MMA Link Club: Out of Control Weight Cuts, Ridiculous Sambo Holds, and Conflicting Interests

- Remember when Joe Rogan was on the cover of “Black Belt” Magazine? (TheFightNerd)

"Rogan was interviewed by Ryan Schneider for "Black Belt Magazine" in 2002, mainly to promote Rogan’s then-new reality show, “Fear Factor.” Much of the article focuses on how martial arts helped to shape Rogan’s life and work-ethic, and also to discuss this budding sport called “mixed martial arts."

- Deconstructing Zuffa’s Lawsuit Against New York (MMAConvert)

"Things have been moving slower than molasses in terms of getting MMA sanctioned in New York, so today Zuffa pulled out another weapon in their arsenal: the lawsuit. Steve gave you the heads-up on the suit earlier, so I’m here to give you a breakdown on this nuclear bomb that’s been activated in the Empire State..."

- Weight Cutting Becoming out of Control in MMA (BleacherReport)

"It's gotten to the point where fighters are willing to risk their lives to get the biggest size advantage on an opponent.  Fighters are willing to cut anywhere from 10-20 pounds within 24 hours of the weigh-in. In order to lose that weight most, if not all, have to resort to dehydration. This is extremely dangerous as many fighters shave off more weight then they should in one sitting."

- Pro Wrestling Stuff We Want To See In MMA (CagePotato)

"A large percentage of MMA fans grew up as fans of pro wrestling. Back in the day, you watched Saturday morning cartoons and then WWF Superstars... It’s been an incredible journey thus far as a fan of fighting, both choreographed and otherwise, but you can’t help but miss a few of these iconic pieces of your childhood while wishing MMA would get their own version."

- Media/insider fallout from UFC’s debut on Fox (FightOpinion)

"So, wait a second, when PRIDE was drawing 20 million viewers on Fuji TV and getting paid a lot a money last decade, that didn’t qualify MMA reaching ‘adulthood’ status because it happened in Japan instead of America? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not someone who thinks that UFC ‘failed’ with the Fox showing on Saturday night."

- Agent 47: MMAmania interview exclusive with UFC 139's Martin Kampmann (MMAMania)

"Yeah, when you fight the best guys in the division, sometimes three rounds isn't enough time to finish them unless you land something clean on the button. Anything can happen but sometimes, three rounds is not enough. I have to go into this fight and go for the kill. That's the difference for me. I'm gonna go for the kill all three rounds. - Martin Kampmann"

- UFC 139: Shogun vs. Henderson Complete Betting Odds (5thRound)

"As game time steadily approaches, the late money is starting to stack behind Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. The Brazilian was a -135 favorite a couple of days ago, but has since moved to a -145 odds-on favorite to spoil Dan Henderson’s return to the Octagon. Hendo, on the other hand, checks in as a +115 underdog."

- Ridiculous Sambo toe hold you will never hit (MiddleEasy)

"Ever since I was a white belt, I've had a fetish for peoples knees and ankles. As much as I love them, I haven't allowed that to control my overall game by constantly search for a foot or leg. But, if one should appear close to my arm, I can assure you I will most likely take it. Now, as far as submission grappling and BJJ have progressed over the past 20+ years, I still feel there is a lack of "experimentation" with leg attacks. Wait.  I may have spoke to soon..."

- Xtreme Couture's Gil Martinez On Hieron-Askren Rematch, Overeem In The Gym (FightLine)

"Alistair has been in the gym, but I haven't had the chance or pleasure to work with him. From what I understand, there's a little situation since Randy trained with Brock but they're trying to iron all that out. Randy is out shooting a movie though, so he can't really help Overeem. Hopefully everything works out and he can make this his own though. - Gil Martinez"

- Wanderlei Silva Isn't Ready to Go Now, but Will He Ever Be? (MMAFighting)

"The old Wanderlei Silva is still in there somewhere. You know he is. You catch glimpses, like the shadow of the famous tattoo on the back of his head, now just barely showing through his hair. You see his old face lurking there just beneath the taut mask of his new one, and you know. He knows you, too. Better than you think. He knows what you've been saying about him. He knows you wanted him to quit after he got knocked out by Chris Leben in his last fight."

- Spike TV’s UFC on FOX Counter-Program Nets 719,000 Viewers (MMAPayOut)

"Spike TV must be very happy with those numbers, as they put their UFC library rights to good use airing UFC content around the UFC on FOX network debut.  Amazing to think that the 8PM airing of “Unleashed” which featured Brock Lesnar vs Cain Valasquez drew 923K viewers.  Last seasons TUF typically drew around 1 Million viewers..."

- Conflict of Interest: UFC vs. Spike/Bellator (Five Ounces of Pain)

"With a UFC 139 prelim card that includes the charismatic Tom Lawlor vs. an up and coming Chris Weidman, a battle between rising lightweights Gleison Tibau vs. Rafael dos Anjos, and a bantamweight fight between former champion Miguel Torres and Nick Pace; it’s a little surprising that Spike TV has chosen to air fights between Ryan Bader vs. Jason Brilz and Michael McDonald vs. Alex Soto."

Photo: Scott Hirano