The UFC organization follows a rich history and tradition of competitive MMA dating back to the Olympic Games in Athens. About 80 years ago, a Brazilian form of MMA known as Vale Tudo (anything goes) sparked local interest in the sport.
Then, the UFC organization brought MMA to the United States. The goal was to find “the Ultimate Fighting Champion” with a concept to have a tournament of the best athletes skilled in the various disciplines of all martial arts, including karate, jiu-jitsu, boxing, kickboxing, grappling, wrestling, sumo and other combat sports. The winner of the tournament would be crowned the champion.
Dave Sholler, UFC - As 2007 came to a close, former light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell heard the whispers. After two straight losses, critics circled "The Iceman" like vultures over a scorched desert. They said his loss to Quinton Jackson at UFC 71 was a sign that his reign as the sport's best light heavyweight was forever over.
Stephen Quinn, UFC - Saturday night's UFC 88 card features a number of crossroads bouts that will determine the future for some of the game's biggest names. But what will your future in the UFC Fantasy Game be if you come up short this weekend? Read on to get the edge on your opponents and sail to the top of your fantasy league.
Thomas Gerbasi, UFC - Yoshiyuki Yoshida didn't hear any of the talk coming from Jon Koppenhaver before their UFC 84 bout in May, how The Ultimate Fighter alumnus wasn't "too worried" about the fight, that he was going to "break him", and all the usual pre-fight bluster that could get into the head of a fighter if he's not ready for it. Yoshida was focused and had just one goal in his Octagon debut.
Thomas Gerbasi, UFC - Rich Franklin laughed almost as soon as the question was asked. And for the record, that question was, 'Is it exciting moving back to a division where most of mixed martial arts' superstars currently reside?'"I basically just threw myself in a pool of sharks," said the former UFC middleweight champion, who on Saturday night will return to the light heavyweight division for the first time in over three years to take on Matt Hamill at UFC 88 in Atlanta. "How exciting is that?"
Thomas Gerbasi, UFC - It was probably the worst news Kurt Pellegrino could have received, and its impact hit the lightweight contender harder than he had ever been punched or kicked while competing in the Octagon. But after his April loss to Nate Diaz, 'Batman' had to deal with the realization that he had become what he promised he would never be.
