Notable comments from Almeida:

Joe Silva [UFC Matchmaker] invited me back to the UFC to be a part of TUF [The Ultimate Fighter] 4 for the chance to fight for the title. I remember Matt Serra called me and was like, “Let’s go together Big Dog; it will be like old times!” I loved fighting for the UFC, I think Dana [White, UFC President] and the Fertitta Brothers [Lorenzo and Frank, UFC Owners] are visionaries and revolutionaries, but 6 weeks away from my family [to tape the show] was a big turndown.

MMAWeekly: Why did you choose the CFFC over events such as the UFC, EliteXC or even the IFL?
Almeida: As far as why Cage Fury Fighting [Championships], there’s plenty of good reasons… CFFC is paying what I think is deserved of my time and dedication, as others agreed to as well, but again, that’s only one of the reasons… I always felt like I owed my students and local crowd a good live performance.
I instantly got along with CFFC President Felix Martinez, who made me a written proposal by email, and things just moved forward from there. So far it has been a great experience; I have a lot of faith in that organization. I think they are a great addition to the MMA scene.

I feel MMA is going through big evolution now, look at guys like Sean Sherk, Nick Diaz, Anderson Silva or Dan Henderson, they are amazing. I just want to be a part of this evolution, learn from being in there. Pressure — never! Motivation — tons!

CLICK HERE for the latest Cage Fury content.
CLICK HERE for the latest CFFC 6 content.

Good luck Liddell, you’re gonna need it.

NBCSports has a quick interview to hear Randy’s take on the Tito/Rashad fight and how is training is going to defend his title against Gonzaga.

Click to watch video of Randy (takes you to NBCSports.com video player)

“Absolutely agree with Big John’s call on the fence”

“I was very impressed with Sean Sherk”

“Anderson Silva is as graceful as anyone you’ll ever see in the octagon”

Click for tons of UFC 73 content.

• Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Lyoto Machida
• Jon Fitch vs. Diego Sanchez
• Mike Swick vs. Chris Leben
• Evan Tanner vs. ???

This card will be updated as fights are signed and confirmed.

Click for all UFC 76 content on UFCtakedown.

Click for tons of UFC 73 content.
Click for Tito Ortiz content.
Click for Rashad Evans content.

Holy crap this is funny. Besides Spider Silva, Franklin also fears horror movies.

Well done Fightlinker, well done indeed.

“I am very confident that we’ll have an HBO deal very soon.”

“Cro Cop said if he beats Cheik Congo he wants Nogueira”

“Would like to make the Wanderlei Silva vs Chuck Liddell for September”

“Gurgel and Surata was fight of the night”

“Hayato Sakurai is joining the UFC. We’re ready as soon as he is. He’ll fight at 170.”

“BJ Penn is next for Sherk. In November”

“Hope to have Fedor fighting in the UFC at the end of 2007 or early 2008”

“Henderson vs Rampage will be for both belts. It is a unification bout. Undisputed champ.”

“Nogueira is one of the best fighters in the world. We’re going to put him in with someone very exciting”

“Silva is a killer. Marquardt is very good, but Silva came down strong.”

Saw this posted first on FiveOuncesofPain

Looking at this picture you’d never guess that Minotauro Nogueira was the fighter that was nearly KO’d. Herring’s face is a disaster!

Reading the some of the message boards for post fight comments/opinions, I’m really surprised by a lot of the Herring/Nog reaction… why are so many fans giving Heath Herring so much respect?!? He hit Nog with a lucky kick that Nog ducked into (and it was NOT a high kick, it was waist level). In 3 UFC fights, Herring shows me NOTHING. He shows no killer instinct.

There are message board posts saying the ref should have stopped the fight… here’s how to stop a fight, jump on top of a downed opponent and pound away. That’s the only way to guarantee the ref will jump in there and stop the fight. Don’t stand back and ask the ref to make a judgment call. Awful. Herring should spend less time on his hair coloring and more time sharpening his jab.

CLICK HERE for tons of UFC 73 content.

Main Event:

• Eddie Alvarez vs. Matt Lee

Title Fights:

• Trevor Prangley vs. Yuki Kondo (Middleweight)
• Tara Larosa vs. Kelly Kobold (Women’s 135)

If I could be anywhere in the world this Saturday night, that place would be Trenton, NJ. Chances of getting mugged, beaten, stabbed or a combination of all 3 are very high, but that won’t stop me from hitting the capital city of Dirty Jerzey for a BodogFIGHT pay per view event.

Main Event:

• Middleweight Champ Anderson Silva vs. Rich Franklin

Undercard:

• Tito Ortiz vs. Rashad Evans (rumored)

The undercard will be updated as fights are signed and confirmed.

Click for all UFC 77 content.