Nick Thompson posts on The Underground

I have fought many great fighters, even beating a few along the way. In all those fights, I have never felt as frustrated as I felt tonight. Ben Askren is truly a great wrestler/grappler and I look forward to seeing him develop in the sport. I have been a fan of Ben’s since I knew him in high school and am appreciative that Bellator provided me an opportunity for my last fight to be against a fighter for whom I have such tremendous respect.

 

I love this sport and all that it has given to me and it is with a mix of joy and sadness that I realize that I am no longer willing to pay the price necessary to compete at the level I expect from myself – the level of guys like Ben, Weedman and Heiron. I have reached a point where it is more important to me to spend time at home with my daughter and wife, who have been great about me competing, and focus on developing my law career at O’Flaherty Heim Egan & Birnbaum LTD, which has also been great about me competing. I am grateful for the many wonderful people who supported me and those I met in mixed martial arts, fans and fighters, and am hopeful that I can give something back to the sport I love by coaching and/or representing the next crop of mixed martial arts superstars.

 

Thank you!

On Thursday 12th August 2010, @bensaundersUFC said:

reply

Sorry everyone I tried to fight my best these past two fights but ended up getting out worked... the UFC has officially cut me... the good news is they told me to work on my wrestling and ground game and then come back... So that is all I am going to be doing... improving dramatically and show them I belong. It was a honor to fight for the @UFC and I will make it back into the mix in due time... no one ever said my dream of getting that belt would be easy... in fact I was denied it as even a possibility and told I was crazy since I was a kid... look how far I have gone feeding off the doubters and haters... it just makes me that much more hungry... I'll be back! There isn't a doubt in my mind. Much respect to Swick, Fitch, and Hallman as they were the better men on those nights and have my full respect. To fight such names is a true honor... now to continue my journey like a ronin searching for the battle that awaits me... it will come and I will be ready... till then I will not stop training and improving myself as a martial artist and human being. Life is nothing but a longterm learning experience... I have learned enough to consider myself a veteran... now to continue my progress and look towards what the future holds for me... staying positive in negative times has been the hardest tests I have ever faced but I have been through harder times and have fought my way through... this is no different... To Joe Silva, Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta, and the whole staff of the UFC it was good times and I look forward to seeing you all again in the future... To all my fans I thank you all and priomise no matter where I go or who I fight I will be making the biggest and loudest noise I can letting it be known I am still here working harder than ever and will never give up...I will prove my worth and make my return to the UFC... to all the haters... thank you even more you help bring laughter and comedy to my life as well as determination to continue on and push harder than before to make a statement. I always come to fight my mentality has always been win, lose, or draw... I come to bring action and excitement...but it doesn't always work out that way...my mentality has not changed and that is because I love to fight and I love the fans...but as I improve I will continue to become more well rounded so I can fight anywhere and keep the same pace and excitement...that is my ultimate goal...to make my fights as exciting as I can, for all you guys who take the time and money to watch...but above all I will be working on my take-down defense and make them pay every time they try. Much love and respect to all. ;)

-BS

 

Here is the first 3 weeks of Jeremy Stephens Video Blogs leading up to his fight against Sam Stout on the main card of UFC 113 on May 8th. These videos are a lot better than most of the fighter blogs that have been put out recently, definitely worth the watch.

Jeremy Stephens UFC 113- week 1 blog (via LilHeathenMMA)

Jeremy Stephens UFC 113- week 2 blog (via LilHeathenMMA)

Jeremy Stephens UFC 113- week 3 blog (via LilHeathenMMA)

Hello Gentleman.

I'm going to state from the beginning I am biased and my best friend is fighting for the title but... tomorrow night, or tonight by this hour, Midwest Cage Championship is hosting MCC 24 in Des Moines, IA.  In the main event is TJ O'Brien vs Jake Brown for the MCC 155 lb. title.  The title is held by Joe Brammer who has been called up to the UFC and this for the interim, first chance title holder bout.  Like I said I am biashed, but T.J. is a 6'2" 155lbs fighter out of Des Moines with 10 of 12 professional wins by triangle.   T.J. is a great grappler who is mostly self taught but looking to take the next step in competition.  He is self-admitted not ready for the likes of the UFC 155 lbs division but has be trying to get into the Bellator or Strikeforce roster in the near future.

I cornered T.J. (my first time ever doing so) during his last fight against Rod Montoya, who is a very tough fighter who has been in the cage against opponents such as Damacio Page.  T.J. won that fight with relative ease in a 3rd round stoppage.  The co-main event is fantastic match-up with a fight between TUF 9 try-out Paul Bird vs the tough Alonzo Martinez.  

It is taking place at Vets Auditorium in Des Moines, Iowa.  It's a great card and I'd love to meet some of you, my friends, if you are able to make the journey, and join me for the official after-party for T.J. at Pelican after the fights.  Here is the website for the full card and I will give updates here after the fights have been concluded.

I'm not sure if there is a PM situation but my e-mail is drbrookhart1312@gmail.com if you're in the area and are attending the fights.  So, if you want to meet a fellow BE member, shoot me an E-mail before 5 tomorrow.  If not, I suppose spam me for posting this haha.

via cache.daylife.com

From mmafighting.com:

Cole Konrad, a two-time NCAA wrestling champion and training partner of Brock Lesnar, will try his hand at MMA at MAX Fights 8 on Jan. 23 in Fargo, N.D.

Konrad is comparable to Lesnar in size. The 25-year-old wrestled at 285 pounds when he competed collegiately for the Minnesota Golden Gophers wrestling team. He can make the cut to heavyweight as well, moving down to 264.5 pounds for the World University Championships in 2006. 

Konrad has been training MMA the past two years alongside the UFC heavyweight champion at Greg Nelson's Minnesota Martial Arts Academy in Minneapolis and at Lesnar's own gym in Alexandria.

Konrad finished his NCAA wrestling career in 2007 with a 154-13 record and on a 76-match winning streak. 

Like Lesnar, Konrad has also had pro football aspirations, taking part in a three-day New York Jets rookie minicamp in 2007.

Konrad will face Gary Hamen (2-0).

Cole was a stud at Minnesota and had a classic rivalry with another 2 time NCAA champion Steve Mocco from Oklahoma State.  He could become a huge force in the HW division in a few years.  Here is the 2-part video of the 2006 NCAA final that went into 6 OT's vs Mocco.

Part 1

Part 2

This Fan Post was promoted to the front page by Nick Thomas.

There is a poll over at ESPN SportsNation asking whether or not to cover more UFC events.  It has been a tight race with "Yes" at 53% and "No" at 47%.  I found this on the UG but if you post anywhere else, spread the word.  Hopefully if we get an overwhelming "Yes" ESPN will up their coverage of the UFC. Click the link and let's be heard:

SportsNation Poll

[UPDATE]  The poll is now 54% "Yes" and 46% "No"... I'm sure some might be thinking this is "no big deal", but this honestly might be a HUGE opportunity to show ESPN how much support this sport gathers.  This poll could really get ESPN to further our beloved sport into the mainstream.  Take 10 seconds to cast a vote and help us make a statement.

image via weoweoweo