Main Event: Muhammed Lawal vs. Seth Petruzelli

Official decision: Muhammed Lawal wins by KO at 1:35 in round 1 over Seth Petruzelli

Co-main event: Jacob Noe  vs. Renato Sobral

Official decision: Jacob Noe wins by TKO at 3:32 in round 3 over Renato Sobral- controverisial

*Renato “Babalu” Sobral retires after Bellator 96 lost to Jacob Noe

Bout 8: Vitaly Minakov vs. Ron Sparks

Official decision: Vitaly Minakov wins by KO at 0:32 in round 1 over Ron Sparks

Bout 7: Blas Avena vs. War Machine

Official decision: War Machine wins by TKO a 3:55t in round 1 over Blas Avena

Bout 6: Damon Jackson vs. Keith Miner

Official decision: Damon Jackson wins by TKO at in round 1 over Keith Miner

Bout 5: Raphael Butler vs. Jeremiah O’Neal

Official decision: Jeremiah O’Neal wins by TKO at 2:57 in round 1 over Raphael Butler

Bout 4: Rich Hale  vs. Ryan Martinez

Official decision: Ryan Martinez wins by TKO at 2:19 in round 1 over Rich Hale

Bout 3: Brandon Halsey vs. Joe Yager

Official decision:  Brandon Halsey def. Joe Yager by split decision (30-28, 28-30, 30-28)

Bout 2: Derek Campos vs. Brandon Girtz

Official decision: Derek Campos wins by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) over Brandon Girtz

Bout 1: Steven Artoff vs. Justin McNally

Official decision: Justin McNally wins by submission (triangle choke) at 2:44 in round 1 over Steven Artoff

Australia’s own Ben “Benny Blanco” Alloway (13-4) was first seen on “The Ultimate Fighter: Smashes.” Alloway unfortunately did not make it to the finals of the show, but still made it on the finale where he fought Manuel Rodriguez at “UFC on FX 6: Sotiropoulos vs. Pearson.” Alloway earned a knockout victory in the last three seconds of round 1 and was on a good start with the UFC. Alloway’s next fight was in Sweden at “UFC on FUEL TV 9: Mousasi vs. Latifi” against Ryan LaFlare. Alloway lost the fight by unanimous decision as LaFlare dominated almost the entire fight. Alloway told Dococtagon.com “I learned not to take a fight on one leg you don’t get cut for being injured but you do for fighting horribly like I did. I’m lucky to get another shot.” After the fight, Alloway took some time off in Bali and then when he returned home he went right back to work. Now,  ”Benny Blanco” will meet “TUF” 17′s Zak Cummings (15-3) at UFC on FOX Sports 1 2: Condit vs. Kampmann II. Cummings was on “TUF” 17, but was eliminated early as he was defeated by Alloway’s training partner, Dylan Andrews. Cummings was set to fight on the “TUF” 17 finale, an but injury sidelined him. Cummings will make his UFC debut at this event and will look start his UFC career off well. When talking about this fight Alloway said “I feel I need to perform, when I’m healthy I do and I will. There’s pressure every fight in the UFC and I love it.” There will be pressure indeed considering a lost here could easily take Alloway out of the UFC. Alloway is well aware and ended by saying this “ My body is healed and your going to see the same guy that will hunt the knockout finish.”

Jan 26, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Ricardo Lamas celebrates after defeating Erik Koch (not pictured) during UFC on FOX 6 at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

When Chan Sung Jung was promoted to the main card of UFC 163: Aldo vs. Jung to fight current UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo, Jung’s original opponent Ricardo Lamas was left without an opponent at UFC 162: Jung vs. Weidman. Originally the UFC said they were unsure whether Lamas would receive a new opponent, but it was announced yesterday that there is no replacement. Although Lamas is off of the UFC 162 card, he will still be paid his show money. With Lamas off the card, Tim Boetsch and Mark Munoz will move up to the main card. Both men are coming off losses and will now have the opportunity to re-enter the win column on PPV.

Main Event: Muhammed Lawal (205.2) vs. Seth Petruzelli (204.8)

Co-main event: Jacob Noe (206)* vs. Renato Sobral (204.4)

Bout 11: Rich Hale (240.1) vs. Ryan Martinez (263.8)

Bout 10: Vitaly Minakov (246) vs. Ron Sparks (264.6)

Bout 9: Blas Avena (170) vs. War Machine (170)

Bout 8: Steven Artoff (135.6)** vs. Justin McNally (135.4)

Bout 7: Derek Campos (157.2)* vs. Brandon Girtz (155.7)

Bout 6: Brandon Halsey (205) vs. Joe Yager (205.4)

Bout 5: Raphael Butler (261) vs. Jeremiah O’Neal (260.5)

Bout 4: Damon Jackson (154.8) vs. Keith Miner (155.8)

Bout 3: Mike Maldonado (135.8) vs. Chavous Smith (135.9)*

Bout 2: Keith Berry (186.4)* vs. Cortez Coleman (185.6)

Bout 1: Jarrod Card (145.7) vs. Chas Skelly (145.9)

August 4, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Mike Swick reacts after knocking out Damarques Johnson during the welterweight match at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Mike “Quick” Swick has had both his up and certainly his downs in the UFC. Swick first appeared on the inaugural season of “The Ultimate Fighter.” Swick has gone (10-4) in the UFC, but took a long lay-off as he suffered  esophagus/stomach spams along with a knee injury. It is safe to say that “Quick” has suffered more than enough to compete in the sport of mixed martial arts. After about two years away from the the fight game, Swick made his return to the octagon at “UFC on FOX 4: Rua vs. Vera.” Swick went on to knock out Demarques Johnson in the second round, eventually taking home the “Knockout of the Night” honor. Then at the next FOX event, Swick met Matt Brown at “UFC on FOX 5: Henderson vs. Diaz.” Swick came up on the wrong end when he was knocked out in round two. Swick’s fight with Brown was in the middle of December and since then Swick has been taking time off. Just recently Swick announced that he will be making his way back up to middleweight. Swick stated via Twitter “I wanna come back at a big and healthy 185. No more sickly 170 for me!” Swick will have to wait until he is cleared medically because of his past health issues, but then he can make his return to 185 lbs.

According to an article in USA today, Vitor Belfort believes he is next in line for a middleweight title fight. Belfort who is (7-1) in the middleweight class, with his one loss coming to current champion Anderson Silva.

“I go to the gym every day. I work hard. I know I will bring that title back. But it’s not about waiting for the time. It’s about making my time now.”

Following his knockout victories of Luke Rockhold and Michael Bisping, Belfort has been very outspoken for another crack at the middleweight belt. Comparing his resume with the rest of the middleweight division, it’s hard to make an argument against Belfort’s claim.

“You cannot go against results, so look at my results. That’s what I mean. Some people earn, and some people don’t. They try to get there without earning it. I believe in every area of my life, I earn — and I earn through the glory of God.”

You can read the full story here:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2013/06/17/vitor-belfort-work-factor-in-ufc-title-shot-/2432745/

What do you think? Does Belfort deserve to be next in line for a title shot?

May 19, 2012; San Jose, CA, USA; Gian Villante (left) fights Derrick Mehmen (right) during the light heavyweight bout of the Strikeforce World Grand Prix at HP Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

World Series of Fighting has signed another fighter to their already stacked roster, this time it is an addition to the heavyweight division. WSOF has signed two-time Strikeforce veteran Derrick “Caveman” Mehmen (15-5). “Caveman” had a successful Strikeforce debut when he defeated Roy Jones by unanimous decision at Strikeforce Challengers 18: Duarte vs. Gurgel. Mehmen then fought Gian Villante under the Strikeforce banner back in May of 2012. Mehmen fell short in a unanimous decision lost, but since then he has won three straight fights with multiple promotions outside of Strikeforce. Most of his career, Mehmen has fought at 205 lbs. Now, Mehmen will be bumping up to heavyweight and will most likely make his WSOF debut later this year.

Apr 20, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; Myles Jury defeats Ramsey Nijem (not pictured) during the lightweight bout prelims of the UFC on Fuel TV at HP Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Myles “Fury” Jury (12-0) first got caught up with the UFC on “The Ultimate Fighter” season 13, where it was an injury that knocked him out of the competition. Jury then returned on “The Ultimate Fighter: LIVE” where he was eliminated in the first round by Al Iaquinta. Jury was given another chance at the “TUF LIVE Finale: Al Iaquinta vs. Michael Chiesa” when he faced Chris Saunders. Jury disposed of Saunders quickly as he won via submission in the very first round. Since then Jury has won two more consecutive fights, including a unanimous decision over Michael Johnson and a KO victory over Ramsey Nijem. Next, Jury will meet another “The Ultimate Fighter” alumni as Mike “The Martian” Ricci (8-3) will be standing across from Jury come September 21st. Ricci was featured on “The Ultimate fighter” season 16 where he earned his way to the finale, but fell short by losing a decision to Colton Smith. Ricci rebounded and earned his first UFC win as he dominated “TUF: Smashes” runner-up Colin Fletcher for three rounds. “Fury” has not shown any signs of slowing down as he is (3-0) inside the octagon, but Ricci has shown improvement since his stint on TUF 16 and will look to stop Jury in his tracks at UFC 165 in Toronto, Canada at the Air Canada Centre.

Pettis dropped to 145 lbs. in order to get a lightweight title shot, now following his injury Pettis believes he will be healthy enough to step in as Benson Hendersons opponent at UFC 164. Currently, Henderson is scheduled to face T.J. Grant who earned a title shot off of his knockout victory to Gray Maynard.

Pettis claimed that he will be 100 percent healthy by the time UFC 164 kicks off. Pettis also has a hometown motivation to be part of the event.

“With all due respect to T.J. Grant, Milwaukee is my town, and the fight with Ben is the fight everyone has wanted for years.”

Whether Pettis will get his wish is uncertain, at this point …only time will tell.

What do you think UFC fans? Does Anthony Pettis deserve a title shot at UFC 164?

June 15, 2013; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; light heavyweight Rashad Evans celebrates his victory against Dan Henderson (not pictured)during UFC 161 at the MTS Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

For years the former UFC light-heavyweight champion “Suga” Rashad Evans has been at the top the UFC light-heavyweight division. Evans was the “The Ultimate Fighter” season two winner, a UFC champion, and more importantly a fighter who fans loved to see back up his trash talking. I mean how could anyone forget when Evans knocked out the great Chuck Liddell with a looping right hook at UFC 88-Breakthrough, or when he dethroned Forrest Griffin at UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008? The list goes on and on of all the great highlights of his career. Evans has so many memorable moments and has been such an exciting fighter to watch, but what has happen to the fighter who once reigned supreme?

Last night at UFC 161: Rashad Evans vs. Dan Henderson, Evans inched out a split decision victory over Henderson.  Evans finally put a stop to his two fight skid, but still did not put on a great performance. Rashad Evans looked more than relieved when his name was called, and with good reason. Evans barely beat the 42-year old Henderson, but it was just less than two years ago when Evans dominated the very young and talented Phil Davis for five rounds. Now Henderson is a very talented fighter and has much more experience than Phil Davis, but the old Rashad Evans was so much more of a smarter fighter and a more aggressive one than the Evans who fought in the octagon last night.

Evans has not been the same ever since he lost to Jon Jones back in April of 2012 at UFC 145: Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans. Jones dominated all three rounds in every aspect of the game and it was his sneaky elbows that kept connecting on Evans that really confused “Suga.” Evans than was the heavy favorite in his next match-up when he faced Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 156: Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar. Again, Evans was dominated in three rounds and this time by a fighter who no one even thought would have had any type of chance of beating Evans.

Evans has never been the same fighter who fought for Greg Jackson out in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Recently Evans seems like a totally different fighter. Evans seems not to be as motivated, not as technical, and not as well-conditioned as he was in his previous years in the UFC. The 33-year old is still at the top of the ranks, but will we ever see the “real” Rashad Evans fight for the belt again? The one who backed up his trash talk, the one who broke his opponents, and the fighter who was once named champion. Maybe we will and maybe we won’t. If Evans ever wants to see the UFC light-heavyweight strap again, something needs to change and fast.