UFC Adding Women’s Strawweight Division

Nine months after hosting the first women’s mixed martial arts fight in the UFC, which took place shortly after UFC president Dana White (pictured) swore a female would “never” set foot inside of his Octagon, White has revealed the planet’s premier MMA promotion will be adding a second women’s weight class – the strawweights.

On FoxSports.com’s “The Fighter & The Kid” podcast, White said the UFC has put the wheels in motion to bring on 115-pound females.

“I”ll give you guys something nobody knows yet. We’re actually working on bringing in another division for the women, which I said would never happen for a long time,” White told hosts Brendan Schaub and Bryan Callen.

“125lbs or 145lbs?” asked Schaub.

“Neither … 115lbs,” White replied.

Ronda Rousey was anointed the UFC’s first female champion when the promotion acquired her rights from now-defunct Strikeforce. She defended her title against Liz Carmouche at UFC 157 this past February and has since become arguably the UFC’s biggest crossover superstar.

In addition to Rousey’s success, White said this season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” which featured women for the first time in the show’s 18-season run, has drawn 44 percent better ratings for FOX Sports 1 when the ladies fight than with men fighting.

Rousey coaching opposite bitter rival Miesha Tate has certainly helped boost ratings, as well.

“I never in a million years thought that [women's MMA in the UFC] would take off the way that it has,” White humbly admitted.

According to various WMMA websites, Jessica Aguilar, who recently became World Series of Fighting’s first women’s athlete, is the world’s top strawweight. Invicta FC champion Carla Esparza comes in second. 

In addition to simply adding 115-pounders, the UFC could look to ink the best available 105- and 125-pounders and have them adjust their weights accordingly.

No word when the UFC’s strawweight division will make its big league debut.

Source: http://www.5thRound.com/158965/ufc-adding-womens-strawweight-division/

Mirko Cro Cop Filipović Luiz Buscapé Firmino Spencer Fisher Jon Fitch

Chael Sonnen fears for safety as coach on TUF: Brazil, requested extra security from UFC

UFC moneyweight Chael Sonnen fights next week against Rashad Evans but already has his following two engagements set. Sonnen will fly to South America after UFC 167 to be coach opposite rival Wanderlei Silva on the next Brazilian edition of The Ultimate Fighter.

Over the years, Sonnen has lobbed many xenophobic insults at Brazilian fighters as well as the nation itself. In a recent interview with Brazilian news outlet Folha de Sao Paulo, Sonnen admitted to not feeling safe as a future TUF coach in Brazil and said that he requested extra security for his time filming the reality competition series.

Asked simply if he felt safe in Brazil, Sonnen replied, "no."

[Related: Vitor Belfort's UFC rebirth remains marred by TRT issue]

The interviewer then asked Sonnen specifically if he worried that an offended Brazilian citizen might shoot him while he was in the country. Sonnen paused before saying, "I had not thought of shots...I was more concerned with the possibility of a lynching, perhaps a knife attack. But I think it is possible, yes."

Sonnen confirmed asking UFC President Dana White and the UFC to take extra measures to keep him safe while he coached against Silva on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil. "Major steps are being taken," he said.

"Dana White takes care of that sort of thing. The measures he suggested are very sophisticated, more than I would suggest. But I understand that I'm not totally safe in the U.S., either."

Do you think Sonnen will face any problems while a temporary resident of Brazil and how do you think the Brazilian fighters on his team will react to "The American Gangster?" Let us know in the comments section.

Follow Elias on Twitter @EliasCepeda

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/chael-sonnen-fears-safety-coach-tuf-brazil-requested-193102806--mma.html

Melvin Guillard Cody Guinn Jorge Gurgel Andre Gusmao

T.J. Grant may have to get back in line for lightweight title shot

When T.J. Grant knocked out two-time title challenger Gray Maynard last May for his fifth straight win at lightweight – where he’s undefeated – the Canadian earned a shot at then-champion Benson Henderson. Unfortunately for him, Grant suffered a concussion in his training camp for Henderson and was forced to pull out.

Anthony Pettis would then step in for Grant and win the belt from Henderson this past August at UFC 164. Grant’s recovery from his concussion has been deliberate and justifiably long but he could at least conceivably comfort himself knowing that when he was ready, he’d get that coveted shot at the lightweight title he’d worked so hard for.

Turns out that Grant’s streak of bad luck is continuing. After Gilbert Melendez’s impressive win over Diego Sanchez this past weekend at UFC 166, promotion president Dana White said that “El Nino” very well could have bumped Grant back in the title contender’s line.

"T.J. Grant's in one of those unfortunate situations where he had the title shot and he had to pull out twice," White said, also calling Melendez’ win a “huge setback for T.J. Grant."

"He's in limbo. He might come back and have to fight another fight. We've got to keep this thing rolling."

Prior to beating Sanchez at UFC 166, Melendez lost a controversial decision to Henderson for the title in the former Strikeforce champ’s promotional debut. Melendez’s back to back impressive fights against Henderson and Sanchez, as well as a new champion in Pettis and Grant’s continuing recovery, may mean that Gilbert will get the first crack at the new champion in the near future.

What do you think? Is it fair for Grant to have to come back and fight someone else in order to get a title shot, and would you rather see Melendez fight Pettis first?

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/t-j-grant-may-back-line-lightweight-title-200935105--mma.html

Junie Browning Paul Buentello Josh Burkman Mikey Burnett

UFC Champ Anthony Pettis may require surgery for torn PCL, could be out four to six months

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis might be out a lot longer than previously thought, as he's awaiting a follow up with doctors to find out if he'll need surgery on his injured knee.

According to a report from Ariel Helwani on Wednesday's new UFC Tonight program on Fox Sports 2, Pettis is going to have his knee examined again in Los Angeles after his brother Sergio makes his UFC debut at UFC 167 in Las Vegas this Saturday.

Pettis initially injured the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in his win over Benson Henderson at UFC 164, but it was just a partial tear and was supposed to heal on its own. However, after going through his rehab, he checked a kick on his first day back training and the PCL tore completely.

At the very least, he's got another eight weeks of rehab, but if surgery is required, he'll be out from four to six months.

Penick's Analysis: That's just no good at all. Pettis' injury issues are worrisome, but hopefully he's able to get back from this one as quickly as possible and avoid further complications. All anyone can hope for is him getting back to action a lot sooner than later, but it likely also means Josh Thomson has to fight again. A Thomson-T.J. Grant fight is probably going to result if Pettis has to get surgery, but hopefully he'll be able to return by May at the latest at this stage.

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_19220.shtml

Bernard Ackah Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama Gilbert Aldana

UFC's Dan Hardy plans future training sessions with St-Pierre, targets spring return

After a four-fight skid that had him thinking about retirement, Dan Hardy's evolution is continuing in the midst of a two-fight resurgence.

The former UFC welterweight title challenger is coming off a stint at Montreal's Tristar Gym to help champion and former nemesis Georges St-Pierre prepare for common opponent Carlos Condit.

And recently, the Brit revealed he is planning to train in the future with St-Pierre and the Tristar crew.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mmajunkie/~3/GaOW1_WE0IQ/ufcs-dan-hardy-plans-future-training-sessions-with-st-pierre-targets-spring-return.mma

Rob Broughton Mike Brown Junie Browning Paul Buentello

Julie Kedzie Draws Undefeated Bethe Correia as New Opponent for UFC Brisbane

http://www.mmaweekly.com/julie-kedzi...r-ufc-brisbane

Originally slated to face undefeated Russian fighter Aleksandra Albu, Julie Kedzie finally has a new opponent for UFC Fight Night 33 in Brisbane, Australia, after Albu had to bow out due to injury.

UFC officials announced on Tuesday announced that Brazilian fighter Bethe Correia – also undefeated at 6-0 – has agreed to step in and fight Kedzie.

The fight will take place at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Dec. 7 (Dec. 6 in the U.S.). It marks Correia’s first fight outside of her home country.

Kedzie, a women’s MMA veteran, is looking to get back on a winning track after losing her last three fights. In her latest bout, Kedzie dropped her UFC debut to Germaine de Randamie at UFC on Fox 8 by split decision. The Jackson’s MMA fighter is 16-12 overall.

A heavyweight bout between Mark Hunt and Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva headlines the UFC Fight Night 33 card.

Source: http://ninjashoes.net/forum/showthread.php?81979-Julie-Kedzie-Draws-Undefeated-Bethe-Correia-as-New-Opponent-for-UFC-Brisbane&goto=newpost

Crosley Gracie Gregor Gracie Ralek Gracie Renzo Gracie

Johny Hendricks UFC 167 Pre-Fight Interview – Ready To Retire a Clean or Drugged GSP

Johny Hendricks (15-1) spoke to the media about fighting Georges St-Pierre (24-2). Hendricks talked about being honored to fight on the 20th Anniversary show, why he doesn’t care if GSP takes drugs, how GSP seriously upset him and how much he looks forward to smashing GSP, making his eyes roll back into his head. St-Pierre [...]

Source: http://www.mmatko.com/johny-hendricks-ufc-167-pre-fight-interview-ready-to-retire-a-clean-or-drugged-gsp/

John Jones Chael Sonnen Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi