It's MMAzing Radio - Episode 4

The gang, minus Lavender Gooms, talks about Bellator 62, whether Dr. Law is Nostradamus, Bellator 63, TUF Live, the debut of TUF Brazil and the upcoming UFC on Fuel TV: Gustaffson v. Silva card.

It's MMAzing Radio - Episode 3

In a very special episode, the gang talks about a slew of new fight announcements that include Michael Bisping, Jake Ellenberger, Martin Kampmann and Jose Aldo Jr. Also on this broadcast, an in depth breakdown of why Jon Jones' is so hated.

Life After Being Cut From The UFC

Image via fullthrottlemma.com

There’s really no question that the UFC is the top MMA organization in the world. It’s pretty much every fighters dream to make it to the big show and get the recognition and pay they truly deserve. However, sometimes the dream just doesn’t last forever. The UFC is reserved for winners and if a fighter isn’t getting enough W’s it’s very likely they will be sent back out into the wilds of the global MMA scene. Luckily for those that have to rebuild their credibility, there are more options then ever to earn a paycheck and regain some of their luster. However, which path they choose to take is just as important as getting the wins they need.

Some fighters choose to fight on smaller, more regional MMA shows. The level of talent of these smaller shows is normally much less then what they were facing in the UFC and is seen more as tune-up fights then legitimate competition. Depending on the popularity of the fighter it’s possible to get a few wins at these lower levels and get the call to come back to the UFC, but it’s not too likely. While padding a fighter’s record will make them seem more impressive, the brass at UFC isn’t too interested in bring back a fighter that really hasn’t improved since being released. On the flip side, if a fighter loses a fight in these smaller shows the road back to the UFC is that much greater. Very few fighters released from the UFC are willing to take this path; the pay is often so much lower and the motivation so little that’s it’s the least appealing option outside of retirement.

Another option, and one more widely chosen, is to fight for a mid size national or even global MMA promotion. These promotions often have a mix of promising up and comers and more well know MMA veterans. The pay and competition are often a bit lower then what a fighter was previously getting in the UFC but is still enough to keep MMA as their sole income generator. A win or two in these shows can earn a fighter a call back in the UFC, again depending on the level of popularity of the fighter and the UFC’s need to fill a division or short notice fight. A good recent example of this is Titan Fighting Championships that recently picked up Anthony Johnson. What I like most about this choice is that it gives these smaller promotions some big drawing power. Having guys on the roster that the common fan knows will bring more eyes to the promotion and the talent that they are helping to groom. This path seems like the smartest if the fighter is willing to take a smaller paycheck in hopes that they will be brought back to the UFC. However, sometimes fighters are looking more for the bigger paycheck now, even if that means they won’t be able to go back to the UFC for a while, if ever.

The other choice is to sign with one of the bigger MMA organization. While signing with the Bellators and Strikeforces of the world will get you a bigger paycheck, they also come with longer contracts. Most big name fighters can negotiate to a short term contact with the mid level shows but the bigger shows want to have their top talent locked down for a number of fights. The level of talent of these shows is comparable with the mid to high level guys in the UFC (Doctor Law, I’m sure, would disagree). If a fighter can make it in these organizations and become a name stay for them, good money normally follows. This is, along with champion clauses in contracts, why you don’t see some of the top guys from Bellator and Strikeforce come over to the UFC. While it’s true that if you can become a champion or a big name fighter in the UFC the money will be better then these other organizations, but starting out (if not granted an immediate title shot) the money most likely will be about the same but with a shorter contract. This is why we haven’t seen Gilbert Melendez, Hector Lombard and Ben Askrin make the jump over to the UFC.

Everyone knows that right now is the absolute worst time to lose your job and MMA fighters aren’t immune to the economical problems the world is facing. However, it’s nice to know that thanks to the growing popularity of MMA, and more honestly the UFC, that getting cut doesn’t mean the end of these fighters fighting full time. With other organizations paying their fighters pretty competitive wages, there’s still some places where they can either call their new home or get some decent wins and hopefully get called back to the big show.

UFC on FX 4 Coming To Atlantic City...Was Vegas Booked?

image via sports.yahoo.com

The UFC has announced that it will return to Atlantic City for the first time since 2005, way back when Andrei Arlovski was the main event and wasn't a broken shell of himself and had a chin strong enough to withstand at least a stiff breeze.

I was always told Atlantic City is a poor man's Las Vegas...and that's a pretty spot on statement. The first time I went to AC and Vegas was six months apart. When I went to AC I thought "this isn't bad"...then I went to Vegas a couple months later and thought "wow, Atlantic City is pretty shitty".

Even so, the land of jug handles, toll booths, Snooki and her demon spawn is being blessed with a main event of Clay Guida and Gray Maynard. The fight will likely be held at Revel Atlantic City, the newest casino/hotel which opens in late May. No other fights have been announced for the card as of yet, but with "The Carpenter" on tap, I might have to get the doubloons together for an AC excursion come June.

It's MMAzing Radio - Episode 2

The gang talks about the second episode of The Ultiamte Fighter, Bellator 61, the new Bellator video game, the Rampage Jackson saga, UFC 146 and Gilbert Melendez's next opponent.

It's MMAzing Radio - Episode 1

The VERY FIRST episode of It's MMAzing Radio. The gang talks about Bellator 60's controversial ending, the future of Bellator and Hector Lombard, the premiere of TUF Live on FX, and Rampage Jackson losing his mind

BREAKING NEWS: Edgar/Henderson 2 confirmed.

Frankie Edgar and Ben Henderson rematch will be this summer

— Dana White (@danawhite) March 6, 2012

Dana White confirmed on Twitter today that Frankie Edgar and Benson Henderson would compete in a rematch of their UFC 144 bout. Henderson defeated Edgar by unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 49-46) in a modern classic, becoming the new UFC Lightweight Champion. Despite the judges scorecards and Fightmetric, the official UFC statistics provider, scoring the fight as a clear victory for Henderson, there were still some who believed that the decision should have went for Edgar.

News of the rematch puts a temporary stop to talk of Frankie Edgar moving down to challenge UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo. It also appears that Anthony Pettis will have to take on one, if not two more opponents before getting his shot at the belt as, given the timing, it is likely that the winner of Nate Diaz v. Jim Miller in May will get the first shot at the winner of Frankie/Benson 2.