For free agent Ben Askren, glory more important than money

In a new MMA Fighting interview, Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren says that he'd happily turned down more money to re-sign with the organization in order to seek out better competition in the UFC.

"I was getting to the end of my exclusive period with Bellator. [Bellator CEO] Bjorn [Rebney] made me a couple offers, and they weren't bad offers and Bellator isn't a bad company, but my main reason why I got into the sport of mixed martial arts was to be number one in the world," Askren explained.

"What I kept telling Bjorn was, 'Hey, I'm [ranked] number 6 in the world, I want to fight numbers 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 right now.' All those people are the UFC and that is only place to accomplish that. So that was the point we kept going back and forth on. He and I pretty much said, there's no use in keeping matching rights and everything else if that's what you want you want to do. He was gracious enough to respect my wishes to want to fight the best in the world."

According to Askren, who has publicly offered to fight either UFC champ Georges St. Pierre or his teammate Rory MacDonald for free, the goal of proving that he's the best fighter in the world is much more important to him than money. "I'm not willing to compromise my goals for monetary value," he continued.

And though the wrestler is an unrestricted free agent at this time and options abound for him, including a potential roster spot in the World Series of Fighting (WSOF), he's only interested in fighting in the UFC.

"What's the challenge if I go and fight [in the WSOF]? If I'm going to fight guys below me, I would have stayed in Bellator and took the money they were offering," he explained.

The outspoken and undefeated champion is not deterred by UFC president Dana White saying that he is not interested in signing him, either. "I don't take it all personally, it's business," he said.

Askren says the plan is for his management to meet with White and UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta in the promotion's home of Las Vegas.

"My management is going to be hopefully go to Vegas meet with Lorenzo and Dana this week," Askren said.

"Once that happens I'll have better idea where they actually stand."

Follow Elias on Twitter @EliasCepeda

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/free-agent-ben-askren-glory-more-important-money-203711876--mma.html

Edson Drago  Tomasz Drwal Joe Hybrid Duarte Aldrin de Jesus 

Rashad Evans vs. Daniel Cormier Headlines UFC 170

For the second time in as many fights, former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans (pictured) will face a fellow Fox Sports broadcast partner. During Friday’s UFC Fight Night 33 pre-fight show on Fox Sports 2, Evans announced he’ll welcome Daniel Cormier to the 205-pound division at UFC 170. The February 22 event takes place [...]

Source: http://www.5thRound.com/160329/rashad-evans-vs-daniel-cormier-headlines-ufc-170/

Wes Soldier Combs  Ray Cooper  Kit Cope  Wesley Cabbage Correira 

Basic Gears for MMA Training

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Source: http://www.ufcrundown.com/blog/basic-gears-for-mma-training/

Kyle Bradley  Jai Bradney  Ebenezer Fontes Braga Chris Brennan

Hector Lombard calls Georges St. Pierre ?stupid,? and Jake Shields ?boring?

UFC welterweight contender Hector Lombard had harsh words for colleagues Jake Shields and Georges St. Pierre recently. Lombard made fun of the welterweight champ St. Pierre's fear of aliens to MMA Junkie this week and also called out Jake Shields.

?He?s so scared of aliens coming up and taking him,? Lombard said of St. Pierre.

?You have to be really messed up to think about all that stuff. Like honestly, I have a lot of respect for him and the stuff he?s done for the sport, but how can you think about an alien coming and going to take you? Are you kidding me or what? It?s stupid.?

As for Shields, who has not lost in his last four fights, Lombard calls him "boring," and promises that he'll make the American really fight.

?He?ll make it boring, or I?m going to end up knocking him out. It?s going to be one or another," said Lombard, who has lost two out of his last four fights.

Though he may question St. Pierre's sanity, Lombard isn't ready to call out the possibly retired champ just yet.

?Up to this point, [St-Pierre] can do whatever he wants,? Lombard said.

?He?s done a lot for the sport. There?s no point for me to go and criticize the man. What I do know is that I have to win my next fight and go from there.?

Who do you want to see Lombard fight next? Let us know in the comments section.

Follow Elias on Twitter @EliasCepeda and @YahooCagewriter

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/hector-lombard-calls-georges-st-pierre-stupid-jake-174401852--mma.html

Dan Henderson Josh Hendricks Ed Herman Heath Herring

UFC On FOX 9: Road To The Octagon Full Video

UFC On FOX 9 is scheduled for December 14, 2013 at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California. In the main event, UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson will be putting the title on the line against Joseph Benavidez in a rematch of their Flyweight Tournament Final. In the co-main event, former WEC Featherweight Champion Urijah […]

The post UFC On FOX 9: Road To The Octagon Full Video appeared first on Fighters.com.

Source: http://www.fighters.com/12/02/ufc-on-fox-9-road-to-the-octagon-full-video

Spencer Fisher Jon Fitch Kenny Florian Jesse Forbes

Tate Takes Commentary Talents To Invicta FC

Miesha Tate, fresh off her showing as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter, will try her hand at announcing. Tate has been added to the three-person team for Saturday’s Invicta FC 7 card from Kansas City. She joins play-by-play veteran Michael Schiavello and fighter King Mo Lawal. The card features three championship matches and airs […]

The post Tate Takes Commentary Talents To Invicta FC appeared first on Five Ounces of Pain.

Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2013/12/03/miesha-tate-added-to-invicta-fc-7-announce-team/

Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida  Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves 

Fightland Explores Afghani MMA Scene in Latest From Worldwide Series

Fightland chats with Afghanistan’s five-time kickboxing gold medalist Rohullah Mohammadi about training kids to follow in his footsteps Watch Worldwide: Afghanistan on Fightland: http://fightland.vice.com/worldwide/afghanistan NEW YORK, NY (October 9, 2013) – Fightland today presents Worldwide: Afghanistan, the latest episode in Fightland’s Worldwide series which explores gyms and fighting traditions around the globe. In the episode, […]

Fightland Explores Afghani MMA Scene in Latest From Worldwide Series is a post from: MMA Interplay

Source: http://www.mmainterplay.com/mma/fightland-explores-afghani-mma-scene-in-latest-from-worldwide-series-67985/

Pat Barry  Vitor Belfort  Robert Berry David Bielkheden

TUF 18 winner Julianna Pena: Ronda Rousey acts 'like her s**t don't stink'

Source: http://www.mmamania.com/2013/12/1/5163058/ronda-rousey-acts-like-her-s-t-dont-stink-says-tuf-18-winner-julianna

Joe Hybrid Duarte Aldrin de Jesus  Todd Duffee  Marvin Eastman