The first ever MMA Shoot podcast is now online. In it, I give you my thoughts on UFC 88, and two big upcoming fights in the world of MMA.

Podcast Table of Contents:

• Intro and plugs (1:46)
• UFC 88: Rashad Evans dominant; is Chuck Liddell done? (3:55)
• Ken Shamrock will beat Kimbo Slice (10:33)
• Can Brock Lesnar beat Randy Couture? (17:17)
• Thoughts on Evan Tanner’s passing (20:13)

Just a reminder that I’m currently live blogging over on MMA Shoot tonight during UFC 88. The main event features Chuck Liddell v. Rashad Evans.

I’m trying out a new applet for the live blogging, so come over, check it out and let me know what you think…

I’ll be doing live blogging here tonight using a new applet called “Cover it Live.” I hope to hear how you guys like it, as I’ll probably use this on PWB when I do live blogs for PPVs.

I digress. Here’s tonight’s televised fight card for UFC 88:

• Light Heavyweight Bout: Chuck Liddell v. Rashad Evans
• Light Heavyweight Bout: Rich Franklin v. Matt Hamill
• Middleweight Bout: Dan Henderson v. Rousimar Palhares
• Middleweight Bout: Nate Marquardt v. Martin Kampmann
• Welterweight Bout: Matt Brown v. Dong Hyun Kim

There’s so much going on in the world of MMA it’s hard to fit it all into one blog. That’s why I’m starting a new feature here on MMA Shoot: every few days I’ll post a summary of the latest and greatest news from the MMA world. Of course, I’m calling the new feature “The Shoot.” Without further adieu, let’s get to the first edition.

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MMARated.com is reporting that Rich Franklin will move up to 205 to face Matt Hamill at UFC 88. This adds to an already packed card, including Chuck Liddell v. Rashad Evans, Dan Henderson v. Rousimar Palhares, Karo Parisyan v. Yoshiyuki Yoshida, and James Lee v. Tim Boetsch.

MMA Junkie has also confirmed the bout.

(more…)

In what you’ve got to consider as horrible news for UFC fans in England, Chuck Liddell has torn his hamstring and will miss his fight against Rashad Evans in London at UFC 85. The event will take place on June 7. The UFC provided the following picture of Liddell’s injury on their website:

After seeing that picture, it’s obvious why Liddell will be out of UFC 85. So far, no timetable has been provided for Liddell’s recovery. Dana White had the following to say on UFC.com:

“Unfortunately, Chuck Liddell tore his right hamstring during training last week, and being the warrior that he is, he still wanted to fight, which is the reason why everyone in the world loves him,” said Dana White, UFC President. “But I wouldn’t let anyone fight with his leg looking that way. Let him heal and come back and fight when he is 100 percent.”

White continued, “We’re adding fights to the card and rearranging it so the UK fans won’t have to worry, we’ll still be bringing an amazing card to London and the O2 Arena. The UFC® always delivers.”

Let the speculation begin. What fights can possibly make up for the loss of Chuck on this card?

Chuck Liddell is not one to hold back in interviews. Recently, as covered here at MMA Shoot, we’ve seen him talk smack about Fedor Emelianenko to the UK press, telling the Sun that he could “take” Fedor.

Now, Chuck is at it again with the UK media. He’s got two more interviews out: one where he “savages” Fedor Emelianenko and one “dishing out a warning” to Kurt Angle.

(more…)

Wow. That was quick. Just yesterday, Gary Shaw did an interview where he didn’t respond to Dana White’s recent belittling comments. Guess Gary hadn’t heard the interview yet. He did respond today when chatting with Wrestling on Tap (via MMA Fightline):

“Dana is the type of guy that if he owned a gas station, he wouldn’t want any other gas stations in America, that’s just the type of guy he is. That’s the type of ego he has.”

“As far as Dana saying that I was never a fan of mixed martial arts, ask him to produce articles or tape on me saying the things he said I said. It can’t happen. I was watching mma with my son back when Dana was selling used cars or whatever he was doing before the UFC. I never belittle any sport or organization, that’s not my style.”

I think Dana said all he had to do was “go and search Gary Shaw and mixed martial arts (on the Internet),” and you would find Shaw ” saying five years ago that mixed martial arts was a joke” When I Google “Gary Shaw + Mixed Martial Arts,” all that comes up for me are multiple interviews featuring Dana White bashing him!

This battle between UFC and EliteXC is getting SERIOUS. Now it looks like we might get a bidding war over Fedor Emelianenko. Shaw said this in the same Wrestling on Tap interview:

“We would love to have Fedor with our organization. But Fedor and his people need to be realistic about what they are asking for. He hasn’t had a top fight in awhile. He needs to get back to fighting top competition. In the United States out of sight is out of mind.”

So who wants to pay Fedor? Will EliteXC offer him more money, or will the chance of fight Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell lure him to the UFC, regardless of money?

You know, one other thought. A lot of people complain about White and Shaw sniping back and forth at each other. I’ve seen them called “babies” multiple places on the Internet. But think about it this way: how much more interesting does their bickering make things? Exactly.