With a big space between major events let's take a look at what's making headlines in the MMA world.
Chael Sonnen has been suspended (again) by the CSAC. The top middleweight contender is set for another hearing on May 18, as the commission believes he not only may have made false statements during his last hearing, but it's also time for the Oregon native to discuss his recent guilty plea of a felony charge stemming from the money laundering case. It remains to be seen if Sonnen and his representation can talk their way out of this one. And if they do, waiting in the wings will be Keith Kizer and the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
While Sonnen is still contracted under the UFC, the same cannot be said for Brazilian Maiquel Falcao. After winning his Octagon debut versus Gerald Harris at UFC 123 in November, he was set to take on Tom Lawlor at UFC 134 in his home country of Brazil. But that idea has been scrapped as Falcao's manager stated they received "an e-mail from Joe Silva yesterday saying that the UFC decided to end Maiquel Falcao's contract." The organization has officially cut the fighter, likely stemming from an assault charge dating back to 2002.
The UFC also announced three bouts for UFC Live 5, going down on August 14 at Bradley Center in Milwaukee, which you can catch live on Rogers Sportsnet. Light-heavyweight Stephan Bonnar will face Karlos Vemola, lightweight Danny Castillo takes on Jacob Volkman, and as predicted last month on "The Showdown" on Sportsnet Radio The Fan 590, as well as on a recent episode of "UFC Connected," Jim Miller will take on Ben Henderson in an absolute stellar lightweight matchup that has "Fight of the Night" written all over it.
Two fighters have also suffered injuries with their replacements announced as well. Jonathan Brookings is out vs. Jeremy Stephens, and will now be replaced by Danny Downes at the TUF 13 finale (also available on Rogers Sportsnet). And at UFC 131, Igor Pokrajac will replace Anthony Perosh and will take on Canadian light-heavyweight Krzysztof Soszynski.
All of this news is taking place while Zuffa is holding its annual "Fighter's Summit" in Las Vegas. All contracted athletes, with the exception of those deep into a training camp, have been flown in for two days of intensive "in class" presentations. Topics include recognizing concussion symptoms, the dangers of cutting too much weight before a bout, staying away from performance-enhancing drugs, recommendation of how to handle their finances, how to deal with the media, and the importance of social media.
There was also an in-depth explanation of the new accident insurance policy.
It's an interesting time for the Maximum Fighting Championships. First, lightweight champion Antonio McKee was stripped of his title, then their welterweight champion, in favour of signing with Bellator. This prompted organizational president Mark Pavelich to sound off on Twitter. He took some direct shots at his competition while on vacation in Cabo. It's safe to say that upon his return, this story (or battle if you will) will pick up dramatically.
Bellator welterweight champ Ben Askren is making news by taking shots at UFC 170-pounders Thiago Alves and Anthony Johnson. "Funky" hinted both are "idiots" and "cowards" for their history of making weights, insinuating they are afraid to take on fighters their own size or bigger. "Rumble" replied back stating Askren was a "bushy headed kid" while informing the former NCAA champ that he would "kick Ben in his mouth quick before he ever try and say something like that in my face."
Unfortunately this fight is a "what if"... but tell me, am I the only one who wishes these two could settle their differences inside the cage?
On the Japanese MMA front, many of us are excited that Dream will be having their next event on May 29. Titled "Dream 17: Fight for Japan," the organization has put together a trailer profiling the athletes competing in their bantamweight tournament.
