http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4d/UFC99TheComeback.jpg

UFC 99: The Comeback is an upcoming mixed martial arts event to be held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on June 13, 2009 in Cologne, Germany. It will be the first UFC event ever held in Germany, as well as the first in mainland Europe (events have previously been held in both the U.K. and Ireland).

Fights
Main Card
Catchweight (195 lb) bout: Rich Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva
Heavyweight bout: Cheick Kongo vs. Cain Velasquez
Welterweight bout: Mike Swick vs. Ben Saunders
Welterweight bout: Marcus Davis vs. Dan Hardy
Lightweight bout: Spencer Fisher vs. Caol Uno
Heavyweight bout: Mostapha Al-turk vs. Mirko Filipović


Preliminary Card
Lightweight bout: Terry Etim vs. Justin Buchholz
Lightweight bout: Dennis Siver vs. Dale Hartt
Welterweight bout: Paul Taylor vs. Peter Sobotta
Lightweight bout: Paul Kelly vs. Rolando Delgado
Heavyweight bout: Denis Stojnic vs. Stefan Struve
Welterweight bout: John Hathaway vs. Rick Story
(http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=eventDetail.FightCard&eid=2008)

UFC 99 Weigh-ins
<object width="640" height="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.megavideo.com/v/VNMK16C20a52a76ed4c7c85fe601f9d97595e579"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.megavideo.com/v/VNMK16C20a52a76ed4c7c85fe601f9d97595e579" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="480"></embed></object>

Dana White UFC 99 Video Blog - 6/11/09 Part 1
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gPuHLqlg7zE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gPuHLqlg7zE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Dana White UFC 99 Video Blog - 6/11/09 Part 2
<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1nXtXuyCmnQ&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1nXtXuyCmnQ&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>

UFC 99 Countdown
<object width="640" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.megavideo.com/v/NF601MTXe9d26f85bd191fee3a11542dc659b6be"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.megavideo.com/v/NF601MTXe9d26f85bd191fee3a11542dc659b6be" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="344"></embed></object>

Dana White UFC 99 Video Blog - 6/8/09
<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dNEXUV5pfSg&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dNEXUV5pfSg&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>

Davis vs Hardy Preview
<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YgTnWA9n5xs&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YgTnWA9n5xs&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>

i think the silva/franklin fight is going to good. here one of two ways i see it going........franklin picks apart silva in the standup and wins decision
.........or possibly silva catches rich and ko's him then gets on the microphone with joe rogan and calls out anderson silva.

i watched the video
what the f is dan hardys problem? he must be real jealous to be acting like that or he is just trying to hype up the fight...either way he being an *******. i think is will be an exciting fight and hope davis shuts his mouth and ko's him.

Hopefully Davis knocks Hardy out.

I really hope that Wanderlei has a great showing. I miss watching the old Wanderlei.

This **** card should be free on S pikeTV.

I really hope that Wanderlei has a great showing. I miss watching the old Wanderlei.

People get it twisted and think Wanderlei is finished. I think he has some gas left in the tank and if he beats Ace then he's ready for the MW division. Rich is no pushover tho but I got points on Wanderlei if anyone wants to bet

I also got points on Spencer Fisher

The main card is loaded the undercard is trash

garbage card

Oh and I gotta add that Joe Rogan sounded like an idiot, first off Akihiro Gono beat Hardy in that fight, even the brits were saying it. And second Rory Markhem is no where near a bigger challenged then Gono, the guy was beaten by cans in the nobody filled IFL

Al Turk is perfect for Mirko's comeback

Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic returns; UFC officially announces UFC 99 bout with Mostapha Al-Turk (http://mmajunkie.com/news/15054/mirko-cro-cop-filipovic-returns-ufc-officially-announces-ufc-99-bout-with-mostapha-al-turk.mma)

As expected following recent comments by the heavyweight fighter, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic (24-6-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) will return to the UFC and fight Mostapha Al-Turk (6-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) at next weekend's UFC 99 event, the UFC today announced.

Filipovic, who replaces UFC newcomer Todd Duffee on the card, returns to the UFC after a three-fight stint in Japan.

The Filipovic vs. Al-Turk match-up has been added to the televised main card, which as of Monday morning, now features six televised bouts (rather than the usual five).

UFC 99 takes place June 13 at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany. The pay-per-view show, which is the UFC's first event in Germany, features a main event of Rich Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva at a catch-weight of 195 pounds.

Filipovic, once considered one of the world's top two or three heavyweights, left the UFC following back-to-back losses to Gabriel Gonzaga and Cheick Kongo. In March 2008, he defeated an over-matched Tatsuya Mizuno via 56-second TKO at DREAM.1. Six months later he fought rival Alistair Overeem at DREAM.6. Overeem controlled the fight, but the bout was ruled a no-contest when he delivered an illegal knee to Filipovic's groin.

Three months later, in his most recent bout, Filipovic defeated 7-foot-2 kickboxer Hong Man Choi via first-round TKO.

Last month the Croatian fighter announced he was returning to the UFC following the year-long stint in Japan.

He'll now face Al-Turk, a Cage Rage veteran who suffered a first-round TKO loss to Kongo during his octagon debut at UFC 92. Prior to the loss, Al-Turk went 6-1 with six first-round stoppages to earn a UFC contract.

The full UFC 99 card now includes:

MAIN CARD (televised)

* Rich Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva
* Cheick Kongo vs. Cain Velasquez
* Ben Saunders vs. Mike Swick
* Marcus Davis vs. Dan Hardy
* Spencer Fisher vs. Caol Uno
* Mustapha al Turk vs. Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic

PRELIMINARY CARD (un-televised)

* Justin Buchholz vs. Terry Etim
* Dale Hartt vs. Denis Siver
* Peter Sobotta vs. Paul Taylor
* Roli Delgado vs. Paul Kelly
* Denis Stojnic vs. Stefan Struve
* John Hathaway vs. Rick Story

cant wait for this event!

Hopefully Davis knocks Hardy out.

I'll go 5K with you if you feeling it.

I got Hardy.

Unless anybody else wants some?

"This time will be different" warns chilling Cro Cop (http://www.setanta.com/uk/Articles/other-sports/2009/06/06/UFC-Cro-Cop-back-and-ready/gnid-56016/)

Mirko Cro Cop does not deal in soundbites, he does not do media. When he talks, his words carry the same malice as one of his trademark head kicks.

So when the Croatian heavyweight promises that the real Mirko Cro Cop is back, the most concerned man in MMA should be Mostapha Al Turk, his UFC 99 opponent.

Cro Cop has immense knock-out power. Stalking in that southpaw stance, his notorious left head kick has destroyed Wanderlei Silva, and his fists have smashed up Josh Barnett and Mark Coleman.

Even Fedor Emilianenko, recognized by many as the best pound-for-pounder in the world, was taken to a decision by Cro Cop, who has won seven fights either side of a six-month blip in The UFC.

Cro Cop (24-6-2) got stunned by Cheick Kongo and Gabriel Gonzaga during his brief stint back in 2007, but the 35-year-old insists he has a hunger now that didn’t exist back then.

“This time is going to be different, a different Cro Cop that was in The UFC in 2007,” he utters in chilling fashion.

“Last time, I had injuries – old injuries from PRIDE - which prevented me from fighting to the best of my abilities. More than that, I felt like I had given everything of myself in my fights in PRIDE.

“I felt tired, I was empty inside and I should have taken a longer rest before coming into the UFC. I think maybe I came into the UFC too early. I should have waited for my injuries to heal and to take a break for myself before coming in.

“But I am 100% healed now, am in much better shape, and that’s why I have come back to the UFC.

“I never lost touch with Dana White, we would talk every now and then, but recently I told him my injuries were completely healed and I was ready to come back to the UFC.

I can tell my fans and UFC fans, I don’t know if I will win the UFC heavyweight title, but I will give absolutely everything trying to get that belt. I am coming back to earn my shot at the UFC title.”

What a card!!

Hardy is the man, and everything he has said I pretty much agree with.

Hardy is a good fighter but he's a dick. He's like Carl Froch (ironically their from the same town) big mouth and walks around with an air of arrogance and sense of achievement when they've basically done nothing to ean that rep.

Hardy is a good fighter but he's a dick. He's like Carl Froch (ironically their from the same town) big mouth and walks around with an air of arrogance and sense of achievement when they've basically done nothing to ean that rep.

Nah, I don't agree. He's proven at UK level, and has done well in his 2 fights in the UFC. Sure he may have air of arrogance, but that put's bums on seats and makes it more interesting for the fans.

Marcus Davis IS a plastic paddy, and his website DOES look like a St Paddy's day gift shop explosion. I don't see the problem.

Hardy is a good fighter but he's a dick. He's like Carl Froch (ironically their from the same town) big mouth and walks around with an air of arrogance and sense of achievement when they've basically done nothing to ean that rep.

He's actually a great person in meeting him. Much better to talk to then Froch, but both are far from the arrogance they portray in media.

You do realise they do this to hype up fights?

Nah, I don't agree. He's proven at UK level, and has done well in his 2 fights in the UFC. Sure he may have air of arrogance, but that put's bums on seats and makes it more interesting for the fans.

Marcus Davis IS a plastic paddy, and his website DOES look like a St Paddy's day gift shop explosion. I don't see the problem.

Davis is proud of his ethnic roots. Nothing wrong with that at all. For someone to say that you can't be proud of where you come from is arrogant and disrespectful quite frankly.

Hardy has done well in his last fight. But his fight against Gono was a hometown decision if I ever saw one. He didn't win that fight, I don't care what anyone says. Plus that's his toughest opponent ever. And as much respect as i have for Gono he wouldn't even make a dent on the top 10 170lb fighters. At UK level Hardy's proven himself, but that's domestically, and as good as the fighters have become in this country the level of competiton is not as high as it is in Japan or the USA. His arrogance is unwarranted and he comes off as a complete dick. He hasn't done anything to go around telling other people what for when at 170 he is a little fish that would get handled by the entire top 10.

He's actually a great person in meeting him. Much better to talk to then Froch, but both are far from the arrogance they portray in media.

You do realise they do this to hype up fights?

I do realise the hype side of it. But quite frankly I'm not into that from a personal level unless it has an element of fun to it. Hardy just comes across as disrespectful and rude. Sorta like Tito. He would act the bad boy, play the bad boy and then when the fight was over, start thanking US troops for fighting for his freedom. I'm like, man stop jumping from one to the other. If you're gonna be the bad boy, then be bad. Don't be an ass and be disrespectful and then turn around and act like the patriotic citizen when it's over. You ain't gonna get any respect from anyone doing that.

Its a good card but I don't get why Franklin-Silva is at a catchweight. both fighters fought their last fights at 205 so it is bizarre why they decided to put it at a catchweight.

Its a good card but I don't get why Franklin-Silva is at a catchweight. both fighters fought their last fights at 205 so it is bizarre why they decided to put it at a catchweight.

From what I've read Silva is going to 185 no matter the outcome of this match. Franklin doesn't want to go back to 185 since he's happier with 205 right now. They agreed on the catchweight in order for the fight to happen.

Rogan said "This is the craziest MMA card ever" White said "This is a stacked card" just like they said about UFC 88,89,90,91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99...How anyone would pay for this when you Cotto-Clottey on regular HBO needs there head examined!

From what I've read Silva is going to 185 no matter the outcome of this match. Franklin doesn't want to go back to 185 since he's happier with 205 right now. They agreed on the catchweight in order for the fight to happen.

yeah I guess that makes sense.

Rogan said "This is the craziest MMA card ever" White said "This is a stacked card" just like they said about UFC 88,89,90,91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99...How anyone would pay for this when you Cotto-Clottey on regular HBO needs there head examined!

Maybe it's cos they consistently put on good cards.

Rogan said "This is the craziest MMA card ever" White said "This is a stacked card" just like they said about UFC 88,89,90,91,92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99...How anyone would pay for this when you Cotto-Clottey on regular HBO needs there head examined!

I doubt Rogan said that about UFC 99 but every single one of their cards is really good. I can't remember the last time I saw a bad UFC card. And this card is actually not one of their better cards but it is still a good one. Everyone was hyped on the strikeforce card but the UFC 99 card is easily better if you know your mma.

And yeah, I'll be watching the cotto-clottey fight over UFC 99 but I'm still hyped to catch some of the UFC fights afterwards.

Davis is proud of his ethnic roots. Nothing wrong with that at all. For someone to say that you can't be proud of where you come from is arrogant and disrespectful quite frankly.

Hardy has done well in his last fight. But his fight against Gono was a hometown decision if I ever saw one. He didn't win that fight, I don't care what anyone says. Plus that's his toughest opponent ever. And as much respect as i have for Gono he wouldn't even make a dent on the top 10 170lb fighters. At UK level Hardy's proven himself, but that's domestically, and as good as the fighters have become in this country the level of competiton is not as high as it is in Japan or the USA. His arrogance is unwarranted and he comes off as a complete dick. He hasn't done anything to go around telling other people what for when at 170 he is a little fish that would get handled by the entire top 10.

Completely agree with the bolded, far to often people in America lose their cultural roots and become "Americanized" so to speak. Marcus's family comes from Waterford Ireland and yet he can't acknowledge his ancestry without being fake or "plastic"? That attitude seems close minded IMO. I guess a Mexican American shouldn't fly their flag in the UFC either.

UFC 99 Marcus Davis exclusive: “I want to feel my hands crush bones in Dan Hardy’s face” (http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more-sport/2009/06/08/ufc-99-marcus-davis-exclusive-i-want-to-feel-my-hands-crush-bones-in-dan-hardy-s-face-115875-21425161/)

Marcus Davis, UFC welterweight and regular feature fighter on its UFC cards, is a very experienced fighter.

The 36-year old holds a impressive professional boxing record of 17-1 and an MMA record of 16-4 but he has never come across an competitor who has gotten under his skin as much as next opponent Dan Hardy.

At UFC 99, Davis will take on one the UK’s best mixed martial artists, Nottingham’s Dan Hardy, in an attempt to hand him his first loss inside the Octagon.

But this isn’t like any other bout. After Davis saw some photo-shopped images, which found their way across the internet, ‘The Irish Hand Grenade’ felt that the pre-fight hype had gone too far.

“After I first saw the images I was still awake at 3 am and my girlfriend said ‘Let it go, you’ll fight him but you need to sleep’. I just wanted to kill someone. I was out of my mind crazy. Hardy has just taken it to another level.”

“I can’t wait to fight him. Honestly, I want to feel my hands crush bones in his face. I was made to fight and Hardy is there for me to break. He is just something to bust up.”

The fight has created a huge buzz in the world of MMA, especially in the UK, and not least because Marcus owns a number of wins over top British fighters.

Both men have great stand-up skills and cardio and this could well be a contender for Fight of the Night considering the bad blood that has arisen.

Hardy is also eager for the bout.

“I can’t wait. He is going to think there are three Hardys in the cage with him.”

Having heard Davis’ strong intentions for their forth-coming match and with more than a hint of sarcasm in his voice, ‘The Outlaw’ gave his reply.

“All I will say is, it’s not very Christian of him. But I think he will have to hit me first. He’s definitely getting ahead of himself especially with those little arms of his.”

“He has said I have no wrestling or ground skills even though I got all the way to the UFC. He’s clearly got me figured and I just have to hope he won’t take me down because then it’ll be all over.”

In all seriousness though, this fight has all the ingredients to be an all out war. It has even been featured on a special UFC Countdown show, unheard of for a non-headlining fight. No matter which side of the fence you sit on, this will surely be one to remember

Added Davis vs Hardy Preview

How Cain Velasquez seemingly came out of nowhere to become a top UFC heavyweight (http://mmajunkie.com/news/15137/how-cain-velasquez-seemingly-came-out-of-nowhere-to-become-a-top-ufc-heavyweight.mma)

Part1....

"He has to be part of a gang."

Marquee-sized letters scripted in calligraphy were stitched onto an alley-wide chest of a 6-foot-1, 240-pound mountain of an individual. The stereotypes are, unfortunately, quick to populate. The person's last name ends with a Z. He's dark-skinned with a trace of a Latino accent. Body art is most often associated with personal tributes, though at times it could be linked to representation and subliminal messages to one's posse or – much worse – rivals.

Cain Velasquez laughed when Javier Mendez asked him straight out if he was part of a Mean Street Mob. It was the first time the heralded collegiate athlete looking to break into mixed martial arts locked eyes with a former two-time world champion kickboxer and founder of the American Kickboxing Academy. Like all the rest, Velasquez was introduced with accolades. Like no one else had Velasquez made a mark neither by words nor actions, but capital letters spelling out two words.

Brown Pride.

There are many layers to it, Velasquez insisted, and none have to do with racial overtones. "Shut up!" was Mendez's retort. It has to be gang-related.

"For whatever reason, that 'Brown Pride' is going to attract attention to the point where people are going to want to ask questions about it and question him as a person," Mendez said. "But once you get to know him as person, he's going to change a lot of opinions of who he is."

There is a lot to learn about Cain Ramirez Velasquez. He was inked in 2002, his way of honoring his heritage and a mission to fill a childhood void. Young Velasquez was in search of an athletic role model to help him dream big dreams. There was none of that until the emergence of legendary Julio Cesar Chavez and later Oscar De La Hoya, the latter (who like Velasquez) is an American native of Mexican descent.

Velasquez is undefeated in five UFC bouts with only one going past the first round. Since his early MMA days, he has been built as the next heavyweight prodigy. Mendez went as far to tell Yahoo! Sports' Dave Meltzer in a July 2008 interview that Velasquez is a K-1 level kickboxer who could take former champion Randy Couture. He clarified those remarks in a discussion with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). Belief is one thing. Responding to hype and pressure is another.

"It wasn't false," Mendez said. "Obviously he hasn't earned that right to be called that, but I did it to see how he dealt with it. He's actually handed it extremely well. I still believe that, but I don't want to talk that anymore because now it's time to shut up and go out and do it. It's great to talk about potential, but if he doesn't go and perform anymore, it doesn't matter anymore, so now it's about performing and letting the rest take care of itself.

"It's one thing to have that level in sparring, but in the octagon it's another story."

A man of few words, Velasquez shies away from grandiose self-promotion. The two big ones scripted on his chest tell the entire story.

"I have desire to improve every day, each second," Velasquez said. "I'm proud of what I'm doing and proud of my heritage, and I'm doing good things in this sport. [I'm] proud to … represent."

* * * *

Word came down at 3 p.m. West Coast time on May 18 that Velasquez would have a new opponent at UFC 99 in Laxness, Germany. Veteran Heath Herring was forced to withdraw from the June 13 bout due to an unspecified illness. Named in his place was a 34-year-old native of Paris and former European Savate champion named Cheick Kongo, 5-1 in his past six fights with his most recent loss coming to, ironically, The Texas Crazy Horse. Kongo has four years on Herring but has competed in 19 MMA fights compared to the latter's 43, yet he arguably poses a quicker and more powerful challenge. Velasquez could have postponed, but there was no talk of it. Damn the short notice. He greeted it with a back-to-business shrug.

"Just get ready for battle, that's it," Velasquez said. "He's a great opponent who's improved a lot on his wrestling. He's tough, so when I get out there, I have to look sharp. I have to be quick."

The one quickest to the strike may be in line for a coveted shot at heavyweight gold, but Kongo's chance may come sooner if he wins. Velasquez, says Kongo, is a newbie. There's no reason for him to be in a hurry, and Kongo believes his strength will derail those projections much longer.

"I don't know why this fight makes so much sense for him," Kongo told The Sun, a British tabloid. "I hear he is good, but if I was his manager I wouldn't want my fighter to fight someone like me so soon. He needs heart to beat me, lots of heart. He needs to be very careful. He can be very good, I have heard, but I am not too concerned. He should be the one who's worried."

Kongo disposed of Antoni Hardonk via TKO at UFC 97 – two months ago. His confidence is high, but his intelligence may prove not to be up to par. Ryan Bader, Velasquez's wrestling teammate at Arizona State and winner of "The Ultimate Fighter 8," called Kongo's acceptance of the bout a "horrible" idea. Refusing again to bite, Velasquez isn't yet thinking destiny, nor is he expecting an opponent adversely affected by a quick turnaround.

"I think he's the kind of guy who's always training, so I don't think it hurts him at all," Velasquez said. "It's that extra drive that makes him think he gets a title shot by beating me. I don't think like that. I think about what I have to do in the fight and what his strong points and weak points are, and I try to exploit them."

Five men have learned – painfully – what Velasquez is about. That initial sell needed some persuasion.

Part 2....

* * * *

"You're gonna love this kid," Thom Ortiz, Velasquez's collegiate coach, told Mendez.

"Yeah, OK. Whatever. I'm gonna love this kid," Mendez replied. "I keep hearing that."

There was something about Velasquez and Ortiz's old-school relationships with his athletic connections that immediately sold super-agent Dwyane Zinkin on perhaps his biggest meal ticket since Chuck Liddell. Shortly after Velasquez's graduation, Ortiz called Zinkin to tell him about a heavyweight who he's flying into the San Jose-based AKA. After three days, Velasquez flew home and in the fax machine was a contract. It was signed; neither Ortiz nor Velasquez read it.

"That's how we do our relationships – based on trust and what we feel is positive," Ortiz said. "I don't even think Zinkin read the contract. I think he sent me what his lawyers sent him. It was in the best interest of Cain and everything else is history."

It was like negotiating over a beer and shaking hands, simple ideals embedded into young Cain by parents Efrain Sr. and Isabel. From the crack of dawn Cain and his father worked the fields for hours picking up and carrying watermelons. He didn't know it then, but the chore ended up the foundation of the repetitive pattern that started the fine-tuning of an athlete.

A graduate of Kofa High School (Yuma, Ariz.), Cain went 110-10 and won state titles in 2000 and 2001. Two All-American seasons at Iowa Central Community College caught Ortiz's attention and brought him back home to Arizona State. He was a different breed, this kid from Y-Town. During practice or in the locker room preparing for battle, his teammates thanked higher powers that this crazy guy was on their side.

"Cain had a scowl on his face," Bader said. "I don't think he even says a word; he'll just grunt before a fight. He's not listening to music or jumping around. He's getting his mind right to go out there and destroy whoever's in front of him. A lot of the wrestlers were intimidated not only because of his appearance but because he'd come at you three rounds straight and nonstop. That scared a lot of people."

At one meet against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in Velasquez's senior season sat a Cal-Poly booster, screaming and hollering within direct earshot of Ortiz. Fuming, Ortiz looked over his shoulder and saw a menacing figure with a prim mustache and Mohawk, Liddell. A Sun Devil Booster about 250 pounds turned to Ortiz and asked, "Do you want me to take care of it?" Ortiz turned to Liddell and the two shared a laugh.

Velasquez didn't care. He wanted Liddell to shut up, but all he could do was regroup, finish another opponent and remain refreshed like he was off a power nap. That senior year Velasquez won an incredible 21 straight matches before falling to Minnesota's Cole Conrad in the 2006 NCAA tournament semifinals, a close and controversial criteria decision that left him deprived and unfulfilled.

"He felt a little cheated and thought, 'What am I going to do now?'" Ortiz recalled. "Now he's taking it out on those MMA guys, and I feel sorry for them a little bit.

"Cain has a gas tank that goes a long way. Fatigue makes cowards of us all. If you don't have any fatigue, you can't be a coward."

Five men, beginning with Brad Morris at UFC 85, have felt Velasquez's wrath. Denis Stojnic was the first to get past Round 1, but Velasquez still overpowered him to take an undefeated mark into Germany, albeit with a bad taste in his mouth.

"I was a little tired throwing my punches; they lacked zip and power," Velasquez said. "I won't make the same mistake twice."

* * * *

Velasquez's been at the MMA game for only two-and-a-half years with no jiu-jitsu or kickboxing training until August 2006. Never a strong counter-puncher, he'd be content with initiating and trading blows before his work at AKA showed him the science of not getting hit. Or in other words, for every one punch you take, fire three.

"The one thing about a wrestler is that he's always going to do the repetition," Oritz said. "The one thing that wrestlers do, it's our foundation, is we drill something, and we drill it until we get it right – and we'll do it a thousand times. The learning curve is so much higher and faster because they're doing the reputations. I think a lot of average people would do it 50. A wrestler is going to do it 250 times."

Mendez prefers four or five more bouts before that coveted title shot, but a victory over Kongo may be enough to secure it. Shane Carwin could be the next logical step, but a bout with the winner of the title-unification bout between heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar and interim title-holder Frank Mir at UFC 100 might make enough sense.

First things first. Velasquez may have to learn his next lesson: total endurance.

"I have to fight a smart fight and not let him get into his groove," Velasquez said. "He's not a guy you can finish easily. He's going to go the distance, so that's the kind of fight I'm looking for."

Further ahead is a deeper destiny. All of Ortiz's wrestlers had tattoos, but he felt compelled to ask about Velasquez's big statement. He was one of the few to learn that it honors Efrain Sr., who despite multiple deportations to Mexico continued to walk across the desert to work in America well before Cain was born.

"I guess you'd have to be about 240 pounds and pretty tough to have that across your chest," Ortiz said. "I can respect that. It was to honor his dad, who wanted the best for his children."

Enough was said. All that was required was an understanding.

AT UFC 99, TERRY ETIM HAS 6 MONTHS TO UNLEASH (http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8904&zoneid=13)

Terry Etim has lived, breathed, shed blood and hammered his training for well over six months with Justin Buchholz in mind. Originally slated to fight at UFC 95, the bout was scratched when his opponent pulled out due to an undisclosed injury, only to be replaced with Brian Cobb.

Another win later and the fight is back on for UFC 99 on Saturday night in Germany. Etim is pumped.

“I have been training for this guy for two long grueling camps now, both of them 10 weeks long. So I am really looking forward to finally making this happen,” explains the Liverpudlian.

So has much changed in anticipation of this bout?

“Not really, we analyzed him in depth at the beginning and we’re still sticking to that plan.”

Styles make fights and Etim is completely aware of this. He understands that they each have their strengths and weaknesses and the key to victory in his mind isn’t about being stuck on a predefined path, his intention is to maximize his own chances of success.

“I need to make him play to my strengths, where I feel I am at my best," offers Etim. "I can handle any situation I am put into.

“He has won most of his fights in the first round, but I don’t see that happening this time. I know he will want to take me down, despite what he may say otherwise and when he does, he will eat a few shots. I have been working so hard for this fight that I really don’t see him having an edge on me.”

Etim is confident at the moment, not only about his fight, but his standing in the promotion as well. In a time where the UFC has been announcing fighter cuts across its roster, Etim can rest assured of his place having inked a new four-fight deal that will take him deep into 2010.

“The changing point for me in my career came when I beat Sam Stout. I finally felt comfortable that this is my home, that I deserve to be here, and it's reassuring to know that the UFC feels the same way with this deal,” he commented.

Taking into account the level of competition he has faced, and is now up against, the fights will only get tougher, but the rewards become greater.

“I can’t look past this fight. If you look past a fight, you get into trouble. It’s just not my way. I just want to win this and then maybe get another two fights before the year is up. I have to stay active.”

At 23 years old, Etim is at an age where he is arguably part of the new wave of MMA competitors, guys that are complete in all disciplines without a noticeable bias towards any particular skill. He has elements of a fight that he may enjoy more, but with more submission victories than TKO’s, you could be fooled into thinking he preferred the ground, despite his clear striking proficiency.

“I try to pinpoint improvements and keep advancing in all areas: wrestling, Thai, and ground," he said. "All the guys I train with push me hard and it’s because of them that I am where I am. Fighting is my life and I will always be involved in it. I am a student of the game and I look up to people like Georges St. Pierre.”

Some fighters measure their success by titles, others by wealth and fame. Etim measures his success by how much he improves his skills. With a 12-2 record and five fights in the upper echelon of the MMA circuit, the world is his oyster. His plan is the same now as it was when he started – growth.

“I look back at how much I have improved since I started in this game and I take heart from that. I look at where I could be in five years and then 10 years and that’s what motivates me. I am always learning and always trying to bring on new skills.”

I'll definitely be watching Cotto vs. Clottey over this. I'll catch this at some point though. I kinda think Franklin will win but I have this gut feeling that Wanderlei is gonna get him. It should be a good fight though. I don't think I'll be betting on this fight.

looking to bet on Silva,Velasquez and CroCop.let me know...

I'll definitely be watching Cotto vs. Clottey over this. I'll catch this at some point though. I kinda think Franklin will win but I have this gut feeling that Wanderlei is gonna get him. It should be a good fight though. I don't think I'll be betting on this fight.

Abos big Wanderlei fan over here bruv i reckon his gonna Blitz Franklin and pretty quick.If Silva does get beat by franklin thats gotta be career over considering his just getting over the rampage defeat so i hope he goes on to bigger fights

Added Dana's blog

I'll definitely be watching Cotto vs. Clottey over this. I'll catch this at some point though. I kinda think Franklin will win but I have this gut feeling that Wanderlei is gonna get him. It should be a good fight though. I don't think I'll be betting on this fight.

They're not on at the same time.

UFC 99 is on at 2/3 pm (US) and the Cotto/Clottey fight is at night.

They're not on at the same time.

UFC 99 is on at 2/3 pm (US)

Excellent, I will be able to download for Saturday night viewing then!!

Abos big Wanderlei fan over here bruv i reckon his gonna Blitz Franklin and pretty quick.If Silva does get beat by franklin thats gotta be career over considering his just getting over the rampage defeat so i hope he goes on to bigger fights

Yeah, I have to agree. If he loses to Franklin he should retire but I don't think he will retire. I kinda hope the pet detective wins. :boxing:

They're not on at the same time.

UFC 99 is on at 2/3 pm (US) and the Cotto/Clottey fight is at night.

Ah thanks, did not know that. I still won't pay for it though so I'll probably not see it until Sunday when I can find a torrent or DL.

Added UFC 99 Countdown

Yeah, I have to agree. If he loses to Franklin he should retire but I don't think he will retire. I kinda hope the pet detective wins. :boxing:



Ah thanks, did not know that. I still won't pay for it though so I'll probably not see it until Sunday when I can find a torrent or DL.

Yeh

lol

Spitting image isnt he

Yeh

lol

Spitting image isnt he

That's why they call him Ace.

As feud with Dan Hardy boils over, Marcus Davis looks to dominate in UFC 99 main-card bout (http://mmajunkie.com/news/15153/as-feud-with-dan-hardy-boils-over-marcus-davis-looks-to-dominate-at-ufc-99.mma)

Marcus Davis (16-4 MMA, 8-2 UFC) and Dan Hardy (21-6 MMA, 2-0 UFC) don't like each other. That much has been established.

When the two welterweights meet on the main card of UFC 99 on Saturday at the Lanxess in Cologne, Germany, months worth of name-calling, heritage-questioning, and photoshopping hijinx will finally come to an end.

And while the winner will have earned international bragging rights – not to mention further respect in the UFC's deep 170-pound division – Davis recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio) he'll be trying to distance from the emotions of the conflict rather than relying on them for motivation.

"It's been like I've gone through detox with [my emotions]," Davis said. "I started 12 weeks ago. I literally got geared up, sat in front of a laptop and read his interviews, watched his videos and ran out into the cage and just started torturing people. Then I slowly started to make it so it doesn't affect me.

"The other day, we had the call-in, and I blew up during the media call. As soon as I got off, [my training partners] were waiting for me in the cage. I jumped in and got my work in and was able to keep myself composed, calm, cool and calculated. That's what I'm going to do that night."

Davis and Hardy's tempers briefly flared during the aforementioned media call on June 2, and the pair each insisted the other was a liar. While Davis found it difficult to contain himself during that call, he insists he'll be able to remain in control on Saturday.

"I'm not going to go in and be blinded by fury," Davis said. "I'm a professional fighter, and I've been doing this for so long. As a child growing up in the typical fighter story – coming from a broken home and stuff – I dealt with anger a lot as a kid. It doesn't shake me up."

Of course, that's not to say that Davis' feelings about Hardy have changed.

"This kid is taking it to a different level, and I said the best fight that [fans] are going to miss is going to happen at the afterparty." Davis said. "You just don't pull the [expletive] that this guy has done. You don't do that stuff. Not when you're a professional.

"That kind of stuff is for the keyboard warriors. That kind of stuff is for the guys that are still living in grandma's basement, playing on the computer, photoshopping and giving their opinions on who sucks and their expert opinions on fighters."

While Hardy looked impressive in a 69-second win over Rory Markham in February – his second win in as many fights in the UFC – "The Irish Hand Grenade" says he's planning on an impressive performance of his own.

"I need to just concentrate on my fight, go out there and take my respect back," Davis said. "I've got to go out there, and I can't just scrape by and win this fight. I've got to win it in an impressive fashion.

"I've got to show that I can beat him everywhere, and that's what I'm going to do."

In January, Davis and Chris Lytle promised and delivered an a stand-up affair. This time, the 35-year-old is hoping for something a little more one-sided in nature.

"Everybody wants to knock out somebody that they don't like, so obviously that's what I'd like to do," Davis said. "But before that happens, I want to beat [Hardy] at everything. I literally want to beat him every place, everywhere, and I want it to happen in a way that they go, 'Wow, Marcus Davis outpunched him, outstruck him, outfought him in the clinch, outwrestled him, outfought him on the ground. That's the way I want it to go down.

"I want to knock him out, but I want to just dominate him."

Dana White on "Cro Cop's" one-fight deal for UFC 99: "I've never done this with anybody ever" (http://mmajunkie.com/news/15152/dana-white-on-cro-cops-one-fight-deal-for-ufc-99-ive-never-done-this-with-anybody-ever.mma)

When Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic returns from a nearly two-year break from the organization and fights at UFC 99, he'll do so under an unprecedented one-fight deal.

UFC President Dana White confirmed the unusual arrangement during a recent media call with the Filipovic (24-6-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC), who takes on Mustapha Al-Turk (6-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) in a UFC 99 televised main-card bout.

"In this history of the company, I've never done this with anybody ever," White said of the deal. "I've never done that ever in nine years of being in this business."

White, currently in Germany for Saturday's pay-per-view event at Cologne's Lanxess Arena, said Filipovic's return resulted from a simple call the fighter made to him.

"When Mirko and I talked on the phone, the day that he said that he wanted to come back, let me tell you he was all fired up and basically saying, 'Listen, I got my surgery, I've been training, I want this, I want to come back, I want to win that title, and I want to take a run at it,'" said White, who estimated the deal was reached in just three days' time.

Filipovic, a longtime PRIDE fighter perhaps best known for winning the organization's 2006 Open-Weight Grand Prix, entered the UFC in 2007, when he was still ranked as one of the world's very top heavyweights. However, after a win over Eddie Sanchez in his UFC debut, the Croatian fighter suffered back-to-back losses to Gabriel Gonzaga (via stunning head-kick KO) and Cheick Kongo.

The UFC and the 34-year-old fighter split ways soon after, though both sides said it was a temporary split and that the ultimate goal was for "Cro Cop" to return to the UFC. Filipovic has since competed three times for DREAM, going 2-0 (with a no-contest with Alistair Overeem). Filipovic said he wanted to return to the UFC, where he knows he failed to live up to expectations, especially with the UFC heading to Europe for Germany's first-ever UFC card.

"I owe a lot to the UFC and to the UFC fans," he said. "I owe a lot. ... (The) UFC was the black spot in my career and in my life, and I'm the man who dedicates his life to fighting, and I just want ... to justify the (trust) Dana White gave me two years ago and calling me to UFC after I went from PRIDE."

Filipovic repeatedly tried to dodge questions about his health during his first UFC stint. He began to discuss some injuries but cut himself short and said he didn't want to make any excuses. However, he said he's entering Saturday's bout fully healthy following recent knee surgery, in good spirits and with a sound mind. White said any decisions about his future in the organization after UFC 99 will be made after the show is over.

"I just want to return – to return to the top, and I just want to prove everyone that they were wrong," Filipovic said. "They were wrong. I just hope that God will give me the strength that I can prove my worth. I don't like to talk too much now on the phone about it because I have to prove my worth in the cage.

"And that's exactly what I'm going to do."

I got Franklin by decision.

As UFC 99 looms, Wanderlei Silva wonders if the win is finally more important than the show (http://mmajunkie.com/news/15159/as-ufc-99-looms-wanderlei-silva-wonders-if-the-win-is-finally-more-important-than-the-show.mma)

For all of the ferocious attacks Wanderlei Silva (32-9-1 MMA, 2-4 UFC) has implemented with his hands, elbows, feet and knees in his 23 career wins by knockout or TKO, it is perhaps his eyes that are most intimidating.

The animal-like stare, full of evil intentions, has won "The Axe Murderer" countless fights before the opening bell ever sounded.

But on this day, Silva's threatening stare has softened, and his eyes betray him. The intimidation is replaced with reflection, and those eyes are staring at his own hands as they rest on a table in the office of his Las Vegas gym.

"My life is on the line," Silva tells MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "I stand with the rope around my neck."

Silva was completing the final days of an intense training regimen in preparation for his UFC 99 main-event bout with Rich Franklin (24-4 MMA, 11-3 UFC) on Saturday in Cologne, Germany. And while Silva's rightful place in MMA history as a legend of the sport was firmly cemented years ago, the 33-year-old is now struggling to remain relevant among the world's elite competitors.

Known for his brawling, go-for-broke style, Silva has earned just one victory in his past five outings. Knowing that MMA's sometimes-fickle fanbase can turn on its athletes after just a single defeat, Silva has been forced to consider redefining his approach.

"This is a hard decision for me," Silva said. "You saw the last UFC with Matt Serra and Matt Hughes. Serra had knocked Hughes down at the start of the match. Hughes fought back, but he fought just to win. He just held Serra down, but he won.

"Maybe I could just take Franklin down and hold him on the ground. Second round, same. Third round, same. Then I win the fight."

After earning an astounding 22-4-1 record in the now-defunct PRIDE organization, compiling a list of vanquished foes that could easily substitute for an MMA Hall of Fame roster, Silva has been unable to replicate that success in recent years.

Now he must determine whether the unquestionable need to return to winning ways is more important than remaining true to the style of reckless brawling that earned him a legion of adoring fans.

"People just want to have their arm raised up at the end of the fight," Silva said. "They forget about the show. But for me, it's different. I talked to my wife about it last week. I don't have depression if I win or lose because I fight every week. I fight every day in the gym. But I need to win.

"I don't know what everybody's motivation is, but for me, I feel like I'm an artist. This is my presentation. People come to watch my show. For that, I have to open up my game. I'm going in there to hit, and the guy is trying to hit me. This is the emotion of the fight. I put my life on the line. This is the emotion you have to feel and why I think my fans support me win or lose. But I don't think everyone understands this."

Silva said the balance between guaranteeing a win and putting on a good show has weighed heavily on his mind throughout the training process. It's a decision he'll have to once again consider on Saturday night.

"It's hard because if you win, you're good, and if you lose, you're bad," Silva said. "But I think I'm starting to have a different mind about this. It's not always a show. It is a sport, and the results are important. The fans just like the winners. That's the reality of it.

"It's hard. In my heart, I know I really, really need to win this fight. But in the fight, it's hard to control my emotions. We're artists, but to be a professional artist, we have to control our emotions."

With Silva and Franklin scheduled to compete at a catchweight of 195 pounds, the Brazilian's body is lighter than it has been in years of competing as a light heavyweight. The former Chute Boxe fighter is quicker in training, his cardio has improved. Silva believes he's in better condition, more motivated and more focused than he has been in recent contests.

He will have his chance to prove it on Saturday night.

"I'm going to fight [Franklin], but I don't need to say anything bad about him," Silva said. "He's my next opponent, and there's just a few options: Either I beat him, or he beats me. We're going to have a war, and there's going to be a lot of blood. I don't see it going to a decision.

"I'm prepared to put on an impressive show. The fans are going to see from me a much different Wanderlei. I'm going to be much more aggressive. I'm prepared for everything, and I really, really want him to hit me first. After that, I'm going to kill him."

It seems that even in a short conversation, Silva can't completely control the emotion, the heartfelt desire to fight toe-to-toe that has driven him since the bareknuckle days of his early career.

And should the 20,000-seat Lanxess Arena offer a warm welcome to Silva, "The Axe Murderer" is certainly bound to answer the opening bell.

"For now, I need the result," Silva said. "I'm going to need to fight for the win, not the show. But I'm saying this now: After the start of the fight, it's incredible the power the crowd has inside me. The crowd shakes my heart.

"I have a big heart. I work with my emotion, and I don't like to hear the boos. I want the crowd to cheer – with his blood or my blood. But I like the blood."

And for those unable to witness Silva's first main event as a UFC fighter, the Brazilian has a message.

"I want to say thanks to my fans for giving me their energy," Silva said. "I'm going to need that energy, and I'm going to need the support of my fans. Everyone knows this fight is so important for me.

"I know a lot of people in the world are going to have a barbecue or a party at home to watch my fight. I thank them so much for that. On June 13, I'm going to give my best. And make sure you finish your barbecue first because this fight might be over very fast. Don't close your eyes for a second."

franklin is gon knock him out. both have weak chins, the diffrence is franklins skills are far superior. if wanderlei can get him in the clinch he might be able to take him out, but i think hes too slow. franklin will be able to control him, wanderlei is always squared up and open to get nailed down the pipe. southpaw left, light out.

cant wait to see kongo and cro cop in action too. and hardy-davis. after all the build up to that one someone has to get iced.

Franklin has a good chin. Anderson Silva had to damn near decapitate the guy to put him down. And he was never out cold like Wanderlei has been.

Franklin has a good chin. Anderson Silva had to damn near decapitate the guy to put him down. And he was never out cold like Wanderlei has been.

good is a bit of a stretch.. all his losses have been by KO.

eighter way lets say this.. both have the power to take the other one out and then some.

good is a bit of a stretch.. all his losses have been by KO.

eighter way lets say this.. both have the power to take the other one out and then some.

Actually, Henderson went to decision and Franklin took a load of clean shots from him. Hendo has legit KO power as well.

The losses to Silva and Machida weren't KO's in the stretched out sense of the word. He was hurt couldn't defend himself. Just because a guy loses by KO doesn't necessarily mean his chin is weak. I mean Rampage has lost by KO before yet I like many still believe he has a strong chin and has proven to be able to take a shot.

Franklin has a good chin. Now Andrei Arlovski. . . that's what you call a weak chin.

Actually, Henderson went to decision and Franklin took a load of clean shots from him. Hendo has legit KO power as well.

The losses to Silva and Machida weren't KO's in the stretched out sense of the word. He was hurt couldn't defend himself. Just because a guy loses by KO doesn't necessarily mean his chin is weak. I mean Rampage has lost by KO before yet I like many still believe he has a strong chin and has proven to be able to take a shot.

Franklin has a good chin. Now Andrei Arlovski. . . that's what you call a weak chin.

arlovski is a HW, its a diffrent scenario. but yea that beard is growing on a wet paper bag.

arlovski is a HW, its a diffrent scenario. but yea that beard is growing on a wet paper bag.

Not really. Franklin started out as a HW and handled himself fine. Weight classes don't mean a thing with regards to having a weak chin. If it did then a 205lb fighter like Seth Petruzelli wouldn't be able to drop a 240lb Kimbo.

Not really. Franklin started out as a HW and handled himself fine. Weight classes don't mean a thing with regards to having a weak chin. If it did then a 205lb fighter like Seth Petruzelli wouldn't be able to drop a 240lb Kimbo.

again under that beard is a wet paper bag..

heavyweights have more power than they do chin, the power diffrence goes up more in relation to size than the chin.. so big guys tend to knock eachother out. a bum of the street getting caught cold doesnt really prove anything. kimbo isnt an athelet so i dont give a f.uck who knocked him out.

again under that beard is a wet paper bag..

heavyweights have more power than they do chin, the power diffrence goes up more in relation to size than the chin.. so big guys tend to knock eachother out. a bum of the street getting caught cold doesnt really prove anything. kimbo isnt an athelet so i dont give a f.uck who knocked him out.

They're not that much bigger than Franklin. Look at Fedor. Not much bigger than Rich and has taken some huge shots and never been KO'ed. And in all honesty Franklin's never been caught and put to sleep. He has a better chin than you give him credit for. You base it on the Silva and Machida losses. But when you look at the fashion in which he lost compared to some of the guys that both fighters have KO'ed shows you how Franklin's chin is a lot better than it appears. Machida and Silva just have great power and it took a lot of strikes for them to get Franklin out of there and even so he wasn't even out cold, he was just dazed.

I don't think anyone Rich has fought has KO power like Wanderlei.

Maybe so Bricks, but who says the fight is gonna stay standing. Franklin is one of the smarter fighters in MMA and conditioning wise he can hang with anyone including Wanderlei. Wanderlei's explosiveness and barrage of strikes is what got him so many KO's. He would just put everything he had into his shots and when you look at a lot of his opponents he was matched against guys who would stand in front of him and trade. Franklin's not that stupid and knows what he is getting into. I just hope Wanderlei thinks more about trying to win then trying to put on a show. Let's face it, he's not gonna get anywhere in the MMA if he can't get a consistent run of wins going again.

I don't think anyone Rich has fought has KO power like Wanderlei.

I just don't think that people realize the KO power of Wanderlei. His takedown defense is nothing to play with and neither is his ability to scramble. The only person to effectively hold him down was Arona, and he couldn't do anything significant. I think that Rich is going to keep it standing because he likes to stand up. It's a difficult task for both fighters.

I defo realize the KO power he has. And his takedown defense was good but he has lost that bit of explosiveness that he once had. The power is still there but the reactions aren't what they once were. His defence seems to have become non existent as well because he likes to come in with a barrage of punches which is nothing new, but his head is straight up which leaves him wide open for a clean shot. And I still think that Wanderlei's strike resistance is starting to go and this weight cut might not help either. He didn't have to cut weight too many times in his career with PRIDE rules being that unless it was a title match or tournament then you just came in at what you wanted. 195 is gonna be the lowest he's eevr had to cut to so it'll be interesting to see if it has a positive or negative effect.

cant wait for this crazy ass card!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I reckon Silva will beat Franklin.

Haven't seen much of Silva on the ground, is he any good?

:?!:

He's a blackbelt in BJJ and is no slouch. If you put him on his back he always goes for armbars. If he's on top it's usually rape choke coupled with ground n pound. But Franklin's submission game is just as good as his. Let's put it this way, most fans will tell you that they don't expect either guy to be tapped out by the other.

UFC 99 preview: Davis and Hardy draw verbal battle lines, Franklin gets inside access for Silva (http://mmajunkie.com/news/15169/ufc-99-preview-davis-and-hardy-draw-verbal-battle-lines-franklin-gets-inside-access-for-silva-prep.mma)

The insults are enough to make even the most mean-spirited middle-school kid blush.

Marcus Davis and Dan Hardy have traded heavy artillery in a war of words heading into their welterweight bout at UFC 99 this Saturday in Cologne, Germany. The UFC's last double-digit fight card features a pair of former world champions, the return of Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic and rising heavyweight contender Cain Velasquez.

Yet, it's the Davis-Hardy feud that has served as a compelling subplot. And, from all accounts, the verbal combativeness isn't for show. These two fighters genuinely harbor a strong distaste for one another, and those feelings have been on full display on messages boards and in pre-fight interviews.

"When I was a little boy, I used to say, 'I hate this or I hate that, and I was told that you don't really hate that Marcus, because if you hate it, that would mean you spend a little bit of every day thinking about how much you dislike this thing,'" Davis said in a promo for the bout. "I hate Dan Hardy. I spend a lot of every day thinking about how much I don't like Dan Hardy."

Davis' penchant for beating on Europeans is what originally drew the ire of Hardy. Davis is a fixture on the UFC's international circuit and owns four wins in as many fights against three Brits and a Frenchman. Along the way, he's proudly played up his Irish heritage and won over scores of U.K. fans. Hardy is not counted among them.

"He's had a few fights in the U.K. now, and he's kind of built himself a little fan base over here, (but) he's not English. He's not Irish. I was born here, and I've been bred here. I don't mind taking on that challenge and showing him this is my home and not his," Hardy said after his 69-second KO of Rory Markham at UFC 95.

Some championship-level trash talking ensued, with Hardy calling Davis a "plastic Paddy" and "fake Irishman" and doctoring unflattering photos of Davis that circulated on the web. Davis shot back by calling Hardy a "douche bag." Ah, their mothers would be so proud.

Despite the entertaining sound-bite battle, neither fighter believes getting under each other's skin will be a factor once the cage door closes.

"Whether it will help in the fight or not, I don't really know," said Hardy (21-6 MMA, 2-0 UFC), who spent part of his training camp in Los Angeles with Freddie Roach to refine his boxing skills. "I don't really think it'll factor into the fight too much. All I know is that he signed that piece of paper that said that he's going to fight me and that he'll be there on June 13, and that was all I was interested in."

"I pretty much agree with what he just said," added the 35-year-old Davis (16-4 MMA, 8-2 UFC) in a rare moment of accord. "I think that we both have so much experience, so many fights. This is over my 100th and something (fight) as far as boxing and kickboxing and MMA. So, I mean I won't take (that) into the ring that night and act like a wild man. And I know he won't either."

The verbal battle took a fight that will have little impact on the welterweight ranks and turned it into another reason to tune in. Hardy, 27, deserves most of the credit for that, especially since he worked all the angles, including taking a jab at Davis' status in the division.

"Realistically, for Marcus, it's not a good fight for his career," he said. "I mean, to be fair, he's way ahead of me. He should be really looking toward a title shot."

Training with the enemy

The UFC 99 main event pits pair of past champions against one another, with UFC ex-middleweight titlist Rich Franklin facing former PRIDE belt-holder Wanderlei Silva. While both were once top 10 pound-for-pound fighters, they are a combined 4-6 over the past two-and-a-half-year stretch.

They meet at a catchweight of 195 pounds, which is appropriate, since neither has been dialed into a permanent weight class as of late.

"The UFC had spoken to me on several occasions about moving to 205 before I actually moved up to this weight class, and I was kind of resistant at first because I'm not really a big 205-pound fighter even though I started my career here," said Franklin (24-4 MMA, 11-3 UFC). "But, I will say that fighting at 205 pounds in 2000 or 2002 is different than me fighting at 205 pounds in 2009. It's just the sport's a different animal now. What I've tried to avoid is jumping back and forth in between, which is exactly why this fight was negotiated at 195 pounds."

In preparation for UFC 99, Franklin was the beneficiary of the squabbling between Silva and fellow Brazilian Anderson Silva. While the two fighters were in PRIDE, Anderson felt Wanderlei used his influence to prevent Anderson from getting quality fights. Now, with Wanderlei on his way down to 185 pounds with a goal of challenging for the title, Anderson invited Franklin to his Los Angeles gym for eight days to share inside knowledge about his former Chute Boxe training mate.

There's plenty at stake for both fighters. Silva's recent struggles aside, he remains one of the sport's icons and a victory over Silva (32-9-1 MMA, 2-4 UFC) would deliver a jolt of momentum for Franklin. "Ace" hasn't beaten a top 10 opponent in either the middleweight or light heavyweight division in two years.

"As far as what it means for my career, it's just another fight," said the 34-year-old Franklin. "I try not to put a lot of weight on fights in particular like that, like a must-win situation and all that kind of stuff. I just prep for this fight the same way I prep for any other fight."

For Silva, 32, a victory could vault him to a title shot by year's end. The rivalry with Anderson Silva would create a marketable bout for the middleweight champion.

UFC 99 also marks the return of "Cro Cop." The Croatian's first go-around in the UFC was largely a bust. He took out Eddie Sanchez in short order at UFC 67. However, he was on the receiving end of one of the UFC's all-time great knockouts when Gabriel Gonzaga blasted him with a roundhouse kick to the noggin at UFC 70. Following a second straight loss less than five months later to Cheick Kongo at UFC 75, Filipovic left the promotion.

Nearly two years later, the popular heavyweight remains at a loss to explain why he fell flat.

"Well, to tell the truth, it's hard to say 100 percent what was the struggle for my first appearance in the UFC," he said. "I don't know the reason. I spent so many times thinking about it, and I don't know. ... Maybe I was just empty right after I won the (2006) PRIDE Grand Prix. Maybe I wasn't adapted for the fight in the cage. Maybe I wasn't hungry enough. I don't know."

Filipovic (24-6-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) might not be able to pinpoint the reason for his underwhelming performance in the UFC, but he doesn't want to be remembered for the flameout.

"UFC was the black spot in my career and in my life, and I'm the man who dedicates his life to fighting sport, and I just want to justify the (trust) Dana White gave me two years ago and calling me to UFC," said Filipovic, who returns to the promotion on a rare one-fight deal. "I just want to return to the top and prove everyone that they were wrong (about me)."

Filipovic takes on Mustapha Al-Turk (6-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) in one of two UFC 99 heavyweight bouts scheduled for the televised card. The other is a match-up with title-fight implications, as Kongo (14-4-1 MMA, 7-2 UFC) meets Velasquez (5-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC).

The bout pairs two red-hot fighters. Kongo is 5-1 in his past six, with three consecutive wins coming by TKO inside of three rounds. The Frenchman believes he has done enough to earn a shot at the title, and a win over a quality opponent such as Velasquez would bolster his case.

Velasquez has been destructive during his short MMA run, including three straight stoppages in the UFC.

Youth won't be served

UFC 99 marks the promotion's first visit to Germany, and it's been a rocky road getting there. The show has been saddled with the equivalent of an Rmovie rating. Ticket-holders must be at least 18 years old.

"There was what they call a cooperation between one of the local council authorities, the youth authority and the venue itself," said UFC U.K. Division President Marshall Zelaznik. "This was not something that the UFC had a role in. It was a cooperation or an agreement reached between those two entities to limit the attendance to anyone 18 and over."

The UFC has had to address some misconceptions among German officials about the sport and its rules. In spite of the challenges, the UFC is expecting a near-capacity crowd. The live pay-per-view telecast is scheduled for 3 p.m. Eastern.

UFC 99 – Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany

MAIN CARD (televised)

* Rich Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva
* Cheick Kongo vs. Cain Velasquez
* Ben Saunders vs. Mike Swick
* Marcus Davis vs. Dan Hardy
* Spencer Fisher vs. Caol Uno
* Mustapha Al-Turk vs. Mirko Filipovic

PRELIMINARY CARD (un-televised)

* Justin Buchholz vs. Terry Etim
* Dale Hartt vs. Denis Siver
* Peter Sobotta vs. Paul Taylor
* Roli Delgado vs. Paul Kelly
* Denis Stojnic vs. Stefan Struve
* John Hathaway vs. Rick Story

"UFC 99: The Comeback" official fighter weigh-in results; shoving matches quickly squelched (http://mmajunkie.com/news/15172/ufc-99-the-comeback-live-and-official-fighter-weigh-in-results.mma)

Weigh-ins for "UFC 99: The Comeback" took place this morning at Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany, and all 24 competitors successfully made weight.

Headliners Rich Franklin and Wanderlei Silva, who meet in a 195-pound catch-weight bout, both tipped the scales at a safe 194 pounds in anticipation of Saturday's pay-per-view event.

The weigh-ins didn't go completely smoothly after two sets of competitors got into shoving matches before they were separated by UFC officials.

Preliminary-card heavyweight Denis Stojnic started the first melee when he almost instantly shoved opponent Stefan Struve during the customary staredown photo opportunity. On-stage officials immediately intervened and forced the competitors off the stage.

The second brouhaha came seconds later when Paul Kelly hopped off the scale and immediately went chin to chin with opponent Roli Delgado, apparently bumping him in the process. Delgado took offense and gave the fellow lightweight a solid shove before they, too, were ushered backstage.

Luckily, the rest of the day's festivities went smoothly, including the weigh-in between bitter rivals Dan Hardy and Marcus Davis. The welterweights have engaged in a very public war of words heading into their main-card fight, but the two managed to weigh in without any incidents.

As for the main event, both Franklin and Silva easily made weight and came in two pounds lighter than the 196-pound limit.

"I think 195 would be the perfect weight class for me if it existed," Franklin told UFC emcee Joe Rogan after the weigh-in. "But for now, I'll stay at 205 (after UFC 99)."

The full weigh-in results from the event included:

MAIN CARD (televised)

* Rich Franklin (194) vs. Wanderlei Silva (194)
* Cheick Kongo (230) vs. Cain Velasquez (239)
* Ben Saunders (169) vs. Mike Swick (169)
* Marcus Davis (171) vs. Dan Hardy (170)
* Spencer Fisher (154) vs. Caol Uno (155)
* Mustapha Al Turk (236) vs. Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic (233)

PRELIMINARY CARD (un-televised)

* Justin Buchholz (155) vs. Terry Etim (156)
* Dale Hartt (156) vs. Denis Siver (156)
* Peter Sobotta (169) vs. Paul Taylor (169)
* Roli Delgado (155) vs. Paul Kelly (156)
* Denis Stojnic (241) vs. Stefan Struve (248)
* John Hathaway (170) vs. Rick Story (169)

who's watching this bull**** ass ppv on the eve of the p.r day parade and also on the same day 2 of p.r. biggest stars fight

who's watching this bull**** ass ppv on the eve of the p.r day parade and also on the same day 2 of p.r. biggest stars fight

Wanderlai & Cro Cop>>> Boring Calderon & Cotto

Wanderlai & Cro Cop>>> Boring Calderon & Cotto

I wouldn't say that. Wanderlei and Crocop are both exciting, as well as Calderon and Cotto. Defo not boring at all.

Looking forward to the spectacle of Struve.

I cant wait for Cro Cop s fight.
I really really hope that Silva will beat Franklin but i really doubt it,
cuz I think Silva is done so I bet on Franklin.
And Fisher vs Uno can be fight of the night.

added video blog - Marcus Davis pissed.

Go Silva...Big fan of Silva should have enough left to beat the Ace..

Looking forward to it..

This **** card should be free on S pikeTV.

I concur with that statement.

By no means the strongest UFC card this year but underwhelming events often throw up the best matches.

The bad blood between Marcus Davis and Dan Hardy is there for all to say but last month's snoozefest between Hughes and Serra shows that genuine animosity doesn't always lead to fireworks on fight night.

Cro-Cop's return is going to be intriguing, he really needs a big win to prove he's got something left to offer at the highest level and his former vanquisher Cheick Kongo must be in line for a title shot if he can overcome the highly touted but untested Cain Velasquez.

Wanderlei Silva is never in a dull fight so the contest with Franklin tonight should be no different. It looks like Wanderlei might be in line for a crack at his namesake Anderson if he wins tonight and I genuinely hope that's the case but my head tells me Franklin will take him out before the third round.

Reading that Mozza as just got me HYPE!!!


lol

This is a similar kind of card that they usually stage in the uk where they have a few big names then stack the card with euro fighters.
But it is still an interesting card anyway

If Kongo wins he will more than likely get a title shot. We get to see how good Velasquez is.

It will be good to see what Crocop has left. If he doesnt look devastating this time out it could be his farewell performance in the UFC.

The Franklin v Silva fight is interesting too, if the Wand of old turns up he will walk through Ace within the first round. If not, i see Franklin counter striking his way to a decision win.

Despite the hype, i dont think the Davis v Hardy fight will produce a war. I think Davis will just control the fight on the floor.

Fisher v Uno will be fight of the night.

Kongo looked fukin huge at the weigh in...
I reckon he streams

added weigh-ins

Kongo was guaranteed the next title shot if he took the fight on short notice and won.

John Hathaway vs. Ricky Story
Round 1
Most of the first minute is spent with both fighters in the clinch. Story gets a takedown. Hathaway gets a reversal as the fighters trade positions. At the midway point of the round, Story executes a mild slam. Hathaway gets to his feet and is taken back down. Hathaway locks on a kimura from the bottom and holds it until the bell rings. 10-9 Hathaway.

Round 2
Much of the second round is spent trading on the feet. Hathaway gets a takedown and punishes his opponent from the top position. From his back, Story goes for a guillotine, but he can’t secure the hold. Hathaway escapes, but gives up the top. Story closes the round strong with punches and elbows from the top. 10-9 Story.

Round 3
The fight goes immediately to the ground to start the final period. Story takes the top position after a scramble. Story works for a kimura from half guard. Story lets go to punch and elbow the head. Hathaway shows good defense and gets offensive as he goes high with his hips in search of a triangle. Story frees himself and then is forced to fight off an armbar. Hathaway, 10-9.

Hathaway is awarded the unanimous decision. Scores forthcoming.

Stefan Struve vs. Denis Stojnic
Round 1
Stojnic pushes Struve to the fence in search of a trip takedown. Struve gets back to the center of the Octagon and is tripped to the canvas. Stojnic stands in the guard of his opponent and lands hammerfists. From his back, Struve looks for an armbar and a kimura. Stojnic escapes and pounds away from the top. Struve looks for a triangle and is abused by more punches. Struve is hurt and bleeding. Referee Dan Miragliotta stops the action so Struve’s cut can be checked out. He’s cleared and the round ends. 10-9 Stojnic.

Round 2
Struve gets the top as the fighters wrestle for position. Stojnic gives up his back. Struve is bleeding all over his foe as he locks on a body triangle and looks for a rear-naked choke. Stojnic tries to stand up while being choked. Struve brings him back down and forces a tapout at the 2:37 mark of round one. Struve celebrates his victory under a mask of blood.

Paul Kelly vs. Roli Delgado
Round 1
Sporting a “Che” beard, Delgado comes out swinging before the fighters tie up at the one-minute mark. Delgado hops on Kelly’s back and is reversed. Delgado works a defensive-rubber guard and keeps his opponent’s head tucked down. Delgado takes the frame on the Sherdog.com scorecard, 10-9.

Round 2
Kelly roughs up Delgado with punches on the inside early in round two. Kelly switches it up and locks on a guillotine before pulling guard. Kelly holds the choke for a long time, but Delgado maneuvers to a safe position for his neck. Delgado frees himself and transitions to Kelly’s back. Kelly escapes danger and takes the top position, where he tees off with punches from the guard. Delgado takes a leg from the bottom but does little with it. Kelly blasts away with more punches in the round’s final moments. 10-9 Kelly.

Round 3
Sherdog.com is having technical issues at the venue. We apologize for the inconvenience. Play-by-play will resume with the televised card.

MMAFrenzy is reporting that Paul Taylor defeated Peter Sobotta via unanimous decision and Paul Kelly outpointed Roli Delgado by unanimous decision.

Here we go..

Did anyone else see the fat guy screaming? Hahahahhhaha,

davis' face is ****ed up

bastard. that idiotic nobhead won. :(

Dan Hardy vs. Marcus Davis
Round 1
The fighters size each other up early with kicks from the outside. Davis closes the gap and clinches with Hardy against the fencing. Referee Marc Goddard calls for action as the fight’s pace slows to a crawl. Davis eventually trips Hardy to the canvas. Davis takes the mount and punches away with lefts and rights. Hardy defends well and gets back to guard with little damage. Hardy stands and Davis takes half of his back, where he lands some punches on the inside. Hardy gets to his feet and hurts Davis with a standing elbow and a right hand.

Round 2
Hardy works kicks to the body and lead leg through the first minute of the second round. Davis lands a straight left on the chin and takes the best of a brief punching exchange. Hardy responds with a knee to the chin that flattens Davis. Hardy pounces with hammerfists, but Davis recovers quickly and gets to guard. From his back, Davis locks on an armbar. It’s tight, but Hardy frees his arm. Hardy again goes for an armbar and Hardy has none of it. Davis closes his guard and peppers Hardy’s head with short punches. Goddard stands the fighters. Davis bobs under a right hand and ties up with the Englishman. Hardy gets space as is starched with a left hook from Davis. The American gets a takedown before the round closes.

Round 3
Hardy slips and Davis enters his guard to kickoff the final frame. Interestingly, the German crowd chants “U-S-A! U-S-A!” Davis drops back for a toe hold. Hardy maneuvers and Davis switches to a heel hook and a kneebar. Hardy escapes and gets a takedown of his own. An elbow from Hardy opens up a nasty cut on the bridge of Davis’ nose. Davis is also sporting a large mouse on his left eye. Goddard calls time to have the cut examined and Davis stumbles to meet the ref. The fight is restarted on the floor. Goddard stands the fighters after a lull in the action. Hardy lands a left hook before the bell rings.

Dan Hardy wins by split decision

That was a great fight.

Hardy/Davis fight was wicked...

That elbow was something else from Hardy did some damage...

I think the Hardy fight could have been a draw, round 1 Davis round 2 Hardy and in the last round Davis won the 1st half of the round Hardy the 2nd half.

I felt like Hardy was the rightful winner after the fight

He did the more damage..

Could someone PM me a link. My sopcast MMA-TV keeps going down every 15 mins. or so. So annoying.

any streams? pm me plz

Lads i'd hook you up straight away but im watching this on the widescreen with the setanta hook up...

I just got home and forgot about the time zones and its too late to order it now (of course) so....

damn,.

why didn't they read the scores for that fight?

Whaatttt??? Unanimous Decision?

How the **** did that happen?

Time for some fireworks. KILLA B.

Spencer Fisher vs. Caol Uno
Round 1
Fisher punches from the outside and stuffs an Uno single. Fisher clinches with his opponent against the fencing, where he lands knees to the thigh and body. Uno switches positions against the cage. The action slows to a crawl and referee Mario Yamasaki restarts the bout. Fisher lands a hard kick to the lead leg of Uno and a right hook. Uno drops levels for a takedown and it’s stuffed. The fighters clinch again and the crowd starts to shower the Octagon with boos. The round ends to a chorus of jeers.

Round 2
Uno counters a loaded-up right hand with a slick single-leg takedown. Fisher will not be held down however, as he quickly uses his back against the fence to stand. Fisher lands two hard low kicks and is taken down by an Uno single. Fisher closes his guard as he works from his back in the center of the Octagon. Fisher stands and eats a right-hook lead from Uno. Fisher is tripped to the canvas, but again, Uno can’t hold his opponent down. The extremely lackluster round comes to a close.

Round 3
Fisher lands a sharp left hook and a knee to the midsection. Uno gets a trip takedown and the boos start again. The fighters clinch until referee Mario Yamasaki shows mercy and restarts the fighters. Fisher lands a low kick and takes the top position as Uno stumbles during a shot. Right back to the clinch goes Uno and the crowd starts again. Fisher lands an elbow from the inside and is taken down. Uno goes to the mount, where he lands punches and elbows to the head. Uno goes to half-guard, where he’s able to strike with more force with Fisher trapped against the fence. Uno moves seamlessly from Fisher’s back to the mount again. A strong finish to an awful fight.

Spencer Fisher wins by unanimous decision

any streams? anyone?

Sopcast working flawlessly as always :-)

War Cro Cop!

War Wandy Wiolence!

That Fisher fight was boring....

Looking forward to Saunders/Swick though


And someone hook my boy Dorian up

Indeed, come on someone has to have a good stream lol.

I'm really looking forward to the kongo and franklin fight...

Indeed, come on someone has to have a good stream lol.

I'm really looking forward to the kongo and franklin fight...

check ur pms

lmao @ these dudes talkin to each other

check ur pms

Could you help me out too my man?

Cant wait for the Silva fight....

Mike Swick vs. Ben Saunders
Round 1
Swick gets a quick takedown into his opponent’s guard. Saunders moves to a butterfly guard. Swick lands some left hands to the body as Saunders stalls for a standup. “Are you going to hold me all [expletive] night?” said a frustrated Swick. Saunders answers the taunt with well-used expletives of his own as he tells Swick to stand up. Referee Leon Roberts stands the fighters. Swick stomps Saunders’ feet from the clinch to end the first round. Boos from the crowd meet the fighters as they go to their corners.

Round 2
The fighters trade knees from close range and Swick gets a trip. Swick works punches to the head and body as Saunders holds the head down with a closed guard. Just as Saunders moved to a butterfly guard, Roberts stands the fighters. Saunders lands a kick to Swick’s left thigh. Swick lands five straight right hands and a left hook. Swick pounces with punches on the downed fighter until Roberts saves Saunders at 3:47 of the second period.

Can I get a link please?

check ur pm

CroCop will destroy Al-Turk.

Stream please guys. Thankyou and plus rep.

http://channelsurfing.net/

classic Crocop entrance, lol

wild boys!

Wild Boys!

WILD BOYS!

http://punchsports.blogspot.com/2009...-silva-vs.html

http://wrestlingbeats.webs.com/

The toughest guy to ever walk out to Duran Duran.

Turk will win this one.

only joking :)

poke in the eye to TKO victory for CroCop

Turk was going down either way. EZ win.

Turk was going down either way. EZ win.

yeah i don't think the outcome would've been any different

Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic vs. Mustapha al Turk
Round 1
Al Turk lands a hard right hook to the temple. Cro Cop shrugs off a takedown and circles away from his charging opponent. Cro Cop lands a left hand and starts to move forward. Al Turk lunges in with a right hand than glances. Cro Cop opens up with his hands and hurts al Turk. An inadvertent eye poke sends al Turk reeling. Cro Cop jumps all over his opponent with punches until referee Dan Miragliotta pulls him off at 3:06 of the first.

Unfortunate that there was an eye poke, but CC would've ended up finishing him eventually. Al Turk has no standing game and him trying to take CC wasn't working at all. Mirko brought his good TDD today.

Cro Cop vs Kongo 2: No Holds Barred

Jesus Christ Kongo's a big lad.

Velasquez got caught early but he recovered quickly.

Velasquez dominating Kongo on the ground now...

Jeez Kongo pull your shorts up

kongo's ground game is depressing

Watching this fight is ****ing depressing. Congo could have knocked Cain out in the second round with ease had he separated. What a dumbass.

Jeez Kongo pull your shorts up

he's getting raped...


Kongo ain't **** w/o knees to the balls.

good slam by kongo. i dont know why he didnt ko him when he had the chance.

kongo is a dumbass

why are you trying to take him down

he's having alot of success standing

I am swearing at my ****ing screen. WHAT THE **** IS CONGO DOING?!

It's like watching a replay of the first round over and over.

****ing hell Kongo is a pile of **** on the ground.

The refs sucks.

STAND EM UP.

****ing hell Kongo is a pile of **** on the ground.

He always has

Kongo is killing him on the feet

yet he refuses to stay there, clinching instead of separating. this **** is maddening

Kongo should get knocked out for being a douche.

There should be a pic of Vazquez next to the words "lay and prey"

He always has

I know, but after years of training you'd think he'd at least learn something. I mean at the very least he should be able to get back to guard.

This is easily the most frustrated that I have ever been watching a fight. CONGO IS THE SUPERIOR ****ING FIGHTER. YOU CAN KNOCK CAIN OUT JUST ****ING SEPARATE.

I used to like Cain and now I am feeling indifferent, the mother ****er can't finish top fighters, I guarantee this. Feed him to Carwin and see what happens.

****.

Kongo needs credit 3wks prep against a world-class wrestler that has zero stand up and just wants to lay on you all fight.

I want to fight Cain Velasquez.

This is easily the most frustrated that I have ever been watching a fight. CONGO IS THE SUPERIOR ****ING FIGHTER. YOU CAN KNOCK CAIN OUT JUST ****ING SEPARATE.

I used to like Cain and now I am feeling indifferent, the mother ****er can't finish top fighters, I guarantee this. Feed him to Carwin and see what happens.

****.

Exactly what I'm thinking. Cain will run into trouble with Carwin and Lesnar. If you nullify that wrestling ability he will panic. Those two Lesnar in particular have great wrestling, and size and power to boot.

This is easily the most frustrated that I have ever been watching a fight. CONGO IS THE SUPERIOR ****ING FIGHTER. YOU CAN KNOCK CAIN OUT JUST ****ING SEPARATE.

I used to like Cain and now I am feeling indifferent, the mother ****er can't finish top fighters, I guarantee this. Feed him to Carwin and see what happens.

****.

Kongo isn't a top figher...

I ****ing hate guys that can wrestle and just lay on you all fight yet get the dec.

The ref sucked in that fight, should have standed them up.

This is easily the most frustrated that I have ever been watching a fight. CONGO IS THE SUPERIOR ****ING FIGHTER. YOU CAN KNOCK CAIN OUT JUST ****ING SEPARATE.

I used to like Cain and now I am feeling indifferent, the mother ****er can't finish top fighters, I guarantee this. Feed him to Carwin and see what happens.

****.

real **** right here

Carwin or Lesnar have more power than Kongo, and won't be taken down as easily as Kongo

i'd pick either of them to beat Cain

Kongo isn't a top figher...



Your`e a dick.

Kongo took the fight at 3wks.

Cain Velasquez vs. Cheick Kongo
Round 1
Kongo uses his jab to set up two right hands that rock Velasquez’s world. A hurt Velasquez his a desperation single-leg, but Kongo flips him over. Velasquez gets back on top and takes the mount. Kongo gives up his back and Velasquez works his arm under the chin for a rear-naked choke. Kongo rolls out and stands, only to be slammed hard to the canvas. Velasquez goes to the mount and again ends up on his opponent’s back. Velasquez tees off with right hands. Kongo gets to his feet and Velasquez, a decorated amateur wrestler, lifts him high into the air and deposits him on the floor. Velasquez is completely dominating with positioning, although Kongo gets back to his feet at the sound of the horn

Round 2
Kongo again hurts Velasquez with a right hand to start a round. Velasquez clears the cobwebs and gets a takedown after Kongo unexplainably went for a single on the hurt fighter. Velasquez advances to Kongo’s back. Left and right hooks are landing by the bulk. Kongo rolls over and Velasquez tees off on the face from half guard with his right hand. Kongo works hard to get to his feet and is taken back down within a second. Velasquez lands directly in side control, but he’s not satisfied with the dominant position. He goes for Kongo’s back and gets it. Two huge knees connect with the kidney of Kongo as the hurt fighter turtles up with blood pouring from his nose. Kongo turns over and is mounted before the horn sounds.


Round 3
Kongo blasts Velasquez again with a right hand. Velasquez’s eyes roll but his chin is phenomenal. Kongo, repateing his mistake of round two, works for a single-leg as his opponent clears the damage from his mind. Velasquez defends the single and takes the back door to Kongo’s back. Sound familiar? Right-handed hammerfists rain down for minutes at a time as Kongo absorbs punishment. Kongo somehow finds a doorway to his feet, but again he is taken down. Velasquez traps both arms from side control before advancing to mount. Elbows and right hands connect with the mouth of Kongo. Velasquez absolutely tees off with punches from both hands in the bout’s final 10 seconds.

Cain Velasquez takes the unanimous decision

Cant deny that that was good ground and pound at the end of the hird round. i thought the ref was going to jump in.

hopefully it will be a good main event.

Cant deny that that was good ground and pound at the end of the hird round. i thought the ref was going to jump in.

hopefully it will be a good main event.

It has Wanderlei, it will be good.

Anyone wanna bet quick?

I got Silva via KO.

Your`e a dick.

Kongo took the fight at 3wks.

That's his fault, and good job by Kongo trying to go right for the balls when he was throwing knees. **** fighter deserves to get thrown around.

That's his fault, and good job by Kongo trying to right for the balls when he was throwing knees. **** fighter deserves to get thrown around.



Kongo is not **** he beat CroCop and almost beat Valazquez at very short notice.

He just has zero ground game.

Kongo is not **** he beat CroCop and almost beat Valazquez at very short notice.

He just has zero ground game.

The guy admitted that he intentionally kneed Cro Cop in the balls, and if you watch his fight with Al-Turk, he was feeling for his cup and then kneed him in the balls. **** fighter.

Come on Wanderlei, one more for the fans.

Rich is a badass for coming out to Cypress Hill

Hate it when great fighters become shot and lose to guys you know they would totally obliterate at their best.

I think this is the first time I've ever seen Wanderlei looking relaxed.

I bet bruce buffers throat will be sore after that.

Wanderlei looks gassed after the first round.

close 1st round, edge to Franklin though

I cant believe you guys are surprised at this outcome.

This fight was an easy handpicked win for Cain. UFC tried to get him Herring who cant fight wrestlers, when he couldnt go, they actually got a worse version of Herring in Kongo who actually got mauled on the ground by Herring himself.

Kongo and Herring are gatekeepers who are fed to the UFC's prospects to make the UFC prospects look good.

I cant believe the hype Kongo has. Some people actually thought hes good enough for a title shot.

First goes to Franklin. In all honesty Wanderlei should just fight like he normally does because I don't think he can win a decision.

I thought you said i would be exciting?

A lot of missing by both fighters.

A lot of missing by both fighters.

This fight is changing drastically.

a bit more sloppy of fight than i expected

Things got interesting.

The canvas is either really slippery or both fighters are totally exhausted.

I thought you said i would be exciting?

Second half of that round sure was.

I think Wanderlei might just go for broke.

Silva got it baby!!!

Goldberg and Rogans blowjobing of Franklin was pathetic!!!

My stream died :(

I think Wanderlei might just go for broke.

I think silva got this.

Silva winning round 3?

The ****?????

Interesting fight, although very sloppy. The decision will probably go to Franklin despite Wanderlei doing most of the damage.

how did round 3 go?

Wanderlei wins or this is bull****.

Worst dec in ufc history.

UNANIMOUS?!!?!?!?!?!??!?!!?!??!?!?!??!

You gotta be ****ing kidding me. **** those judges. **** Them.

Not surprised. Franklin did more and landed more. I'm not complaining.

Rich won a UD.

Rich clearly took the first 2 rounds, dominated both minus Silvas 20 seconds of fame in the 2nd,

I had it 2-0 and didnt see the 3rd round, even if Silva took it...

2-1 Rich.

Rich Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva
Round 1
A feel-out period unfolds through the first 90 seconds. The southpaw Franklin lands a left-hand lead and Silva counters wildly with both hands. Franklin backs up and exits clean. Franklin goes to Silva’s body with his left leg. Silva catches another Franklin kick and takes him to the floor. Silva begins to work from Franklin’s open guard. Silva tripods and lands some leather with his right. Franklin stands and Silva, now bleeding from his right eye, tries to pull guard with a guillotine. Franklin easily avoids it and advances to the mount. Silva escapes to his feet and throws wild haymakers to close the frame.

Round 2
“I think I broke his nose,” says Franklin to trainer Matt Hume in between rounds. Silva looks to the body with a right kick to start round two. Silva lands a right hand counter as Franklin loses balance. A right jab knocks Silva down briefly as he had shaky legs following a kick attempt. Franklin is outpointing his foe from the outside with kicks to the body and his straight left. Silva is swinging for the fences and Franklin refuses to play that game. Just when it looked like Franklin was taking over, Silva scores a right hand that buckles Franklin’s legs. Silva pounces and roughs the former champion up with a flurry of punches. Both fighters are exhausted as Franklin clears his head and lands a right hand of his own at the end of the round.

Round 3
The fighters touch gloves to start the final frame. Both men meet in the center of the Octagon to trade leather. Neither fighter lands clean. Franklin lands a kick to the body and a left hook that backs Silva up. Franklin smashes Silva with a kick to the body. Silva stands in the pocket and lands a clean right hand. Silva is now chasing the retreating Franklin around the cage with two minutes remaining. Silva is still looking for the knockout with every punch late into the fight. Franklin shows good footwork and lands his best jab of the fight. Silva waves his hands into the air for the crowd and attacks with both hands. Franklin senses danger and gets a tatakedown. Silva stands and Franklin takes his back while standing. Franklin punches the head while Silva throws backward elbows in rapid succession. Great end to a solid fight.

Rich Franklin takes the unanimous decision

No ****ing way. Wanderlei brought it and hurt him twice. **** that.

I would like to know the scores though. Is there a reason to why the scores were not told?

I hate 3 5 minute rounds. Not enough time.

complete and utter bull****.

franklin was on queer street twice.

First goes to Franklin. In all honesty Wanderlei should just fight like he normally does because I don't think he can win a decision.

That usually gets him KO'd though.

They also didnt announce the Hardy-Davis score, just said it was a SD.

There are 6 of us here and 3 had it 3-0 Silva 2 2-1 Silva and some nut has it Franklin.

Silva was robbed!

i wonder if even cutting more weight will hurt Wand at 185

he seemed kinda fatigued after the 1st tonight

BS decision,Wanderlei won 2 last rounds

How did silva win round 1?

Franklin dominated that round and he was doing great in the 2nd minus Silvas 10-20 seconds where he rocked Franklin...

Wanderlei is a ****ing warrior. I really mean this, **** Rich Franklin.

That usually gets him KO'd though.

But it's also the reason he has so many wins by KO as well. What I meant that from a technique standpoint Rich looked more like the striker whereas Wanderleis best work came from swarming and brawling.

But it's also the reason he has so many wins by KO as well. What I meant that from a technique standpoint Rich looked more like the striker whereas Wanderleis best work came from swarming and brawling.

wanderlaei didnt even seem botherd by the fact that he was ****ed.

Franklin wasn't that hurt. He didn't go down, and recovered immediately and took command of the center of the octagon. And over the course of the entire round he did enough to win them.

Bs dec.......

Bs dec.......

Nah man it was a fair decision. Now Bisping over Hamill, that's a BS decision.

Franklin deserved the win but people are emotionally attached to Wandi. Dude's a warrior, I don't think this is the end for him though. Maybe try another fight at like 190 or 185 to see if he can get used to the cut, kind of like what happened to Vera. If he continues to lose though, he probably should think about retiring.

Franklin wasn't that hurt. He didn't go down, and recovered immediately and took command of the center of the octagon. And over the course of the entire round he did enough to win them.

I respect you opinion and all that but the second time silva had him rocked, franklin was on the verge of getting brutually kayoed.

I respect you opinion and all that but the second time silva had him rocked, franklin was on the verge of getting brutually kayoed.

But he didn't and it didn't affect him for the rest of the round. He still landed the clean strikes and threw more. Rich new where he was the whole time and was able to stop Wanderlei's attack from continuing. It wasn't rocked in the same sense as what Anderson done to him at the end of the first round in their 2nd fight. Rich was basically out. Wanderlei wobbled him, but Rich recovered straightaway and went back to work.

For me and its my views only i had silva winning by 2 rounds

But i prefer the warrior not a guy coasting

Props to franklin cuz i thought he'd just fall apart but he kept in there..

Still silva won that for me...

But when rich backed off into the cage and wanderlai ran at him and missed him, if he hit him clean then, franklin would of been out.

I was pleased with the card. Velasquez was unbelievably impressive and if starts sacrificing a little control over an opponent in order to put more power into his punches he'll fare well. Wanderlei v Franklin was very close and could easily have went either way. I'm not sure what was up with Wand but as he walked to the ring and before the fight he looked unsteady on his feet as though he had just run a marathon.

For me and its my views only i had silva winning by 2 rounds

But i prefer the warrior not a guy coasting

Props to franklin cuz i thought he'd just fall apart but he kept in there..

Still silva won that for me...

Based on what dude?

Based on the hurt he put on..
I like a guy that comes forward

Silva won that fight for me but props to franklin...

But when rich backed off into the cage and wanderlai ran at him and missed him, if he hit him clean then, franklin would of been out.

Firstly you don't know that for sure because it didn't happen. Second you don't get points or win rounds based on what could've happen, it's what did happen. Wanderlei just didn't do enough to win.

Based on the hurt he put on..
I like a guy that comes forward

Silva won that fight for me but props to franklin...

Fair enough. But again I wouldn't say Franklin was hurt. If he was then he sure didn't act like it. He recovered and came right back and took control. There was only 2 occasions where that happened and they lasted all of about 6 maybe 7 seconds. Then it was back to Rich picking him off with the cleaner strikes.

Maybe so but he was the more agressive and entertaining.

Fair enough. But again I wouldn't say Franklin was hurt. If he was then he sure didn't act like it. He recovered and came right back and took control. There was only 2 occasions where that happened and they lasted all of about 6 maybe 7 seconds. Then it was back to Rich picking him off with the cleaner strikes.

Rich never looked seriously hurt but was dazzed i should say for a better word for a brief moment off some big shots...

Silva should have done a little more then he would of got the nod
Way it stands no complaints from me it was a good fight...

Maybe so but he was the more agressive and entertaining.

He was aggressive when Franklin took the initiative and threw first. But any fan of Wanderlei will tell you that that was a very tame Wanderlei, and very stagnant at times.

Teach me to bet on slow arse Silva.

Love how the crowd booed Franklin and cheered Silva, lul.

:blackeye:

Im a fan of Wand i thought it was strange the way he never rushed him right from the off..

I was thinking maybe he wants to control it a little more being say he got sparked out in his last fight with a shot he never seen coming due to rushing in..

Maybe if he would of fought that way who knows...
He gassed out pretty quick as well....

Lost 5k on that fight as well

lol

Im a fan of Wand i thought it was strange the way he never rushed him right from the off..

I was thinking maybe he wants to control it a little more being say he got sparked out in his last fight with a shot he never seen coming due to rushing in..

Maybe if he would of fought that way who knows...
He gassed out pretty quick as well....

I said in this thread earlier that the weight cut would be interesting since he never really had to do it before.

Plus the controlled approach isn't going to work for Wanderlei. He's at a point in his career where a change in style is probably going to do him more harm than good. The speed is certainly not what it once was and the explosiveness is not there anymore IMO. He still has the power to do damage but if he can't hit you then his power is useless.

He was always at his best when he threw caution to the wind.

Poor main event, two shot fighters.

Lost 5k on that fight as well

lol

I lost 10k..

I bet too high for the amount of points I have..

He was aggressive when Franklin took the initiative and threw first. But any fan of Wanderlei will tell you that that was a very tame Wanderlei, and very stagnant at times.

Very true, a killer trying to play chess.

I lost 10k..

I bet too high for the amount of points I have..

lol i feel you pain demise

Its not good..

UFC 99 replay
http://tinyurl.com/cjcuht

Fights are here for download purposes

http://www.boxingscene.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5485179&postcount=289

UFC 99 stream videos (http://mmaphilippines.net/videos/display/UFC-99)