MMA Coverage

Former UFC contender and current Icon middleweight champion Robbie Lawler (14-4 MMA, 4-3 UFC) probably won’t return to the UFC’s thin 185-pound division anytime soon.UFCjunkie.com (www.ufcjunkie.com) has confirmed with Elite Xtreme Combat (EliteXC) officials that Lawler has signed a new four-fight deal with the organization.

The 25-year-old Lawler, who defeated Frank Trigg in March to win the Icon middleweight title, next will take on Pride Fighting Championships veteran Marilo “Ninja” Rua in the main event of EliteXC’s Sept. 15 show in Oahu, Hawaii. The event is co-promoted by the Icon and Rumble on the Rock promotions and airs on Showtime.

Tags: Nick Diaz, Gina Carano, Jake Shields, Marilo "Ninja" Rua, Robbie Lawler, EliteXC by MMACoverage
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For years Wanderlei Silva and Chuck Liddell were MMA’s two brightest light heavyweight stars, but they existed in alternate universes.

Liddell became the dominant star in the Ultimate Fighting Championships. Silva, a Brazilian, became an even bigger star in Japan, home of the Pride Fighting Championships. UFC president Dana White spent years trying to make the fight — UFC champion vs. Pride champion. On Sept. 8 in London, he’s done both — sort of.The first battle of UFC vs. Pride champions (which airs on Spike TV) wound up being not exactly what White had in mind when he started negotiations last year to buy the failing Pride company. On Feb. 24 in Las Vegas, Dan Henderson knocked out Silva in the third round of a thrilling match to win the Pride title, thus becoming the first man in the history of the major leagues of MMA to hold titles in two weight classes at the same time.

Tags: Wanderlei Silva, Matt Lindland, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Keith Jardine, Dan Henderson, UFC, Chuck Liddell by MMACoverage
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The Earl Mathews odyssey is difficult to follow, with sharp curves, icy surfaces and potholes big enough to swallow up an 18-wheeler.

Sometimes it’s even difficult for Mathews himself to follow.

In his 40 years, the former amateur and professional boxer they used to call “Peanut” as a kid has gone from the punished to the punisher, from fearless to homeless, from penniless to running his own landscaping business.

Mathews, who grew up in Clatskanie, was teased and verbally abused as a youngster so much that he struck back the only way he knew how —- with his fists.

Tags: Ear Mathews by MMACoverage
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Pedro Rizzo is nearly 11 years younger than Randy Couture, the UFC heavyweight champion. And he’s a year-and-a-half younger than Jeff Monson, against whom he’ll defend the International Fighters Association heavyweight title Saturday on the Art of War 3 card at American Airlines Arena in Dallas.

But Rizzo is trying to shake a reputation that he’s old and over the hill as a mixed martial artist, a tag which has followed him for at least four years.

“I started in this business so young, which is why people think I’m old now,” the 33-year old Rizzo said.

Tags: Roman Zentsov, Sergei Kharitonov, UFC 31, Dan Severn, Mark Coleman, IFA, Justin Eilers, Randy Couture, Pedro Rizzo, Art Of War, Jeff "The Snowman" Monson, Dana White by MMACoverage
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