MMA Link Club: Chuck Liddell returns to the cage, Din Thomas survives, and B.J. Penn is homeless

- Verafied: UFC 137's Brandon Vera doesn't want to be a cautionary tale (MMAMania)

"I lost it. I lost my life even if was for 3-5 days, I don't know how long I was cut from the UFC, I really honestly don't remember how long I was cut from the UFC before I got the call back but from losing to getting it back, I understand that I don't want to be out of the UFC. I am doing everything, everything in my power, traveling, training, paying attention, watching tapes, listening to my coaches just to make sure that I am getting back on my path."

- Video Timeline: MMA’s Greatest Techniques of the Year, 1993-2011 (CagePotato)

"Over the last two decades, MMA has evolved so consistently that fighters are still finding new and unexpected ways to destroy their opponents — while causing fans to spit their beers in shock. We decided to take a lil’ spin through MMA history and identify the single most awe-inspiring technique from each year since the sport’s modern inception."

- Din Thomas updates us on his health after Car Accident (TheFightNerd)

"The main event for “Fight Time Promotions’ Fight Time 7″ on October 7th, 2011 was supposed to be the return of Din Thomas in the cage, as he took on George Sheppard in his comeback after two years away from competition. On his way to the event, Din was in a terrible car accident and his match was subsequently cancelled."

- Shane Carwin Is Done as a UFC Heavyweight Title Contender (BleacherReport/MMA)

"He’s also put on some exceptional heavyweight fights in recent years, providing fans with violent stoppages, vicious beatdowns and gutsy showings. That’s why it’s hard to say this: He’s done as a title contender in the heavyweight division...The reality is that at 36 years old, Carwin didn’t have a lot of mileage left in the first place."

- Jeff Curran ready to make most of second chance (Five Ounces of Pain)

"I’m Bart Palaszewski’s coach, his mentor, his leader, his best friend, and I’m a lot of roles with him. Even though this is the biggest opportunity of my career, of course I’m hoping he says, ‘Yeah, man, do it.’ And I know Bart well enough to know that, but I still give that respect to say, ‘If this is not gonna fly with you, I won’t do it."

- Went to Take On Productions' TKOXII and all we have to show for it is mind-blowing Muay Thai (MiddleEasy)

"The show that Take On Productions in association with MSG Sports puts on, is a well oiled machine and I can only hope they continue to grow. I would love to see their show expand throughout the country. From the local favorite talented ring announcer Larry Legend, to MuayThaiIslife.com owner Eric Rivera handling the fight commentary, to the promotors and fighters-this show is the epitome of what a professional and entertaining show should be."

- Chuck Liddell Fights in ProElite Cage (Video) (5thRound)

"Chuck Liddell (Pictured) officially retired from the sport of mixed martial arts in December of 2010. Judging by the potbelly that he donned in last night's episode of "Hawaii Five-O," the former UFC light heavyweight champ has certainly been enjoying his time off."

- Update on Fox-Direct TV contract dispute (MMAPayOut)

"Despite Fox Networks’ offer of an extension during our ongoing negotiations, DirecTV has informed us and their customers that unless we agree to their demands, they “will suspend our networks on November 1.DirecTV sent us a proposal on Tuesday afternoon. They have given us no chance to respond before taking an unnecessarily aggressive posture and going public. It is disappointing that they have chosen bad faith tactics over meaningful negotiation."

- The Kick You Never Saw Coming (MMAConvert)

"Looks can be deceiving. Case in point, this video Fightlinker found of a 44-year old Jörg Lothmann making his MMA debut. You don’t really expect much considering his appearance (to put it nicely), then BOOM! down goes his opponent via a spinning head kick that even Cung Le would be impressed by."

- Illinois Commission Reverses Course; Andreas Kraniotakes Back in at ProElite2 (MMAFighting)

"Less than 24 hours after main event heavyweight Andreas Kraniotakes was denied a license to fight Tim Slyvia in the ProElite 2 main event on Nov. 5, Sylvia has his new opponent. After his fight with Pedro Rizzo was scrapped due to an injury, and Kraniotakes wasn't approved by the Illinois State Professional Athletic Commission just Wednesday, Sylvia's new opponent will be - Andreas Kraniotakes."

- ONE FC press release on their expanding Asian MMA promotional network (FightOpinion)

"ONE Fighting Championship has signed mutually exclusive partnerships with most of the major Asian MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia as a part of its ONE Asia strategy to unify all the key players in the sport of MMA in Asia. The ONE Asia Partnership Network is the largest of its kind in MMA history in Asia."

- Penn is Mighty, but What's the Point? (NBCSports/MMA)

"The Hawaiian with the fighting credo of "Just Scrap" is one of only two men in UFC history to win championships in two weight classes (the other is Randy Couture), but right now, he is a legend without a true home. That's because no matter what he does in his main event match with Nick Diaz at UFC 137 next weekend, it's not likely to move Penn any closer to another crack at gold."

Photo: Francis Specker