After three losses in five fights, former WEC featherweight champion, Urijah “the California Kid” Faber, is looking for new opportunities. Although he dominated his weight class for years, Faber has since passed the torch to current phenom, Jose Aldo. Now, the 31-year-old hopes to repeat his success in the bantamweight division.

“It sounds like [the WEC] wants me to go down to 35. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, have some fights down there.”

Seemingly undersized even at 145 pounds, Faber doesn’t view the extra weight cut as an issue.

“All through college I was 133 pounds. I’m probably a natural [bantamweight], it won’t be difficult for me.”

While nothing has been confirmed, the bantamweight division offers a plethora of fresh opponents for “the California Kid.” Match ups with fighters like Brian Bowles, Miguel Torres and current champion, Dominick Cruz, could be barn burners.

“Not 100% sure when, but it’s going to be fairly soon.”

Pitting Faber against Scott Jorgensen or even Takeya Mizugaki would serve as a nice introduction to the new weight class.

(Source: Five Ounces of Pain)

Kim Couture, ex-wife of former UFC champion, Randy Couture, has been arrested on charges of domestic violence stemming from allegations that she choked her personal assistant. Sources have reported that Couture and her employee were engaged in a heated argument during the UFC Fan Expo last weekend. The confrontation apparently spilled over to the home they share.

Police arrived at the scene to find Couture choking her assistant. She was immediately arrested and booked into the Clark County Detention Center.

Couture has since posted bail and resumed training at her gym.

(Source: MMA News Leak)

In six years, WEC featherweight champion, Jose Aldo, has gone from complete obscurity to “overnight” sensation. Amassing a 17-1 record, Aldo has gained a wealth of new fans after dominating performances over the likes of Cub Swanson, Mike Brown and Urijah Faber.

Like clockwork, the fickle MMA community now wants more. After defeating Faber in his first title defense, some people have argued that Aldo should move up to the lightweight division and transition to the UFC. Company President, Dana White, doesn’t argue that Aldo has the ability to be successful elsewhere, he just thinks the champ should solidify his reign at featherweight first.

“Yeah, there’s a possibility he could move to 155. That’d be fun. I think that he should defend his title a couple more times.”

With lighting fast striking, slick Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and pure aggression rivaling the Tasmanian Devil, Aldo has seemed nearly unstoppable during his rise to the championship. Nevertheless, White still sees some room for improvement and firmly believes that Aldo can take his game to a new level.

“He had a dominant performance against Urijah, but I think he could have done better. I think he could have stopped him. The more times you get in there, you start to feel more and more comfortable. After guys get some experience and get a couple of big fights under their belt, this place starts to feel like home, [and] they turn it up to a whole other level.”

As fans clamor to see the superstar move on to greater challenges, White tempers the excitement with a quick dose of reality.

“It’s one thing to win the title. But you gotta defend it a few times.”

(Source: MMA Fighting)

In the aftermath of UFC 113, company president, Dana White, had some choice words for welterweight, Josh Koscheck. While White held up his end of the bargain by granting the American Kickboxing Academy fighter a coaching spot on the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter, he didn’t refrain from expressing his personal opinion to the media. In an article for Yahoo Sports, White was quoted as saying, “I’m no Josh Koscheck fan. Personally, I think he’s [expletive].”

Unapologetically arrogant, many MMA fans bristle whenever Koscheck takes the mic after a fight. Although the 32-year-old couldn’t care less about public opinion, the criticism from White in particular, seemed unwarranted to the number one welterweight contender.

“Dana White doesn’t like me, apparently. That’s what he says. I’m not a team player. I don’t understand how he can say that. To go on record and say that, I think that’s a bunch of (expletive). I’m the type of fighter that steps up and fights anybody, anytime, anyplace. I’ve taken short-notice fights for him. I always do whatever I’m asked. I’m going to prove I’m a team player by winning the show and the welterweight title.”

Koscheck’s attitude, in part, is a strategic attempt to self promote whenever possible. Whether fans love him or hate him, they are at least talking about him. For Koscheck, he’d rather be despised than forgotten. Even if fans are tuning in just to watch him get knocked out, they are still contributing to his paycheck.

“I always use this analogy because I respect Dennis Rodman and what he did. He was one of the best rebounders in the NBA, but he didn’t really get noticed until he started acting like a crazy man. At the end of the day, I’ve got to do things for myself and my business to make money so I don’t have to work. It’s not like we’re getting paid $50 million or $60 million a fight like (Floyd) Mayweather.”

(Source: Las Vegas Review Journal)

Former UFC middleweight, Lee “Lighting” Murray has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the 2006 Securitas depot robbery, which currently ranks as the largest heist in England’s history. Along with several partners, Murray walked away from the scheme with over 53 million pounds. As police arrested the team one-by-one, Murray fled to Morocco where he holds duel citizenship. Unfortunately for “Lighting,” Moroccan law enforcement quickly detained him.

For the next four years, the United Kingdom fought to extradite Murray back to his home country, but bureaucratic red tape prevented it. In 2007, while in a Moroccan prison, Murray was caught trying to saw through his cell bars in an ill advised escape attempt. During his initial imprisonment, Murray was infamous for having the proper connections to obtain a laptop with an internet connection and designer clothes while he waited out his sentence.

After being briefly released in 2009, Murray was re-arrested at the request of British authorities. He now must serve a 10 year stretch in Morocco for his crimes.

A talented middleweight, Murray made his debut with the UFC back in 2004, defeating Jorge Rivera via armbar triangle. It would be his only fight with the organization as Visa issues kept “Lighting” out of the Octagon. Known to hardcore MMA fans for years, Murray allegedly knocked out Tito Ortiz during a street fight in 2002.

At 32-years-old, it’s crazy to think that Murray could have still been fighting in the UFC today had he not ventured into such unscrupulous behavior. With MMA gaining a larger presence in the U.K., it’s not difficult to imagine that Murray would have been a breakout star. Instead, he’ll spend the next 10 years contemplating his life, and most likely, his next adventure.

There are rumors that a screenplay based on Murray’s story is making the rounds in Hollywood.

(Source: MMA Weekly)

In stark contrast to the media barrage centered on UFC 114 last Saturday, the upcoming main event featuring former champions, Chuck “the Iceman” Liddell and Rich “Ace” Franklin has gone virtually unnoticed. If one were to rely solely upon the mainstream press for their MMA news, fans would probably be surprised to find that UFC 115, from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, is less than two weeks away.

Nevertheless, the fight plays an important role in both men’s futures. Liddell wants to erase the memory of his four losses in five contests while Franklin aims to establish himself as a contender in the light heavyweight division.

While “Ace” has always entered the Octagon in great physical shape, “the Iceman,” on the other hand, has received his share of criticism for his slight pot belly and penchant for partying. Looking at the picture above, it’s safe to say that Liddell is taking this fight seriously. Hopefully, his game plan will look as refreshed as his body does.

UFC 115 will air live via pay-per view at 10pm EST. SPIKE TV will broadcast select undercard fights prior to the start of the event.

(Source: Twitter)

The UFC has changed its stance regarding Nate Diaz’s involvement during the brawl at Strikeforce: Nashville in April. Shortly after the incident, company president, Dana White, resisted the urge to punish Diaz. Now that the Tennessee Athletic Commission has handed down disciplinary recommendations, White has determined that the UFC will uphold any suspension levied upon their lightweight/welterweight fighter.

“If he gets suspended we’re going to honor it. I didn’t hear that he was going to get suspended. I didn’t hear that, but if he does, it is what it is. These things happen when you get in a fight like that.”

The TAC has suggested fines up to $20,000 and a nine month suspension; however, it is possible to have those numbers dramatically reduced should the fighter decline to oppose the sanctions. If Diaz is hit with the maximum penalty, a replacement would be needed for his upcoming bout against Marcus Davis at UFC 118 in August.

(Source: MMA Weekly)

After losing to “Sugar” Rashad Evans via unanimous decision last Saturday, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson finds himself at a career crossroad. Embarking on a promotional tour for the film version of The A-Team, in which Jackson plays the role of B.A. Baracus, the 31-year-old realizes that he must make a choice between pursuing MMA or acting.

Should Jackson decide to stick with fighting, UFC President, Dana White, already has his next opponent in mind: Lyoto Machida.

“I’m going to get together with Machida in the next couple of days, maybe Rampage.”

Although the bout is far from confirmed, it is clear that the UFC wants Jackson to not only stay active, but compete with the upper echelon of the division. At the moment, the fight makes sense for both men. With Machida coming off his first loss to current champion, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and “Rampage” recovering from his defeat to Evans, both competitors are looking for the fastest route back to title contention. Pitting the two light heavyweights against each other appears to be the clearest path toward the belt; however, the longer the UFC waits to put the fight together, the stronger the case will be for Jon “Bones” Jones to be included in the conversation, assuming he defeats Vladimir Matyushenko in August.

(Source: MMA Weekly)

Brazilian Top Team fighter, Ricardo Arona, met with UFC President, Dana White, to discuss a potential contract with the organization. Although details have not been revealed, the former PRIDE competitor appears confident that a deal will be made.

“It’s going to be great, because everyone is waiting for it, especially me. I really want to come here to the UFC.”

Arona hopes to make his Octagon debut sometime in October or November.

The 31-year-old won a plodding decision over Marvin Eastman at Bitetti Combat 4 last September. Prior to that bout, Arona had not competed in over two years. During his days with PRIDE, Arona made a name for himself with wins over Dan Henderson, Murilo “Ninja” Rua and Wanderlei Silva; however, he lost three out of his last four fights before the Japanese organization closed its doors.

Casual fans will likely remember Arona as the victim of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s power bomb knockout at PRIDE Critical Countdown 2004. The clip is regularly shown during highlight reels.

With a stifling ground game, Arona may not be the most visually exciting fighter; however, he would represent a formidable challenge to many in the light heavyweight division. Questions remain whether or not Arona still has the ability to compete with today’s MMA elite. As the sport continues to evolve, long layoffs can quickly lead to irrelevance. If he does sign with the UFC, fans will get to see if Arona has anything left to offer.

(Source: Cage Potato)

After his loss to lightweight champion, B.J. Penn, in December, Diego “Nightmare” Sanchez chose to move back up to the welterweight division. At UFC 114, The Ultimate Fighter 1 winner squared off with up-and-comer, John Hathaway. It was assumed by many that Sanchez would emerge victorious. Unfortunately for the “Nightmare,” Hathaway delivered a dominating performance leading to a unanimous decision win for the undefeated Brit.

Once a force in his weight class, Sanchez is now stuck in MMA purgatory. UFC President, Dana White, believes the answer lies in the lightweight division.

“I’m not [Sanchez's] manager, but I think he should stay at [lightweight]. Listen, a loss to B.J. Penn doesn’t mean you go back up to 170. It means you stay at 155, and you do what Kenny Florian did. You stay in there and you keep grinding it out and keep beating the top guys, and you get back in line and work your way back up to the top again. Diego does not look good at 170.”

It will be interesting to see what Sanchez does next. Will he take White’s suggestion and move back down to 155 pounds or continue to work through the ranks of the welterweight division? Either way, the 28-year-old could benefit from a change in his approach to training, particularly in the striking department. The old days of dominating his opponents with wrestling appear to be over.

(Source: MMA Junkie)