Latest UFC/MMA news and notes from around the web for the week of April 8, 2012

Posted by MMA-Heat in UFC | 0 comments

Welcome, Maniacs, to the weekly series where we help you catch up on some of the original reporting done by other sites in the vast MMA landscape. Like Daniel Gallamore and Alexander Gustafsson pictured above, we can all “get along.”

Teaming up with MMA sites like Low Kick, Fightline, Fight Opinion and The Fight Nerd, we’ll provide an opportunity for all MMA fans to read some fresh and original voices in the sport.

This week, The Fight Nerd speaks with debuting UFC fighter Tom DeBlass, Fight Opinion reviews a surprising new MMA bill in California and Five Ounces of Pain interviews top MMA manager Lex McMahon.

The full list of links is after the jump.

 

- Will Brian Stann vs. Alessio Sakara be an all-out war? (LowKick)

From the sound of things, it appears that Stann is very confident heading into Saturday’s bout, and may be looking past Alessio Sakara and ahead to future title contention. It is true that Sakara is returning from surgery and may suffer from ring rust, just as Thiago Silva in the main bout, but in today’s UFC, one can never look past a dangerous striker such as “Legionarius.”

- Debuting Tom DeBlass discusses the importance of family (The Fight Nerd)

“They’re so supportive,” DeBlass said of the people closest to him. “My fiance, Delilah, is used to me being able to come home and spend time with my daughter when I don’t have a fight. That way she has some time to breathe. But, with this she had to step up even more.”

- New California bill gives fighters new rights, challenges UFC contracts (Fight Opinion)

The purpose of the bill is to prevent the mistreatment of MMA fighters in California by banning certain exploitative contracting practices that violate athletes’ freedom to work and their ability to support their families. AB 2100 enables MMA fighters to benefit from the pension fund that has been available to boxers in the state since 1981.

- Oklahoma addresses state PPV tax (MMA Payout)

State Impact reports on the current status of MMA in Oklahoma. You may recall that Zuffa threatened litigation due to the state’s 4% tax on PPV purchasers within the state.

- MMA Convert’s April 2012 rankings: Heavyweight (MMA Convert)

Alistair Overeem’s standing will likely drop like a brick over the next few months if the commission finds him guilty of PED use and puts him out of action for 12 months, but until they make their decision we must still treat him like he is fighting JDS for the title at UFC 146. Brock Lesnar was not included because he retired and signed with the WWE. Shane Carwin was on one staff member’s list, but didn’t make the top ten in the others. He came in at 11.

- Brandon Vera says Thiago Silva getting KTFO by Gustafsson (Fightline)

“Alex’s gonna knock that motherfucker out,” Vera stated. “With an uppercut, right uppercut. Maybe two in a row. *Boop* *Boop* And one on the ground for good measure, for being a piece of shit.”

- Lex McMahon shares the secrets of Alchemist Managment’s success (Five Ounces of Pain)

“I helped my dad put together contracts with both of my partners now in MC Hammer and Jeff Aronson who is owner of Cash For Gold,” McMahon continued. “During that process we begun talking about MMA and our relationship grew and we put together some sponsorships for about 27 fighters for Cash For Gold. We signed Nate Marquardt, Rashad Evans, Randy Couture and others. While we were working on those deals we sat down and said let’s put together a company and that is how Alchemist started.”

- Gustafsson tames talk of greatness (5thRound)

Despite the lofty expectations surrounding the skyrocketing 25-year-old, Gustafsson knows all of the hoopla hovering around him will be instantly erased if he doesn’t continue his dominance inside the cage.