MMA Spot’s Thomas Caldwell sits down with Bellator welterweight tournament competitor Dan "The Handler" Hornbuckle between training sessions to discuss his thoughts about the promotion, his next opponent, his feelings on the Ben Askren and Ryan Thomas controversy, as well as what will be most important in his continuing journey to the championship.
With Canada's first-ever mixed martial arts tournament series set to begin tonight, April 23, live from the Cree Resort and Casino in Edmonton, Alberta Canada, MMA Spot recently had the chance to sit down with the president and founder of the organization responsible, Let's Get It On MMA's one and only Elaine McCarthy. The wife of “Big” John, Elaine McCarthy recently struck out on her own to develop a promotion geared strictly toward the benefit of fighters and fans alike. A former employee of the UFC during the early days of MMA, thanks to her years in the industry, McCarthy has already made significant strides for her fledgling organization. MMA Spot's C.M. Holden spoke to McCarthy about the details of this season, Canada's role in her organization, a partnership with Strikeforce and much more.
MMA Spot’s Thomas Caldwell caught up with Ryan Thomas, just hours before he weighs in for the second time in a week for a chance at redemption against a new opponent, Jacob “Tick-Tock” McClintock. Ryan discusses the circumstances around the loss to Askren, finding out how he was back in the tournament, his feelings toward Bellator, and more.
While UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva has been stirring up controversy about his behavior from his fight against Damian Maia, his original opponent for "UFC 112: Invincible," Vitor Belfort has been healing hard, and focusing even harder. Belfort was recently at the RVCA training center in Costa Mesa, Cailf., and MMA Spot has the exclusive interview with Silva’s potential next opponent. After being pulled from the UFC 112 card due to a shoulder injury, Belfort has been on the mend and is getting ready to have the fight that he was meant to fight.
Following B.J. Penn's disappointing loss to Frankie Edgar at "UFC 112: Invincible," the former lightweight champion's trainer Jason Parillo discusses his thoughts on the fight. Back home in the U.S., MMA Spot's Breanna Armstrong met with Parillo at the RVCA training center in Costa Mesa, Calif. to find out what he thinks may have led to Penn's uncharacteristic performance, the odd 50-45 score that has many scratching their heads, and what the future holds for Penn.
Currently on a three fight win streak, including his famous 14 second stoppage of Kimbo Slice, Petruzelli looks to return to the Octagon more motivated than ever. His next bout will be against Ryan White at BAMMA 3 on May 15 in Birminham, England. “The Silverback” recently took a few minutes to discuss his career and upcoming fight with MMA Spot’s Luis Cruz.
East-central Illinois welterweight Ryan "The Tank Engine" Thomas is a fast-rising star already well known around his hometown. However, he expects that recognition to increase with his recently announced entry into the Bellator Fighting Championship welterweight tournament. Thomas had a two-fight stint in the UFC in late 2008, losing two hard-fought bouts against Ben Saunders and Matt Brown. Thomas' last fight was in August 2009, where he had his best win to date when he submitted Ryan Stout, a veteran with over a decade in the fight game, in a minute and a half. That win impressed the right people, and he is now scheduled to face off against Olympian Ben Askren at "Bellator 14" on April 15. "The Tank Engine" recently sat down with MMA Spot to discuss his training, his thoughts on drawing Askren in the first round, and what winning the welterweight title would mean to him.
With all the talk recently of Ricardo Mayorga, James Toney, and now B.J. Flores, some people have lost attention to one of the sport's first real two-way stars. On Monday morning, former Elite XC lightweight champion K.J. Noons will be making his return to mixed martial arts when he takes on Andre "Dida" Amade at Dream 13 from Japan. Noons signed with Strikeforce this past December and hopes to challenge the winner of the upcoming lightweight title bout against Champion Gilbert Melendez and Shinya Aoki. But he must get past Amade in his Dream bout before that can become a reality. Noons recently sat down with MMA Spot to talk about how he manages both careers, his fight with Amade, and his rivalry with Nick Diaz.
In every fighter's career an opportunity comes along to make a name for themselves by defeating an opponent with a well-known name. This Saturday, heavyweight fighter Dave Hess will get that opportunity as he faces off against UFC veteran "Irish" Jake O'Brien in the main event of "MMA Big Show: Triple Threat." MMASpot recently sat down with Dave to discuss his origins and his thoughts on the fight.
Rory MacDoanld is being touted as a fighter that is "one two watch" and could possibly represent the future of UFC's welterweight division. The British Columbia native recently made his debut at "UFC Fight Night 20: Maynard vs. Diaz," on January 11, 2010. He fought veteran fighter Mike Guymon, defeating him by armbar submission near the end of the first round. MacDonald's next fight is rumored to be against former WEC Welterweight Champion Carlos Condit at UFC 115 in Vancouver, B.C. MMA Spot's Brad LeBeau recently sat down with the undefeated prospect to discuss his rise through the sport, landing him in the UFC.
