UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva has been the subject of several negative “hype inducing” comments from recent Octagon winner Chael Sonnen(for those that aren’t in the loop he just beat Nate Marquardt at UFC 109. Silva’s manager, Ed Soares doesn’t seem to have any problems with responding in kind, saying:

We are fine if this is what the UFC wants, but if you look at this logistically, Sonnen should fight Demian Maia first. Demian beat up easily, by submission, so why not make them fight first, to determine who gets a shot at the title…It’s funny, but really, who actually listens to what Chael Sonnen has to say? The only time people listen is when he talks about Anderson. Who is he, really? If you walk down the street and you mention his name, does anyone really know who this guy is? Likely not, but if you mention Anderson Silva, people know the name…Chael’s also said a few things about Anderson’s choice of clothes and that he wears earrings, didn’t he? Sounds to us like he may have a crush on Anderson.”

UFC had said previous to the UFC 109 bout that the winner of Sonnen and Marquardt would be the number one contender in the division but perhaps Sonnen will look to avenge his first round submission loss to Demian Maia(UFC 95). In any case Silva will first take on uber dangerous opponent Vitor Belfort at UFC 112, with Sonnen having to wait for word of his title shot. (quote via SportsNet)

Tito Ortiz is all over the MMA blogosphere for his comments at UFC 109 towards Mark Coleman, but it seems that his earlier remarks about Chuck Liddell have also hit the mark. Liddell talked to Fanhouse, and its easy to see that he wasn’t the least happy about Ortiz’s insinuations about alcoholism. Here’s the video:

Sometimes you just have to get something off your chest. UFC hall of famer, Randy “The Natural” Couture does not deserve a title shot at 205. Plain and simple. That UFC is even considering it tends to make me think that UFC doesn’t have a foot to stand on when complaining about Strikeforce’s Media friendly fights.

Couture is, without a doubt, one of the greatest fighters ever in MMA history, and he looks great for any age. Without Couture many stereotypes would still exist in the world of mixed martial arts, and people would still consider age to be the major defining factor in determining a decline in athletism. With that said, Couture hasn’t done anywhere near enough to earn a title shot, regardless of what he’s done in the past.

Names like Lyoto Machida, Mauricio Rua, Quentin Jackson, and Rashad Evans easily deserve to be pushed for a chance of the title first. Even mid-tier names like Keith Jardine, Forrest Griffin and Jon Jones seem to be higher in line than Couture. The UFC light heavyweight division deserves more respect, as do its fighters.

Couture could certainly win a few more fights and then have a legitimate shot at the light heavyweight title, but UFC seems to be thinking about a quicker timeline for a Couture title shot.

Randy Couture does not deserve a title shot. Let the hate mail begin.

(The MMA News Opinion, MP).

UFC 110 is next up, and Michael Bisping continues his blog leading up to his bout with Wandelei Silva. UFC 110 will feature a main event fight between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Cain Velasquez on Saturday, February 21, 2010 from the Acer Arena, Sydney, Australia.

Randy “The Natural” Couture talks about his submission victory, only the third of his career, against Mark Coleman. Couture also discusses the UFC light-heavyweight division and what he needs to do to stay near the top.

HT: MMAFighting.com

PRESS RELEASE 5 Feb. 2010

TFC World Welterweight Champion Ryan Ford (11-2) will make his first title defense against TUF 6 finalist Tom Speer March 19th in Edmonton.

Growing up on a crop and dairy farm in Minnesota, Tommy Speer has spent most of his life helping out his father and brother with the family business. He appeared as one of the competing fighters in the Dpike TV network’s MMA contest reality series The Ultimate Fighter 6: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra. Speer, who was taken under the wing of Matt Hughes, would make it to the finals with wins over George Sotiropoulos and Ben Saunders, but in the finale he was submitted in the first round by the vastly more experienced Mac Danzig.

It will be Speer’s first fight since Oct. 3, when he defeated Travis Perzynski in Rochester, MN.

Speer, who has a career record of 13-4, is anxious to return to the cage. On the matchup with Ford, Tom had this to say;

“I’ve seen plenty of video on him. He’s explosive and athletic,” Speer said. “I might be a little bigger than him, but not much. It looks like he has a wrestling background, and he’s definitely a hard hitter. He swings hard, but he’s wild, and I don’t see a lot of technique behind it.” Read more »

UFC on Versus is set for March 24 and Paul Buentello will have his hands full with Cheick Kongo. The card is seriously stacked with Jon Jones vs. Brandon Vera as the main event and also featuring a heavyweight bout between Junior Dos Santos and Gabriel Gonzaga. Here’s Buentello showing where he’s training for the fight.

A total of $944,000 was payed out to all 22 fighters who competed on Saturday’s “UFC 109 Relentless” event. Top earner, UFC hall of famer Randy Couture, earned $250,000 for his victory over Mark Coleman in the main event. Couture put Coleman to sleep with a rear-naked choke submission early in the second round.

UFC 109 took place Feb. 6 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas and aired on Spike TV (two preliminary-card fights) and then pay-per-view (main card).

The other top earners from UFC 109 included Matt Serra ($150,000), Chael Sonnen ($64,000), Demian Maia ($62,000) and Coleman ($60,000).

Randy Couture: $250,000 (no win bonus) def. Mark Coleman: $60,000

Chael Sonnen: $64,000 (includes $32,000 win bonus) def. Nate Marquardt: $45,000

Paulo Thiago: $30,000 ($15,000 win bonus) def. Mike Swick: $43,000

Demian Maia: $62,000 ($31,000 win bonus) def. Dan Miller: $15,000

Matt Serra: $150,000 ($75,000 win bonus) def. Frank Trigg: $30,000

Mac Danzig: $40,000 ($20,000 win bonus) def. Justin Buchholz: $8,000

Melvin Guillard: $28,000 ($14,000 win bonus) def. Ronys Torres: $4,000

Rob Emerson: $24,000 ($12,000 win bonus) def. Phillipe Nover: $10,000

Phil Davis: $10,000 ($5,000 win bonus) def. Brian Stann: $17,000

Chris Tuchscherer: $20,000 ($10,000 win bonus) def. Tim Hague: $7000

Joey Beltran: $12,000 ($6,000 win bonus) def. Rolles Gracie: $15,000

As always these numbers don’t include fight bonuses (such as fight of the night, ko of the night or submission of the night), sponsorships, or any other unofficial payments nor do they deduce such expenses as insurance and taxes.

Chael Sonnen talks about his climb up the UFC middleweight ladder and why he thinks Vitor Belfort will defeat Anderson Silva at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi.

Matt Serra reflects on his first-round TKO victory over Frank Trigg, Serra’s first win since defeating UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre in 2007.

Winner Paulo Thiago has little time to celebrate his victory over Mike Swick on Saturday night as he heads back to Brazil and his job with the BOPE, which is Portuguese for Special Police Operations Battalion.

HT: MMAFighting.com

Mac Danzig discusses his victory over Justin Buchholz after losing three straight in the UFC. Danzig talks about getting his career back on track and his hopes for an eventual title fight.

Newcomer Phil Davis is happy with his first victory in the UFC over Brian Stann and discusses his thoughts for his next bout.

Rob Emerson is unhappy with his victory over Phillipe Nover on Saturday night.

HT: MMAFighting.com

During the UFC’s post fight press conference following UFC 109, president Dana White announced the gate totals and fighter bonuses for the event.

The second PPV event from the Mandalay Bay Events Center for 2010 drew a total of 10,687 fans to the show for a live gate of $2.27 million.

“Fight Night” bonuses were handed down to Chael Sonnen, Nate Marquardt, Paulo Thiago, and Matt Serra with each man earning an extra $60,000 for their efforts.

The Feb. 6 event, which featured a light heavyweight battle between UFC Hall of Fame inductees Randy Couture and Mark Coleman, took place in Las Vegas and aired on Spike TV and pay-per-view.

Sonnen and Marquardt both earned “Fight of the Night” honors for their three round middleweight bout, with Sonnen earning a unanimous decision victory and the next shot at the UFC middleweight title.

Thiago earned the “Submission of the Night” bonus with his use of a D’arce choke in the second minute of round 2 against Mike Swick. The Brazilian managed to put “Quick” Swick to sleep with the choke beating out Randy Couture’s submission victory over Mark Coleman for the bonus.

The last award was handed out to Serra who earned the “Knockout of the Night” bonus for his knockout of fellow welterweight Frank Trigg. Serra landed several rights in the first round dropping “Twinkle Toes” to the mat finishing the fight at 2:23.

“I think tonight was probably Coleman’s last fight in the UFC,” said White. “I just think he’ll have a hard time competing with the guys at the top of the level. Age is a factor with him.”

Yahoo! Cagewriter