Wednesday brought about a few news items that were released to the mixed martial arts communities. These stories covered the three largest promotions in the United States: the UFC, Bellator and Strikeforce.

In Strikeforce news, a fighter with a very high profile last name will step foot in the cage at Strikeforce Challengers 14. Ryan Couture, son of the MMA icon Randy, will make his second professional appearance against fellow MMA newcomer Lee Higgins.

During his amateur career, Couture ran up a 5-1-1 record using his proficient Jiu Jitsu technique. His first professional fight was at Strikeforce Challengers 10, where he defeated Lucas Stark with a triangle choke in just 1:15. Couture trains at his father’s gym Xtreme Couture located in Las Vegas.

Last week, it was announced that former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar & #1 contender Junior Dos Santos, would be coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 13.  At the conclusion of the show, Dos Santos will put his title shot on the line against Lesnar, instead of waiting until UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez recovers from injury.  Win, lose, or draw, this could be the last time we see Lesnar step inside the Octagon.

It’s been reported that Lesnar has only 1 fight remaining on his current contract.  If that is indeed a fact, should Lesnar win, he would need to sign a new contract before fighting the man who took the title away from him.  Let’s say for arguments sake, that Lesnar will defeat Dos Santos.  Who truly knows whether Lesnar would resign with the UFC?

Mixed martial arts as a sport that is continuing to grow and expand. Looking around the world, more and more locations are legalizing the sport. While MMA still has its opponents and those that stand in its way, promotions such as the UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator and DREAM continue to look for ways to further its change and development.

As the sport continues to grow, I have been asking the question that may be too early to ask, but still worth the thought. Could mixed martial arts function as an Olympic sport? The quick answer to the question is no for various reasons, however looking deeper into the question poses some interesting points.

We are a little more than two weeks into the New Year and the mixed martial arts community already has a lot to look forward to in this year. With one major show that had a main event worth the money in the books, we can all only hope that the year gets better as each day passes for fight fans. Here is a look at some of the biggest stories to jump start this year.

Strikeforce announced a heavyweight Grand Prix that will feature some of the biggest names in the division for big men. Fedor Emelianenko, Antonio Silva, Fabricio Werdum, Brett Rodgers, Josh Barnett, Andrei Arlovski and Alistair Overeem are a few of the names to be featured in this event. While details are finally coming out, the event has already garnered a mass of media attention from the MMA community. With so many potential matchups available, MMA fans can finally see the fights they have pined for. The tournament will begin on February 12 at Fedor vs. Silva which is set to be held in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

UFC President Dana White hopes to put on great show for troops.

UFC Fight Night 23, otherwise known as Fight for the Troops 2, will take place Saturday, January 22, from Fort Hood, in Killeen, Texas.  The show is headlined by Evan Dunham vs. Melvin Guillard & Matt Mitrione vs. Tim Hague.

Check out this footage of Roger Bowling doing some altitude aerobic training with the ultimate MMA cutting edge training mask.  Everyone knows that altitude training is the best way to do cardiovascular training for a fight.  Just a little elevation aerobic MMA training mask makes a huge difference in your cardio come fight time.  So, you no longer have to go to the Big Bear or the mountains to train in the altitude you can bring the altitude to you!

During a live streaming press conference, the Ultimate Fighting Championship pledged to continue the trek to help mixed martial arts become legalized in the state of New York. Led by UFC CEO and Co-Owner Lorenzo Fertitta, UFC President Dana White and current UFC Lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, the organization held a press conference today to update the MMA community on the goal to bring the sport to the Big Apple.

“This sport is now global,” said Fertitta. “It’s time to hold events in New York.”

It was reported by MMAfighting.com that a Dan Henderson vs. Rafael Cavalcante fight for the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight title is being planned for March.  Henderson would be making just his second appearance in the division if the fight happens.  It’s understandable why Henderson is getting the title shot considering who else is in that weight class for Strikeforce.  In a division that is home to Abongo Humphrey, Muhammed Lawal, Gegard Mousasi & Trevor Prangley, (all former Strikeforce champions except for Humphrey) it’s an easier sell to the fans with Henderson.

Henderson has gone 4 – 1 over his last five fights

Bellator’s season 4 welterweight tournament is continuing to take shape. On Wednesday another contestant was announced and this fighter knows what it is like to be on top. Former champion, Lyman Good, will take part in the tournament with the hopes to get another shot at the only man to defeat him, Ben Askern.

With a 10-1 record, Lyman is looking to avenge the loss to Askern that occurred in Philadelphia last October. Askern was able to control the matchup using his wrestling and earn a unanimous decision over Good. That defeat motivates the former champion as he prepares for the upcoming tournament.

A potential opponent for the last World Extreme Cagefighting champion, Anthony Pettis, has been revealed by UFC President Dana White. That potential opponent is UFC lightweight and workman, Clay Guida.

Pettis used 2010 to find his place among the WEC lightweight division with four impressive victories. He topped even himself with his victory over Benson Henderson at the last WEC event before the promotion was merged with the UFC. Pettis used the big stage to set the MMA world ablaze with his highlight reel kick from the cage maneuver to seal the fight.

The intended plan was for Pettis to face the winner of the UFC Lightweight Championship match between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard at UFC 125. However, that title unification bout was put on hold with Edgar and Maynard battled to a five round draw. It was initially announced that Pettis would get the next shot against Edgar, however plans were quickly changed and the third matchup between Edgar and Maynard is being planned.