Welcome to the first edition of the Heavy MMA Daily Recap. Each weekday, we’ll help you navigate the wild and crazy world of MMA news and commentary with an easy to digest list of the best of the web. You can thank us later.
Spencer Kyte wrote a tremendous story in which he detailed the media mockery of former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia. “The Maine-iac” seems to be everyone’s favorite punching bag and Kyte makes a valid argument that the treatment Sylvia receives is a bit too harsh. http://heavy.com/mma/mma-commentary/2010/05/tim-sylvia-cant-win-with-the-media/
The UFC’s first foray onto the Versus Network was a resounding success. Today the organization officially announced the second card set to take place on August 1st in Salt Lake City, Utah. Rising light heavyweight star Jon Jones will headline the event. http://heavy.com/mma/mma-news/2010/05/ufc-on-versus-2-officially-announced/
UFC light heavyweight Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will serve as a guest host for WWE Monday Night Raw on June 7th. Appearing with Jackson will be two of his co-stars from the soon to be released “A-Team” movie: http://heavy.com/mma/mma-news/2010/05/rampage-jackson-to-co-host-wwe-raw/
Former Pride Announcer Jay Glazer and Rachelle Leah have teamed up to produce “MMA Athletics,” volume four. This episode will feature UFC Octagon beauty Arianny Celeste. http://heavy.com/mma/mma-news/2010/05/mma-athletics-episode-four/
World renowned trainer Greg Jackson took some time out of his busy schedule to speak with Heavy MMA’s Jon Lane. Jackson and Lane discuss a variety of topics including this weekend’s grudge match between former light heavyweight champions Rashad Evans and the aforementioned Jackson. It’s a really good read and gives the readers a little insight into the mind of one of the best trainers in the sport. http://heavy.com/mma/mma-interviews/2010/05/greg-jackson-talks-melvin-guillard-aaron-riley-rashad-evans/
September 15th has been chosen as a tentative date for “UFC Fight Night 22,” which will serve as a lead-in for the 12th installment of “The Ultimate Fighter” No venue has been selected, but signs are pointing to an east coast destination. http://heavy.com/mma/mma-news/2010/05/ufc-fight-night-22-scheduled-for-sept-15/
Other MMA News
UFC President Dana White took an opportunity to take a verbal jab at the sport of boxing, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/05/24/dana-white-says-mayweather-pacquiao-would-lose-in-mma/
Season seven winner of “The Ultimate Fighter” Efrain Escudero talks about his friendship with UFC 114 opponent Danny Lauzon in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPR6kfbxyAc&feature=player_embedded
In an interview with ESPN, British middleweight Michael Bisping talks about everyone but his UFC 114 opponent Dan Miller. http://www.espn.co.uk/ufc/sport/story/23304.html
Five Knuckles has an interesting interview with Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Jake Shields. http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-news/4-11383/5K-Exclusive-Jake-Shields-primed-and-ready-for-superstardom.html
The pay-per-view numbers for UFC 113 are coming in at somewhere between 520k and 687k buys. Check out what MMA Payout has to say about both scenarios: http://mmapayout.com/2010/05/ufc-113-520000-buys-early-reports/