Thursday, April 10, 2014

Throwback Thursday: Fedor Visits Tiger Schulmann's Manhattan School

NEW YORK


Fedor Emelianenko was (and probably still is) special. Whenever he came to New York City it was an event, and his days would be filled with photo ops, each one packed with fans clamoring to see him. Considering that his presence would garner more attention than visiting UFC stars, it was truly a remarkable thing.

In August, 2009, "The Last Emperor" dropped by the Tiger Schulmann's school in Manhattan. Yes, he was mobbed by fans. Yes, everyone wanted to take a pic with him and get his autograph. And yes, Fedor was cool as hell.

UFC on FOX 11 Primer: Edson Barboza in Action

UFC 


UFC on FOX 11 is just nine days away, and in addition to the marquee bouts of Travis Browne versus Fabricio Werdum and Miesha Tate against Liz Carmouche, there are a bunch of compelling match-ups dotting the card - not the least of which is Donald Cerrone taking on Edson Barboza.

It wasn't that long ago that Barboza was an unstoppable striker wrecking people in Ring of Combat. In his first ROC fight, the Brazilian practically put Team Serra/Longo Nabih Barakat in a coma; after the jump is Barboza's second appearance in ROC, where he fought some overmatched dude for the belt.

Should Gina Carano Fight Ronda Rousey?

UFC


When it comes to UFC female bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey, there's been a lot of chatter lately over who her next opponent should be. Does Cris Cyborg, the Invicta FC champ with a checkered history of performance-enhancing drug use, deserve it? Should Cat Zingano, who's coming off a bad knee injury, be next? Opinions vary, but one name being tossed about almost certainly shouldn't be getting a crack at Rousey's belt, and yet despite that, it's starting to seem like she almost certainly will.

I'm talking about Gina Carano of course, who may have helped make women's MMA what it is today, but who also hasn't fought since she was crushed by Cyborg in 2009.

Throwback Thursday: Ryan LaFlare's First Fight

NEW YORK


Long Island native Ryan LaFlare will step into the Octagon tomorrow at UFC Fight Night: Abu Dhabi, and though most locals recognize him as the dude who dominated Ring of Combat for years, a select few know him from before that.

Yeah, I'm talking about his first fight, which took place in the Underground Combat League back in October of 2007.