MMA Link Club: The threat of Nick Diaz, the force of Daniel Cormier and the drive of Ronda Rousey

- Redeeming Filipino: Phillipe Nover Bellator 59 Exclusive Interview (MMAMania)

"I had to take some time off because I had neck surgery. I didn't really publicize this. I don't know for sure when the injury came first but I know I had a herniated disk and it was really bad. I definitely fought with the herniated disk a few times, that was during the UFC and it just kept getting worse and worse. Finally, I ended up getting an MRI after fighting Rob Emerson and I saw, the doctor told me that my neck is really bad."

- Georges St. Pierre: 8 Reasons Nick Diaz Is GSP's Biggest Threat Ever (BleacherReport)

"It has now been more than four years since the UFC welterweight champion tasted shocking defeat from the hands of Matt Serra at UFC 69. The top-ranked 170-pounder has since established himself thoroughly as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world.... Here are the top eight reasons why Nick Diaz, as crazy as he may be at times, is the biggest threat St-Pierre has ever faced as champion."

- Hot Potato: 17 Photos of Ronda Rousey, WMMA’s Hottest Prospect (CagePotato)

"After the undefeated Strikeforce featherweight increased her pro record to 4-0 last Friday - with all her wins coming via armbar in less than a minute - the 24-year-old California native announced her intention to drop to 135 pounds and challenge the top names in the division, Sarah Kaufman and Miesha Tate."

- Jens Pulver talks overcoming mental hurdles, getting back on track (Five Ounces of Pain)

"I was dialed in as ever in my last fight. I almost got hit with an uppercut because I heard my corner so clearly that I actually turned and looked at them and he fired a shot that nearly caught me. Then I heard the guys say, ‘don’t look at us’ and I remember yelling, ‘MY BAD! - Jens Pulver"

- Read all about UFC Undisputed 3 in this Exclusive Developer Interview (MiddleEasy)

"PRIDE is something our team has wanted to include in the franchise since its debut. However, our initial focus was really to make sure our core systems were ready before tackling something like this year’s PRIDE Mode. The things I’m most excited about in PRIDE Mode are the expanded rule set and the ability to bring UFC fighters into PRIDE rules and PRIDE fighters into UFC rules. It’s awesome, and it really speaks to our close relationship with Zuffa. - Neven Dravinski"

- Up Against It: The Evolution of Fence Tactics in MMA (TheFightNerd)

"While the rules of mixed martial arts prohibit gripping the fence with fingers, Burgos had observed, like many before him, that regulations are rather non-specific about toes. It’s a common sentiment that the use of feet to grip the fence is using a technicality to violate the spirit of the rules. However, it’s not knowing the regulations, but knowing exactly how to bend them that leads to true mastery."

- The Indestructible Man: Daniel Cormier (MMAFighting)

"The first kid begins to cry less than an hour into practice. Everyone can see it coming. That trembling lower lip, that frustrated stomp of the feet. When the tears finally start, twisting his face into a little ball of anguish, no one seems particularly surprised. 'No crying today,' says his coach, Daniel Cormier. Is there even a hint of sympathy in his voice? There is not. Neither is there anger nor impatience."

- Luke Rockhold Looking To Defend Strikeforce Title In January (FightLine)

"Luke Rockhold won the Strikeforce middleweight championship from Ronaldo Souza earlier this year. Now, it seems as if Rockhold might be making his first title defense soon. 'I think Tim Kennedy is out there, and from what I've been told, that's probably my next fight,' said Rockhold."

- UFC 140: Jones vs. Machida Betting Odds (5thRound)

"Thankfully, the Gambling Gods have released the early investment options for “UFC 140: Jones vs. Machida.” The December 10th event features a light heavyweight title scrap between champion Jon Jones and Lyoto Machida. It will cost you a pretty penny if you intend to bet on Jones, because the division’s reigning king is a whopping 5-to-1 favorite to retain his crown against the Brazilian."

- Victor Conte: Time for commissions to use Carbon Isotope Ratio testing (FightOpinion)

"Despite the punishment both (Dan Henderson and Shogun Rua) endured in that fight, it’s clear that there is no stopping either man any time soon because the financial & competitive rewards are still great. In the case of Dan Henderson, however, one factor that we cannot dismiss in regards to his physical ability to still hang around in the sport is his reported usage of Testosterone Replacement Therapy."

- Gracie Breakdown: UFC 139 Shogun vs. Henderson (MMAConvert)

"Rener and Ryron Gracie break down the jiu-jitsu sequences from the Urijah Faber vs. Brian Bowles, Chris Weidman vs. Tom Lawlor and Shogun Rua vs. Dan Henderson fights at UFC 139. As always, it’s an excellent technical analysis for anyone interested in learning about the jiu-jitsu techniques the top fighters use in the cage."

- NBC Sports announces boxing programming in 2012 (MMAPayOut)

"Boxing will be a new addition to NBC Sports programming in 2012. NBC Sports Network (now known as Versus until 2012) will debut NBC Sports Network Fight Night on Saturday night January 21, 2012 from Philadelphia. The Fight Nights will be produced on a quarterly basis with fight nights in January, March, June and December in 2012."

Photo: Scott Hirano