MMA Link Club: MMA Cheerleaders, Falling Tree Knockouts, and Protesting SOPA

- Family first: Jim Miller UFC on FX Interview Exclusive (MMAMania)

"I'm going to come out there and fight aggressively and try to put the pressure on [Guillard]. He's proven that he hits hard and it's a dangerous fight but he's also shown some weaknesses where I've had strengths so it's a different opponent, but the same fight. I'm looking to make him make mistakes and capitalize on them and really fight to my strengths. He's been submitted quite a few times and that's where I'm strong."

- First look at “UFC Undisputed 3″ Video Game - Videos & Photos Dump (TheFightNerd)

"This past weekend, I went out to San Francisco for a special event, courtesy of game developer THQ, to get a first-hand look at the new “UFC Undisputed 3″ video game. I have returned with a ton of behind-the-scenes footage and never-before-seen screenshots and new information about the game, and all day today I will be revealing the goodies that I was privy to."

- MMA Video Tribute: 9 ‘Falling Tree’ Knockouts (CagePotato)

"Edson Barboza‘s spinning heel-kick knockout of Terry Etim at UFC 142 wasn’t just an instant-classic because of the technique itself - it was also unforgettable because of the devastating effect it had on Etim, who stiffened up and toppled straight to the mat in slow motion like a felled spruce. The “falling tree” knockout is a rare, brutal moment in combat sports that always gets a rise out of fans. Here are nine of our favorite examples..."

- The Daily Line: How To Protest SOPA/PIPA  (FightLine)

"You probably noticed while consulting Wikipedia today for that late report, or trying to pick up used skis on Craigslist, that those sites, in addition to several others, have blacked out today in protest of SOPA, or the Stop Online Piracy Act. The tagline for the bill, with "for other purposes" provides a convenient gray area for a bill which essentially proposes for the government-sponsored censorship of the internet to work within."

- Steroids: The Unavoidable Ill (MMAConvert)

"The raison d'etre of this sport is the physical conflict between two human beings paid to defeat each other in unarmed combat – why wouldn’t competitors want an edge in that endeavor? The truth is, all the random and pre- and post-fight screenings in the world aren’t going to completely cease the flow of Drostanolone, Stanozolol, Boldenone, injectable testosterone and homemade super-soldier serum being used."

- Jordan Nicole Gaza: Story of a Sexy Cheerleader Turned MMA Fighter (BleacherReport)

"In every high school across the country there are two types of guys; those who spend their days fantasizing about the cheerleaders and those who spend their nights being with the cheerleaders. Any way you slice it, cheerleaders are awesome. As sexy as they were when I was in high school, none of them could have physically beaten me up. But Jordan Nicole Gaza certainly can. Gaza is a 19 year old ex-cheerleader turned fighter..."

- HDNet to be Rebranded as AXS TV (MMAPayOut)

"HDNet’s current signature programming - which includes MMA content such as HDNet Fights and Inside MMA - will continue to air on AXS TV.  The rebranded channel will leverage the global reach and portfolio of content of its partners to focus on live entertainment and lifestyle programming. The the initial plan for AXS TV is to focus on live entertainment and event programming, which include MMA, concerts, and movies."

- How Pat Barry Gets Along With the Likes of Brock Lesnar, Mirko Cro Cop (MMAFighting)

"Have you ever wondered how Pat Barry, perhaps the most outgoing and jovial UFC fighter out there, ended up becoming friends and training partners with Mirko Cro Cop and Brock Lesnar, perhaps the two most surly and intimidating fighters in the sport? Well, you're not alone. Over the past year, Barry has trained closely with both Lesnar and Cro Cop, and he swears that the sometimes-grumpy heavyweights are nothing like they appear."

- UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller - Complete Betting Odds (5thRound)

"UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller” is going off Friday night with very little fanfare. To help spruce things up, the Gambling Gods have released the complete list of betting lines for the event. Lightweights Jim Miller and Melvin Guillard will headline the festivities. Miller is pegged as a slight -165 odds-on favorite to beat Guillard. “The Young Assassin” checks in just behind as a +135 underdog."

- A Minowaman is about to invade America (so we interviewed him) (MiddleEasy)

"Finally, for the first time, Minowaman will step confidently onto American soil. We were able to communicate over the phone with him in all of his mulleted, heelhooking glory to discuss his fight against Kendall Grove in Pro Elite this weekend. The language barrier was a challenge to say the least, so thanks to Evan Cohen for deciphering. And to the extremely friendly translator who said 'Hi' to me at least 6 times. Unless that was Minowa?"

- Mixed bag of thoughts about ESPN’s segment on UFC pay (FightOpinion)

"After watching the lengthy segment, there’s nothing new that you and I learned from it. All the issues that have been discussed over the years on this site, on message boards, on Sherdog, and other media outlets were covered in the ESPN piece. The dreaded champion’s clause in contracts, no Muhammad Ali act for MMA, arguments over how much UFC is paying out as a % of business income to fighters..."

- Jose Aldo Gives UFC One of its Most Memorable Moments (Five Ounces Of Pain)

"UFC featherweight champ Jose Aldo may not have realized at the time, but when he sprinted from the Octagon and celebrated with the mass of fans at UFC 142 he likely cemented his legacy in the fight promotion. After ending Chad Mendes' evening in the main event of the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil card with a perfectly-placed knee, Scarface ran into the large group of Brazilians and celebrated to the chagrin of security guards in the arena."

Check out week's MMA Link Club: Media Reviews, Counter-Pranks, and Minowa Clones

Photo: MMAWeekly.com