It's already been a busy combat sports weekend, with Bellator, UFC, and Glory representing kickboxing, but we're not done yet. Join us here at Bloody Elbow today to discuss all the action as K-1 returns for K-1 Rising 2012 in Madrid, Spain. Featuring the opening round of the 2012 K-1 World MAX Grand Prix along with Heavyweight fights from Badr Hari, Mirko Cro Cop, and Daniel Ghita, this is a great all-around card.

The show is available as a live stream on K-1's UStream channel (K1GlobalTV) and begins today at 12:15 p.m. ET / 9:15 a.m. PT. There is a bit of confusion over that start time though, as they have opening fights set to start at that time, and an "opening ceremony" scheduled for roughly two hours later, so we'll have to see what happens.

Originally, it was going to cost you $20, but on Friday, K-1 announced that the stream would in fact be free. So what excuse do you have not to watch? Even better, you don't even have to leave Bloody Elbow as you can watch the live streaming video after the jump

Here's the complete fight card, and for a more in-depth look, be sure to check out my preview.

Welcome back K-1 - we missed you!

K-1 Rising 2012 Fight Card

World Max 2012 Final 16 Fights:

Mike Zambidis defeated Chahid Oulad El Hadj by KO, Round 3
Andy Souwer defeated Abraham Roqueni by unanimous decision
Artur Kyshenko defeated Su Hwan Lee by KO, Round 2
Yasuhiro Kido defeated Xu Yan by KO, Round 3
Andy Ristie defeated Gago Drago by unanimous decision
Reece McAllister defeated Yuji Nashiro by unanimous decision
Murthel Groenhart defeated Harut Grigorian by KO, round 3
Chris Ngimbi defeated Chain Superpro Samui by unanimous decision

Heavyweight Superfights:

Badr Hari defeated Anderson "Braddock" Silva by decision
Mirko Cro Cop defeated Loren Javier Jorge by KO, Round 2
Daniel Ghita defeated Wendell Roche by TKO, Round 2
Sergei Lascenko defeated Rico Verhoeven by split decision

Editor's note by Brent Brookhouse: I added the video stream for Fraser, when I was previewing it before posting it, it was working. If it ends up not working, we'll still have this post up for discussion but you'll have to go to the uSteam page to watch it. The stream will start around 4 p.m. ET.

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In the main event at UFC 146, Junior dos Santos (14-1; 8-0 UFC) faces Frank Mir (17-5; 15-5 UFC). The fight is for dos Santos's UFC Heavyweight title and will be his first defense since winning the belt from Cain Velasquez last fall. The USA TODAY / MMA Nation Consensus MMA Rankings currently have dos Santos ranked as the #1 Heavyweight in the world, with Mir a few spots below him at #4. The PPV card begins Saturday, May 26 at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

As a Heavyweight title fight, dos Santos vs. Mir provides an interesting stylistic match-up. So far, dos Santos has been dominant in the UFC, causing some people to label him as unbeatable. But Frank Mir possesses a unique skill-set with his high level submission game, and it's a skill-set that Cigano has not yet faced inside the Octagon. Add in Mir's long journey back to the top from his motorcycle accident, and the revenge angle of dos Santos fighting to avenge Minotauro Nogueira, and you have an exciting bout. Sadly, that excitement is tempered by the knowledge that this is a make-up fight for the planned dos Santos vs. Alistair Overeem showdown. I'm excited for this fight, but it's hard not to miss what should have been.

How do these two stack up?

Dos Santos: 27 years old | 6'4" | 77" reach
Mir: 32 years old | 6'3" | 79" reach

What have these two done recently?

Dos Santos: W - Cain Velasquez (KO) | W - Shane Carwin (UD) | W - Roy Nelson (UD)
Mir: W - Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Sub) | W - Roy Nelson (UD) | W - Mirko Filipovic (KO)

How did these two get here?

Junior dos Santos got here with a path of destruction. A heavy-handed boxer, Cigano has been knocking out top contenders since his UFC debut. Breaking into the UFC with an emphatic upset KO of Fabricio Werdum back at UFC 90, dos Santos has gone undefeated in the Octagon, winning 8 straight, 6 via overwhelming stoppage. His lone loss came in Brazil back in 2007 when he was submitted. Many consider him the definitive Heavyweight of the era, but as history has shown, it's very hard to establish a true dominant run in this division.

Frank Mir is a former UFC Heavyweight champion. In 2004, with a record of 8-1, he was the reigning champion when he suffered a near career ending motorcycle accident. He came back in 2006, but had clearly lost a step and seemed to no longer be relevant. But in 2007 he turned it around and has gone 7-2 since with impressive wins over some big names. A submission specialist, Mir has the most brutal sub game in the division, which he showed by snapping Big Nog's arm at UFC 140. Not everyone is a Mir fan, but he's been through a ton, and I find the story of his quest back to the title to be pretty amazing.

Why should you care?

So many reasons. A title defense, boxer vs. submission specialist, Cigano's revenge for Nog, Mir's epic journey... there are tons of great stories at play here that make this a fascinating match-up. Don't let the Overeem story overshadow your enjoyment of this one.

More UFC 146 preview coverage from Bloody Elbow after the jump.

SBN coverage of UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir

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At UFC 146, former UFC Heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez (9-1; 7-1 UFC) faces former Strikeforce fighter Antonio Silva (16-3; UFC Debut). This is the semi-main event of the evening, and, as is the case with all of the UFC 146 main card, is a Heavyweight fight. Velasquez is currently the #3 Heavyweight in the world according to the USA TODAY / MMA Nation Consensus MMA Rankings, while Silva sits at #10. The PPV card begins Saturday, May 26 at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

Originally, this was planned as Velsquez vs. Frank Mir. But when Mir stepped into the main event to replace Alisatir Overeem, Bigfoot Silva took his place. The result is a match between two highly regarded talents, but also two men both bouncing back from loses. It creates a unique situation where the winner could be next in line for a title shot, while the loser will be on a two fight losing streak and in real need of a win. Both have a lot to prove here, and I expect both men to come out hungry.

How do these two stack up?

Velasquez: 29 years old | 6'1" | 77" reach
Silva: 32 years old | 6'4" | 82" reach

What have these two done recently?

Velasquez: L - Junior dos Santos (KO) | W - Brock Lesnar (TKO) | W - Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (KO)
Silva: L - Daniel Cormier (KO) | W - Fedor Emelianenko (TKO) | W - Mike Kyle (TKO)

How did these two get here?

Not long ago, Cain Velasquez was in much the same position dos Santos is in today. He was the UFC Heavyweight champion, undefeated in the Octagon (and, for Cain, undefeated overall), seen as the man to bring stability to the division. But a 64 second KO loss to Cigano put an end to that. Now, the former #1 is in a tough spot. He needs a win here to prove two things. First, that he does have power in his hands (an accusation that has plagued him throughout his career). Second, that the torn rotator cuff that kept him on the sidelines for most of 2011 is behind him and not a career-derailing injury. A loss here will be very bad for Cain, while a dominant win will remind everyone that this is the same man who KO'd Nog and who steamrolled Lesnar.

Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva makes his UFC debut here after making his name in the EliteXC and Strikeforce Heavyweight divisions. An oft-discussed prospect for some time, Silva really had his break-out moment in the Striekforce Grand Prix when he upset tournament favorite Fedor Emelianenko with an impressive ground and pound beating. Silva gained great momentum from that bout, but then lost some of it when he was knocked out by Daniel Cormier. With Cormier recently dominating Josh Barnett, that loss becomes less damaging in hindsight. And in reality, now that he's in the UFC, his Strikeforce accomplishments only mean so much. He needs to show that he is a contender on the big stage, and that begins here.

Why should you care?

I'm very interested to see how this one plays out. Which man will take a huge step forward, which a huge step back? There's a lot on the line, and that makes for a great fight.

More UFC 146 preview coverage from Bloody Elbow after the jump.

SBN coverage of UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir

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At UFC 146, Roy Nelson (16-7; 3-3 UFC) meets Dave Herman (21-3; 1-1 UFC). This is the third fight on the all Heavyweight main PPV card. Nelson is currently the #15 Heavyweight in the world according to the USA TODAY / MMA Nation Consensus MMA Rankings. Herman is unranked. The PPV card begins Saturday, May 26 at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

As with a lot of this card, this fight has changed from the original plan. The original fight was Nelson vs. Antonio Silva, but with Alistair Overeem's departure, that was shuffled to Nelson vs. Gabriel Gonzaga, and now Nelson vs. Herman. Both men come into the fight with .500 UFC records, so a win here matters quite a bit. The loser will be on a two fight losing streak, and will quite possibly find himself fighting for his job the next time out.

How do these two stack up?

Nelson: 35 years old | 6'0" | 73" reach
Herman: 27 years old | 6'5" | 77" reach

What have these two done recently?

Nelson: L - Fabricio Werdum (UD) | W - Mirko Filipovic (TKO) | L - Frank Mir (UD)
Herman: L - Stefan Struve (TKO) | W - Jon Olav Einemo (TKO) | W - Yoshihiro Nakao (UD)

How did these two get here?

"Big Country" Roy Nelson is a former IFL champion who came to the UFC through the Heavyweight season of The Ultimate Fighter. He quickly gained a cult following, mainly thanks to his huge belly - a physical attribute Nelson liked to use as part of his persona. But recently, he's been changing that image. He's focused on slimming down somewhat and dropped the "fat guy" idea. Nelson is a skilled grappler who also has dynamite one punch KO power. He's just 1-3 in his last 4, but all of those loses have come against the division's very best.

Dave "Pee Wee" Herman started his career with a solid 15-0 run. He then made the move to Bellator and Sengoku, but various contractual issues frustrated him in those organizations. In 2011, he made the jump to the UFC, defeating Jon Olav Einemo at UFC 131. After that, Herman lost some time in the Octagon due to a failed drug test for marijuana, then came back to loss against Stefan Struve earlier this year. Herman is a Team Quest wrestler, but also prides himself on having exciting fights and going for the finish.

Why should you care?

If you like goofiness, Herman will likely provide. But he's also a pretty entertaining fighter, whether he's on the winning or losing end. Nelson is the same way, and this should produce an entertaining slobberknocker.

More UFC 146 preview coverage from Bloody Elbow after the jump.

SBN coverage of UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir

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As part of the UFC 146 Heavyweight PPV card, Shane del Rosario (11-0; UFC Debut) faces Stipe Miocic (8-0; 2-0 UFC). This is the second fight on the main card. Neither man is currently ranked in the USA TODAY / MMA Nation Consensus MMA Rankings, though I would expect the winner to move in to the top 25. The PPV card begins Saturday, May 26 at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

Yet again, this is a change from the originally scheduled line-up. Del Rosario was set to make his promotional debut against Gabriel Gonzaga, however the departure of Alistair Overeem caused Gonzaga to be moved up and Miocic to step in. Both of these men are solid and exciting prospects in the UFC Heavyweight division, though neither one has yet to make a real impact at the sport's higher level. This is a great chance for one to win in exciting fashion and establish himself as a new contender. It's also a battle between undefeated fighters, which is always fun.

How do these two stack up?

Del Rosario: 28 years old | 6'4" | 79" reach
Miocic: 29 years old | 6'4" | 80" reach

What have these two done recently?

Del Rosario: W - Lavar Johnson (Sub) | W - Lolohea Mahe (TKO) | W - Brandon Cash (Sub)
Miocic: W - Phil DeFries (KO) | W - Joey Beltran (UD) | W - Bobby Brents (TKO)

How did these two get here?

Shane del Rosario comes to the UFC via the Strikeforce Heavyweight division. There, he was 3-0 with 3 first round stoppage victories, including a win over fellow UFC 146 fighter Lavar Johnson. Since that fight in February 2011, del Rosario has been sidelined due to injuries from a car accident. This is his first fight back since that injury, and it will be very interesting to see how he does. Before the accident, del Rosario was establishing himself as a serious prospect, with an undefeated record, all wins coming via stoppage, and only one making it to the 2nd round. He has high level Muay Thai experience, and a strong submission game.

Stipe Miocic is also undefeated, with 7 of his 8 wins coming via stoppage. His lone decision win came in his UFC debut against the tough Joey Beltran. Though born in the US, Miocic emphasizes his Croatian heritage, wearing the Mirko Cro Cop style Croatian checkered shorts to the ring. Stylistically, he is both a boxer and a wrestler, with NCAA Division I wrestling experience. He looked great in that Beltran win, but is waiting for his big break-out UFC performance.

Why should you care?

Two hot prospects, both very talented, both undefeated. That's a recipe for a great fight, and a chance for someone to make a huge impression. It's also a very tough fight to pick a winner, which adds to the excitement.

More UFC 146 preview coverage from Bloody Elbow after the jump.

SBN coverage of UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir

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In the UFC 146 PPV opener, Stefan Struve (23-5; 7-3 UFC) faces Lavar Johnson (17-5; 2-0 UFC). This fights kicks off the all Heavyweight UFC 146 main card. Struve is currently the #21 Heavyweight in the world according to the USA TODAY / MMA Nation Consensus MMA Rankings, while Johnson is unranked. The PPV card begins Saturday, May 26 at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

As will be a trend in these main card discussions, this fight has seen some reshuffling from the original plan. Struve was first set to face former K-1 champion Mark Hunt here. However, Hunt was forced out due to injury - a move that is sure to sadden his legion of #RallyforMarkHunt fans. Lavar Johnson steps in on a quick turnaround, as he just fought Pat Barry 3 weeks ago. Despite the change, this remains the same stylistic match-up, as Johnson, like Hunt, will look to outstrike and KO the taller Struve.

How do these two stack up?

Struve: 24 years old | 6'11" | 83" reach
Johnson: 34 years old | 6'4" | 81" reach

What have these two done recently?

Struve: W - Dave Herman (TKO) | W - Pat Barry (Sub) | L - Travis Browne (KO)
Johnson: W - Pat Barry (TKO) | W - Joey Beltran (KO) | L - Shawn Jordan (Sub)

How did these two get here?

At just 24 years old, Stefan "Skyscraper" Struve is a fighter with a world of potential. With his massive height and a strong submission game, Struve has the potential to be a true champion. But he hasn't yet fully learned how to use that reach to his advantage, leading him to some brutal KO loses in his UFC career. He's a very exciting fighter, thanks largely to his willingness to engage in stand-up slugfests, and while that earns him fans, it diesn't always earn him wins. He's currently riding a nice 2 fight win streak.

Lavar "Big" Johnson is one of the Strikeforce Heavyweights. He went 3-2 in that organization, and there was a clear pattern in his record - all 3 wins via KO, both loses via submission. In the UFC he has two big wins that have immediately elevated him into contender status, and a 3rd straight UFC win over a notable name will only keep his star rising. In a division full of power punchers, Johnson is up there as one of the most powerful, but he still doesn't have a ground game to go with those hands. And at 34 years old, it's unlikely he's going to develop it.

Why should you care?

This has Bonus money written all over it. KO of the Night win for Johnson, Submission of the Night win for Struve, Fight of the Night... who knows? But these two should absolutely bring the goods in a great fight.

More UFC 146 preview coverage from Bloody Elbow after the jump.

SBN coverage of UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir

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This Sunday, K-1 makes a (hopefully) glorious return to action with K-1 Rising 2012. Coming from Madrid, Spain, K-1 Rising is the first K-1 show since 2010 to feature the long-standing kickboxing organization's marquee Heavyweight and MAX divisions. We've talked enough about the trials and tribulations of K-1's recent past, so here, let's focus on Sunday and the fight card.

The show will be available on K-1's UStream channel (K1GlobalTV) at a price of $19.99 starting Sunday at 12:15 p.m. ET. And be sure to join us here at Bloody Elbow for a live discussion.

The card is divided into two segments - the opening round of the 2012 K-1 World MAX Grand Prix, and a series of 5 Heavyweight Superfights. For this preview, we'll take a look at the two halves of the card, plus lay-out the 5 fights you should be most excited about.

The Tournament

For die-hard K-1 fans, Sunday's big highlight is the return of the Grand Prix. Last year, neither K-1, nor K-1 MAX crowned a GP champion, and the year just felt... hollow. It's great to see this tradition return. If you're new to K-1, the Grand Prix is their annual tournament where one champion is crowned. The tournament begins with a qualifying round of 16 (how you get into that qualifying round varies from year to year). Winners there move on to a one night 8 man tournament where a Grand Prix champion is crowned. This show features that qualifying round of 16 in the MAX, or 70 kg division (roughly equivalent to MMA's Lightweight division). Winners will compete for the 2012 GP championship in November.

How to Watch K-1 Rising | K-1 Classic Fights: Mirko Cro Cop vs. Ernesto Hoost |
K-1 Classic Fights: Badr Hari vs. Stefan Leko

More in the complete entry.

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This weekend, there's no shortage of options for combat sports fan. For the MMA-only fan, UFC 146, Bellator, and The Ultimate Fighter Live have you already plenty busy. But in that busy weekend, may I suggest that you make some time for kickboxing. Adding to the weekend's crammed line-up are a pair of kickboxing shows that feature many of the sport's elite - Badr Hari, Semmy Schilt, Giorgio Petrosyan, Andy Souwer, and Mirko Cro Cop among many others. Here are the details on each show, including the full line-up, when to watch, and details on live streams:

K-1 Rising 2012
Sunday, May 27
12:15 p.m. ET / 9:15 a.m. PT

K-1 makes their big return with a stacked show in Madrid. The centerpiece is the opening round in the 2012 K-1 MAX Grand Prix. Sixteen fighters will compete here with winners moving on to the GP finals in November in Taipei. The big names here include Artur Kyshenko and Andy Souwer, plus a rematch of the 2010 Mike Zambidis vs. Chahid Oulad El Hadj classic. There are also 5 Heavyweight superfights with Mirko Cro Cop, Badr Hari vs. Anderson Silva (the kickboxer, not that Anderson Silva), and Daniel Ghita in action as the highlights.

How to Watch: The show will be available on K-1's UStream channel (K1GlobalTV) at a price of $19.99. Right now, that UStream channel is not fully set-up, so let's hope things are finalized by Sunday. One last note - that start time is the time listed for the "opening fight" with the opening ceremonies beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET, so the 12:15 start time may be some sort of prelim action.

Related: K-1 Update: K-1 Not Bankrupt, Live Stream News, 2012 Schedule More

GLORY World Series First 16
Saturday, May 26
12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT

Like K-1, this Glory event features the opening round of a 70kg tournament along with some other non-tournament action. Glory may not have the name recognition of K-1, but as far as the two tournaments go, they do have a trump card - Giorgio Petrosyan. Petrosyan is the two time K-1 MAX champion, and is undeniably the #1 kickboxer in the world at 70kg. His involvement here immediately elevates the status of the Glory tournament. Also on the card is Heavyweight #1 Semmy Schilt as he faces Errol Zimmerman, plus Gokhan Saki in action, and Bellator fighter Cosmo Alexandre in the 70kg tournament.

How to Watch: Again, a live stream will be available. You can watch directly at their website (gloryworldseries.com) for $15. If that doesn't work, the stream is also available at liverkick.com, again for $15.

UPDATE: It turns out the Glory show will also be available at FIght Now TV. Check their website for further details.

And don't forget to check in here at Bloody Elbow for live discussion posts during both shows.

Complete fight cards for both events in the full entry.

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With just days to go until the official return of K-1 we continue our preview of this week's show. Once again, I'm taking a look back at a classic K-1 fight featuring one of this weekend's fighters - in this case Badr Hari. The controversial fighter takes on Anderson "Braddock" Silva at the K-1 Rising show this Sunday. That fight will be Hari's first K-1 fight since April 2010. Since then, Badr has had a very rocky road. From being disqualified against Hesdy Gerges, to fleeing Amsterdam in order to escape suspicion in a nightclub assault, to officially retiring from kickboxing in order to become a pro boxer, things have not gone smoothly for Badr. But through it all, he remains one of the best Heavyweight kickboxers on the planet today, and (as long as he keeps his head on straight) we'll likely get to see that again this Sunday.

Related: Mirko Cro Cop vs. Ernesto Hoost K-1 Classic

Here, we look back at one of Hari's all-time great moments, and one of the best KO's in K-1's rich history. Once again, this is an updated version of an article originally published at Head Kick Legend.

BADR HARI v. STEFAN "BLITZ" LEKO
K-1 World Grand Prix 2005
November 19, 2005

Seven years ago, the landscape of K-1 was vastly different. The old guard of K-1 was still at the top, though for some of these older fighters, it was clear that their time was starting to wind down. The company needed new names, but since the newer breed of fighters that have characterized K-1's recent history had not yet emerged, the company was in a tough position. They turned to the giants to save the day. In 2005, they were at the end of their much reviled "freak show" stage of development, a time marked by a heavy focus on the trio of Bob Sapp, Hong Man Choi, and Akebono as the leading figures. At the same time, another giant had effectively taken over K-1, as 2005 marked the rise of Semmy Schilt as a regular K-1 competitor, winning his first of three straight Grand Prix titles. Between a general dislike of Schilt and growing weariness with the freak show stigma, this period is generally considered a low point by many fans.

Enter Badr Hari.

Videos and more after the jump

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Watching this week's episode of UFC The Ultimate Fighter Live, I was struck by an unfortunate realization - I'm kind of burnt out on this season.

It's not anything that happened this episode. While this week's pair of fights lacked the drama of last week's two underdog wins, these were both entertaining fights. Vinc Pichel vs. Chris Saunders was a fun scrap, while Al Iaquinta scored a brutal KO win over Andy Ogle. Two live, free fights and one step closer to the finals should leave me with nothing to complain about. And I hate being negative. But...

Here in week 11, it just feels a bit like going through the motions, and watching the show felt too much like a chore this week. Because once you've seen everyone fight once in the opening round, what you end up with tends to be fights with great heart, but not always superb technique. I don't always demand flawless fighters, and many times its a fighter's flaws that make him intriguing, but that intrigue is hard to sustain over the course of 3 months.

And it looks like I'm not alone in this view, as this week's episode dropped down to 821,000 viewers - a 13% drop from last week's already low ratings. That makes this episode the lowest rated episode of TUF in its 15 season run. Ouch.

On an episode of Mauro Ranallo's MMA Show podcast last week, there was discussion of how this season hasn't succeeded in producing any emerging stars. And to a large degree, I think that's true. Michael Chiesa and Andy Ogle have brought out their personalities and have won me over in the process, but is there a real break-out star in the mix? At the moment, I don't see it. Which is unfortunate, as I do think this is a talented group.

And if you're talking talent, you need to bring up Al Iaquinta. With his 1st round KO of Ogle, he now stands tall as the favorite to claim the season. He's got good stand-up, nice power, and strong determination. He also has a total lack of personality, but perhaps that non-personality can become his persona if he keeps winning. He's definitely the one I am most interested to watch in the UFC right now, and the one I find most UFC-ready.

As for Pichel, he put in another nice performance, showcasing his relentless attack. That combo midway through round 2 was intense. He needs a bit more seasoning overall, but he's a tough fighter. His showdown with Iaquinta next week could be pretty great.

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In case you haven't heard yet - K-1 is back. And I am more than a little excited about it. This weekend, K-1 Rising takes place in Madrid, Spain. It's the first K-1 show to feature Heavyweight action since the conclusion of the 2010 Grand Prix, and it also marks the return of the Grand Prix as the 2012 MAX GP gets underway with the round of 16. In short, it's a big deal.

To get ready for the show, I decided to take a look at some classic K-1 fights featuring the fighters who will be in action in Madrid. K-1 is an organization with a rich, near 20 year history, and it's been home to some of my favorite fights in all of combat sports. Here, we'll take a look at one of those fights.

One last note before we begin - this article was originally published in a slightly different version back in my days as one of the founders at Head Kick Legend (R.I.P.). But with that site shutting down its doors, I wanted to bring it here to Bloody Elbow. Expect more of these fight classics to follow. But enough of that, let's look back at this K-1 Classic...

ERNESTO HOOST v. MIRKO CRO COP FILIPOVIC
K-1 Grand Prix Finals 1999
December 5, 1999

At K-1 Rising, Pride and UFC veteran Mirko Cro Cop returns to K-1 for the first time since shattering Bob Sapp's orbital bone back in 2003. It's Cro Cop's second kickboxing fight since a possible retirement from MMA - he defeated fellow K-1 legend Ray Sefo earlier this year. In Madrid, Cro Cop takes on Loren Javier Jorge, a Spanish kickboxer who has faced Tyrone Spong and Danyo Ilunga for It's Showtime. If Cro Cop wins, he will likely get a shot at the 2012 K-1 Grand Prix crown - the ultimate prize in kickboxing, and one that has eluded Mirko throughout his career.

Thanks to his time in MMA, Cro Cop is one of the most famous K-1 fighters of all time. But for those who don't follow K-1, his experience brings up an obvious question - "Just how good was Cro Cop in K-1?" The short answer - he was really good, but not the best. For the long answer, let's take a close look one of Mirko's best performances - the 1999 K-1 Grand Prix.

Fight video and more in the complete entry.

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When starting off in training, one of the most daunting tasks can be shopping for gear. No matter what discipline you are going into, having good gear is a must, but knowing what gear is actually good is easier said than done. Add in hefty price tags, and it becomes an even bigger challenge. When I started my training, I didn't know what to get and went for mostly basic items (you can read my review of those items here). Now, over a year later, I've been upgrading, and am ready to pass along my experiences. We'll start with the gloves.

After beginning training with a pair of basic Everlast gloves, I upgraded to the Bad Boy Pro Series Leather Sparring Boxing Gloves. Bad Boy has long been one of the industry leaders for MMA gear, and for good reason - their equipment is always excellent quality with a real focus on durability and practicality. These gloves are a new product in their pro series, and are only available in 16 oz.

Putting them on, I immediately felt the difference from my old Everlast gloves. The Bad Boy gloves are a tight fit, but that's a decidedly good thing. With my old gloves, I was often tweaking my wrist, as they were too loose in the wrist. These new gloves have a much tighter fit, with a velcro strap that grips firmly across the wrists.

The other big difference is in the padding. Here, the padding is very concentrated in the knuckle area, where it should be. With my old gloves, there was more padding on the back of the hand, which doesn't actually do much for you. As a result, while I stayed with 16 oz gloves, my hands feel much more protected now on my punches. These are little details that you don't even notice until you get a better pair of gloves, but between that extra padding and the grip on my wrists, I feel much more confident throwing punches, which is great.

I've had these for about a month now, and they have shown no wear and tear yet. That includes the insides, which remain odor-free. I should note that I have used them for bag and pad work and sparring, all in Muay Thai.

Overall, I love these gloves. They are a big step-up from my old ones, and provide the needed protection while also being comfortable. At a retail price of $99.99 they are a step up in price as well, so if you are just getting started and want to begin with something more basic, go for it. But once you are ready to get serious, these Bad Boy gloves are the way to go - particularly if you are having any troubles with wrist control during training.

An enthusiastic thumbs up from me on the Bad Boy Pro Series Leather Sparring Boxing Glove. Check back down next week for more reviews.

Finally - I'm curious to hear your opinion. What do you look for in a good glove? And any other glove feedback to contribute?

And now - the legal fine print. I received these gloves for review purposes and did not pay for them. Bad Boy is also a sponsor of Bloody Elbow Radio. This does not affect my review in any way.

After a long year, the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix is finally done. And it's the tournament's Cinderella Story Daniel Cormier who stands tall at the end, claiming a unanimous decision victory over Josh Barnett. The card on the whole was a good example of what Strikeforce does best - a pair of fun fights with fast finishes, a 25 minute classic Lightweight fight, and a breakout performance that announces the arrival of a legitimate superstar. There's no doubt Strikeforce has lost some of its shine in the last year, but this show proved that it still can deliver the goods.

On to the winners and losers to see who made the most of the night, and who stumbled.

Winners

Daniel Cormier: What else is there to say? Clearly, a lot of people, myself included, underrated Cormier. Even after his KO of Antonio Silva, he seemed a bit over his head here. How wrong we were. Cormier turned in an absolutely incredible performance, outworking Barnett on his feet and on the mat with a non-stop pace for the full 25 minutes. Barnett is one of the all time great Heavyweights, and Cormier just took him apart. He showed he's not only ready for the big leagues, he's ready for the highest level of the big leagues. Get him inside the Octagon ASAP.

Josh Thomson: After losing all of 2011 due to injuries, Thomson was the definite underdog heading into this rubber match. It almost seemed pointless to actually complete the trilogy, simply because Melendez looked to have moved clearly past his rival. But Thomson pulled off an incredible showing, winning 2 of 5 rounds definitively and coming so close to taking the upset win. It didn't happen, but still, this was his best performance since the last time they fought. In the relatively thin Strikeforce ranks, this probably earned him another title shot and a 4th fight with Melendez.

Rafael Feijao: Great performance from Feijao here who just poured the pressure on Kyle and took him out. Feijao used a knee to take the title from King Mo in 2010, and used the same one again here at the beginning of his fight-ending rally. After getting bombed by Dan Henderson, he's now won back to back fights via nice stoppage. At a time when you know the UFC is watching, those kind of fast-paced fights with exciting finishes are very important. I'm not sure Feijao has what it takes to contend in the UFC division, but he deserves a shot. Though he seems stuck in Strikeforce for now.

Tyron Woodley: No, he didn't fight on the card, but it was officially announced that he will face Nate Marquardt for the vacant Strikeforce Welterweight title on July 14. Woodley is undefeated, but his last fight drew great derision from fans who find Woodley tremendously boring. He's an example of the idea that you need to do more than just win if you want to move up the ladder. Drawing Marquardt is a great plus for him - there will be a lot more attention on that fight just because of Nate, and if Woodley can win impressively, it can help him erase that bad taste.

Losers after the jump.

SBN coverage of Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier

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Next weekend, K-1 returns with their first card since a huge change of ownership last year, and it's a big one, with the start of the K-1 MAX 2012 Grand Prix, and Heavyweight fights featuring Badr Hari and Mirko Cro Cop. Check out the full line-up here. With this big event approaching, K-1 has been in the news quite a bit recently - sometimes for good reasons, sometimes bad. Here's a quick look at everything happening in the world of K-1, including the true story behind their alleged bankruptcy, and how you can watch their May 27 return show.

FEG Declared Bankrupt by Japanese Courts

FEG, the former parent company to K-1, is officially dead. Last week, the Tokyo DIstrict Court declared the company bankrupt and insolvent. This should come as no shock to anyone who has been following the K-1 saga over the past two years, as many fighters including Alistair Overeem, Ray Sefo, and Giorgio Petrosyan have been very public about being owed huge amounts of money for previous K-1 appearances. Recently, the most vocal has been Golden Glory head Bas Boon, who claims he is owed $2 million by FEG to pay fighters and trainers. It was Boon who pushed FEG into bankruptcy court in an attempt to force the company to pay off their creditors.

This story is getting a lot of press, and to be perfectly honest, I'm not sure why. Some articles are reporting that "K-1" is bankrupt, which is simply not true. The K-1 brand was sold last year to a company called EMCOM which has since branded itself K-1 Global. There remains some confusion over the details of this sale and exactly who makes up K-1 Global, but It's Showtime head Simon Rutz has very publicly stated that former FEG executives, including former K-1 head Sadaharu Tanikawa, are no longer involved. Once the sale was made, FEG was essentially dead - this ruling simply makes it official.

Unfortunately, the confusion surrounding this sale is causing a lot of misinformation about this bankruptcy ruling. Sherdog ran an article titled "K-1 Parent Company FEG Declares Bankruptcy in Tokyo Court" and speculated that this may cause the May 27 event to be cancelled. Dave Meltzer also reported on it and described FEG as the parent company to K-1, going on to say "K-1... is virtually dead."

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In the main event of UFC on FUEL TV 3, Featherweights Dustin Poirier and The Korean Zombie Chan Sung Jung squared off with a possible title shot on the line. After 3 rounds of fantastic action, it was Chan Sung Jung who stood victorious. The underdog fighter once again scored the upset, submitting Poirier just over 1 minute into round 4 with a D'Arce choke. The Korean Zombie is now 13-3 overall and remains undefeated in the UFC with 3 wins, all via impressive highlight reel stoppage. Poirier drops to 12-2 on his career, 4-1 in the UFC.

Throughout the fight, it was Chan Sung Jung who was in control, but Poirier made it a tremendous fight. Moving from the feet to the ground and back again, these two men engaged in a war, however it was Jung who was consistently winning the exchanges, consistently outlanding his opponent. Post-fight, Jung called out UFC Featherweight champion Jose Aldo, and after that showing, it's hard to deny him that fight.

What was the high spot of this fight?

Obviously, the fight ending sequence was great, from Jung's uppercut through the choke. But I was equally impressed by the chain of submissions he put together in the second round - a great show of what it means to go for a win instead of just ride out a dominant position to win the round.

Where do these guys go from here?

After UFC 140 and the 7 second KO of Mark Hominick, I argued for a Korean Zombie title fight. Now, the UFC would be fools not to do it. Sure he'd be the underdog against Aldo (assuming Aldo defeats Erik Koch), but that's the role he is made for. The fans love him, he's defeated two top contenders, he has a crazy highlight reel and he's the biggest name in the division after Aldo. Dana White claims he's next in line - let's hope that's what happens!

Dustin Poirier is young, and he has plenty of time to bounce back from this. He could easily face Koch if Koch drops that title challenge, but I'd actually rather see him get a win back first with a slightly easier fight.

Watch it now, later or never?

Now. I had high hopes for this fight, and it delivered. This is a possible Fight of the Year right here folks. It's just a shame it was on Fuel. Find a way and go watch it right this second.

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For the second time in a row, The Korean Zombie has come into a fight as the underdog and not only pulled off the win, but done so in spectacular fashion. Last time, it was former UFC Featherweight title challenger Mark Hominick on the receiving end of a 7 second knockout; this time, it was Dustin Poirier being choked out in the main event of UFC on Fuel TV 3. He's proven himself as true contender, a great underdog story and managed to bring the fans into his fights like few others at 145. And now?

The Korean Zombie is the #1 contender to the UFC Featherweight title.

Post-fight, Dana White was at first a bit tentative, telling Ariel Helwani that Jung "may" get the next shot. But at the post-fight press conference, White confirmed that Jung would indeed be the next title challenger. He's moved past Hatsu Hioki, and claimed his spot as #1.

And that is undoubtedly a good thing. Brent Brookhouse already laid out the positives last night - primarily, that Jung is a name fans know and respond to. Sure Hioki may have the better resume (though after the Hominick and Poirier wins - does he?), but fans don't know him. And that's what this young division needs right now - a challenger fans know.

Champion Jose Aldo is currently getting ready for his 4th UFC title challenger. Of those 4, only Kenny Florian was a name opponent to most fans. The rest - Hominick, Mendes, Koch - were simply "the challenger", men in there against Aldo, but not their own individual stories. Jung will change that and make this a fight where both combatants matter.

'Korean Zombie' Chan Sung Jung Vs. Dustin Poirier Fight Video Highlights From UFC On Fuel 3 Main Event

Despite this, there are some arguments against Jung. He's outclassed. He was KO'd be George Roop not long ago. He can't win. Maybe that's all true. But it's also the exact same thing I said before he faced Hominick, the exact same thing I said before he faced Poirier. And, I admit, I was wrong. Twice.

When Jung does get his shot, particularly if that shot comes against Jose Aldo, I'll probably pick Aldo. I think he's too good with his kicks, too good on the ground, too good of an all-around fighter for the Zombie. But I keep underestimating Jung. Am I underestimating him once again? Can he be the man to dethrone pound for pound great Aldo? I won't be betting on him, but in my heart, I'll be rooting for him to prove me wrong yet again. And that is what a world title fight is all about.

SBN coverage of UFC on FUEL TV 3

I've been looking forward to this week of UFC The Ultimate Fighter Live for some time now. As the opening round drew to a close, the promise of the upcoming quarter-final round was enticing. As it turns out, I was right to be excited.

This week's episode was a fantastic piece of television, with the focus firmly where it should be - the fights. And how about those fights? Two fights, two huge upsets, two of the heavy favorites gone, two Cinderella stories at play for Michael Chiesa and James Vick.

When you look at the two upsets side by side you see a lot in common. In both fights, you had a heavy favorite who found himself struggling against the underdog. And in the cases of both Joe Proctor and Justin Lawrence, that struggle defeated them mentally. For Lawrence in particular, that mental defeat was very clear.

Right from the opening, Lawrence fought a terrible fight from a strategic standpoint. His decision to start the fight with a lazy sidekick was very ill-conceived. You're facing a strong wrestler who is significantly worse than you at stand-up - why throw an easy to catch kick and give up the takedown? He did that numerous times in the fight, and Chiesa wisely capitalized every time. Also, once on the mat, Lawrence had the chance to escape at times, but did not, choosing to fight Chiesa's fight. But his biggest gaff came at the end of round 2. After dropping Chiesa with a nice body shot, Lawrence again jumped into the guard, giving Chiesa a chance to recover and once again playing to his opponent's strengths. That decision literally cost him the competition, as Chiesa could have been finished there. At the start of round 3, it was clear that Lawrence was mentally defeated. Chiesa wanted it more, and he took the win.

Heading into Proctor vs. Vick, I asked if Proctor failed to get the submission, how would he respond? We got that answer, and it was not great. Proctor implemented his strategy, but when Vick survived the choke, Proctor, like Lawrence, wilted, allowing Vick to come through with the upset.

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In the main event of the UFC on FUEL TV 3, Dustin Poirier (12-1; 4-0 UFC) faces The Korean Zombie Chan Sung Jung (12-3; 2-0 UFC). This fight is in the Featherweight division and is the last of six bouts on the televised card. The USA TODAY / MMA Nation Consensus MMA Rankings have Poirier ranked as the #6 Featherweight in the world with Jung at #11. The Fuel card begins Tuesday, May 15 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.

With UFC Featherweight champion Jose Aldo set to face Erik Koch at UFC 149, this fight will likely determine the next #1 contender. And in retrospect, it probably would have made sense for one of these men to already be challenging Aldo. Both Poirier and Jung are coming in off impressive wins with highlight finishes. They also provide a very interesting match-up, as there has been a lot of back and forth debate over how this fight will play out. Some favor Poirier in the stand-up, but Jung on the ground, while some see it as exactly the opposite. It's an intriguing fight that has the potential to deliver a real classic.

How do these two stack up?

Poirier: 23 years old | 5'9" | 73" reach
Jung: 25 years old | 5'9" | 72" reach

What have these two done recently?

Poirier: W - Max Holloway (Sub) | W - Pablo Garza (Sub) | W - Jason Young (UD)
Jung: W - Mark Hominick (KO) | W - Leonard Garcia (Sub) | L - George Roop (KO)

How did these two get here?

Dustin Poirier came up through the Southern regional scene where he trains with UFC veteran Tim Credeur. He made his WEC debut in 2010 and was 1-1 in that organization before it closed, with his lone loss coming against Danny Castillo. He's made a smooth transition to the UFC, going 4-0 with increasingly impressive wins. His last, a slick mounted triangle choke/armbar variation over Max Holloway, was absolutely beautiful. That fight was originally set to be Poirier vs. Koch with a possible title shot on the line, but when Koch was injured, Poirier's title aspirations were temporarily slowed (while Koch inexplicably leapfrogged him). Though he has looked good in the UFC, he needs a big win here to gain more casual fan name recognition.

The Korean Zombie Chan Sung Jung will likely forever be remembered for his WEC war with Leonard Garcia - a fight that has been called the best MMA fight of all time by some. The Korean fighter first made his name in Japan's Sengoku organization, where he earned the Korean Zombie nickname for his style of just wading forward through punches. He went 2-1 in Sengoku, then 0-2 in the WEC with a close decision loss to Garcia in that fight, and a big KO loss to George Roop. Many wrote him off after the Roop loss, but he focused on his striking and reinvented himself as a fighter. Since then, he's pulled off a spectacular submission win via twister over Garcia and a 7 second KO of Mark Hominick. He's a bit of a cult figure among hardcore fans, and rightfully so, and with a win here, that fandom should boost him to a title shot.

Why should you care?

Because this is a great fight. Both men are super dynamic fighters who are skilled in all areas. And both deliver highlight finishes on a regular basis. Plus, there's a potential title shot at play. I'm really excited for this.

More UFC on FUEL TV 3 preview coverage from Bloody Elbow after the jump.

SBN coverage of UFC on Fuel 3

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With so many fights coming up spread across eight different weight classes, it's easy to lose track of what's happening in every division. Here, we take a look at where a particular division stands right now, and where it's headed.

At UFC On Fuel TV 3 this Tuesday, Featherweights take center stage with the Dustin Poirier vs. Korean Zombie main event. Last week, the Featherweights were also in the news with the announcement of Jose Aldo's next title defense against Erik Koch at UFC 149. But outside of those two fights, the division remains in a growing state with a lot of fights on the horizon, but not a lot of potential contenders breaking out. Let's take a look at everything coming up at 145 and see what the future might hold.

Next in Line: #1 Jose Aldo vs. #9 Erik Koch (UFC 149, July 21)

Other DIvision Schedules: Heavyweight | Middleweight

As the next title fight, this one is a bit of a head scratcher. Originally, Koch was slated to fight Dustin Poirier for an assumed #1 contender status, but Koch went down to injury. Now, Poirier is fighting the much higher profile Korean Zombie, while Koch is returning from a near year long absence and being thrust into the title picture. With his last win coming against Jonathan Brookins, it's hard to see Koch as worthy of the shot right now. A win for him would be a near Serra vs. GSP level of upset.

More in the full article.

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May is a big month for kickboxing. Later this month we get two major shows from Glory and the resurrected K-1. Those shows contain a wealth of big fights including the opening rounds of two separate 70kg Grand Prix tournaments, the K-1 returns of Badr Hari and Mirko Cro Cop, and the pound for pound #1 Giorgio Petrosyan in action.

This past weekend, May kicked off in earnest with a pair of smaller, but still notable shows from It's Showtime and SuperKombat.

Top European organization It's Showtime was in action on Saturday with a show in Belgium. The biggest name on the card was It's Showtime Heavyweight champion Daniel Ghita, who took on Brian Douwes. Ghita defeated Douwes via KO in the 2nd round. With that win, Ghita is now on a 5 fight win streak, with a number of those wins coming via impressive stoppage. Because the Heavyweight division was essentially shut down in 2011, it's hard to create accurate rankings at the moment, though I see Ghita as the #2 Heavyweight in the world right now behind Semmy Schilt (though some may argue for Ghita at #3 and Badr Hari at #2). Another great win for the young star.

Five Things To Know About The K-1 MAX 2012 Final 16

Also on the It's Showtime card, 85kg champion Sahak Paparyan successfully defended his title with a Unanimous Decision win over Andrew Tate in a close fight, while Sergei Lascenko continued his resurgent run with a KO win.

Full It's Showtime and Super Kombat results, plus video of Ghita vs. Douwes and more in the full entry.

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One year ago, Strikeforce was a company who looked to be on the verge of something big. After growing from an extremely popular regional show into a national player in the MMA scene, they seemed poised to make a huge impact in 2011 with their Heavyweight Grand Prix. A year later, that Grand Prix is finally ready to wrap up next weekend with the big Josh Barnett vs. Daniel Cormier final. And for Strikeforce, what a difference that year has made.

Since the Zuffa buyout in 2011, it's been a rocky time for Strikeforce. They've seen their champions moved to the UFC, the Grand Prix limp along, big names forced to the sidelines for various reasons - it's been tough. But with this show, they look to remind fans that they are still a viable force in the MMA landscape.

Heading into the show, I spoke to longtime Strikeforce announcer Mauro Ranallo about Barnett vs. Cormier, the changes since the Zuffa buyout, and how Strikeforce can succeed in the future.

On the state of Strikeforce a year ago:

Mauro: There was a palpable buzz about Strikeforce, especially the Heavyweight division compared to the UFC and it seemed like it was beginning to pick up momentum. But with the Fedor costs, I think they [owners Silicon Valley Entertainment] were more in interested in bringing an NBA franchise to San Jose and they just didn't want to cut the checks anymore, so they were forced to sell.

On how things have changed since the buyout:

Mauro: The UFC being the parent company, they've been able to purloin some of the major names like Nick Diaz, Jake Shields, and we know what happened with Alistair Overeem. But the fact is with Strikeforce there aren't as many events this year. I know that all of us probably would like to see more Strikeforce events. All of us want to keep working and the fighters want to fight. There's a roster of fighters that are just biding their time right now and there aren't enough events, but it's better than nothing. So the biggest change has been less events. Now with losing King Mo and Cyborg to the drug tests and whatnot it's not maybe as much of a buzz with the fans as it was a year ago, but when you watch Strikeforce for what it is, the quality of the fights I would put up against anything in the sport.

More in the complete entry.

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Tonight, we get an exciting change in the UFC Ultimate Fighter Live format. Because for the first time, we are entering the quarter-final round, and that means two fights a week from here on out. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, as the potential for 6 rounds of action means they'll need to set aside a lot of time for the fights, but if the first fight ends in seconds, they'll need to fill that time. Which likely means less time for wacky shenanigans. Tough challenge for the editing team this week, and I look forward to seeing how they handle it.

Our two quarter-finals this week both pit Team Faber vs. Team Cruz, and both have an easy favorite. Dominick Cruz #1 pick Justin Lawrence will face Urijah Faber #5 Michael Chiesa, while Cruz #5 James Vick fights Faber #4 Joe Proctor.

As always, the Ultimate Fighter airs live on FX Friday night at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

For this week's preview, we'll take a look at how each man did in his last TUF fight and how they stack up in these match-ups. For footage from previous fights, plus even more analysis, check out the previews from last round.

Joe Proctor vs. Chris Tickle | Justin Lawrence vs. Cristiano Marcello | Michael Chiesa vs. Jeremy Larsen

Breakdowns of both quarter-final match-ups plus my predictions in the full entry.

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Welcome back to my online diary documenting my very amateur experience training in Muay Thai. If you missed the previous entries on Bloody Elbow, read them here.

...That is the question.

When I tell people that I train Muay Thai I typically get one of two responses. First, blank stares of confusion. You train what? Second, the inevitable question - have you had any fights? And of course the answer to that is no. I have not had any fights, though I do spar regularly. And then they are often just a little let down. Oh. No fights. Oh well...

Recently, I talked about the feeling you get when sparring is really working for you - that feeling that everything that matters is here in this ring. I love that feeling, and I have to assume that it's even stronger in a fight. I didn't undertake this training plan with the idea of ever having an actual fight, and yet now I am not so sure.

Am I ready for a fight right now? Certainly not. I look at the guys at my gym who are taking fights and they are leagues above me. And at 34 years old, I'm certainly not going to ever become a pro fighter. But am I missing out on a part of Muay Thai if I never take a single fight?

Perhaps it's an irrelevant conversation to have right now. Perhaps I'm so far from ready for a fight that I shouldn't be thinking about it. Perhaps the very fact that when I think about taking a fight I get nervous about being injured shows that I should give this idea up. And yet it's a nagging thought in my head. Should this be my goal? Because I worry that if it's not, if I never push myself towards that goal, that over time my push to train will fade. If I'm never actually trying to use the skills I have learned, will I eventually lose that motivation to keep learning them?

It's a tough question, and one that stays rattling around in my brain. There's no easy answer right this moment, but for now, I'll keep thinking.

Question for the week: Those of you who have fought, either at an amateur or professional level, how did you decided it was time to take the plunge and try it?

Video of the week: Once again, I highlight the fantastic "Muay Thai Minute" YouTube series - a great series of quick clips highlighting proper Muay Thai techniques, just 1 minute(ish) each. This week, a simple parry that I like as a good use of my reach. Watch it in the full entry.

I train Muay Thai under Andre Madiz at Conviction Martial Arts, 4430 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL. www.convictionfitness.com. If you are in the Chicago area, come join us, and be sure to say hello.

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With so many fights coming up spread across eight different weight classes, it's easy to lose track of what's happening in every division. Here, we take a look at where a particular division stands right now, and where it's headed.

As is always the case, there's a lot of chaos in the Heavyweight division. Something about the big guys in this division makes it a very unstable place, with a historic rotating door at the top. And today, that's definitely the case. Not long ago, the UFC Heavyweight division was all about the big 4 - Leesnar, Carwin, dos Santos, Velasquez. Now, one of those is retired, one is nearly retired, and we have veterans like Mir, Werdum, and maybe even Barnett stepping in. It's an odd group making up the top of this division at the moment, with young guns like Travis Browne jockeying for position with veterans like Mark Hunt. And all the time, you have new talent like Lavar Johnson making a claim for their own spot.

Next in Line: #1 Junior dos Santos vs. #4 Frank Mir (UFC 146, May 26)

This is an exciting fight, but it's impossible to look at it and not think about what might have been. Obviously, this is a make-up fight, as the planned dos Santos vs. Alistair Overeem mega-fight was cancelled due to Overeem's drug testing issues. And while some people may be let down by Mir stepping in, I find this a very intriguing match-up. Mir presents a unique challenge to the champion, and if he can get the fight to the ground, his submission game could come through. He's also a great story as he has spent years fighting back after his near career-ending motorcycle accident. Not everyone is a fan of Mir, but I love what he's done in the Octagon and am thrilled to see him get his shot at the title.

More in the full article.

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And now the good stuff begins. Week 9 of UFC The Ultimate Fighter Live brought us to the end of the opening round, and with three weeks to go before the finale, we're ready to go with our quarter-finals.

We'll talk more about those in a minute, but first - the coaches' challenge. Which was, in all honesty, not bad at all. The super slo-mo walk through at the beginning was a bit much, but I liked that this was actually a tough physical challenge as opposed to the air hockey and ping pong of seasons past. Introducing that physical aspect was also very telling when Dominick Cruz absolutely smoked Urijah Faber on the pure physical sections, only to be undone by poor marksmanship. Interesting and dramatic, and surprisingly enjoyable.

With that challenge taking up a lot of time, we didn't get to see much of the quarter-final deliberation, which is a shame, as I like that vibe between Cruz and Faber. Still, some good bits in there, such as Cruz pickling Lawrence and Pichel as his top two (agreed) and Faber picking Iaquinta and Proctor as his (agreed again). When Dana announced the first two quarter-finals - James Vick vs. Joe Proctor and Justin Lawrence vs. Michael Chiesa - the strategy became clear. These quarter-finals will pair one of the top dogs up with one of the lower level fighters. Meaning we'll either get a stacked semi-final or we'll see a big upset or two in the next two weeks, because on paper, none of these quarter-finals seem like they'll be too tough to pick.

Speaking of picks, I got my first TUF pick wrong this week (plus some terrible Fox picks - was a bad week for my prognostication) as Andy Ogle surprised me by taking out Mike Rio. Big surprise there, but while I enjoy Ogle, I still am skeptical about his chances of making it farther in the competition.

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In the main event of UFC on Fox 3, Lightweights Jim Miller and Nate Diaz met in a much anticipated fight. After two rounds of surprisingly one sided action, Nate Diaz walked away the victor, defeating Miller via guillotine choke in round 2. Diaz is now on a 3 fight win streak and undefeated since returning to Lightweight last year. Miller drops to 21-4 and has lost 2 of his last 3 fights.

Heading into this fight there were a lot of questions about how it would play out. Would the two decorated submission specialists engage on the ground? Or would Diaz rely on his unique boxing style and keep the fight standing? As it turned out, it was Diaz who dictated the pace of the fight, taking Miller apart on the feet, then finishing him on the ground. What looked like a close battle on paper turned into a brilliant, dominating performance from Diaz. The controversial fighter earned his shot at the UFC Lightweight title with this win.

What was the high spot of this fight?

Diaz's choke was fantastic, brutal stuff. But for me the highlight was the moment in round 2 when Nate got comfortable and started clowning Miller. I know many are not fans of those moments, but it's consistently my favorite part of Diaz brothers' fights because you know it means they are in the zone. And when Nate and Nick are in the zone, they are among the best boxers in MMA today.

Where do these guys go from here?

At the post-fight press conference, Dana White confirmed what he suggested last week - Nate Diaz will indeed be the next challenger for the UFC Lightweight title. He'll have to wait for the Frankie Edgar vs. Ben Henderson rematch this fall, but once that is done, Nate will be up. Either potential opponent will provide a fascinating match-up, though I suspect Diaz has a better shot against Edgar than Henderson.

Jim Miller is in a rough spot. After putting together a terrific run in the Lightweight division, he's now 1-2 in his last 3 and far outside the title picture. It seems quite possible that he's now locked into a gatekeeper to the title kind of role, which is a tough place to be. The top of the division is pretty busy at the moment, so he may need to wait and see how things shake out before setting up his next fight. If Gray Maynard defeats Clay Guida, Guida vs. Miller seems to make sense.

Watch it now, later or never?

Now. Between this and the Donald Cerrone fight, Nate Diaz has proven that he belongs among the Lightweight elite. This is a great showing and a highly entertaining fight. Check it out now.

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The semi-main event at UFC on Fox 3 was a key battle in the highest ranks of the UFC Welterweigt division. In the end, Johny Hendricks took home a victory over Josh Koscheck via split decision. Judges scored the bout 29-28 Hendricks, 29-28 Koscheck, and 29-28 Hendricks. Hendricks now holds back to back wins over Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck and is 13-1 in his career. Koscheck drops down to 17-6 overall.

Despite both men coming in with strong wrestling credentials, this fight was decided primarily in the stand-up. For the majority of the fight, Hendricks looked to land his heavy KO punch, while Koscheck pushed him against the cage and threw punches in combos. Both rounds 1 and 2 were very close and tough to call. In round 3, Koscheck used his wrestling to score a takedown, looking to take the round with his ground control. However, it wasn't enough for the win. Very, very tough fight to score here.

What was the high spot of this fight?

About midway through the 3rd round, the two engaged in a fast-paced shoot-out, with both looking to end the fight right there. That didn't happen, but it was still a great moment.

Where do these guys go from here?

Pre-fight, Dana White said a Johny Hendricks win would earn him a UFC Welterweight title shot. But I'm not so sure. This wasn't a big highlight reel win, plus there is a huge gap before anyone other than Georges St. Pierre or Carlos Condit will be in a title fight. I expect he'll need to fight once more, either against Rory MacDonald, or the winner of Jake Ellenberger vs. Martin Kampmann.

Koscheck was at a crossroads here, and this didn't actually answer much about his future. In a close fight like this, it's hard to walk away saying he is the clear loser. So I suspect he's still in the top ranks at least once more. The loser of that Ellenberger/Kampmann fight sounds about right.

Watch it now, later or never?

Later. It's a good fight, but on a night of serious action, it's definitely the most slow-paced and least thrilling.

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In a Middleweight fight at UFC on Fox 3, top 20 fighters Alan Belcher and Rousimar Palhares faced off. After a thrilling first round of ground action, it was UFC veteran Belcher who reigned supreme, defeating Palhares via TKO late in the first round. Belcher won the fight with ground and pound strikes. He is now 9-4 in the UFC and calling for a title shot. Palhares drops to 7-3 in the UFC.

Heading into the fight, the common thought was that Belcher needed to desperately avoid the deadly ground game of Palhares. Instead, Belcher took the fight to Palhares on the mat, looking to submit the Brazilian with a twister and brilliantly avoiding Palhares's notoriously nasty leglocks. After an intense back and forth on the ground, Belcher was able to take top position and bring down the punches until the fight was stopped. Easily the biggest win of Belcher's career, especially coming after would could have been a career derailing injury and layoff.

What was the high spot of this fight?

That leglock battle was awesome. Knowing how scary Palhares is with legs, it was a nail-biting experience watching him work over Belcher's leg. Joe Rogan was screaming for Belcher to get out of there, but it turned out he didn't need to.

Where do these guys go from here?

Post-fight, Belcher made a call for the title, but he's not there just yet. Still, he does deserve a real contender next time out. The division is pretty busy at the moment, but I'd say his best bets are either the winner of Vitor Belfort vs. Wanderlei Silva, or Jason Miller, should Mayhem defeat CB Dollaway at UFC 146.

This is a real setback for Palhares. He needs to take a leg home next time out to regain his fearsome reputation. There are plenty of options for him, but I'd like to see him against the loser of that Mayhem vs. Dollaway fight.

Watch it now, later or never?

Now. Great, great ground battle here, and a spectacular win for Belcher.

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