive interview with Sherdog.com, Sherk discusses the possibility of a rematch with Penn, the taxing cut to 155 pounds and life as a father to two sons who seem unaware of his stardom.

Sherdog: Let’s start with Frankie Edgar. He’s your next opponent in the UFC. How are things going in preparation for Frankie?
Sherk: Things are going real good. [I have] a lot of good training partners. Training camp has been going phenomenal. [I’m] putting things together and just winding it down, getting ready for showtime.

Sherdog: You’ve fought a lot of guys in your career. Is Frankie different from opponents you have faced in the past?
Sherk: I think he’s pretty well-rounded. He has a great wrestling background, [and] his striking looks good. Every time I’ve seen him fight, he looks comfortable on his feet. I think he’s a purple belt in jiu-jitsu. I think he’s pretty well-versed. I don’t know how this fight is going to turn out. It could turn into a wrestling match or a boxing match. That has yet to be seen. I think you’ll see a lot of everything in this one. That’s the way it is with everybody in this industry now, especially at the high level. Everyone is three-dimensional now. You never know how it’s going to go until you get in there and start mixing it up.

Sherdog: B.J. Penn is going to fight Kenny Florian at UFC 101 in August. You fought both of those guys. If you get past Edgar and Penn beats Florian, do you think the MMA community is ready for Penn-Sherk 2?
Sherk: I would hope so. My last fight with Tyson [Griffin] was real exciting. We got “Fight of the Night.” I think my fight with Frankie is going to be real exciting. I think -- assuming I do pull the win off in two fast-paced, exciting fights -- that the fans would be excited for Penn and Sherk 2.

Sherdog: Let’s talk about the time when you were outside of the UFC. You decided to call up Monte Cox, and he got you back in. UFC President Dana White has gone on record saying he does not like Monte. What is so special about Monte and how does he make things happen?
Sherk: I think the guy is a really good manager. He’s got so many great guys that he manages, which obviously helps. He knows a lot of people in this industry. He’s really well-connected. I don’t know the issues between him and Dana, but if you’re managed by Monte Cox, you’re in the big show. That’s just the way it is.

Sherdog: Let’s talk about some of your past opponents. You’ve been in there with some of the best fighters in the world -- Matt Hughes, Georges St. Pierre and B.J. Penn. Who is the toughest guy you’ve competed against in mixed martial arts?
Sherk: All of those guys … my three losses, obviously. When I fought Matt Hughes, he was number one pound-for-pound in the world. When I fought Georges St. Pierre, he was on that top 10 pound-for-pound in the world list. When I fought B.J. Penn, he was on that top 10 pound-for-pound list. All three of those guys were phenomenal fighters. I couldn’t really put my finger on one guy. They all posed problems in different ways. I had a lot of trouble with St. Pierre because of his reach. I’ve been in the ring with a lot of great guys, not just the guys that I’ve been beaten by. Look at the guys I’ve beaten. I’ve beaten 10 guys over my career that have been ranked top 10 in the world at one point in time, so I’ve beaten a lot of great guys, and I’ve been beaten by some great guys. That’s what mixed martial arts is all about to me -- creating that legacy. When I walk away from this industry, I don’t want to have any type of question marks next to my name. I want to know -- and I want the fans to know -- that I was one of the best guys in the world for a long time and I fought some of the best guys to prove it.

Sherdog: What do you consider the most difficult moment you have had to deal with in a fight?
Sherk: I would have to say the whole Nandrolone thing coming into the B.J. Penn fight. I got booed by 20,000 fans at the MGM Grand. People hated me. My boos were louder than B.J. Penn’s cheers. It was just crazy. To come in losing my belt for something I didn’t do, and then coming into fight a guy that I wasn’t too fond of, and then the entire MGM Grand hates you and wants to see you get your ass kicked … that was the toughest situation that I have had to deal with. I still shrugged it off and was able to fight to the best of my ability, but I could have very easily let that situation bother me.

Sherdog: Coming in to that fight, there seemed to be a lot of animosity between you two. He talked a lot of trash about you before the fight. Afterwards, he said it was all for show and just to hype the match. Do you still have any ill feelings towards Penn?
Sherk: No, I have no problem with B.J. We squashed whatever the issues were. He wanted to build the fight up, and I took that personal. I wasn’t sure if he was building the fight up or if he really felt the way he said he did. You know, I was pissed off; I’m not going to lie. We squashed that issue. We had a chance to go to Vegas and hang out for a few days and film a TV show. B.J.’s a good guy. He’s one of the toughest guys in the world, and he knows how to build fights on top of that. He does his job and earns his paycheck.

Sherdog: Who do you consider the most talented fighter you have ever fought?
Sherk: Georges St. Pierre, bar none. Every time I see him fight, he just looks better and better. The guy is just a crazy good athlete, and the crazy thing is the guy probably hasn’t even hit his prime yet. He has got to be one of the favorite guys that I actually like to tune into and watch.

Sherdog: St. Pierre really showed that you needed to move down to 155 pounds, not because you did not have the talent to succeed there, but the size difference between you and some of those guys seemed to be too much. How do you think you would do if you were still competing in the welterweight division?
Sherk: I think I would still fare well. I’m confident that I would do well at any weight class within reason. I could adapt to a bigger weight class. I know the competition has gotten better, with guys like [Jon] Fitch and [Josh] Koscheck and [Thiago] Alves, but I’m confident that I could fare well with all of those guys. I think I could still be a top five or top 10 guy at that weight class, but I’m real comfortable at 155, and I have no desire to go back up to 170.

Sherdog: What’s it like for you to make 155? Is it more difficult, or is it just a matter of staying in the sauna a little bit longer?
Sherk: Well, it’s a matter of changing my entire lifestyle for 12 weeks. My diet is very, very strict. I do pre-cuts four weeks before every fight. I mean, I actually practice cutting weight. I did it a couple of weeks ago. I cut down to 158 on a Saturday just to get my weight down. Now I’m walking around at, like, 175 again. It’s all about getting your body acclimated. It’s all about getting that metabolism speed up. I naturally sweat a lot anyway, so the water comes off real good. There are a lot of factors in there. For me to lose 20 pounds, no, it’s not easy. It sucks ass. I’ll be honest. It’s not fun at all, but it’s something I can recover from by the time I fight. Within 30 hours, I’m 100 percent again; I’m 175 pounds again. I feel like I didn’t even cut the weight.

Sherdog: Let’s talk about Sean Sherk the family man. You have two kids now, right?
Sherk: Two boys.

Sherdog: Do they know that dad is kind of a celebrity?
Sherk: I’m just dad. I’m nothing special to them. I’m the guy who takes care of them and hangs out with them. They don’t think any different. They’ve never seen me fight, as far as I know. Maybe they’ve seen me fight one time. I don’t even think my kids know what I do for a living. I know people have asked them in the past, but my kids shrug their shoulders: “I don’t know what my dad does.” I don’t really make it an issue for them. I don’t push fighting or training on them. I just want them to choose their own path and not have any type of pressure to be like their dad. Eventually, when they get older, I’m sure they’ll figure it out, and they’ll think it’s pretty cool and stuff. We’ve got the action figures at the house. They know their dad has an action figure. They don’t think anything of it. As far as they’re concerned, everybody’s got an action figure. They don’t know how unique that is, you know?

UFC 98 challenger Lyoto Machida feels time is right for his style to succeed (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14910/ufc-98-challenger-lyoto-machida-feels-time-is-right-for-his-style-to-succeed.mma)

Hardcore fans have known the name Lyoto Machida (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) for years.

The man who defeated B.J. Penn, Rich Franklin, Stephan Bonnar and Vernon White before he ever set foot in the UFC, "The Dragon" is now a slight favorite to dethrone current champion Rashad Evans (13-0-1 MMA, 8-0-1 UFC) in the main event of Saturday night's UFC 98 in Las Vegas.

With six-straight wins in the UFC, though yet to participate in a main event, Machida feels the time is right for him to slowly win over the casual fan, too.

"I'm very relaxed right now," Machida said through an interpreter in a recent media call. "I've been training a lot. I trained a lot on top of Rashad's game plan, and I've got my own game plan adapted to Rashad.

"I think that Rashad is a great fighter, and he's given some great performances. I'm going to go out there with a clear mind and just do what I trained to do."

What Machida has trained to do – since early childhood, in fact – is a karate-based style of martial arts not often seen in MMA that has given his 14 previous career opponents fits.

While Evans hopes to be the first to successfully figure out the Brazilian's unique style, Machida explained that his art is still developing.

"I believe that a martial art is not what builds the athlete," Machida said. "The athlete builds his own art. So it's really a matter of how you train and how consistent you are and how you strive for things. That's what determines what kind of athlete you are."

Machida's sometimes training partner and current UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva has been heavily criticized for his recent defensive-minded performances. While Machida has made a career out of being "elusive," the challenger understands what's required of him as a competitor in UFC 98's featured bout.

"Of course it's part of my job to entertain the fans," Machida said. "In the end [mixed martial arts] is a sport, but it's also entertainment. I'm being paid to entertain the fans.

"But I do believe that all of the criticism goes on to a good side of my training because I can hear what the people are saying and kind of adapt my training and get better in whatever way I can."

Machida has endured similar criticism to Silva. He's gone the distance in eight of his 14 career wins, including four of his six wins in the UFC. "The Dragon" answered some of his critics with a first-round knockout of Thiago Silva in January, and Machida believes he can do the same on Saturday night.

"I'm always looking for the fight," Machida said. "I'm always looking for his chance to engage.

"But I'm aware that Rashad is the champion, and I'm prepared to go in there and go after the belt."

Machida was granted his chance at the title in spite of many MMA fans and observers calling for former champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson to get the nod. While Evans agreed with the UFC's decision, Machida also believes it is his time to shine.

"I think this title shot came at a great time," Machida said. "I've had a lot of time to grow as a fighter, a lot of time to train. I think it has taken a little time, but it was great timing and I'm very well prepared."

And while the challenger still has five days before he can officially stake his claim for the UFC's light-heavyweight title, Machida insists this fight has already begun.

"I think that the fight begins before I step into the [cage] and that my mind can also be used as a weapon against the opponent," Machida said. "I see my body as a sword – as a samurai would – because I need to get at [Evans], and I need to harm my opponent."

Rashad’s Rise to Power (http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/1/rashads-rise-to-power-17532)

When Rashad Evans accepted Keith Jardine’s offer to visit his camp in Albuquerque, N.M., following the second season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” he knew he had found a home. The diamond in the rough has since been cut and polished and now sits atop the UFC light heavyweight division, having knocked off then champion Forrest Griffin in December.

A major reason behind his rise to the summit is the team of training partners and coaches assembled around the former Michigan State University wrestler. Fighters like UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, Nate Marquardt, Joey Villasenor and Jardine, along with his two main trainers, Greg Jackson and Mike Winklejohn, have given Evans a stable foundation upon which to build.

In turn, Evans presented Jackson and Winklejohn a new canvas with which to experiment and fine tune. Their handy work will be put to perhaps its most stringent test this Saturday, when Evans (13-0-1) defends his belt for the first time against undefeated challenger Lyoto Machida in the UFC 98 main event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

So what do Jackson and Winklejohn think about their protégé’s latest foe?

“Machida is very crafty, and he is a smart fighter,” Jackson said. “He is able to move forward and fight well, and he’s able to kind of pull you in and counter well. We’re going to have to fight for little things, take each battle as it comes … and, hopefully, we will be able to beat him in places where he is most comfortable.”

While he knows Machida (14-0) represents a formidable obstacle for his charge, Jackson is full of praise for Evans, too.

“He just keeps getting better and better as a fighter,” Jackson said. “The great thing about him is he is young, he’s constantly improving, he’s a real humble guy, he’s a student of the game, and, so, he’s just a pleasure to coach.”

Winklejohn may be the Jackson camp’s invisible man to many casual fans, but Jackson, his long-time friend and business partner, leans on him when it comes to a lot of the stand-up training in Albuquerque. A grizzled veteran of combat sports, Winklejohn has seen just about everything fighting has to offer. His eyes light up when asked about Evans, a man whose evolution he has overseen for the last three years.

“Rashad went from a wrestler [to] where now he is known as a great striker,” Winklejohn said. “He is very intelligent and he learns very fast and he has some God-given abilities.”

When asked what has helped Evans reach the top of the light heavyweight division, Winklejohn points to one trait.

“His versatility is his most impressive trait as a fighter,” he said. “He can do just about anything, be it Thai boxing, wrestling or the groundwork -- his ground game is actually very underrated -- and he can do them all at a very high level.

“His eyes … he keeps his eyes open, he knows what he is hitting, and, along with the footwork -- being in the right place at the right time -- he is very explosive,” added Winklejohn, affectionately known as Jackson’s “Big Brother.” “I always say he has [Mike] Tyson-like explosiveness. People haven’t seen it yet. Give it some time. He’s getting better.”

Evans may need that kind of explosiveness against Machida, who has been a one-man wrecking ball at 205 pounds since he made his UFC debut just over two years ago. Nevermind losing a fight, Machida may not have even dropped a round in his six UFC contests.

“Machida is a tough nut to crack,” Winklejohn said. “He’s a talented guy with good reactions; he steps back, causes a hole and counters real well. [The] plan is to have Rashad not be there when Machida wants to counter. We are going to counter the counter or make Machida come at Rashad.”

Bookmakers do not seem to buy into Evans’ chances to successfully implement such a gameplan. They have installed Machida as the favorite despite his challenger status. One might think that would be a bone of contention for the Evans camp, but Jackson quickly snuffed out any attempt to make much out of the odds.

“We love being the underdog,” Jackson said. “We’re almost always the underdog for some reason, and that’s great. It’s a situation that we are very comfortable in. It’s a situation that we draw strength from, and we’re really looking forward to proving everybody wrong, or at least doing our best to prove everybody wrong.”

Jackson and Winklejohn have done their share of celebrating after watching Evans prove people wrong time and time again. No one really gave him much of a chance against iconic former champion Chuck Liddell at UFC 88 in September, but Winklejohn sees a common thread to predicting success for Evans.

“I told Rashad if the crowd starts booing, that’s a good thing; we have the right gameplan,” said Winklejohn, echoing the sentiments he imparted before Evans knocked out Liddell in Atlanta.

While that might not bode well for fans hoping to see a knock down, drag out war between two technicians, it could end up being sweet music to the ears of fans craving more symphony than heavy metal.

SERRA BELIEVES HUGHES IS OVERLOOKING HIM (http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8784&zoneid=13)

It's been almost 2 years in the making, but at UFC 98 Matt Serra will finally get his chance to take on Matt Hughes in a grudge match for the ages. The war of words between the two welterweights goes back even further, but on May 23 they will finally get to settle the score.

Many fans ask the question of what brought about the feud between Serra and Hughes, and to hear the New York native talk about it, all you'd have to do is drop a few dollars and rent a few seasons of "The Ultimate Fighter."

"Rent season 2 of "The Ultimate Fighter" then go to season 4, make it halfway through season 6 without calling the guy a douche and I'll tell you right now I owe you an apology. I'm just not a big fan," Serra told MMAWeekly Radio recently about his history with Hughes. "We used to be cool back in the day, but success, just like anything else, gets to people. They can either be grateful and be thankful and stay grounded, or they can get stuck up and think who they are. He's that guy."

"He thinks he's above people, that's just the way I see it."

The former welterweight champion believes that Hughes will also carry that attitude into the fight at UFC 98, and he plans on making the Illinois native pay for any mistakes he might make on fight night.

"I know he doesn't put me on his level," Serra commented. "That's going to come into play, and he's going to realize 'just because I'm a bigger wrestler, I'm a bigger guy, maybe a better wrestler and I can bench press more' there's more to it, you know?"

Admitting that his opponent does bring many dangerous weapons into the fight, Serra says it's the lack of respect coming his way that will be Hughes undoing.

"No matter what I think of Matt Hughes, I obviously think he's a dangerous guy, and I respect his skills and what he's accomplished, even though I don't like him that much as a person at all," said Serra. "The biggest thing for him in this fight is going to be ego. He doesn't think I belong in the same arena, let alone the same cage as him. That's the difference, I'm expecting a hard fight, and I don't think he is."

The interviews leading into this grudge match have been plentiful, but Serra laughs at some of the comments his opponent has made, and he's ready to make him pay for it when the step into the Octagon.

"I saw an interview for the promos saying that he's going to see me there, and I'm going to look across the cage, and I don't know, second guess taking the fight. He must be smoking crack on that farm of his. Look at the list of guys I've fought. I don't (expletive) my pants over anyone, I don't give a (expletive) who it is," Serra stated.

Working at his gym as well as traveling back to Renzo Gracie's school in Manhattan, along with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace John Danaher, and stand-up coach Ray Longo, Serra believes he is more prepared for this fight than ever before.

"I couldn’t feel better. I feel the best I've felt in a long time, I'm rearing to go," said Serra. "I'm healthy, my back felt like there was nothing ever wrong with it. I'm seriously putting 110% into this fight, and we'll see how it works out. I feel really good about it."

The New Yorker has no problem letting Matt Hughes know how he feels going into the fight, but he's also ready to unleash all the training and hard work he's put forth, come Saturday night.

"I'm ready to give three five's of hell," Serra said. "I'm not over analyzing anything, I'm not getting crazy or getting caught up in anything, it's another fight, just a guy I really don't want to lose to."

Matt Serra will face Matt Hughes in the co-main event of UFC 98 on Saturday night, May 23.

Welterweight Mike Pyle tapped as "standby" fighter for UFC 98 (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14924/welterweight-mike-pyle-tapped-as-standby-fighter-for-ufc-98.mma)

Strikeforce, WEC, Affliction and Sengoku veteran Mike Pyle (17-5-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) has been tapped as a "standby" fighter for Saturday night's "UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida."

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) learned from sources close to the event that Pyle has signed a contract with the organization and has been told to be ready to step into Saturday's event.

Additional sources have indicated the UFC may be using "Quicksand" as an insurance policy for Brazilian resident Chris Wilson (14-5 MMA, 1-2 UFC) in his bout with Brock Larson (25-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC).

An Xtreme Couture-trained fighter and Las Vegas resident, Pyle has also fought for the now-defunct EliteXC and IFL organizations. Currently riding a four-fight win streak, Pyle has earned 15 of his 17 career wins by submission.

Additionally, Pyle has fought to a decision just twice in his nine-and-a-half year career. The 31-year-old counts Jake Shields, Matt Horwich, Rory Markham and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson among his five career defeats.

The immediate reason for the potential concern surrounding Wilson wasn't clear.

Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer did confirm with MMAjunkie.com that he was "waiting for some additional medical information" from Wilson, but he insisted there was no failed drug test or reason to believe Wilson would be unable to compete at this time.

Wilson, a Team Nogueira fighter lives and trains in Brazil, and "The Professor" recently made headlines when recounting the harrowing story of surviving an armed robbery in Rio de Janeiro.

Wilson was originally slated to face Josh Koscheck at UFC 98, but the American Kickboxing Academy-trained fighter was forced to withdraw in April after suffering an injury in preparation for the contest.

While initial reports suggest Pyle has been brought in as a potential replacement for Wilson, the Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra and Yoshiyuki Yoshida vs. Brandon Wolff bouts will also be contested at 170 pounds.

machida will win

round 1 machida

my guy, who is an mma freak compared to me - even though i actually train - says he has got machida to win.

he say machida had decent strikinjg from karate i think, and great groundwork, but evans has more explosive punching but weaker ground game.

and i think he gives the edge to machida.

any thoughts? any argumements otherwise or anything i said to be misaccurate?

i have seen these guys fight before, just dont remember much of their fights.

also an ok/decent undercard i hear.

UFC 98 live stream (http://www.mmaphilippines.net/UFC-98-live-stream)
May-23-2009 7pm PT/10pm ET
http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=eventDetail.fightCard&eid=2001

added dana's blog

LYOTO MACHIDA FINALLY GETS SHOT AT UFC GOLD (http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8776&zoneid=2)

Hard to hit, hard to engage, hard to like – all charges directed at light heavyweight contender Lyoto Machida in his two-plus years with the UFC.

After six consecutive victories in the Octagon, the undefeated Brazilian is getting his due against champion Rashad Evans. But can he give the fans what they want?

“Of course there is always a little pressure for a main event,” the stoic Machida told reporters on a recent teleconference for Saturday’s UFC 98. “One of my main priorities is to put on a great performance and really satisfy my fans. If I come out relaxed and focus on the fight it will be a great fight.”

In a bout where neither fighter wants to give any details on their approach to each other, Machida remained elusive about whether he'd be the first to strike.

“It is hard to say before a fight, but I will look for my chance to engage,” he said. “I am aware Rashad is the champion and I will go in there and go after the belt.”

Machida’s Shotokan base has delighted some and frustrated others; at times, his love for the art of combat seems to overtake a desire to entertain. He's been an anomaly inside and outside the cage, a southpaw Karateka who miraculously seems to avoid damage and is driven primarily by the martial code.

And even if he could speak English, he'd probably be the last guy to promote an after party following a fight.

Casual fans and diehards alike look at him as a riddle.

No one can deny he’s been wildly successful. But whether he entertains or doesn't next Saturday, Machida says his art does not make him a fighter.

“The athlete builds his own art,” he said. “It is a matter of how you train and how consistent you are and how you strive for things that determine what kind of athlete you are.”

He took a step in a commercial direction at UFC 94, taking Thiago Silva’s consciousness and unblemished record. But Silva was a brawler.

Rashad Evans is unlikely to be so brash. He’ll try to steer clear of Machida’s counters and create his own. Risks will be calculated, and he’ll try to set the rhythm of exchanges. Still, someone will have to make the first move.

He assured reporters he’d been methodical about his preparation.

“I am very relaxed right now,” he said. “I have trained a lot based on Rashad’s gameplan and built my gameplan for this fight around that. I think Rashad is a great fighter and has had some great performances. For myself, I am going to go out there with a clear mind and do what I train to do.”

It may have taken him longer to get his opportunity, but Machida doesn’t concern himself with its timing. All that’s left to do is execute the game plan.

“I think the title shot came at a great time,” he said. “I have had a lot of time to grow as a fighter. While I could say that it took awhile; it all worked out and I am now perfectly prepared.”

Last Rodeo for Hughes? (http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/1/last-rodeo-for-hughes-17544)

After more than a year of trash talking and anticipation, Matt Hughes will finally face rival Matt Serra in what could be the country boy’s last rodeo.

The co-main event of UFC 98 “Evans vs. Machida” this Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the fight represents the culmination of the personal feud between the two, which dates back to the fall of 2007 when they coached against each other on season six of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series.

The two coaches were originally slated to square off at UFC 79, but Serra was forced to withdraw with a back injury. The postponement of the grudge match has done little to quell the animosity between the two former welterweight champions, exemplified by a Hughes interview in which he revealed his wife has called for Serra’s blood. No doubt intent on complying with his spouse’s wishes, Hughes has put himself through another grueling training camp in preparation for the showdown.

Hughes’ base of operations is the H.I.T Squad Training Center, the Illinois gym he opened last year after parting ways with longtime coach Pat Miletich. Training with former EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler fulltime, Hughes also works with coaches Marc Fiore and Matt Pena on his grappling and boxing.

“We put on a seven-week training camp for this and took no time off,” Fiore says. “We did everything we needed to do. We got our cardio up. He’s in condition. He’s in shape. He’s very strong right now.”

Fiore, who has trained and cornered Hughes since 2002, says that despite the well-documented grudge, his fighter stays on an even keel.

“Is it easier to get motivated for this fight? Probably so, because there’s bad blood, but he’s a professional,” Fiore says. “He knows this is what he does for a living. Fighters get show money, and they get win money, and it’s always nice to get that win money.”

Hughes’ training has not been limited to the confines of his own gym, however.

“I’ve switched things up a little bit,” he says. “I went to a lot of training camps, went out a lot to different places and didn’t stay home near as much.”

One of those outside camps visited by Hughes (42-7) was Greg Nelson’s Minnesota Martial Arts Academy, home to former and current UFC champions Sean Sherk, Dave Menne and Brock Lesnar.

“We just basically got him into the fold of our training camp, and we all worked together,” Nelson says. “We have Sean training for Frankie Edgar. We have Brock Larson training for his fight the same weekend. [Hughes is] kind of the king of the hill at his own school, so it’s nice to come to another spot where they have a lot of guys who are high-level grapplers and high-level fighters that could put him in jeopardy and push him. And we worked on all the same stuff: punching to takedowns, submissions on the ground, full-on grappling, sparring, the whole ball of wax.”

Perhaps the biggest news coming out of the Minnesota camp is the state of Hughes’ cardio. According to Nelson, Hughes not only participated in Sherk’s tortuous endurance training but did not miss a step, going stride for stride with “The Muscle Shark.” Long considered to have one of the deepest gas tanks in the sport, Hughes may have just upgraded to a bottomless reserve, especially considering his showdown with Serra is only a three-round contest.

Hughes, who turns 36 in October, also spent time on the mat at Jeremy Horn’s Elite Performance Gym in Utah. A former Miletich Fighting Systems teammate for many years, Horn is well-acquainted with Hughes’ performance in the gym and the cage.

“Matt Hughes is one of the strongest, most physically gifted people I’ve ever met or trained with, and he’s been working really hard for this fight,” Horn says. “Physically, he looks bigger and better than I’ve ever seen him, at least for a long, long time.”

Hughes has not fought since suffering a technical knockout loss and knee injury to Thiago Alves at UFC 85, meaning he has spent a little less than a year on the shelf. Admittedly in the latter stages of a long and storied career, will the time off work for or against the future hall of famer?

“We’ve both had injuries, but that happens in our sport, as rough as we are on our bodies,” Hughes says. “I’m getting older now, so the time off was actually pretty nice.”

Perhaps the bigger question, however, is if the cringe-worthy knee injury sustained as a result of the Alves loss will limit the agility of the traditionally explosive wrestler. Hughes did not have surgery to repair his torn medial collateral ligament and partially torn posterior cruciate ligament, saying they grew back together naturally. Nelson does not believe the injury will affect his performance.

“When he was here, there was absolutely no glimmer of anything [wrong with the knee],” he says. “He wasn’t wearing a brace or nothing. He was just ready to go.”

As far as strategy goes, it seems a foregone conclusion among fans and media alike that Hughes’ best chance for victory lies in securing a takedown.

“Going with the statistics, it’s in our advantage if we get Serra on his back,” Fiore says. “I mean, you look at a lot of Matt’s wins; they’re from that position, where Matt’s on top of his opponent and he grinds ’em out, or he goes for a submission or goes for ground-and-pound. That’s where Matt is strong.”

Never considered a deadly striker, Serra (9-5), a Renzo Gracie Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, put his fists on the map in 2007, when he knocked out the heavily favored Georges St. Pierre to win the welterweight strap. While members of the Hughes camp would not concede that Serra has a decided stand-up advantage, they are game-planning specifically for the stocky New Yorker’s striking style.

“What you have to watch out for with Matt [Serra], more than anything, is that when he’s up on his feet, he holds nothing back,” Nelson says. “When he throws a punch, he’s going for it. It may not be pretty, but if it lands, you’re going to be in trouble. A lot of times, people always train for the guy who’s throwing the nice, straight punches and the pretty boxing, but what do you usually get hit by? The crazy shot that comes flying out of nowhere. I watched a lot of Matt Serra and kind of imitated the way he throws his punches and kind of threw wild shots at [Hughes], as well as clean shots.”

If Hughes can avoid getting clipped and score with takedowns, it seems likely he will unleash some of his world-famous ground-and-pound and walk away a winner in what all signs point to being his last fight. Retirements are seldom set in stone in the sports world, but if this turns out to be the two-time champion’s last walk to the cage, he will surely be remembered as one of MMA’s greatest fighters, regardless of the outcome. Of course, a win certainly would not hurt his legacy, and that’s exactly what Fiore predicts.

“Somehow, someway, Matt Hughes is going to get his hand raised on May 23,” he says. “Ground-and-pound, submission, that’s the way I think it’s going to be.”

I know this, Machida is a better technical striker than anyone in the division and possibly the sport. He doesn't go for the knockout because he doesn't need to. Evans KOd a washed up Liddell for the title shot and won the title against a defenseless Griffin. Rashad's straight forward boxing style, while it has improved greatly, is tailor-made for Machida's evasive striking.

Believe me, I'd love to see the Detroit brawler knocking everyone out. You're talking to someone who still believes in Wanderlei Silva. But you can put any brawler in any weight class against Machida, and Machida will win.

Agreed... Machida is too technically skilled for anyone in the division IMO, he'll just elude any danger and wait for the right time to go in for the kill, if not he can grind his way to a decision

Trying to take him to ground is pretty much the hardest thing to do, and trying to go in and knock him out is equally as daunting... The only ways I can see anyone beating him is somehow getting him to stand toe to toe trading shots or somebody with great ground skills taking him down...

He kind of illustrates what a Boxer would do in UFC IMO, with superior footwork and movement, and the ability to catch you moving in without getting caught himself

I can not stand that prick Evans which means he will probably win and be champ for about 10 years. Gutted.

Will Lyoto Machida ride unusual style to a title at UFC 98? (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14933/will-lyoto-machida-ride-unsual-style-to-a-title-at-ufc-98.mma)

LAS VEGAS – There are those who want to dub Lyoto Machida (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), the Ultimate Fighting Championship's unbeaten light-heavyweight contender, as "The Karate Kid," as a sort of homage to his background as a black belt in Shotokan karate.

To all but the most dedicated mixed martial arts fans, though, he's more like Austin Powers.

You know, the "International Man of Mystery."

Despite a perfect record, despite not having lost so much as a round in six UFC fights, despite victories over former UFC champions Tito Ortiz, Rich Franklin and B.J. Penn, perhaps only the Minnesota Twins' bat boy has a lower profile than Machida.

He'll fight Rashad Evans on Saturday at UFC 98 for the UFC's light heavyweight title in a bout that would be attracting gobs more attention were it, as was originally planned, former champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson who was standing across the cage from Evans rather than Machida.

Neither Evans nor Machida has lost, and only a controversial draw against Ortiz at UFC 73 blots Evans' record and prevents this from being a match of two fighters with perfect marks.

Machida's style is confounding not only to those who have to fight him, but even more so to those who watch him.

It's usually not hard to understand what happened when you see Evans land an overhand right or Jackson drive a guy into the mat so hard that it would make Dick Butkus stand and applaud.

Machida, though, wins fights in an almost surgical manner. He fights with almost no expression, similar to former PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko.

He's elusive and defensive and, well, different. Evans, the man who needs to figure it out, and fast, says simply that Machida's style is "interesting" and "pretty tricky."

If Jackson is to MMA what Nolan Ryan was to pitching, then Machida is Greg Maddux.

Maddux's fastball might have been, oh, 15 or 20 miles per hour slower than Ryan's. Ryan got batters out by letting them know what was coming and then throwing the ball so hard they simply couldn't get around quickly enough to hit it.

Maddux was slyer. Look outside and he came in. Expect something hard and get something offspeed. It was almost impossible to hit the middle of the ball with the barrel of the bat when Maddux was in his prime. Guys would sit in the on deck circle and salivate at the thought of hitting against him, but then would drag their bats back to the dugout wondering what had happened.

And that's how Machida's career has gone. Machida probably strikes fear in no one. He doesn't have a devastating move he's renowned for pulling off. But he wins by playing chess as everyone else is playing checkers.

Dana White, the UFC's colorful president, has become rich and famous beyond measure because of his ability to express himself. Words roll off his tongue as quickly as the fastball exploded out of Ryan's hand.

Ask him what makes Machida so intriguing, though, and White takes a deep breath and pauses before going on.

"He wins," White said. "The guy is undefeated, and look at who he's beating. He's fighting everyone. People can relate to a guy like that. He looks like anybody else, but he goes out there and he just beats whoever he fights."

Some may call his style boring, because he's not likely to wind up with any highlight reel knockouts or jaw-dropping moves. The half-Brazilian, half-Japanese Machida incorporates sumo training into his game, which shows with a superb sense of balance. His defense is so tight, he's rarely hit. In the fight game, many see that as a negative, but Pernell Whitaker and Willie Pep landed in the International Boxing Hall of Fame because of their defense.

He’s a methodical, purposeful fighter, though he's clearly heard the criticism. He wants to be entertaining, but clearly not at the expense of victory.

"It's part of my job to entertain the fans," Machida said. "In the end, it's a sport, but it's also entertainment. I'm being paid to entertain the fans. I believe that all of the criticism goes on to a good side of my training, because I can hear what the people are saying and kind of adapt my training, and kind of get better in whatever way I can."

Machida's biggest victory is probably his win over Ortiz at UFC 84, when he survived a triangle choke and an arm bar in the final minute to pull out a unanimous decision victory.

White, though, prefers to point toward Machida's most recent outing, when he was explosive and powerful and dominating in finishing previously unbeaten Thiago Silva in the first round. Silva was an aggressive bully, the kind of fighter fans tend to love, but Machida turned the tables on him and pounded him out.

Ever the promoter, White expects that version of Machida to gradually appear more and more often.

"I've been around this sport for a while now, and the one thing I've noticed is that as guys get comfortable being here (in the UFC) and dealing with all the pressure of fighting here, that they relax and open up more," White said. "Machida feels he belongs now and you saw that (against Silva). It's not like he doesn't have the ability to do that."

If Machida wins, he'll bound upward in the pound-for-pound rankings and would have a strong claim himself to being the best fighter in the world. After all, who else is unbeaten and would have names like Franklin, Penn, Ortiz, Silva, Stephan Bonnar and Evans on his resume?

He's seventh in the Yahoo! Sports poll now, two spots behind Evans, and will at least move into the top five with a win.

He'll never be the charismatic champion that guys like Jackson, Chuck Liddell, Ortiz and Randy Couture were, but if wins and he keeps the belt for any length of time, he may become as big as any of them.

Fans love a winner and right now, there is no more consistent winner in MMA than Lyoto Machida.

Serra's long wait for Hughes fight winds down as UFC 98 approaches (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14936/serras-long-wait-for-hughes-fight-winds-down-as-ufc-98-approaches.mma)

More than any UFC match in recent memory, Saturday night's Matt Hughes (42-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC) vs. Matt Serra (9-5 MMA, 6-5 UFC) match is more of a battle of personalities and an end to a grudge than something that will lead to future business.

In fact, the UFC 98 showdown could be the last major match of each former UFC welterweight champion’s career.

Hughes is a UFC legend and future Hall of Famer whose total time as world champion (four years and four months over two reigns) and total UFC wins (15) are both second on the all-time list behind Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell, respectively.

Serra also has his role in history. His April 7, 2007, welterweight title victory over Georges St. Pierre, the man who ended Hughes' run, was the biggest upset of any championship match in UFC's 15-and-a-half-year history.

And that's only part of the story.

It goes back to 2006, when Hughes came in as a guest instructor on Season 4 of "The Ultimate Fighter." Serra was a participant on the show, where former UFC fighters who hadn't made the grade were brought back in two tournaments, with the winners getting championship matches.

An argument took place between Serra and Marc Laimon, a guest jiu-jitsu coach who has been an outspoken critic of the Gracie family. To Serra, that was almost like insulting his father, given that Serra was the first American black belt under Renzo Gracie in 2000.

Serra and Laimon's dispute was caught on camera, and Hughes, who dominated Royce Gracie on the ground in his highest-profile career win, was the third party stirring it up. Hughes tried to get the pair to square off in a grappling match, but it never transpired. But Serra immediately took a disliking to Hughes, categorizing him as the ultimate high school jock bully who gave wedgies to the smaller kids.

The dynamic wasn't lost on the UFC. Serra won the welterweight tournament, which gave him a title shot at St. Pierre in Houston at UFC 69. He was an 8-1 underdog on the Vegas books, thought to be completely out of St. Pierre's league, too small, not nearly the athlete nor having the wrestling ability to compete with the champion. But he landed a big right punch immediately, and St. Pierre never recovered.

There was no question who was the happiest man that night at the Toyota Center. Within a two-month stretch, Serra won the title, got married, moved into a new house, and was chosen to coach on "The Ultimate Fighter 6," even more valuable because of the exposure it gave for his Serra jiu-jitsu academies on Long Island.

The second happiest was Hughes, who was set to face the winner. The smile on his face looked as big as his expansive farm in Illinois and the message was clear. Christmas came in April and in facing Serra, and not St. Pierre, Hughes thought he was getting his third welterweight title reign gift-wrapped for him.

Zuffa made what at the time was an obvious choice. They put the two as opposing coaches on the sixth season of "The Ultimate Fighter," and with the exception of Ken Shamrock and Tito Ortiz, no coaches in the history of the show came across with so much believable animosity.

"As for the 'TUF 6' show, nothing was manufactured here," said Serra. "People think it's all fake for TV. If the cameras weren't there, I'd be doing the same thing. I speak my mind. I didn't have any agenda, like if I do 'this,' it leads to 'this.'

"But I think it's great," Serra said. "People like to either see me beat Matt Hughes, or get beat down by Matt Hughes. Some of the greatest fights, like Ali-Frazier, are based on what builds them up. This fight is genuine."

More than any "TUF" season, the two coaches were motivated by absolutely hating to lose at anything to the other. During the season on camera, Hughes disrespected Serra as champion, insinuating he was a one-hit wonder who wasn't even in the category of himself and St. Pierre.

That criticism stung because Hughes was saying loudly and without any reserve the questions everyone had at the time. Even today, and it's been nearly three years since Hughes has looked like the unstoppable powerhouse wrestler in his prime, Hughes goes into Saturday's fight as a nearly 3-1 favorite.

But just as everything had gone right to build the fight, everything went wrong in trying to get the fight in the cage.

First, Serra suffered a herniated disc in his lower back in training, forcing cancellation of the fight. Hughes saw that as an opportunity to note all of the times he fought with injuries. St. Pierre replaced Serra in the Dec. 29, 2007, match in Las Vegas, beating Hughes in a one-sided fight. St. Pierre followed by beating Serra in the same fashion on April 19, 2008, in Montreal.

Then things continued to get in the way. Serra bruised his ulna nerve. Hughes, in a loss to Thiago Alves on June 7, 2008, tore his MCL and partially tore his PCL, although he recovered without surgery. Then the fight was delayed again when Serra asked to push it back one last time because his wife was expecting a baby girl, born in February.

"I'm healthy as a horse," said Serra, who turns 34 the week after Saturday's fight, making him one year younger than Hughes, but likely without as much physical mileage from having fewer fights. "I feel the best I have in years. There was a big build-up and I had to withdraw and it killed me."

He said the unsettled grudge has been a great motivational tool.

"My back feels awesome," Serra said. "I was healthy for St. Pierre (the second fight). I would never use that as an excuse. I was a little cautious in training but I was 100 percent in the fight. But this camp, I was able to train a lot harder on the wrestling and ground work and I feel fantastic. I don't want to lose to him. The thought of it, put it this way, it got me through a great training camp.

"I think Matt Hughes is pretty dangerous at what he does. He takes guys down, beats people up, his passing (the guard) is good. I have to go back to the basics. I've trained a ton in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, new techniques, sharpening my skills. If it stays on the feet, I have the advantage. I think I can do more damage than he can. If it goes to the floor, I'm going to be ready to rock."

Regardless of what happens in Saturday night's fight, Serra feels his legacy is secure.

"How many people can say they were champion of the world, UFC champ?," Serra asked. "That's something I'll take to my grave more so than the financial aspects. For the rest of my life, I'm a former UFC champ. You can never take it away. To me, it's more for the legacy. I feel very privileged to achieve that.

"I look at it like this. If I retire tomorrow, I have enough to tell my grandkids. If my heart's not in it, I won't [fight], but I love doing it."

Anyone fancy betting against me? No big bets, just something small like 5k lol. I ain't going to offer special odds either 'cause I'm going into this blind.

I'll be backing Machida btw.

UFC 98: FRANKIE EDGAR AND THE MUSCLE SHARK (http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8748&zoneid=13)

Exciting fights keep you in the UFC. Winning those exciting fights makes you a commodity. When you’re a commodity you become a contender. When you become a contender… well, you’re Frankie Edgar.

Taking the lightweight division by storm, the New Jersey native made his Octagon debut against fellow top lightweight Tyson Griffin in a rousing three-round battle (which still is seen on television sets across the globe thanks to UFC Unleashed) with each fighter having their moments. The victory ultimately went to Edgar, who used effective wrestling coupled with a solid stand-up game to hand Griffin his first professional loss.

After suffering his own first professional loss to Xtreme Couture’s Gray Maynard, in true Edgar form, he came back with another exciting fight against former title challenger Hermes Franca at UFC Fight Night 14 in Las Vegas this past July.

Gearing up for his most important fight to date, against former UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk, to be televised on the main card of UFC 98, Edgar spoke with the MMAWeekly Radio show discussing his pivotal match-up and what had kept him out of action for the remainder of 2008.

“Believe it or not, I sprained my ACL in my right leg and my MCL in the other one. It was kind of one after the other, so it was tough to deal with, but I got over it. No surgery needed; physical therapy, one hundred percent” explained Edgar.

Eager to continue climbing the mountain that is the lightweight division, the Ricardo Almeida pupil had the option of returning to the fight game earlier this year, however, opted to wait until May to compete against Sherk. With a win over the former champion, Edgar could begin to stake his claim as the next title challenger in the crowded division.

“I just feel that the opportunity to fight Sherk is an opportunity you could wait for.”

Originally scheduled to face Matt Wiman back in December, after succumbing to multiple injuries, Edgar has used his time out efficiently. And with plenty of notice to face Sherk, the newly minted father (who admits fatherhood is his biggest challenge, taking precedence over fighting) believes that the extra allotted time can only benefit him physically and uses his daunting task at hand as extra motivation to come in pristine condition.

“Being that my knee was banged up, being that Sherk is such a tough opponent, I wanted to start this training camp out really early, so timing was excellent for this one.”

Having been able to win the majority of his fights based on pure skill rather than physicality, questions began to circle the Tom River, N.J., resident when he garnered his first and only loss, to Maynard, who is the epitome of “large” lightweights. Many feel that Edgar would be much better suited in the featherweight division… but not him.

“I enjoy fighting in the UFC. I wanna stay here. You never know what the future holds, but right now I feel like I have a great opportunity heading in with Sherk. I feel like if I beat Sherk, I’m right in the picture for this title, so I don’t see any reason to go down (to 145). When people question my ability at 155 it absolutely motivates me. I don’t mind being the little guy; I think it’s a fun position to be in as a fighter.”

Knowing well that the win over Sherk is a near guarantee for top spot for the lightweight title, Edgar will make the best of the opportunity given to him. He also relishes the chance to prove the naysayers wrong and make a statement that size doesn’t matter.

“I really feel like Sean is on his way back to the title. I feel that if I beat him, I take his spot or at least a notch right below it. I think it can only help me to where I want to be, so that’s why I was really quick to jump on this one."

UFC 98 IN-DEPTH: MATT SERRA VS. MATT HUGHES (http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8763&zoneid=2)

The grudge match is finally here. On May 23 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, enemies Matt Serra and Matt Hughes will let their fists do the talking and purge 17 months of built up animosity.

Originally scheduled for UFC 79, Serra was forced to withdraw from the bout a month prior with a herniated disc. Replacement killer Georges St. Pierre stepped in to the slot and submitted Hughes in the second round, seizing an interim welterweight belt and forcing the nine-time champ back to the drawing board.

Upon recovering, Serra lost the undisputed title at UFC 83, and Hughes fell further from grace with a TKO loss to Thiago Alves at UFC 85, injuring his knee in the process.

While time and titles have taken some of the luster from the bout, the feelings have not. On a Tuesday teleconference for UFC 98, Serra re-affirmed his feelings for Hughes, and Hughes, putting it mildly, said they were “different people.”

It’s unlikely that next Saturday’s fight will quash any of the bad blood, but the bragging rights will be a lot bigger than a game of bowling.

STRIKING

After years of work in the grinder of Miletich Fighting Systems, Hughes’ has become a proficient striker. Not a great one, but for someone of his background, enough to set up his ground and pound go-to. He throws straighter punches and is more comfortable in the pocket. He mixes stances, recently fighting Thiago Alves as a southpaw. Regardless of which leg leads, though, Hughes’ lead hand defines his striking game. He throws a lunging jab, pecking at opponents before closing the distance. The shots come one or two at a time in short, controlled bursts. He never swings for the fences. Kicks serve as a precursor to an eventual shot. Clinch striking is not his forte, though he does use knees to soften an opponent up before attempting a takedown.

Serra tends to sling himself low and forward on his feet, and similarly uses his jab to minimize his usual reach disadvantage. Once inside, though, he often goes bombs away with power punches. Like Hughes, the shots are often a distraction for the clinch game or a takedown. Still, he lingers in the pocket longer and is willing to throw hands. Serra’s right hand is his moneymaker, and it’s the shot he will commit to fully.

GRAPPLING

Hughes is wrestling personified. Takedowns, slams, and sheer power on the ground have defined his style. On top, he is one of the best at passing an opponent’s guard and doing damage with punches and elbows. Recently, he’s also showcased a strong game from the bottom, using an active guard to prevent being passed. In losses to St. Pierre and Alves, he’s finally encountered opponents who exceeded his wrestling ability, but he continues to follow the same blueprint for each fight: take an opponent down and work for a TKO stoppage from top position.

Serra’s defining feature is his jiu-jitsu. A Renzo Gracie black belt, his ground attack is rooted in his bottom game, particularly the control of opponents. He ties opponents up from the bottom and inches towards submissions. On top, he doesn’t pour on the ground and pound, preferring to play the position game. And as of late, he’s played a very patient game, happy to slow the action down until a submission attempt or scramble is wide open.

OCTAGON CONTROL

Serra is more tactician than brawler. Not overly aggressive, he measures offense and defense equally, waiting for the right moment to strike. Because he often waits for the action to start rather than initiating, he finds himself countering aggressive fighters. On the other hand, he is more than happy to storm in with a Superman punch to grab a single leg and take the fight down after an opponent has been felt out.

Hughes’ motives are simple: take the fighter down and control him. Every movement is geared towards that goal. More than past fights, he is willing to stand and trade before the drive to the ground. But the end is still the same. He bides his time on the feet before going to the mat.

CONDITIONING

A relentless worker, Hughes applied his work ethic on the family farm to MMA. He’s got “farm boy” strength, and won’t stop unless hurt. He works tirelessly on his conditioning and since becoming a UFC staple, has never been accused of conditioning problems.

Serra has bounced between the lightweight and welterweight classes, and with his smaller frame, is a natural fit for 155 pounds. Undersized in his recent bouts at welterweight, Serra has been stopped before conditioning could become a factor. Since his return to the UFC via TUF 4, he has not been tested by a consistently high-paced fight. He can sit in guard or drive for takedowns, fighting at his pace, but fighters who push the action wear him down, the last example being Karo Parisyan at UFC 53.

THE “X” FACTOR

In all likelihood, the fight hinges on whether or not Serra can damage Hughes before he gets taken down. Their hatred of each other might ensure a slightly longer exchange on the feet, but there’s no doubt that Hughes’ will shoot. If Hughes takes a southpaw stance, it could be good news for Serra. But if “The Terror” over commits and ends up on his back, which it’s certain he will, his ability to stymie Hughes will be the question mark the fight hangs on. Even if Serra can delay damage, it will remain to be seen whether he can do it for three rounds in a constant battle for position.

Serra's ability to leverage technique against power will define the fight.

KEYS TO VICTORY

Serra:
-Catch Hughes with right hand
-Takedown defense, constant movement
-Scramble to feet if taken down
-An early submission from the bottom

Hughes:
-Take the fight to Serra early
-Use jab to close distance
-Back to basics: Takedown and ground and pound

Anyone fancy betting against me? No big bets, just something small like 5k lol. I ain't going to offer special odds either 'cause I'm going into this blind.

I'll be backing Machida btw.

I'll take that bet.. I know Machida will contol the bout in consistent fashion but you never know with Rashad, he's good at turning matches around with a single punch,

I'm willing to make up to a 10k max bet on Machida to win it. If you want me taking Shad you gotta offer some good odds.

UFC 98 preview: Evans opens defense of crown in familiar underdog role (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14950/ufc-98-preview-evans-opens-defense-of-crown-in-familiar-underdog-role.mma)

Having a title to his name hasn't changed much for Rashad Evans.

The UFC's ultimate underdog assumes that role once again for his first title defense – the UFC 98 main event against Lyoto Machida Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Despite an impressive ascent to the UFC's light heavyweight crown, which included victories over Forrest Griffin, Chuck Liddell and Michael Bisping, the overachieving Evans has yet to conquer the critics.

"I don't take it personal," said Evans (13-0-1 MMA, 8-0-1 UFC). "Whether they believe I can win or don't believe I can win, it doesn't really matter because it's not the first time I've been the underdog going into a fight. And, I haven't lost yet."

The 29-year-old wrestling-bred Niagara Falls, N.Y. native has been beating the MMA odds since being picked for the second season cast of "The Ultimate Fighter." At 5-foot-11 and a light heavyweight at just 225 pounds, Evans turned back all comers en route to winning the heavyweight finale.

Since his appearance on "TUF," he's improved perhaps more than any other contestant from the reality show and has added an effective, if still-evolving, striking game to his wrestling and grappling base.

Criticized for an inability to finish opponents in his first three UFC bouts, he promptly went out and blasted Jason Lambert and Sean Salmon in succession, both inside of two rounds. Tentativeness cost him in his first crack at a big-time fight against Tito Ortiz at UFC 73, and he was forced to settle for a draw. However, Evans learned from the experience and demonstrated zero hesitation when pitted against another UFC icon. Evans' brutal KO of Liddell at UFC 88 produced a defining career moment – before he stripped the belt from Griffin.

"I always felt like I was on that level," said Evans of being considered a world-class fighter before winning the title. "It's just a matter of performing. It's just a matter of putting it together, and hopefully, I can continue to put it together, but you never know what kind of fight you're going to have. I've been fortunate in my last two fights to come out there and have a great performance and getting the right mindset before I go out and perform."

Evans takes adaptability and confidence into the match-up against the unorthodox, counter-striking Machida, a fighter who has puzzled and frustrated opponents en route to six consecutive UFC victories. Evans labels Machida's style as "pretty tricky," but he downplays that as being the X-factor in the fight.

"It doesn't present any problems," said Evans, who's been to three camps to train and help teammates prepare since he beat Griffin in December. "Watching somebody fight, breaking them down, sometimes the best evidence you get is when there's not really a weakness that somebody else hasn't been exploited … and watching Machida's tapes, I've definitely seen enough that I can do myself in areas that fit into what I do well. So, I'm not worried about it."

The plodding Machida, 30, punched his title-shot ticket with a first-round knockout of Thiago Silva at UFC 94 in January. Silva's aggressive, fire-first style played to Machida's strength as a counter-puncher, and the Brazilian notched his first UFC KO.

Even in the wake of his best performance in the octagon, the UFC still eyed Quinton Jackson for the match-up against Evans. Machida isn't a pay-per-view draw, doesn't speak much English and hasn't endeared himself to American fans. But when Jackson couldn't make the fight, Machida (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) was the only viable option.

Machida understands there's more to MMA than just wins and losses.

"It's part of my job to entertain the fans," he said. "In the end, it's a sport, but it's also entertainment. I'm being paid to entertain the fans, but I believe that all of the criticism goes on to a good side of my training because I can hear what the people are saying and kind of adapt my training and kind of get better in whatever way I can.

"There's always a little bit of pressure, especially in this fight coming out in the main event, but one of my main priorities is to put on a great performance and to really satisfy my fans."

While Machida's run in the UFC has been short on style points, it's hard to argue that he's not deserving of the opportunity. The punch out of Silva was his biggest victory in the UFC, but he's also dispatched Ortiz, Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou and Kazuhiro Nakamura. In addition, he gives the organization the chance to sell the fight as the first UFC championship bout between undefeated fighters, for what that's worth.

Jackson, meanwhile, awaits the winner.

Wait ends for former champions Hughes, Serra

The UFC 98 co-feature is an overdue match-up between the Matts, Matt Hughes and Matt Serra.

Both fighters have wanted this bout for years. Following their coaching stints on season six of "TUF," with Serra holding the welterweight belt and Hughes holding disdain for his coaching counterpart, fans craved it as well.

Each stirred the pot for the fight. Hughes insinuated that Serra landed a lucky punch to take the title from Georges St. Pierre and that Serra wasn't of the same championship ilk as he and GSP. Serra mocked Hughes during the taping of "TUF." It was compelling stuff – until delays and losses started to mount.

Serra suffered a back injury, which scuttled the fight, originally planned for UFC 79. Serra subsequently lost the belt to St. Pierre. Hughes experienced his own injury setback and lost two straight bouts.

Put another way, this match isn't the grudge it once was.

Hughes hasn't fought in nearly a year while Serra has been off even longer. Hughes (42-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC) used the extra prep time to travel to other camps to train, including a stint with Sean Sherk at the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy.

For Serra, the long lead time allowed his back to completely heal.

"My back feels awesome now, and I was healthy for St. Pierre," said Serra (9-5 MMA, 6-5 UFC). "There's no way I'm going to be saying that 'No, no I was hurt for that.' I was healthy. I mean during the training camp, I had to – we tailored it, and I was a little cautious of my back during the training camp, but I was in shape for sure. But, for this training camp, I was able to do a ton more as far as with the wrestling, the grappling, and really push myself where I kind of just worked around it different ways. I still was in shape for my last one, but I feel fantastic for this one."

In a battle between the jiu-jitsu ace in Serra and Hughes, the wrestler, Serra believes striking could dictate the result.

"If it stays on the feet, I definitely feel I have an advantage there," he said. "I feel like I could do way more damage than I feel he could do on his feet. But, if it goes to the floor, I'm going to be ready to rock for sure."

Regardless of the outcome, the fight could be the last major bout for both fighters. Neither is openly talking retirement, but the reality is they are a combined 2-3 over the past two-plus years. Fighters such as St. Pierre, Thiago Alves, Jon Fitch and Mike Swick are the division's future, not Hughes and Serra.

For his part, the 33-year-old Serra seems good with that. A victory over Hughes would make it that much better.

"I want that notch in my belt, man; you know what I mean?" said Serra in his patented Long Island accent. "That's how I look at it. I look at it like, man, you know there's – no matter what happens with me in the future, there's guys like GSP and ... Matt Hughes. I'm sure they are going to be future hall-of-famers, and I get Matt Hughes under my belt, I get that, and I take care of him. And, even if I would not be considered the best that ever was, I have a victory over some guys that will be, so I can live with that."

Hughes doesn't need another victory to solidify his legacy as one of the sport's all-time greats. Between March 2001 and September 2006, Hughes, now 35, went 19-1 and won the UFC 170-pound twice during the stretch.

Also on the UFC 98 main card, Sean Sherk (33-3-1 MMA, 6-3 UFC) and Frankie Edgar (9-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) meet in a pivotal lightweight bout. A win moves the former champion Sherk closer to another crack at the title while a victory for Edgar would be the most noteworthy in his nearly four years of fighting.

The first bout on the PPV telecast is slated for just after 10 p.m. Eastern.

UFC 98 – MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas

MAIN CARD

* Champ Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida (for UFC light-heavyweight title)
* Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra
* Xavier Foupa-Pokam vs. Drew McFedries
* Dan Miller vs. Chael Sonnen
* Frank Edgar vs. Sean Sherk

PRELIMINARY CARD

* Brock Larson vs. Chris Wilson
* Pat Barry vs. Tim Hague
* Kyle Bradley vs. Phillipe Nover
* Andre Gusmao vs. Krzysztof Soszynski
* Brandon Wolff vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
* David Kaplan vs. George Roop

Despite 36-pound drop, third-choice Chael Sonnen thankful for UFC 98 slot (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14939/despite-36-pound-drop-third-choice-chael-sonnen-thankful-for-ufc-98-slot.mma)

Driving to Team Quest in the midst of a two-month-long depression, Chael Sonnen received the call to change his outlook on life.

The UFC needed someone to fight Dan Miller at UFC 98, and Sonnen immediately accepted.

It was May 1, 22 days before the fight. Never mind that he was the UFC's third choice (Yushin Okami bowed out due to injury, and Ed Herman declined due to a prior commitment) and that he was 36 pounds overweight. The Oregonian could finally let go of the past.

"I needed to move on," he told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "That call gave me a whole new set of problems to deal with."

A loss to Demian Maia at UFC 95 had given Sonnen (21-10 MMA, 1-3 UFC) lingering doubts and questions.

"That loss was really hard on me," Sonnen said. "I was so confident going into that fight. Things were going well, and I was sure I was going to win. It was bothering me every day until I got this call."

Sonnen's stock was soaring after handing Paulo Filho his first loss at WEC 36. He came back to the UFC after the WEC dissolved its upper weight classes, and he was clamoring for a title shot against Anderson Silva. Sonnen believed a win over Maia would give him that shot – perhaps when the UFC came to Portland. Instead, Maia – the third consecutive undefeated fighter Sonnen had faced – finished the fight with a triangle choke at 2:37 of the first round. A jab delivered from the bottom earlier in the round set up the submission.

"I've never been hit so hard, and I was basically out of it after that," Sonnen said. "The lights were on, but no one was home. We went on for a while after that, but it was basically over after that punch."

No shame in losing to Maia (10-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC). The Brazilian has feasted on fighters with Team Quest ties (Ryan Jensen at UFC 77, Herman at UFC 83 and Nate Quarry at UFC 91) and was Sonnen's fourth consecutive undefeated opponent (Maia, Bryan Baker and Filho, twice). But things won't be any easier against Miller (11-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC). Since upsetting Ryan McGivern for the IFL middleweight championship in 2008, Miller has won three straight in the UFC.

"Miller is really good," Sonnen said. "He's only lost once, and I've never seen him in trouble. I've never even seen him get punched. Not one time. I've got to get him out of his comfort zone."

Sonnen had been prone to pro wrestling-style hyperbole in the past (once claiming – as a joke – to wear a picture of Paulo Filho inside his shoe so that each step would be on Filho's face.), but he reigned himself in preparing for Miller. At UFC Fight Night 17 in February, Miller choked out Jake Rosholt in the first round. Rosholt and Sonnen share similar styles and wrestling backgrounds, though Sonnen has far more experience in the cage.

"Miller is a problem and a tough dude," Sonnen said. "He's crafty. He's really good at submissions. He isn't afraid to go for risky things. I have to make him pay if he does that."

SERRA ON HUGHES: "A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL THE WAY I DO" (http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8808&zoneid=2)

UFC 98’s other underdog, Matt Serra, looks at himself as one lucky guy.

Lucky because he gets to fight a guy he can’t stand, and without throwing anybody under the bus, a guy a lot of other people can’t stand.

“I know that for a fact…I had former teammates of the guy coming up to me, saying, ‘Hey man, he might have been that good country boy back in the day, but either he was never like that, or changed along the way,’” Serra told reporters after an open workout promoting his co-main event bout with Matt Hughes this Saturday at UFC 98.

“I was always real cool with the Miletich crew, except for Tim Sylvia, he’s a bit of a dork. If I saw those guys I’d approach them and say, ‘I’m just letting you know, it’s nothing towards you, I understand if you don’t want to say hello.’ And that’s when I got some heart-to-hearts, and I’m like, I’ve got this guy pegged right. I was shocked. I’m not throwing anybody under the bus, but believe me—a lot of people feel the way I feel.”

With that, he threw some reporters under the bus.

“A lot of you guys probably feel the same,” he laughed.

By now, Serra’s feelings toward Hughes are a broken record. He’ll state them as often as asked, and they’re real (“This ain’t Shamrock vs. Tito, the WWE crap,” he says). Nothing could be more real, however, than what actually happens when the cage door closes. Most think it’s Serra’s jiu-jitsu versus Hughes’ ground and pound. The difference, Serra says, is in what they expect of each other.

“I think Matt Hughes’ ego is going to be his downfall, because I’m expecting a tough fight,” he said earlier. “I don’t like the guy, but I know he’s dangerous. But I think he really feels that I don’t belong on the ‘Real World,’ let alone the cage. He thinks that he’s way up here and he can do whatever he wants. When he finds out that the fight’s not going like that, and he’s not in for an easy night, it’s going to be too late.”

The one-time welterweight champ says he's been hard at work for three months, bringing in "stunt doubles" of Hughes to grind him against the cage. He's ready to face the man he calls a "one-trick pony."

A while a lot of grudge matches end in hugs at the final bell, Serra doesn’t want to entertain the thought of reconciling with his nemesis afterwards.

“I don’t want to even be in that mindset right now,” he said. “I just want to take his head off.”



Click HERE For Matt Serra's Video Interview (http://videos.mmaweekly.com/view_player.php?id=3093)

YOSHIDA WORKS WITH TEAM JACKSON FOR UFC 98 (http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8802&zoneid=13)

The education of a mixed martial artist never truly stops. For Japanese Judoka Yoshiyuki Yoshida the learning curve came at the expense of a knockout loss to Josh Koscheck in December 2008, but he believes he has learned from the mistakes he made, and is ready to return at UFC 98 this Saturday night.

For his last bout, Yoshida was expected to be a tough match-up for the former NCAA wrestling champion, but what many thought would be a ground war turned into a stand-up fight that the Japanese fighter lost in the first round.

"I think I thought about the opponent too much and basically forgot to fight my style of fight," Yoshida told MMAWeekly.com in an exclusive interview prior to his fight at UFC 98. "So this time, I want to go and just do what I do best and win."

What Yoshida did to get back to his winning ways was completely change his training routine, and that included adding himself into the mix at Greg Jackson's gym in New Mexico.

"I have been training at Greg Jackson's at almost two full months. For this fight I didn't wanted to train in Japan. If I train in Japan then coming to America and fight in the UFC, that itself would put everything into something extraordinarily and rare," Yoshida stated. "I wanted to approach this fight like any other fight I fought in Japan. So train in New Mexico for full two months, then take short flight out to Vegas to fight. It's about changing the environment to prepare for this fight in a different mindset.

"Also of course, I wanted to train and spar with best fighters in the world, particularly UFC fighters, under great coaching and I thought Greg Jackson's is the place for that."

For his third fight in the Octagon, Yoshida will face Brandon Wolff, a young up and comer who suffered a loss in his debut bout for the UFC when he was TKO'd by American Top Team fighter Ben Saunders, after a devastating series of knees in the first round.

Admittedly, Yoshida knows little about his opponent, but he isn't worried about what Wolff is going to do. Wolff should be worried about him.

"I do have DVDs of his fight, but this time, I am not going to watch so I won't know anything about it," said Yoshida. "One of the coaches at Greg Jackson's here apparently saw Wolff's fight and advised me on few points, but that is about it. I want to concentrate on doing my fight. I don't want to think about my opponent."

Of course the biggest pressure added into the mix for this fight is the fact that both Yoshida and Wolff are coming off of losses, and while the UFC hates to lose quality competitors, winning is the only guarantee to keep you around.

"There is always a pressure to win in this sport," Yoshida commented. "I mean, at this level, you have got to win every fight. That is the bottom line. So the pressure is the same."

Having only fought twice in 2008, Yoshida is hopeful for a slightly busier 2009, but his main focus is on Brandon Wolff and getting back on a winning track in the UFC.

Yoshida also thanked the sponsors that supported him to this point, and helped him get ready for the fight at such a crucial spot in his career.

"I would like to thank Sprawl, that has been staying behind me from basically my very first day in the US," said Yoshida. "Manto, polish apparel brand, that makes awesome shorts and rash guard. I also would like to (thank) Hayabusa Fight Wear. I am very excited to be able to work with fast growing brand, and also KUBED, the brand that makes very stylish wears and gears."

Yoshiyuki Yoshida makes his return to action on Saturday night against Brandon Wolff at UFC 98 in Las Vegas.

added UFC 98 countdown

10k Berry over Thrasha?

It seems ages since a last UFC ppv now. looking forward to this event. gonna go with Evans to beat Machida(everytime bet against Evans always proves me wrong) think Hughes will beat Serra also. looking forward to watching Sunday morning.

I got Machida for this fight, I like Evans a lot too. Going to be an awesome fight. Looking forward to the Serra vs Hughes fight too.

added blog

Stephan Bonnar says Matt Hughes is retiring after UFC 98 (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14957/stephan-bonnar-says-matt-hughes-is-retiring-after-ufc-98.mma)

First, Matt Serra dropped some hints that he's at least entertaining the idea of retiring after Saturday's UFC 98 event.

Now, it's his opponent's name that's popping up in recent retirement talk.

On the latest edition of ESPN's "MMA Live," UFC light heavyweight Stephan Bonnar said he heard directly from Matt Hughes that the former champ will call it quits after his fight with Serra.

"I've heard it from Matt Hughes' mouth that this is going to be his last fight – I think win or lose," said Bonnar, who fights Mark Coleman at UFC 100 in July. "He really has nothing left to prove."

In a rash of interviews heading into tomorrow's UFC 98 co-main event, Hughes (42-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC), 35, hasn't necessarily ruled out the possibility.

However, as MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reported just two months ago, Hughes had mentioned a possible move up to middleweight and the potential for additional fights at welterweight.

"I still would toy with the idea of moving up to 185 (pounds) to face (UFC middleweight champion Anderson) Silva," Hughes said during a UFC Fight Club Q&A session at UFC 96. "But I've got to square away things in my weight class before I do that, though."

That's doesn't exactly sound like someone with retirement on his mind. Then again, even with a win over underdog Serra on Saturday, Hughes would need at least another year of consecutive wins to get back into the title picture.

And as Bonnar said, Hughes really has nothing left to prove.

During his 11-year career, Hughes held the UFC's welterweight title from November 2001 to January 2004 and again from October 2004 to November 2006. The legendary run included seven title defenses and wins over notables such as Georges St. Pierre, B.J. Penn, Sean Sherk, Frank Trigg, Carlos Newton and even the legendary Royce Gracie.

As part of the festivities surrounding July's historic UFC 100 card, the UFC will induct two new members into the organization's hall of fame. Chuck Liddell appears to be a lock. And if Hughes does, in fact, announce his retirement at UFC 98, he could very well be the other inductee.

"UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida" live weigh-ins and official results (Updated) (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14952/ufc-98-evans-vs-machida-live-weigh-ins-and-official-results.mma)

LAS VEGAS - MMAjunkie.com was on scene at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas for today's "UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida" weigh-ins.

Light-heavyweight champion Rashad Evans and challenger Lyoto Machida were among the 21 fighters that made weight on their first attempts.

Only last-minute replacement Mike Pyle, who was added to the UFC 98 card this afternoon, didn't join the regular weigh-in festivities.

However, he tipped the scale at 172 pounds after the initial weigh-ins. Because he was a late replacement, he wasn't penalized for being one pound over and has been cleared for his fight with Brock Larson, who was originally slated to face Chris Wilson.

While Evans was greeted with as many boos as cheers, the underdog champion told event emcee Joe Rogan he was comfortable with the task in front of him.

"It don't bother me and all," Evans said of a sometimes lack of respect from the MMA community. "I go out there and try to put on a good fight and leave it all out there. That's what's important."

Machida, who also sometimes struggles to gain respect from UFC fans, asked that the Las Vegas crowd support him Saturday night.

"I trained very hard for this fight," Machida said. "I don't worry about his technique. I just worry about my technique.

"Please cheer for me tomorrow night."

Full weigh-in results included:

MAIN CARD

* Champion Rashad Evans (205) vs. Lyoto Machida (204)
* Matt Hughes (170) vs. Matt Serra (171)
* Dan Miller (185) vs. Chael Sonnen (186)
* Frank Edgar (155) vs. Sean Sherk (156)
* Xavier Foupa-Pokam (186) vs. Drew McFedries (185)

PRELIMINARY CARD

* Brock Larson (171) vs. Mike Pyle (172)*
* Pat Barry (237) vs. Tim Hague (263)
* Kyle Bradley (156) vs. Phillipe Nover (156)
* Andre Gusmao (206) vs. Krzysztof Soszynski (206)
* Brandon Wolff (170) vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida (171)
* George Roop (154) vs. David Kaplan (156)

CLICK HERE FOR IMAGE GALLERY (http://mmajunkie.com/news/14960/ufc-98-evans-vs-machida-weigh-in-photos-and-image-gallery.mma)

I hope Evans wins but Machida is one tough guy, very awkward fighting style, hard to figure out.

I'm also pumped up for the Serra-Hughes fight, the bad blood and all, should be good!

I hope Evans wins but Machida is one tough guy, very awkward fighting style, hard to figure out.

I'm also pumped up for the Serra-Hughes fight, the bad blood and all, should be good!

I agree totally. I'm going for Evans to win but it won't be easy. Machida is very elusive and it's very hard to land many punches on him.

Serra-Hughes is a match that should've happened right after GSP-Serra II and right before Hughes-Alvez but I think it should still be interesting. Both guys have losses in their recent record but it will be exciting to watch this match

David Kaplan vs. George Roop
Round 1
Kaplan lands a decent leg kick. Another. Roop misses a head kick. A jab from Roop opens an existing cut on the bridge of Kaplan's nose. A hard right cross from Kaplan. Both guys are lunging for punches that miss. A stiff right kick from Roop connects with Kaplan's body. Roop is moving well and starting to pick apart Kaplan with jabs and front kicks. Good right uppercut from Roop, but Kaplan's unfazed. Kaplan pins Roop along the fence and drags him down. Roop gets up. Kaplan's “Greatest American Hero” blonde mullet bounces in the wind. 10-9 Roop.

Round 2
Roop jabs well. Roop misses a huge flying knee and falls onto his back. Roop pulls guard. Kaplan wails away to no avail. Roop scrambles up. Kaplan tries a single leg but Roop defends. After about 20 seconds, kaplan scores it. Roop scrambles back up. Some good left jabs from Roop. Kaplan battles for and gets another takedown. Pretty dull fight thus far. Kaplan in Roop's guard. Kaplan, exhausted, is flailing away. Roop alternating between closed and butterfly guard. Very close round. 10-9 Kaplan.

Round 3
Roop looks very fresh. Kaplan? Not so much. Kaplan lands a decent leg kick. And another. Kaplan gets a single-leg takedown after really battling for it. Kaplan moves to side control. Kaplan scores a full mount. Roop scrambles and bucks Kaplan off. They're up. Roop stuffs a takedown. Both guys look very tired now. Kaplan pins Roop into the fence. He's trying another single leg. Roop breaks away 30 seconds later. Meager head kick by Roop. Roop is pinned against the fence again. They both throw wild strikes to close out fight. Very, very close fight. Could go either way. 10-9 Kaplan.

The official judges see the bout 29-28 Kaplan, and 30-27 Roop (twice.) Roop takes the split decision.

Yoshiyuki Yoshida vs. Brandon Wolff
Round 1
Wolff misses a wild head kick a minute in. Yoshida pinned against fence. Yoshida reverses. Four knees from Yoshida. Wolff reverses. Yoshida latches on a standing guillotine during a scramble. Wolff falls and Yoshida scores the mount. The choke is deep. Wolff taps. Referee Steve Mazzagatti doesn't see it. Yoshida rolls him over and closes his guard. Wolff taps again. The official time is 2:24of the first.

Andre Gusmao vs. Krzysztof Soszynski
Round 1
Soszynski quickly pins Gusmao into the fence. They separate. Soszynski throws a flurry of punches. Gusmao is kicked in the groin. It was accidental. The fight is on again. Gusmao lands some good leg kicks. Soszynski hurts his foe with a hard left and a right. Gusmao retreats across the cage. Soszynski traps him along the fence and tags him with a hard right straight. Soszynski flurries. A blistering straight right floors Gusmao and referee Herb Dean steps in to stop it at the 3:17 mark.

Phillipe Nover vs. Kyle Bradley
Round 1
Both are cautious to begin the contest. Nover tries to clinch, but Bradley shoves him to the ground. Bradley lands a huge right hand and hurts Nover. Nover rolls over and Bradley lands some moderately-sharp right hands. Nover slips onto his face, trying to grab a leg. Referee Yves Lavigne steps in and stops it but Nover rolls over again. Yves backs away but then Bradley lands some more glancing blows. Nover springs right up and there is confusion while Lavigne waves his arms. The fight is over and Nover doesn't look hurt. The crowd boos rabidly. Replays show Nover wasn’t hurt. Massive gaffe by Lavigne.

Patrick Barry vs. Tim Hague
Round 1
Hague comes right at Barry. Barry hurts Hague with a right hand and a glancing head kick. Hague stumbles and is bloody, but scores a frantic takedown. Barry is trapped under Hague's weight. Barry scrambles and gets caught in a guillotine. It's deep. Barry taps out. Hague becomes emotional with his team and cries tears of joy. The official time of the submission is 1:42 of the first frame.

Mike Pyle vs. Brock Larson
Round 1
Both fighters are very tentative early. Pyle is taken down a minute in. Pyle latches on an armbar. Larson scrambles out, but is caught in a leg lock. Larson escapes and Pyle sucks him into a triangle. Larson breaks away. Larson quickly latches on a guillotine and transitions to a brabo, but Pyle escapes and tries a quick omaplata and Larson easily escapes. After another scramble, Larson secures a perfect arm triangle. It's deep. Pyle taps. Awesome fight. The official time is 3:06 of round one.

sucks to see Barry go down like that

There goes the Manny Pac wannabee of MMA.

man I hope edgar will win but Sherk is a beast

man I hope edgar will win but Sherk is a beast
I think Sherk overpowers him. Sherks stand up is mad whack though. Edgar will win if he keeps it standing.

I think Sherk overpowers him. Sherks stand up is mad whack though. Edgar will win if he keeps it standing.

Sherk's stand up has improved big time but he doesnt really have power to be so strong, his chin is good tho

Frankie lookin good, he outboxing him and I cant believe he took him down. Sherk needs to rely on his wrestling

I think Edgar stole the second round by landing more in the second half. The shoot followed by a knee/kick has been working well for him so far.

Damn Frankie took that fight, nice way to finish the fight.

I think Edgar stole the second round by landing more in the second half. The shoot followed by a knee/kick has been working well for him so far.

I can't prove it, but I've always thought Bas Ruten invented the term "the shoot" due to his non-native English level, lol (as opposed to "the shot").

Wow man Frankie's a beast. Sherk has heart for wanting to strike but even when he shot Frankie put the defense on, Sherk needs to go back on relying on his wrestling, I'd like to see him in with Maynerd

Sean Sherk vs. Frankie Edgar
Round 1
Edgar starts the action with a head kick that is blocked by Sherk. The former champion stays tight in the pocket and throws a right-hand lead that glances. The fighters exchange punches and nothing lands clean. Sherk ties up with Edgar but backs off to let his hands go. Sherk pumps a double jab and does not follow through. Edgar gets off a nice punching combination: a left to the body and a flurry to the chin from both hands. Edgar lands a sharp right and ducks under a fast Sherk left hook. Edgar drops levels for a single leg and Sherk has none of it. Sherk connects with a low kick but is taken down at the tail end of the blow. Edgar catches the heel and drags him to the canvas. Sherk gets to his knees and fights to get to his feet and succeeds. Now back in the center of the Octagon, both fighters land straight right hands as Sherk stalks his opponent. Edgar lands a nice right hook counter to close the round.

Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Edgar
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Edgar
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Edgar

Round 2
Sherk continues to walk toward his lateral-moving opponent. Edgar strikes well from the outside and crushes Sherk with a left kick to the body. Edgar looks for a single-leg takedown and Sherk easily stops it. Edgar knocks the former champion off balance with a knee to the body. Sherk turns into the counter puncher and connects with a right hook. Edgar lands with a jab, right-low kick combo. Edgar gets in a right hook to the temple before using excellent footwork to exit the pocket from his swinging opponent. Edgar uses his jab again to slip in a straight right on the mouth. And another. Edgar shuffles his feet and blasts Sherk with a right hand. Sherk is hanging tough but he’s getting picked apart by a superior striker.

Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Edgar
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Edgar
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Edgar

Round 3
Sherk gets a fast double-leg takedown to start the final frame. Edgar shows good defense and quickly gets Sherk off before returning to his feet. The pace slows as a lot of energy has been burned through 12 minutes in the cage. Sherk trades jabs with Edgar and is stuffed on a takedown attempt. Edgar bounces a low kick off the right leg of Sherk. Edgar lunges in with a straight left to the body that connects. Sherk lets his hands go and is scraped by an Edgar right hand. Edgar shows good footwork as he circles away. Edgar sprawls on a Sherk single and moves to a guillotine. Edgar drops down into guard but the horn sounds just as it looked as if the underdog would finish Sherk.

Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Edgar
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Edgar
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Edgar

All three judges agree and award 30-27 scores to Frankie Edgar.

I can't prove it, but I've always thought Bas Ruten invented the term "the shoot" due to his non-native English level, lol (as opposed to "the shot").

Well considering I'm a native English speaker, I do feel silly now for having mispoke, lol. Still, I don't know if that was part of Edgar's original strategy, but it sure worked for him.

Ok, Dan Miller, another Jersey boy, c'mon let bring another win to the garden state dan

If only Sherk had longer arms lol.

Sonnen is going to get subbed, he may be a decent wrestler, but his submission defense is pretty poor.

Lavigne must have ****ed up bad

Sonnen nearly got subbed again by shooting in and landing in a guillotine. Wow...

Sonnen is HUNGRY, he's an animal on top control

Lavigne must have ****ed up bad

It was the Philip Nover stoppage

Tell me about it, I keep thinking that I'm watching Couture vs Belfort 3

Wow, after that crap start Sonnen dominated the rest of that round with some good GnP.

Miller is completely gassed out. Sonnen is winning but its boring as hell.

Miller is in trouble, he needs to leave the guillatines alone and land with knees when chael shoots. Chael just needs tokeep doin what hes doing

Dan Miller vs. Chael Sonnen
Round 1
Sonnen shoots in for a double and is caught in an arm-in guillotine. Miller closes his guard and Sonnen’s face turns purple. Amazingly, Sonnen hangs on and frees his neck after a few moments. Sonnen stands and lunges in with a right hand that blasts Miller’s forehead. Sonnen tees off again. Miller works for a kneebar from the bottom and Sonnen is game. He hangs on tight and moves to side control when Miller gives up the hold. Sonnen connects with elbows to the right eyebrow before Miller gets back to guard. Sonnen stands in Miller’s guard and absolutely blasts his foe with a right hand. From Miller’s closed guard, Sonnen continues to land to the face with elbows and punches. Sonnen dominates the first frame.

Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Sonnen
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Sonnen
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Sonnen

Round 2
Sonnen looks for a single and has to fight off another guillotine. Sonnen ducks in and lifts Miller into the air for a slam, but again, Miller locks on a guillotine and this time there is no arm in. Sonnen stays calm and Miller lets it go. Sonnen then picks up right where he left off in the first round, with steady punishment via punches and elbows from his opponent’s guard. Miller opens his guard and goes high with his hips, but Sonnen sees it coming. Miller locks on a slick armbar that just misses. Sonnen gets his elbow above the crotch and rides until Miller goes back to guard. Miller attempt to move to rubber guard and Sonnen postures out. The crowd starts to boo with 20 seconds left in the stage.

Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Sonnen
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Sonnen
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Sonnen

Round 3
Miller opens up with his hands and connects with two right straights. Sonnen closes the distance and easily slams Miller to the floor. Miller gets a rubber guard but can’t hold it. Sonnen begins to punch the head and body with his right hand. Sonnen stands and looks to pass. Miller shows good legwork in securing guard. The crowd starts in again and Sonnen stands briefly before sitting back in Miller’s guard. Sonnen has Miller trapped tight against the cage but he can’t secure a better position to strike from. Miller gets a leg around the head of Sonnen but he doesn’t have the energy or leverage to lock on a triangle. The lackluster fight ends.

Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Sonnen
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Sonnen
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Sonnen

30-27 scores from all official judges as well for the winner by unanimous decision, Chael Sonnen.

there's gonna be a ko

**** right as i typed it. lol

Prof X just got annihillated!

DREW MCFREDRIES man they talk about his power and i always see him get beat but man they were not lying, big ups man

"busy" night for Yves

WAR SERRA!!!! Pull off another huge upset!!

Drew McFedries vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam
Round 1
A right hook haymaker knocks the Frenchman flat. McFedries pounces and he’s all over his opponent. McFedries bombs away with both hands. Foupa-Pokam stands and is dropped again with a right uppercut. Referee Yves Lavigne steps in at 0:37 of the first. Foupa-Pokam protests the stoppage but it was warranted.

What's up with the crowd booing Yves?

What's up with the crowd booing Yves?

he ****ed up in the nover/bradley fight

That was a sick KO by Kristof

That was a sick KO by Kristof

Over already?

Damn, I came upstairs to use the computer for 5 mins and it's already over!

:smashfrea

I cant STAND when the streams lag!!

sopcast stream goin strong. fcuk justin.tv and the like.

hughes vs serra coming up! main event is gonna be sick!!!

omg he came out to Rocky!!

Sopcast is the fedor of streams

I'm going with Serra on this one.

Boom Boom Pow!

Serra was just hoping for the standup. Too bad he lost that round.

omg Hughes is such a girl, i gotta respect Sherk for standing, Hughes is just laying and praying, Serra needs to keep it standing

Why is this not being stood up??

In think that last round goes to Serra for the sub attempts since the takedowns were 1-1.

Ugh Hughes please retire

That was a good fight, I was watching a slideshow of it on my computer which I bought in '03, but I was still pretty much on the edge of my seat. I gotta give my respect to Hughes, he was hurt bad in the first round (incidentally by an illegal blow) yet he came back from it and showed that he can still perform. He looked pretty solid for the most part.

Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra
Round 1
Serra and Hughes collide heads and Hughes gets the worst of it. Hughes is hurt and Serra tees off with punches. Hughes is shooting desperation takedowns and Serra continues to hit the head with his right hand. Hughes finally recovers and gives up his shot. Hughes stands and trades sloppy strikes with Serra before getting a powerful takedown directly into side control. Hughes transitions to Serra’s back with both hooks. Serra turns and stands to his feet.

Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Hughes
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Serra
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Serra

Round 2
Serra lands a right hand and is taken down. Hughes works to improve his position from half guard. Hughes hits the right side of Serra’s body with his left hand. Serra works to get back to guard, but Hughes stays on him with tight positioning. The crowd grows restless as Hughes does little. Serra briefly gets back to guard but he can’t hold it. Hughes starts to work the head with his right hand. Referee Steve Mazzagatti asks for action as the crowd showers the cage with boos. Serra stuffs a takedown to end the round.

Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Hughes
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Hughes
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Hughes

Round 3
Hughes rishes forward and connect with a right hook. Hughes drops for a takedown and gets a quick single. Serra looks for an ompaplata and a gogo. Hughes stays tight and Serra gives it up but quickly gets it right back. Hughes escapes and moves to side control. Little happens and Mazzagatti stands the welterweights. Serra slams Hughes to the canvas and roughs him up with punches. Hughes stands and Serra goes for a standing kimura on the left arm. The fight ends.

Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-10
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Hughes
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Serra

All three judges agree and award 29-28 scores to Matt Hughes.

I think the main event is going to be a boring fight at first until it ends in an instant. I predict Machida TKO 4.

Tough loss for Serra. He wanted it more but Hughes ground game saved him.

It's time for the Main Event!

I had Serra winning rnds 1 and 3. 29-28 Serra.

Hughes LNP wins the fight again

Evans time baby!!! shut them haters up.

War machida!!!

Machida via late 90s rock

evans ko 1

Somebody's 0 is about to go!:boxing:

I bleed it out ~

Hope machida makes a fool out of evans.

this could be one of the greatest or one of the worst MMA fights ever

I don't know why Rogan keeps going on and on about Machida's traditional martial arts background. I do agree with him that if a fighter with a traditional background also learns the fundamentals of wrestling, bjj and boxing/kickboxing, they'll be able to learn the timing of where to fit in there more "traditional" techniques.

Hope machida makes a fool out of evans.

not gonna happen

Does anyone have a stream?

Anyone got a good stream? Mine is lagging bad.

this could be one of the greatest or one of the worst MMA fights ever

I completely agree

LETS GO EVANS!! Tuf is alive

AHHHHH!!!

It Begins...

This fight is gonna make the Silva-Leites fight look like an all-action affair.

Mad Posturing.

Interesting. Hmm...

Nice first head kick by Machida.

Machida got that!

Evans needs to wrestle, Machida doin good

Rd 1 Machida

Machida is a technical master. He explodes out of nowhere. Damn that was impressive.

Nice exchange of punches, combination by Machida, followed by Evans.

Machida killed him.

Holy ****! War machida!!!!!

Omfg!

Omfg!!!

Machida is the ****ing man!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel sorry for everyone who thought Evans had a chance!

:poke:

I'm taking up Karate.

WOOOOOOOOOOW much respect to the dragon, evans was out

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm taking up Karate.

Shotokan Karate.

machida just shut up a lot of people.

I hope Evans didn't hurt himself on that fall.

domination by Machida ... dudes the truth he is what u call a master of the martial arts.. not these fake ass tatted up goons

FCUKING INCREDIBLE!

IT'S AMAZING!

:boxing:

This is my first time seeing Machida. LOLOLOL HAHAHAHAHAHA

Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida
Round 1
The first 80 seconds unfold as a flinch and dance contest. Rashad whiffs on the first strike of the fight: a low kick missed by at least a foot. We’re half way through the first round and Rashad misses long on a right hand lead. Machida has a body kick blocked and the flinchfest continues. Machida drops Evans with a left to the chin. Evans stands and Machida kicks at the legs and moves away from a Rashad right hook.

Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Machida
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Machida
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Machida

Round 2
Machida clinches as Evans moves forward and nearly gets a trip. Evans uses the cage with his back to stay on his feet. Machida exits the clinch and narrowly avoids a right uppercut from the champion. A lull in the action is broke by a fast punching exchange with both fighters landing. Lots of footwork from both fighters follow. Evans lands a kick to the body. Machida rocks Evans with a straight left hand. Machida swarps with punches and Evans can’t get back to his feet. Evans is getting teed off on and he gets to his feet. Machida rushes him to the cage and unloads with a left hook. A right hook follows and then a left hook that puts Evans to sleep at 3:57 of the second.

WOW! I was going for Evans but I surely didn't expect this one...nice win for Machida. Jackson vs. Machida now!

The only person that could give Machida trouble is someone who is also a great karateka.

I knew before the fight even started that Machida would keep Evans back with his kicks. Evans is a good fighter, but only against those who want to brawl with him.

Folded up like an accordion!

been telling all my friends about Machida for awhile and these guys just don't listen. I just won 5 grand on Machida. Real money :boxing:

I think everyone was overrating Evans because he was underrated...

been telling all my friends about Machida for awhile and these guys just don't listen. I just won 5 grand on Machida. Real money :boxing:

what was the vegas odds?

I can't see anybody beating Machida at 205 in the UFC except Shogun

what was the vegas odds?


MAchida had to be the favorite i don't know how anyone in their right mind would make evans the favorite.

I have a new Idol, a new Hero.

Machida even plugged his after party, classic! I bet this erases the memories of the last UFC main event.

Seriously, I tuned into this fight because of Rashard Evan's name. I did not know of Machida until tonight, with a Wiki search. LOL Much respect to his fight game and his camp. Tell everybody that you know ~

Machida is the mother****ing ****!! Been a fan of both but DAMN the way Rashad got KOed was impressive. I wish Rashad the best after this fight.


I think the odds were 3-1 for Machida.

Pretty good arm triangle by the Freddie Krueger impersonator.

I feel bad I missed betting on this one... I followed Machida's fights and I know that he's the real deal.

Great win.

All aboard the Machida bandwagon!

Choo Choo!

:drive:

what was the vegas odds?

LOL not that. Won against my rich ass friend who I bet with all the time. I always bet against him. He pays up too. We had a thousand dollar bet on Shane vs Margarito fight, and he payed me 2 days later. I lost 700 on the ****in Mosley vs Cotto fight. I really thought Shane won that ****, but I'm a man of my word and payed his ***** ass. Can't wait till tomorrow. :boxing:

LOL not that. Won against my rich ass friend who I bet with all the time. I always bet against him. He pays up too. We had a thousand dollar bet on Shane vs Margarito fight, and he payed me 2 days later. I lost 700 on the ****in Mosley vs Cotto fight. I really thought Shane won that ****, but I'm a man of my word and payed his ***** ass. Can't wait till tomorrow. :boxing:

please introduce me to this idiot er i mean friend of yours

That was an Amazing Main Event - Right?

In the first 2 minutes I was having horrible flashbacks to UFC 97 and wondering how they got Anderson Silva to fight himself at UFC 98 but the fight turned out just as I thought.

Please for the love of God don't start with the Machida > Fedor nonsense

That was an Amazing Main Event - Right?

Absolutely! Rogan is right, we have entered the Machida Era! Bring on Rampage.

please introduce me to this idiot er i mean friend of yours

Its not his fault he fell for the hype. Don't get me wrong though, Rashad is good, but Machida is on a different level. Hes pinpoint and doesn't way his punches and is on a level on his own really. Can't wait Rampage vs Machida. Rampage is my favorite, but I don't really think he can beat Machida. Rooting for Rampage anyways

Rashad can only beat brawlers. People that go toe-to-toe with him and swing punches.

Shogun will find a way to beat Machida

The fight was awesome. Good for the dragon. It was funny how he took Joe Rogan's mic and interviewed himself.

Remember how everyone discredited Mach as a fighter till the Sok fight? I do, I was one of the only few who picked him in that one. There’s a lot of self gratification in this title win for me…

Download here

http://www.boxingscene.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5353414&postcount=251

And here

http://www.boxingscene.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5353504&postcount=252

Machida KOs Evans; Hughes Outpoints Serra (http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/machida-kos-evans-hughes-outpoints-serra-17607)

Lyoto Machida ended the brief title reign of light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans with power, patience and precision on Saturday in the featured bout at UFC 98.

The unbeaten Machida dominated the match from the start, as he delivered three knockdowns against the champion and finished him with a brutal left hook. The final blow left Evans unconscious against the cage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, as he brought a rousing conclusion to the first title bout between two undefeated fighters in UFC history.

With the exception of a brief second-round flurry, Evans (13-1-1) never moved close enough to land anything of consequence against the elusive Brazilian. He met his end 3:57 into round two.

“Karate is back,” Machida declared. “I tried all my life to be champion. I’m very, very, happy. Now, I want to keep this belt for a long time.”

For Evans, the first taste of defeat was a vicious one. The Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts standout survived a first-round knockdown, when he regained his footing after eating a body kick and short left hand. He could not withstand the second.

“He was very difficult to solve, very fast and explosive,” Evans said after awakening from his slumber. “He did a good job tonight. He’s real clever, and he has excellent timing. I just didn’t come out sharp enough. The only thing I can do is go forward. It’s the first time being on the other side.”

Machida (15-0), a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Shotokan karate, will likely face top contender and former champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson sometime later this year, perhaps after the two coach against each other on season 10 of “The Ultimate Fighter.”

Hughes edges Serra

After more than a year’s worth of back and forth bravado, two-time welterweight champion Matt Hughes got the last laugh in his feud with Matt Serra, as he earned a unanimous decision in the co-main event. All three judges scored it 29-28.

Hughes (43-7) survived several harrowing minutes early after being struck by an inadvertent head butt and subsequent punch to the side of the head in the first round. The composed Serra followed up but failed to finish a noticeably wobbled Hughes, giving new life to the future hall of famer.

“I didn’t know exactly what hit me,” Hughes said. “He obviously hit me pretty good.”

One of the sport’s most decorated fighters, Hughes took down Serra (9-6) in each of the last two rounds and fed his rival a steady diet of mild but effective ground-and-pound. Serra turned the tables on Hughes at the end of round three with a beautiful takedown, but with time winding down, he had little opportunity to capitalize.

The two arch enemies embraced briefly afterwards. Hughes even raised Serra’s hand in a show of respect.

“As a fighter, regardless of what I thought about him personally, I always kept him in high regard; he’s a hall of famer,” Serra said. “He’s got a good chin. He hung in there. I really wanted this win. I’m a positive person, so I take my hat off to him. I thought it was a fun fight. That’s what I’m here to do.”

Hughes, who tied Chuck Liddell for the most wins all-time inside the Octagon, appears intent on continuing his career despite rampant speculation that he might retire.

“I still go out there to compete because I love the competition,” Hughes said. “I’m a free agent now. I don’t have anything with the UFC. [UFC President] Dana [White] and I will have to go and talk about it. By no means does it mean I’d go anywhere else. I won’t fight for anybody else. I’d like to fight one more time in my home area there [in Illinois].”

McFedries tears through Foupa-Pokam

Drew McFedries lived up to his moniker.

“The Massacre” made painfully quick work of Cage Rage veteran Xavier Foupa-Pokam, as he leveled the Frenchman with a wicked right hook and finished him off soon after. The end came just 37 second into the match, as referee Yves Lavigne stepped in on Foupa-Pokam’s behalf.

Winless in two UFC appearances, Foupa-Pokam (20-11) survived the initial onslaught from McFedries but found himself on his knees after eating a brutal uppercut. McFedries then sent him reeling into the cage with subsequent blows and finished him off with a straight left.

Based out of the Miletich Fighting Systems camp, McFedries (8-5) snapped a two-fight losing streak with the technical knockout. His last nine fights have ended inside one round.

Sonnen scores decisive win

Team Quest veteran Chael Sonnen pounded on former International Fight League middleweight champion Dan Miller for three rounds en route to a unanimous decision victory. All three judges sided with Sonnen by matching 30-27 scores, as he notched his first win inside the Octagon in more than three years.

A Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt, Miller threatened with a guillotine choke early in the opening round, but when the hold loosened and failed, Sonnen (23-10-1) took over the match. A decorated collegiate wrestler, he put Miller (11-2, 1 NC) on his back with ease and grinded away with relentless ground-and-pound and suffocating top control.

The 32-year-old Sonnen, a short-notice injury replacement for the world-ranked Yushin Okami, has rattled off eight wins in 10 bouts.

Edgar knocks off Sherk

Frankie Edgar announced his arrival as a contender at 155 pounds, as he defeated former lightweight champion Sean Sherk by unanimous decision. All three judges scored it 30-27.

The 27-year-old Edgar (10-1) utilized superior movement and controlled most of the stand-up exchanges, as he kept the oncoming Sherk at bay. A former collegiate All-American wrestler, Edgar circled effectively and varied his strikes against the respected one-time titleholder. Sherk scored with a takedown in the third round, but his efforts were short-circuited when Edgar cinched an arm-in guillotine choke near the end of the round and closed in fine style.

Sherk (33-4-1) had won four of his previous five fights and 16 of his last 18 entering the matchup. The 35-year-old now must return to the drawing board in a division populated by younger, quicker competitors.

I've always said that Evans is a joke, the only legitimate win of his career is against Forrest. Rashad had no business being in there with Machida.

How is Rashad a joke? Yeah he's not on Lyoto's level but who is? Rashad beat Michael Bisping, Chuck Liddel, Forrest Griffin, Stephen Bonnar...dudes not a joke, definitely a level or a couples of levels below Lyoto though. I dont think anyone can beat The Dragon right now.

The Bisping fight was only given to him because Bisping got the suspect win over Hamill. Watch that fight, Rashad didn't win it IMO, and even if you think he did, he didn't do a convincing job. Against a shot Liddell he was getting outworked until he got a break. Same goes for the Griffin fight. And Bonnar. . . not even a tough fight, never been a top 10 fighter and is famous for getting into a brawl with Griffin back in 2005 and has never got better. And now this fight, he was outstuck, outmuscled and put to sleep. He is overrated.

Im not saying he's not overrated, he his overrated. But he's no "Joke." And I don't believe in catching breaks, his opponents slipped up and he capitalized on their mistakes.

Im not saying he's not overrated, he his overrated. But he's no "Joke." And I don't believe in catching breaks, his opponents slipped up and he capitalized on their mistakes.

Fair enough, but his 2 most impressive wins were against a guy who is there to be hit (Griffin) and a shot fighter who is a shell of his former self (Liddell). His unconvincing performances against Bonnar, Lambert, and his fights against Bisping and Ortiz both of which he should've lost say to me that he was a flash in the pan that caught a break. But with all flashes in the pan they eventually run into a brick wall. This time he ran into a Dragon's Lair and got burned.

Lool fasho. Yeah nobodys going to steal this Dragons gold....I was watching the fight and I was starting to feel bad for Rashad, dude just had no chance. I can't wait to see who Lyotos going to fight next. I really hope it's Rua because I believe if he's WELL conditioned he'll give Lyoto a run for his money.

I have to admit, that fight turned out more beautiful then I envisioned.... Plus, I made 3500 in real cash with his win. Styles make fights, it's as simple as that.

I spilled my beer when Matt Serra slammed Hughes at the end of the 3rd round.

i never doubted mr karate, but damn that was vicious!!