MMA Notebook: Not so calm before the storm
Lots going on in the MMA world in the lead-up to the UFC on FOX
By Mike Chiappetta
NBCSports.com contributor
updated 1:19 p.m. ET Jan. 21, 2012
With less than one week to go until the big UFC on FOX show in Chicago, the MMA world is in a bit of a lull, but there’s still plenty going on this weekend, with a UFC show in Nashville and ProElite hoping to build forward momentum with an event in Hawaii.
To leave no stone unturned, we unload our MMA notebook for news and notes from around the world of MMA.
Successful surgery for Munoz
UFC middleweight Mark Munoz got terrible news this week when he was ruled out of a No. 1 contenders fights at the UFC on FOX show. An elbow injury that was years in the making finally reached a point of no return, requiring surgery.
On Thursday, Munoz (12-2) had successful surgery performed by Dr. Ronald Kvitne of the Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, a world-renown sports medicine center. The procedure removed 24 bits of bone spurs and chips from his right elbow. Munoz told NBCSports.com that he’d require about 4-6 weeks of physical therapy and that he hopes to fight as soon as April.
“I’m going to do everything I can do to get back as quick as I can get back,” he said.
Warren vs. Curran at Bellator 60
Bellator has announced that a March 9 show in Hammond, Indiana, will kick off their sixth season. The main event will feature featherweight champion Joe Warren defending his belt against Pat Curran.
Curran breezed his way through the season five tournament with finish wins over Marlon Sandro and Luis Palomino, as well as a decision over Ronnie Mann to set up the title fight.
Controversial DQ loss stands for Silva
Victory seemed to be snatched away from Erick Silva at UFC 142, when his apparent knockout win was changed to a disqualification loss due to what referee Mario Yamasaki determined to be illegal strikes to the back of opponent Carlo Prater’s head.
Because Brazil has no athletic commission overseeing events, UFC vice president of regulatory affairs Marc Ratner reviewed the video, but determined that because Yamasaki warned Silva about the strikes prior to the finish, the decision could not be overturned. Ratner, however, added that the promotion would implement the use of instant replay at all international, self-regulated events.
Whitehead Begins Prison Term
Ten-year MMA veteran Mike Whitehead began a prison term in Nevada for a guilty plea stemming from attempted sexual assault charges. According to the state attorney’s office, Whitehead had invited two female guests to stay at his home after a night of partying, and one of the women later awoke to find Whitehead having sex with her. Whitehead, who will also be forced to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, will serve a term of between 1-4 years, and pay $2,400 in restitution.
UFC 145 Shifted to Atlanta
After a planned March event in Montreal was scuttled, the UFC announced an April 21 show in Atlanta. So far, the only match that has been officially announced by the UFC is Mark Hominick vs. Eddie Yagin, a bout that was originally planned for Montreal. Several other bouts are expected to be transferred over as well. One possibility for the main event? A light-heavyweight title defense from Jon Jones, who recently returned from vacation and informed UFC brass that he was ready to get back in the gym and prepare to fight.
TUF: Australia vs. UK close to securing a deal
The first international edition of The Ultimate Fighter recently began filming in Brazil, and the second isn’t far behind. During a press conference in Australia this week, UFC managing director of international development Marshall Zelaznik said that the company is actively working on a version that would pit Australian fighters against others from the UK. UFC president Dana White has mentioned in the past that he hopes to launch several international editions to run concurrently, and eventually have the champions meet in a “World Cup” style tournament. With the launch of TUF: Australia vs. UK, that dream moves closer to reality.
UFC, Strikeforce Signees to Undergo Mandatory PED Testing
In an effort to combat the use of PEDs, UFC and Strikeforce parent company Zuffa announced that all newly signed athletes would have to pass a mandatory pre-contract screening. This comes just days after Strikeforce saw two of its best known athletes -- women’s featherweight champ Cris “Cyborg” Santos and former men’s light-heavyweight champ “King” Muhammed Lawal -- both test positive for steroids.
“Our athletes are already held to the highest testing standards in all sports by athletic commissions,” UFC president Dana White said. “Our new testing policy for performance-enhancing drugs only further shows how important it is to us to have our athletes competing on a level playing field.”
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