Write down the date of October 28, 2010 as the day the World Extreme Cagefighting organization was merged with its big brother, Ultimate Fighting Championship. In a conference call which was deemed a “major announcement” UFC President Dana White announced that the UFC would be expanding to include the bantamweight (135 pounds) and featherweight (145 pounds) weight classes. Along with that, the WEC’s lightweight class (155 pounds) will also be merged with the UFC’s lightweight class. As all announcements, the UFC-WEC merger is going to have its fans and opponents. Either way, this is an interesting direction that Zuffa is taking the combat sports game.

What this means for fans
Fans of the WEC may be worried that they will no longer see great fights for free on Versus. While this may not be 100 percent valid, it is a plausible concern. Expect that big name fighters such as Jose Aldo, Uriah Faber, Benson Henderson and others will no longer perform on free television. Instead, their fights will become part of Pay Per View events which the fans sell out their hard earned money to enjoy. Hopefully, more of these events will feature the high action fights that the WEC has displayed during the past few years. I would gladly enjoy watching a UFC event that could feature Jose Aldo, Georges St. Pierre and Cain Velasquez all on the same card. Also, those free events will be can be used as a new outlet for Zuffa to market new names that enter the UFC and help those fighters gain a strong following.

The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP versus Team Koscheck has seen a rout of domination by team St. Pierre. As episode seven begins, we find Koscheck talking to yet

Ultimate Fighter

another defeated fighter in Sevak Magakian. Koscheck tells his fighter to be ready because he may be allowed to come back for the wildcard fight, which will be announced during this episode.

Double Leg Takedown

A mainstay among the take down maneuvers, the double leg takedown is the focus of this week’s “Technique of the Week.”

The playoff format is used to determine championships in many different sports leagues. The teams that have performed best throughout the season play each in a series of games for the right to declare themselves the league champion. Recently, I’ve begun asking myself how this format would fair if it was embraced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The idea does seem intriguing.

To begin, the smaller but growing organization, Bellator, uses the tournament format to determine contenders and champions to their various titles. So this idea isn’t something that’s new to mixed martial arts. However, I’m wondering how well would it fare with the big names that are within all the UFC weight classes. Follow me on the method to my madness.

Push Up

One of the most standard exercises for any workout routine, the push-up is pivotal to your training as a martial artist. Legend has it that Bruce Lee used to do push-ups with just his index finger and thumb. While that may be out of your league, using the push-up to develop your strength and endurance are important to both your striking and grappling. Another benefit is that you can use this exercise anyway, as it requires no type of equipment. Mix this workout into your training program when you are working on your chest and arms. As you become stronger, use variations to improve the intensity of the exercise.

Example Push-Up Workout

UFC 121 gave mixed martial arts fans enough ammunition to fuel debates for months to come. With the dust settling, new questions about potential match ups will creep into the minds of fans and match makers alike. Here are a few suggestions on some ideal battles that will not only thrill onlookers, but clean up the contender waiting list in a few weight classes. While Cain Velasquez versus Junior Dos Santos is a definite match on the horizon, these suggestions haven’t been mentioned but should be considered.

Jake Shields versus Diego Sanchez
While both of these fighters walked away victorious after their UFC 121 matchups, Sanchez surely looked more impressive than Shields. As the welterweight division becomes more and more crowded with fighters waiting for their shot at the title, it’s inevitable that a few contender elimination fights must be scheduled. Many people believe that Shields will be placed at the top of the heap due to his performances in other promotions; however he didn’t look as dominate as many expected. Sanchez is looking for a career rebirth and what better way to do so than by knocking off the UFC’s newest name? Would Sanchez be able to use his constant pressure to overwhelm his opponent or would Shields revert back to his dominating, Jiu Jitsu methods for victory?

The definition of Taekwondo is to strike or break with the foot. This is a glimpse into the focus and foundation of this practice and the history of Taekwondo. Built with long and deep traditions all martial arts are deeper than just what you see. Never simply the physical movement there is a deep resonance to what lies at the heart and mind of this practice.

UFC 121 was quite the spectacle, and that’s putting it very lightly. The anticipation for the night’s main event could have ripped the Honda Center from its foundation. Cain Velasquez needed only 252 seconds to insert himself at the top of the UFC’s heavyweight food chain. The battle was fierce and full of action but the tide quickly turned to favor the new champion as he battered Brock Lesnar with punches. Herb Dean was forced to pull the plug on the bout as Lesnar was taking rights and lefts while trying to cover up. Not only did Velasquez take his title, but he took the aura that was Lesnar’s might.

As the stage crew works to take the cage down, I’ll tear down the night’s events and shine a preverbal light on the future of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Questions still about as we wait the few hours left until the start of one of the most hyped UFC events of the year. Ultimate Fighting Championship 121 features a massive main event that pits current heavyweight champion and self appointed “Baddest Man on Earth” Brock Lesnar against the undefeated heavyweight standout Cain Velasquez. Along with this battle is the UFC debut of Jake Shields, a man who dominated the Strikeforce organization and has not lost since 2004. Both of these fights have massive implications on the UFC as an organization going into the next year. Here are some things to look for as you enjoy tonight’s event.

Does size matter?

In the last post in our series on MMA Beginner Series: MMA Workout Routines.  This week we will turn inwards and look at the mental aspect of the game.

You need to think about your body to determine the biggest problem area. This location should be targeted first by your MMA workout routines. When you carefully analyze your body, you will learn what areas need the most improvement. So, decide if you need assistance with aspects such as strength, endurance, or flexibility.