UFC 115 Website

Ken Shamrock, who amassed a 26-11-2 record during a fighting career that started before the first Ultimate Fighting Championship event in 1993, will retire after stepping into the cage for a third time against Tito Ortiz (Pictures) on October 10, the Lassen County News reported Tuesday.

Shamrock joined Royce Gracie as the UFC’s first icons. He battled the Brazilian legend twice, losing by choke at UFC I and earning a draw after 36 minutes at UFC V.

Early in his career, Shamrock, later dubbed “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” during a stint working for Vince McMahon, split time between the UFC and Pancrase, where he defeated fighters like Masakatsu Funaki, Bas Rutten (Pictures) and Maurice Smith.

Shamrock would become synonymous with UFC-promoted cards, and was regarded as a figurehead for the sport in America before leaving for professional wrestling from 1996-2000.

Following his four-year fighting absence, Shamrock returned in Japan’s PRIDE organization, where he fought to a 1-3 record, including a classic bout against rival Don Frye.

It was after the Frye fight that Shamrock returned to the UFC and his first bout was likely his biggest. In November 2002 Shamrock stepped into the cage against then UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz. He’d take a pounding at UFC 40 and the fight was called after 15 minutes.

A win over Kimo Leoplodo (Shamrock’s only victory since taking out an overmatched Sam Adkins in August 2001) is the veteran’s last triumph in the cage, and he has since lost three fights in a row.

His most recent bout, an early first round stoppage against Ortiz, had Shamrock pining for another opportunity at his longtime nemesis. He has been granted a third fight and it appears regardless of the result on Oct. 10, Shamrock has decided it’s time to hang up his gloves.

The 42-year-old Susanville, Calif. resident told the Lassen County News that upon retirement he intends to promote MMA events, continue training fighters out of his famous Lion’s Den academy, get in some golf and spend time with his family.

Source: Sherdog

Paul ‘The Headhunter’ Buentello Released by the UFC

Possibly a bad buisness move for the UFC, Paul has been released from them. Yes, while not an elite heavyweight, he was always fun to watch and was one who loved to stand and bang. Of course, Andre Arlovski KO’d his ass very quickly at UFC 55, with a shot that looked, from all angles I could get, like a hit that only lightly landed.

I’m sorry to see him go, as I think everyone else is.

Thanks XiaolinFighter for the news

The UFC is headed to Texas!

As part of an aggressive campaign to expand the flagship brand of mixed martial arts, Ultimate Fighting Championship likely will stage its first event in the Lone Star State early next year.

“We have plans for either Houston or Dallas in early 2007,” said Marc Ratner, the former executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission who joined UFC in May to spearhead regulatory efforts. “Texas is a hotbed for mixed martial arts. We have to find the right time for it, but we are definitely going to bring a show to Texas.”

Mixed martial arts and UFC in particular are exploding in popularity. MMA blends the disciplines of boxing, jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, karate and wrestling into action-packed combat that’s punching and kicking its way into the mainstream of American sports.

UFC has been playing to packed houses in Las Vegas for years. However, it’s been the wildly successful Ultimate Fighter reality television show that has taken UFC off the Strip and into living rooms across the country. The series expanded UFC’s fan base, composed mainly of men ages 18 to 34, and paved the way for live events in California earlier this year.

UFC 59 in Anaheim sold out in three weeks, while UFC 60 in Los Angeles took in a gate of nearly $3 million. A similar reception is expected in Texas.

“Expanding to Texas is a natural,” said Ratner. “Houston and Dallas are major-league cities. When you look at the pay-per-view numbers, there is a big contingent of people who buy out of the state of Texas.

“To really grow the sport, we don’t want to be regionalized in Las Vegas or California. Our goal is to bring it to the Southwest and then the Northeast. We’ll have over 20 events next year.”

MMA, which is governed in the state by many of the same standards that are in place for boxing, has been sanctioned in Texas for years. However, it wasn’t until February that a rule was passed allowing for use of 4-ounce gloves, which is the UFC standard. Previously, MMA fights in Texas had to wear 8-ounce gloves.

UFC officials have had discussions with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation about staging its cards in the state, and Ratner described the commission’s reception as “150 percent in favor” of it.

“Mixed martial arts is really coming into its own, and we’re pleased when the sports we regulate flourish,” said Patrick Shaughnessy, spokesman for the agency.

Several MMA events have been held in Texas, but they have been of minor-league ilk featuring nascent fighters in front of sparse crowds.
UFC’s entry to Texas would bring the Super Bowl of MMA to Texas for the first time.

“The sky’s the limit for the UFC, and we think we’ll have big crowds in Texas,” said Ratner.

Pitt22 from the forums

The impressive fight card continues on UFC 62 as the UFC web site has announced that “TUF 2 alumnus Rob MacDonald will look to follow-up his June win over Kristian Rothaermel with another victory when he takes on UFC newcomer Eric Schafer in a light heavyweight bout at UFC 62, which will be held on August 26 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada” I mean for fucks sake come on give us some decent fights for crying out loud Rob MacDonald was a total waste on TUF 2 and who the hell is Eric Schafer?

The UFC needs to start creating better cards otherwise we are going to see another shit night of fights like we did at UFC 61 Bitter Rivals

Come on UFC before we start losing faith.

Talk about UFC 62 here

Philo Beddoe from the forums

Finally a fight I want to see on this card. Good fight for Vera at this point I think. If Mir comes in in shape then it will be a fight, if not then I think he aint gunna last the 3.

Talk about Mir here