By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

23-year-old Jon Jones has captivated MMA fans over the last year with dominating performances over a number of opponents in the light heavyweight division, capping it off by capturing the Light Heavyweight Championship with a one-sided beating of Mauricio "Shogun" Rua this month.

Because of his 6'4" frame and 84" reach - along with the way he's been taking people out in the 205 lb. division - fans and writers alike believe his future lies in the heavyweight division. One fight that has already been talked about as a potential superfight is one with current UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez.

For his part, Velasquez thinks it would be a great fight, even if it's not on his mind just yet as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery.

"It would be great [to fight Jones]," Velasquez said in an interview with MMADigest. "I think he's a really talented fighter, he's impressive to watch. But right now, my focus right now is about getting 100% for myself right now and as far as fighting right now, it just seems so far away because I'm trying just to get in the gym and trying to train. But he's talented, he looks good in all his fights and he's going to be tough to beat."

Velasquez also said he'll be cleared for light training within three weeks, but he's continuing to rehab the shoulder preparing for his return later this year against the winner of the UFC 131 bout between Brock Lesnar and Junior Dos Santos.

Link to Video Interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNmYxFujqfo&feature=player_embedded

Penick's Analysis: Down the line, Jones' move to the heavyweight division is going to bring about some extremely exciting matchups, and a bout with Velasquez is certainly among those. The talent and skill of Jones is bringing widespread recognition with both fans and fighters, and deservedly so. Jones still has a lot of business to take care of at 205 lbs., and a heavyweight move is still at least a couple of years in the future, but when he does make the move it will make for an exciting time in the UFC's heavyweight division.

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_8920.shtml

Jesse Forbes

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

"Right now I know that I'm hunted by Rashad Evans, and that's something that I'm comfortable with. It's disheartening, big time, because I know Rashad's going through a lot of pressure, and he feels betrayed and I'm sure a lot of people are harassing him on the internet. I see the tweets that people send him, and it's tough because Rashad's a great guy, he's a great father, he's a great person, and after this fight, whoever wins or loses, it's gonna be different for us and I don't see our relationship being the same. Obviously leading up to a fight, there has to be ways a fighter can get himself amped up and motivated, and unfortunately that's always by crap talking and talking about your opponent's game and his weaknesses, and it's a war of words before the actual combat, so I know we won't be the same, which is very disheartening, but at the same time, I have what he wants right now, so I have to prepare myself to the fullest to defend it. It's an interesting combination of emotions that I have."

-UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones talks to UFC.com about the changes that will come to his relationship with Rashad Evans now that they'll face each other for the title.

Penick's Analysis: From a professional fighter standpoint, Jones realizes that a bout with Evans is what makes sense for both of them and the UFC. Clearly he's conflicted with fighting someone he's come to respect and learn from, but it's the right fight in the light heavyweight division and it's the fight that the UFC can sell best right now. It's going to be an easy sell for all involved, and though the two will never be the same as friends, this fight is all about which of them is the best light heavyweight in the world. The fight business is just that, a business, and this fight will bring big money to both fighters and the UFC.

[Jon Jones art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_9025.shtml

Oleg Taktarov Akitoshi Tamura Kiyoshi Tamura Evan Tanner

---Quote--- Mixed-martial-arts fighter Sergio Salcido and his friend and coworker, Kevin Joel Romero, were killed early Monday morning at a border crossing in Tijuana, Mexico. The Americans were...

Source: http://ninjashoes.net/forum/showthread.php?74076-MMA-fighter-Sergio-Salcido-killed-friend-says-MMA-industry-partially-to-blame&goto=newpost

Vagam Bodjukyan Kotetsu Boku Tony Bonello Stephan Bonnar

One month from today, UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo Jr. will defend his belt from Mark Hominick in Toronto. Who wants to wait that long to see him in action?

Watch him here as he takes out Rolando Perez at WEC 38.

And that is why you don't throw a body shot with bad form, kids. Aldo's stand-up is already terrifying, but he has been training in Holland to pick up more skills from the masters of kickboxing. At this point, I wouldn't want Aldo to pat me on the shoulder, as I would probably end up with a concussion.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Got-a-minute-Watch-Jose-Aldo-take-out-Rolando-P?urn=mma-wp785

Tony Fryklund Kazuyuki Fujita Masakatsu Funaki Zelg Benkei Galesic

An injury has forced Jon Fitch to pull out of his July 2 bout with B.J. Penn.

Maybe it's a blessing in disguise. Plenty of fans seemed lukewarm on the Fitch-Penn rematch at UFC 132.  The UFC has an opportunity to come up with a something that'll get the juices flowing for its big Fourth of July weekend card.

Finding a fill-in isn't as easy as you'd think. The UFC has almost every fighter in the world under contract, yet its welterweight division doesn't have a ton of choices for Penn.

If healthy, Carlos Condit would be a great. The 26-year-old is now seven months removed from his devastating knockout of Dan Hardy. Because of an injury, he had to pull out of a UFC 127 fight with Chris Lytle. Condit would take the Penn fight, but his knee sounds like it may still be an issue.

"I dislocated a joint in my knee cap and did a lot of damage so I pull out of the fight.  I have been rehabbing and trying to get my knee back in order.  I was sparring today, I have been training all week and it still hurts, but it's healed for the most part," [Condit told MMADieHards.com. ...]

"If I get the call and they offer me the fight, I definitely would be up for that fight, I think it would be an honor to fight B.J.  I would be fighting a huge legend so I think it would put a little pressure on me, (but) there's only one way to find out."

A Penn fight would be great for Anthony Johnson as well. Johnson, also a recent winner over Hardy, would be forced to stay in shape to get ready for the July fight.

"I'm staying in shape and trying to keep my weight down," Johnson [told MMADieHards.com]. "Right now I'm only about 200 pounds, but I'm full of water right now. When I run I sweat so much it looks like I just got out of a swimming pool, so if they were to tell me I have a fight in a month I know I'd be ready. The weight would be easy to come off, I'm good to go."

Johnson indicated that money might be a concern if he was offered a fight against the legendary Penn.

"Hell, if I fight B.J. they're for sure going to have to renegotiate my contract," said Johnson.  "If the opportunity was presented, would I take a fight like that? Yeah.  I don't say no to fights and I like to fight, if I'm winning or not, I still like to fight.  So yeah, I would take that fight."

The only hitch in a Penn-Johnson fight is the potential size disparity. The 165-pound Penn faces that in every welterweight bout, but in Johnson he would battle a guy who walks into the cage as high as 195 pounds on fight night.

Who else could step up by July? Let's throw in a wild card in Strikeforce welterweight champ Nick Diaz. If he dominates Paul Daley this weekend, does Dana White think Diaz is "ready to play the game?"

Thiago Alves is scheduled to fight Rick Story at UFC 130. He could be moved back five weeks. There's also the possibility of a Diego Sanchez rematch, but that appears to a be long shot with the injuries he suffered at UFC on Versus 3 and the fact that the matchup down at lightweight was so one-sided.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Fitch-out-Who-should-fight-Penn-?urn=mma-wp913

Yves Edwards Justin Eilers Jon Olav Einemo Per Eklund

Boxing had some epic fights over the years at baseball stadiums.

Yankee Stadium was host to some classics all the way through the 70's and most recently, Yuri Foreman and Miguel Cotto scrapped in the New York outfield.

In 2010, MMA has started to take the lead in the fight game. Check around, a mixed martial arts events may be hitting a ballyard near you. We found three events scheduled in 2011 at minor league parks.

Former UFC fighter and "Ultimate Fighter" alum Edwin DeWees is headlining "Rumble at the Ranch" at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Az..

DeWees (36-14-1) beat Gideon Ray and lost to Patrick Cote on TUF 4. He was officially 0-2 in the UFC with losses to Rich Franklin and Chris Leben. He's also been in the cage with veterans like Joe Stevenson, Frank Trigg, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Jorge Rivera.

DeWees against Chuck Huus is the main event on an Apr. 23 card. DeWees, 28, has been a little inactive the last two years, but he did fight recently in Finland suffering a loss to Marcus Vanttinen on Mar. 12.

The Lexington Legends put a cage on the infield for "Bluegrass Bragging Rights" on May 15. The Lakewood (N.J.) Blueclaws are hosting "Fights Under the Lights" on June 23.

Get out to the park for some fisticuffs and grappling. In most cases, it's as low as $25 a ticket for some good, wholesome family fun.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Play-ball-MMA-coming-to-a-ballpark-near-you?urn=mma-wp813

Jon Fitch Kenny Florian Jesse Forbes Xavier Foupa Pokam

Despite sustaining his third loss at Ultimate Fight Night 24 -- often the death knell for a career in the UFC -- Dan Hardy still has the confidence of UFC boss Dana White. After Saturday's fights, White had this to say about Hardy's future employment:

"Not necessarily," White told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "We'll have to wait and see. I [expletive] love that kid."

Apparently, love will keep them together. But considering the competitive nature of the UFC, and the fact that some fighters get cut after just one loss, White's stance is surprising. After looking at both sides, you tell us: Would you cut Dan Hardy?

Yes: Three losses is unacceptable at this elite level of MMA. Sure, one was in a title shot against Georges St. Pierre, but since then he's been taken out by Carlos Condit and Anthony Johnson. He also has not improved in wrestling since coming to the UFC, and lost to both GSP and Johnson because of it. In fact, his last big, convincing win was a KO of Rory Markham more than two years ago.

No: Hardy makes fights fun. From the pre-fight trash talk right down to his mohawk and interplay with Bruce Buffer during introductions, you look forward to watching Hardy fight. He also brings in a fanbase from the UK. The man can sell a fight, and let's face it, the UFC is in the business to make money. Why would they cut such a valuable commodity?

Thanks to Combat Lifestyle for the picture.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/You-tell-us-Should-the-UFC-keep-Dan-Hardy-?urn=mma-wp715

Rich Franklin Anderson Silva Mark Weir Fabricio Werdum

I don't see it anywhere else. But it's so good. So much meaning packed in 3 simple letters.

Source: http://ninjashoes.net/forum/showthread.php?74095-Is-WAR-WAAARRRRRRR-a-Ninjashoes-MMA-forum-meme&goto=newpost

Rashad Evans Urijah Faber Wagnney Fabiano Kevin Kimbo Slice Ferguson

Leading up to argubaly the biggest fight of his career, Mike Kyle will now not be able to continue as scheduled. The budding light heavyweight contender was originally scheduled to meet with Gegard Mousasi, the former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion, come April 9. The two fighter’s were meeting on the main-card for “Strikeforce: Diaz vs. [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/03/31/strikeforce-mike-kyle-out-of-bout-with-gegard-mousasi

Tony Fryklund Kazuyuki Fujita Masakatsu Funaki Zelg Benkei Galesic

The cute stuff may work on reality television, but Alex "Bruce Leroy" Cacares was badly outclassed by WEC veteran Mackens Semerzier. In what was probably a must-win situation, Semerzier steamrolled Bruce Leroy winning via rear-naked choke in just 3:18 at Ultimate Fight Night 24.

Semerzier (6-3, 1-0 UFC) scored three powerful takedowns. He got the first just 57 seconds into the fight. Cacares got up with 3:30 left in the first and hit the deck again with 3:18 left. The final time he went down with 2:40 left, started the beginning of the end.

Semerzier fell right into the mount position and starting pounding away. Bruce Leroy turned away from the strikes and gave his back. Semerzier flattened him and even when Cacares threatened to slip out the backdoor, the Marine was able to get him back down and finally apply the finishing choke.

Cacares, who came up with the "Bruce Leroy" moniker himself, was a villain of sorts during Season 12 of TUF. He ruffled the feathers of eventual finalist Michael Johnson and several other fights from the show.

Tonight, he walked to the cage with Taimak, the original "Bruce Leroy" from the 1985 movie "The Last Dragon."

Hathaway bests McCray at his own game

Kris McCray is a one-trick pony and tonight in Seattle he got schooled at his strength. John Hathaway outwrestled McCray, taking him down repeatedly throughout the fight. The young Brit got a split decision victory, 28-29, 29-28 and 29-28.

McCray never came close to threatening a finish. Hathaway did in the opening round with a nasty toe hold. The 23-year-old from Brighton, England worked and twisted McCray's foot for 45 seconds. McCray held out and fought on.

"I was real close. I heard a couple pops and creaks," said Hathaway.

With better cardio, Hathaway (15-1, 5-1 UFC) sealed the fight in the third. He simply did more, staying active when he had top control. It wasn't the most spectacular victory, but proved Hathaway, without much of a wrestling background, can grapple on a high level.

After posting a huge win over Diego Sanchez at UFC 114, Hathaway was upset by Mike Pyle back in October at UFC 120. Including the "TUF 11 Finale," McCray has now lost all three fights in his time with the UFC.

Busted up eye causes Madsen to lose his first to Russow

Mike Russow isn't the prettiest fighter, but the guy finds ways to win. The Chicago cop won another fight, this time by ending the unbeaten run of Jon Madsen. On the advice of the doctor, the referee stopped the fight before the beginning of the third round because Madsen's left eye was nearly closed. Russow (14-1, 3-0 UFC) got the victory via TKO.

That makes 2-of-3 fights with the promotion that he's won via KO or TKO. In his previous 11 wins, he scored nine of them by submission.

Russow said he caught Madsen (7-1, 3-1 UFC) with an overhand right in the second and that's what made the eye blow up.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Big-smile-cool-nickname-not-enough-for-Bruce-L?urn=mma-wp644

Shinya Aoki Andrei Arlovski Ricardo Arona Noboru Asahi