Now that everyone has been taking their cayenne pepper shots and cooking with it, I will address how it came to find itself into my regular diet. I mentioned learning more about cayenne pepper through doing a cleanse and was met with skepticism, curiosity and acceptance. What is it? What are the benefits? The drawbacks? This is my experience.

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Who remembers the episode of "Seinfeld" where Jerry bought an electric toothbrush that was so good it changed his life and he wanted everyone to have one? He raved about it to his friends and family because he cared and wanted them to better their lives with this toothbrush. He even bought one for Elaine when she did not buy one immediately and share his excitement. That is how I have been, telling my friends and family about something that can literally save their lives, but like the characters on Seinfeld, my excitement is often met with less than a jubilant response and a placating smile. So I thought I would pass on this advice instead to my fellow Maniacs, who share my passion for MMA and for some, for nutrition and health. So I give to you, Cayenne Pepper.

more after the jump

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A shot to return to the big show is on the line for Patrick “The Predator” Cote (15-7) when he faces Crafton Wallace (18-5-1) at Instinct MMA on October 7th in Montreal at the Centre d’Excellence Sports Rousseau in Boisbriand. The former middleweight title challenger stated Saturday night that with the upcoming UFC show in Toronto, Canada on December 10, 2011, he was told he would be on the card with a win next Friday night.

Cote was released by the UFC following a unanimous decision loss to Tom Lawlor at UFC 121. He has gone 2-0 since then, hoping to get back to the Octagon.

It is the most iconic occurrence in the sport of mixed martial arts or better yet, combat sports as a whole. The moment when time is suspended and the collective breath of onlookers and participants alike is taken away, if only for a few fleeting moments.

It is the knockout. 

It's the blow that brings the fans to the arena, always anticipating the perverse pleasure they gain from witnessing the intense suffering of the athletes that sacrifice their bodies for our entertainment. 

But what exactly does it mean to be "knocked out?"

Directly preceded by the deafening thud of a deadly strike connecting with human flesh and bone, it is the moment when one is separated from his senses and all semblance of human function is lost.

How does it feel? Join me after the jump for a firsthand account of what it's like to visit the often spoken of but rarely explained "Queer Street."

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The police force on the mean streets that Kevin stomps on have pieced together through witnesses and photographs what occurred that fateful evening.

10:09 p.m.

Kevin hard at work on his world famous Monday Black Belts website, when he starts to feel an overwhelming urge for BBQ ribs. The thought occurs to him that his wife went to work...on a Saturday...for some reason...once a year...and then went to a restaurant with her coworker...and it's now pretty late at night... and then it clicks! That restaurant has awesome BBQ ribs.

He calls her and asks if she can check if there are any ribs left this late at night. She is heard by witnesses telling him that her co worker has ordered the last of the ribs and has eaten them all with his own two hands.

Neighbors later testified that they could hear Kevin crying and screaming into the phone that he is starving and will break both his arms!

11:32 p.m.

After taking a long time to get down the stairs, Kevin is seen getting into his car and heading toward the restaurant.

His hunger is making him weak, so he decides to try and calm it by using breathing exercises. Witnesses in the cars beside him claim to have heard him breathing in a strange pattern, hee hee hee hoo, hee hee hee hoo, hee hee hee hoo.

11:52 p.m

Kevin arrives at the restaurant lightheaded from the strange breathing and dizzy with hunger.

His wife's co worker is seen putting his phone back into his pocket, after trying to order Kevin some ribs from the nearby Applebee's. But Kevin is not the type to play around. He is on fire and will ask questions later and comes in swinging.

But being dizzy and lightheaded, Kevin connects with his beloved. She is a little rocked but otherwise fine. Her co worker was then heard saying after Kevin's miss: " Umm, Kevin? I'm right here."

Kevin goes in for a repeat performance.

This time she is down. Kevin is now disorientated with hunger and the most exercise he has done in 10 years.

12:18 a.m.

Confused, he leaves, mad with hunger. He motors off on a stolen vehicle, photograph captured by a traffic cam.

After his daring escape from the police, he finds his much sought after BBQ ribs and enjoys a nice dinner.

Kevin is heard telling people that everything is fine and is certain the guy will apologize and he will never receive any lashback from the incident.

Random thoughts going through my head. This is not a quality post where you will learn submissions or get tips for your diet. But dammit, these things need to be addressed.

Where is Sam Hoger???

After all, the problem was he was ALREADY going to give the stuff back.

New Jersey's IZOD center.

Does this venue win for coolest name? I think we should all KNEEL before entering.

Ok aintnosunshine, who are you?

I am sick of these little hints and games, what's the big deal?

Are you in this one?

...Or maybe this one? You fight at a lighter weight, right?

Should Garry shaw return to MMA?

He predicted a long time ago that if Antonio Silva ever faced Fedor, he would win.

We laughed, we scoffed.

Whatever he says about Kimbo, I will never doubt again. And Holland should hand over the reigns to the NEW Nostradumbass.

When is Mania going to step up?

I have been playing in Mac's damn pool for what feels like years, and have always thought at some point a staff member would announce the winner would at least get a freaking tshirt for the loyalty. Come on now.

I feel a bit better now. It's all out there. The relief is overwhelming. The voices in my head have been silenced...for now.

When it was announced that Herschel Walker suffered a cut and would no longer be fighting this December, Strikeforce was left to scramble to fill the gap.

It appears they may have done just that.

Rugged striker Benji Radach has announced, via his facebook page, that he will be competing on the Strikeforce: "Henderson vs Babalu" card on Dec. 4 in St. Louis, live on Showtime starting at 10 p.m. ET.

According to Radach, he will be on the televised portion of the card. The middleweight is taking this fight on 10 days notice, and will be fighting at 205 lbs. in the light heavyweight division. His opponent will be Lucas Lopes.

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Some guys just can't catch a break.

The Quebec Athletic Commission has denied Montreal native David Loiseau a license to compete against John Salter at the upcoming UFC 113: "Machida vs. Shogun II" event at the Bell Centre on May 8, according to The Canadian Press.

"The Crow" was forced to undego a criminal bavkground investigationdid not take the news well, as he vented on his official Facebook page:

10 years of my life to the sport of MMA. Opened doors for Quebec fighters, put Quebec on the map, helped built the sport in Quebec. Now the Quebec commission wont let me fight... UNACCEPTABLE.

Loiseau was widely expected to replace the injured Nick Catone; however, the UFC did not officially announce his participation.

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Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski and his manager, Leo Khorlinsky, were all set to make a big announcement last night live streaming video on "The Pitbull's" Web site.

It never happened. Instead, the pair could only announce what would have been.

Arlovski was offered to fight Alistair Overeem at Dynamite 09 on New Year's Eve in Japan. The Belarusian verbally agreed and even received the bout agreement, which he was in the midst of completing. In fact, Arlovski and Khorlinsky informed their families and friends that they would not be around for the holidays.

That is, of course, until the Japanese-based promoters announced that Kazuyuki Fujita, not Arlovski, will take on the "Demolition Man" at the year-end event.

From the baffled Khorlinsky:

"I was on the phone with them earlier tonight and did not get an explanation that made sense."

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