Back from vacation, tons of UFC news

I just got back from Aruba and man what a place! Had a great time out there, did some scuba diving, but boy there was a ton of UFC info that came out last week. I’ll just post the highlights to make sure I’ve covered everything.

- Randy Couture announced he’s coming out of retirement at UFC 68 in Ohio to face Tim Sylvia for the Heavyweight Title. This was announced on Inside the UFC on Thursday, but many knew well ahead of that that he was making this announcement. The main reason for this is because, in his mind, Tim Sylvia is fighting to defend his title, not to win his fights. He sees a weakness in Tim Sylvia’s game, and in the heavyweight division and thinks he has a good shot at the belt. His contract is for four fights and a two years.

- “UFC Wired” has been announced for 2007. UFC Wired will be a weekend syndicated TV show that will be one-part UFC Unleashed and one-part Inside the UFC in an hour long format. Expect it sometime in early 2007.

- Liddell and Ortiz both netted 3 million each for their main event at UFC 66 after PPV buys/gate receipts were calculated.

- Mike Swick is rumored to be facing Yushin Okami at UFC 68.

- Chuck Liddell’s UFC 66 shorts were sold on ebay for $9,177.77.

- Fedor re-signed with Pride. Kind of stinks for UFC fans, but in the end it’s good for MMA as a whole that Pride keeps Fedor. If the UFC assimilates all of Pride’s top talent, Pride could end up going out of business. Competition produces good cards for both companies.

- The current rumored UFC 68 card as quoted by MMAWeekly:

-Tim Sylvia vs. Randy Couture
-Matt Hughes vs. Chris Lytle
-Rich Franklin vs. Jason MacDonald
-Jon Fitch vs. Luigi Fioravanti
-Mike Swick vs. Yushin Okami
-David Heath vs. Matt Hamill
-Martin Kampmann vs. Drew McFedries
-Joe Stevenson vs. TBA
-Assuerio Silva vs. TBA

- You can watch Chuck Liddell’s Conan O’Brien appearence from 1/10/2007 on nbc.com.

- UFC 70 is rumored to be coming to England. Wait and see on this one.

More will come tomorrow.

One of the greatest fights of all time

Don Frye vs. Takayama.

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UFC 68: Tim Sylvia Opponent Unknown

As it stands now, UFC 68 from Columbus, OH will feature a bout with Tim Sylvia defending his World Heavyweight Title. The problem is, there’s no opponent announced just yet. Rumors earlier this week were that Gabriel Gonzaga was to face him. UFC has since denied such rumors, however a title defense is still in the works. Could it be that Brandon Vera is working on a contract extension with the UFC and a possible Vera vs. Sylvia match is being worked on?

Details about the Jim Lampley Arrest

As many of you know by know, HBO Boxing commentator Jim Lapley was arrested this past week for violating a restraining order. Details have come out and the accuser Candice Sanders, a former Miss California in 2003 in the Miss USA pageant series, who said she was engaged by Lampley and they were living together, said Lampley was drinking vodka and whiskey, was drunk, and high on pot. She claimed Lampley yelled at her and began chasing her around the apartment, threw her against the wall, and then against another wall. He threw her against the door and she collapsed. She said Lampley’s 14-year-old son Aaron tried to call police, but Jim wouldn’t let him and they drove away. She’s claiming injuries to he head, neck and back. Lampley, 57, was arrested on Wednesday for showing up as police were investigating the scene, thus violating a restraining order.

Thanks to Dave Meltzer at the Wrestlingobserver for the info.

IFL 2 for 1 Offer

The IFL contest between the Lions and the Razorclaws at the Oracle Arena in Oakland is having a 2 for 1 ticket offer. Use this link and the code “OAKLAND” (without the quotes) to qualify for the offer. The show is on Friday 1/19/2007 at 7:30PM.

The fight card is as follows:

Tiger Sharks (Visitor Team):
Shad Lierley – Seattle, WA – 155 lbs – 0-0
Brad Blackburn – Olympia, WA – 170 lbs – 9-8
Bristol Marunde – Seattle, WA – 185 lbs – 2-3
Reece Andy – Billings, WA – 205 lbs – 4-1
Curtis Crawford – Portland, OR – 265 lbs – 1-2

Condors (Home Team):
Adam Lynn – Huntington Beach, CA – 155 lbs – 10-5
Rodrigo Ruas – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 170 lbs – 2-3-2
Jeremy Williams – Laguna Niguel, CA – 185 lbs – 5-2
Justin Levens – Orange County, CA – 205 lbs – 9-3
Antoine Jaoude – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 265 lbs – 3-2

Lions (Visitor Team):
John Gunderson – Bend, OR – 155 lbs – 10-4
Pat Healy – St. Louis, MO – 170 lbs – 15-11
Dan Molina – Reno, NV – 185 lbs – 6-5
Vernon White – Reno, NV – 205 lbs – 24-29-2
Roy Nelson – Las Vegas, NV – 265 lbs – 6-0

Razor Claws (Home Team):
Josh Odom – Tallahassee, FL – 155 lbs – 4-1
Ray Steinbeiss – Tempe, AZ – 170 lbs – 8-2
Brian Foster – Moreno Valley, CA – 185 lbs – 7-10
Raphael Davis – Torrance, CA – 205 lbs – 1-1
Vince Lucero – Casa Grande, AZ – 265 lbs – 17-10

SUPERFIGHT:
Falaniko “Niko” Vitale – Hawaii – 185 lbs – 21-6
vs
Jeremy Horn – Salt Lake City, UT – 185 lbs – 78-15-5

Thiago Alves Positive for Spironolactone

MMAWeekly is reporting that Thiago Alves has tested positive for Spironolactone, a prescribed diuretic that causes the kidneys to remove excess water and sodium from the body. It’s typically used to quickly lose weight, however in doing so it leaves the body dehydrated.

Alves came off a victory at UFC 66 defeating Tony DeSouza. No word from the Nevada State Athletic Commission on any fines or suspensions.

New Jersey Institutes Instant Replays

MMAWeekly is reporting that New Jersey is instituting Instant Replays into MMA, Kickboxing, and Boxing matches in which the State Athletic Commission oversees. Currently, replay is used after the match has taken place in the event there is an appeal by a competitor. With the new ruling, athletic competitions can be ruled on by the end of the bout, the only caveat is that the promoter has to provide the equipment. If the promoter provides the equipment, instant replay will be used, however if the promoter doesn’t provide the equipment, there’s no penalty. So it’s up to the promoter.

According to the statement, “The Commissioner, if approached during a round by the contestant’s chief second, would review the issue at the end of the round. The bout would be temporarily stopped during the rest period and the Commissioner would have a maximum of three minutes to render a decision or choose to reserve his judgment because further review is needed. Upon the Commissioner’s ruling, the bout would then be restarted and would continue.”

What are your thoughts on instant replay in MMA events? Do you feel MMA competitions would benefit from instant replay?

Steve Irwin death film given to wife

The only video of “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin being stabbed by a stingray and killed has been handed to his wife Terri to ensure it is never made public, Australian authorities said on Thursday. Good idea. Let’s hope this never gets out (ala the Saddam Hussein video)

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How To Get Free Drinks At The Bar Using Geometry Trick

If you want free beers the next time you go out, here is a sure bet to win.

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Bill Cowher expected to retire

ESPN’s Len Pasquarelli is reporting that an announcement is expected to come next Monday in regards to Bill Cowher’s future in the NFL. As it stands, Cowher has one year left on his current contract. In his 15 seasons as the Pittsburgh Steeler’s headcoach, Cowher has compiled a 161-99-1 record, including playoff games. Under his stewardship, the Steelers have won eight division titles, earned 10 playoff berths, advanced to the conference championship game six times, appeared in two Super Bowl games and won one.