Randy Couture Refutes Spam Email, Says Size Doesn't Matter

In an official statement released yesterday, UFC heavyweight champ Randy Couture declared that size doesn't matter, refuting a spam email he received claiming that "bigger iz betta in da bedroom!!!1" (sic). The MMA legend, who has often found himself dwarfed by opponents in and out of the cage, went on to state that "it's not the size of the fighter in the fight, but the size of the fight in the fighter" - a belief that, coupled with his superior wrestling pedigree and unwavering work ethic, has yielded him belts in both the light-heavyweight and heavyweight divisions as well as countless girlfriends and wives. "I'm not a big guy," said Couture. "But I know how to use what I have." Couture returns to the Octagon at UFC 91 after a well-publicized resignation and subsequent legal battle. He'll face 265-pound behemoth Brock Lesnar.

TUF 8 Analysis: Episode 2

The second episode of TUF 8: "Team Nogueira vs. Team Mir" graced our television screens last night, with the selection process in full swing and an assortment of hopefuls scrapping for a slot in the TUF house. Thankfully, Dana White's profanity and Minotauro's subtitled dialogue was kept to a minimum.

• Is Frank Mir shouting instructions for both fighters during the fights? Holy confusing, Batman!
• Ido Pariente is the highest-profile fighter Israel has produced. For choking Pariente out, Efrain Escuadero can expect a visit from Mossad sometime soon.
• John "Huggy Bear" Polakowski apparently has no qualms about embracing another man in times of happiness and celebration. Mir, on the other hand, employs a rigid three-second rule. Expect hilarity in upcoming episodes with Polakowski running around the gym with open arms and Mir hiding under the Octagon.
• The preview at the end of the episode provided brief glimpses of the rest of the season, including drunkenness (surprise!), rowdiness (no way!) and Dana White telling the cast to "beat each other off". It looks like TUF's heterosexual leanings will remain intact.

Is the Northeast a Breeding Ground for Badasses?

Dan Miller needed only a minute and a half to choke the hell out of his opponent in his Octagon debut at UFN 15. Mike Massenzio damn near ripped Drew McFedries' arm off at the same event. Phillipe Nover sent his TUF foe packing in impressive fashion, and by all accounts Brian McLaughlin was kicking ass until an illegal knee earned him a win by disqualification. What do Miller, Massenzio, Nover and McLaughlin all have in common? They're the cream of the crop in the New Jersey fight circuit, and after spending years honing their skills in events like Reality Fighting, Ring of Combat, and the now-defunct IFL, they're sharp as hell and experienced enough to win at the highest of levels. For the longest time, MMA hotbeds like the West Coast and the Midwest were cranking out the toughest mixed martial artists, but no longer. Is the Northeast a breeding ground for badasses? With a wealth of shows and talent and solid schools focused on MMA, it sure is now.

Mac Danzig May Hate Meat, But He Hates Cavemen and Dinosaurs Even More

Noted vegetarian Mac Danzig may hate meat, but he hates cavemen and dinosaurs even more, and at Wednesday night's UFN 15 Danzig will face famed dino-rider Clay Guida in a match-up that guarantees fireworks. "I really don't like any carnivores," said Danzig between bites of raw cauliflower. "And as a prehistoric man, Guida is definitely an extreme carnivore. I'm going to kick his ass and the ass of that triceratops he rides around on." The Pride FC vet and lightweight TUF 6 winner, who trains at Xtreme Couture and eats things like radishes and zucchini in lieu of hamburgers and hot dogs, has yet to be tested in the Octagon. Guida should prove to be a tough opponent.

Rest In Peace Evan Tanner

Former UFC middleweight champ Evan Tanner was found dead in the California desert yesterday, the likely victim of exposure and dehydration. Known for his heart in the cage and his adventurous and untamed spirit outside of it, the 37-year-old Tanner was on a solo camping trip and had recently blogged about the perils he was going to face. His last venture into the Octagon was on June 21st, where he lost a split decision to Kendall Grove. Rest in peace, Evan Tanner. You will be missed.

The UFC Really, Really, Really, Really Wants Brock Lesnar to Be Champ

During yesterday's UFC-hosted conference call announcing Randy Couture's return to the organization, High Exalted One Dana White announced a November 15th match-up between the fighting legend and relative MMA newcomer Brock Lesnar for Couture's heavyweight belt (with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira's interim title apparently worth as much as a cheesy paperweight bought at a retired postal worker's yard sale). The message here is clear: the UFC really, really, really, really wants Lesnar to be champ. No, like REALLY wants him to be champ. Nevermind that he was 1-0 before entering the UFC, that he lost to Frank Mir in his Octagon debut, and that he only had to defeat Heath Herring to earn his shot at the belt - the "Superbowl of Mixed Martial Arts" wants Lesnar to have every possibly opportunity to be their star heavyweight. And regardless of how many other more-skilled, experienced and worthy contenders there are, you must not question it.

Brock Lesnar Blazes Trail for Other MMA-Curious Athletes

Former pro-wrestler Brock Lesnar racked up his first win in the Octagon at Saturday night's UFC 87, and Lesnar's three-round dismantling of veteran Heath Herring has opened the door for other MMA-curious athletes to try their hand at sport. MMA Journalist has obtained a copy of the Zuffa internal memo extolling the virtues of cross-sport pollination. The memo goes on to order matchmakers to pursue high-level competitors from other athletic endeavours, and it lists potential candidates. Names on the list include: - PGA Tour winner and all-around golfing stud Phil Mickelson. It is believed that Mickelson would debut as a middleweight, and after defeating a scrub, would face Anderson Silva for the belt. - Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Curt Schilling. Because UFC president Dana White is a fellow Beantowner, Schilling will be given an immediate title shot against light-heavyweight champ Forrest Griffin. - NHL player and Detroit Red Wing goaltender Ty Conklin. Conklin will cut to welterweight, where he'll face Georges St. Pierre in a non-title bout after the two serve as opposing coaches on the ninth season of "The Ultimate Fighter". - Professional ten-pin bowler Wes "Big Nasty" Malott. Malott will enter the deep pool of talent in the UFC's heavyweight division, and after Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Frank Mir and maybe one or two other legitimate fighters are lured away by Affliction, Malott will face Lesnar for the belt.