Jeff Curran hopes UFC will give him one chance at flyweight after UFC on Fuel 3 loss

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

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Jeff Curran's decision loss to Johnny Eduardo on Tuesday at UFC on Fuel 3 was his second straight since being brought back to the UFC last October. Counting his last run in the WEC, he's lost six straight under the Zuffa banner.

As he nears his 35th birthday in September, Curran's worried this latest loss may be his last shot in the UFC, and thus his MMA career.

"I am at a huge fear for my job and career with UFC," he said in an interview with MMAFighting.com. "Knowing that they don't like to sign older guys past 35 years old due to athletic commission complications, and me nearing 35 in September, being dropped from UFC would mean the end of my career."

"I am determined to get a fight at 125. I feel the weight cut to 135 isn't even a cut at all. I am a smaller boned guy who has had to stay big over the years and now I can finally see that a lower weight is a chance for me and my time is running short. "

Curran is a near-50-fight veteran of the sport, who has competed around the world and in numerous organizations over his 14-year career. With a number of intriguing matchups in the UFC's newly created flyweight division, Curran's just hoping the UFC will give him one more chance to get a win inside the Octagon.

"There is a few guys I would like to fight at 125 to have a final shot at proving at the end of the day that I am just a little guy but capable of doing bigger things than I have been able to display," Curran said. "Yasuhiro Urushitani, John Lineker, or even a rematch with Kid Yamamoto at 125 would be a perfect fit, if either one of them coming off losses has the (expletive) to test themselves against me these days."

"Japan, Brazil, USA ... doesn't matter to me," he continued. "I pray UFC can recognize this and call my management. UFC will at least end up with a war once again. Nothing to lose. I hope the fans get behind me here. I planned on dropping down after a win over Eduardo. I lost the fight but here I am."

"I gave my life to the sport, and feel I have had a curse hanging over me and losing decisions has become the norm on beating me. I know that 125 is stiff competition, but nobody has a reach advantage, and that's one of my worst body types to fight: tall and lanky."

Penick's Analysis: I hope the UFC gives him one more chance. He's had a number of really close fights in that six-fight Zuffa losing streak, with all but his loss to Urijah Faber (which started the streak) coming by decision. Even though all those fights have gone to the scorecards, they've mostly been exciting contests, and he'll be a challenge for any opponent they book him against. If he can change things up and get to 125 lbs., he very well could find a new lease on his career. The UFC should at least give him that chance.

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_13334.shtml

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Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson and the UFC: Can this relationship be saved?

Lately, Quinton Jackson has been complaining about how he doesn't want to be in the UFC any more, and it appears the feeling is mutual from the UFC. They have become the couple that everyone knows should break up. Inexplicably, they stay together and annoy everyone around them. It's time to break this down, women's magazine style.

Cagewriter asks, can this relationship be saved?

Jackson says:

"After I leave the UFC, I'm done with them! ... The UFC's just throwing me all these boring fighters, these game planners, these wrestlers. I'm the type of fighter who you should match up with people who want to fight excitingly. You know what I'm saying? Cuz I'm gonna be the type of fighter who puts butts in seats."

UFC president Dana White says:

"I'll have a conversation with 'Rampage' and think we're cool, and then I'll read other stuff," he said. "We've been good to everybody we've ever dealt with. We've never screwed anybody over, including 'Rampage.' And you want to talk about a guy that we went to bat for — we've gone to bat for him many times. I feel like [expletive] (Derek) Jeter when it comes to 'Rampage.' If he's unhappy with us, doesn't like us and doesn't want to be with us anymore, then the feeling is mutual."

Cagewriter responds, NO. This relationship cannot be saved. Jackson is miserable and will not be quiet until he is free from the UFC, so UFC? Let him go. Give him a quick fight to finish out his contract, or just cut him. White says both sides don't want to work with each other any more. Why prolong the agony?

Not all (business) relationships are built to last. Tear this one down.

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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/quinton-rampage-jackson-ufc-relationship-saved-152606334.html

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Source: http://www.fighters.com/05/10/paul-heymans-back-on-raw-brock-lesnars-not-video

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Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2012/05/14/dustin-poirier-%e2%80%9cwere-going-to-go-in-there-and-rise-to-the-occasion-%e2%80%9d/

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UFC on Fuel 3 Results: Francisco Rivera dominates Alex Soto en route to decision win

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Francisco Rivera made a successful return to the UFC on Tuesday night, dominating the striking game against Alex Soto at UFC on Fuel 3 in Fairfax, Va.

Rivera battered Soto with big strikes early and often en route to a unanimous decision win, but to his credit Soto continued fighting on for the entirety of the 15 minute bout despite taking some major punishment.

The one-sided performance came despite Rivera entering on short notice, but he handed Soto his second straight loss inside the Octagon.

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/quicknews/article_13298.shtml

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Alistair Overeem and Antonio Silva breakdown their upcoming fight - Strikeforce

At the Strikeforce Heavyweight GP in Dallas, TC Inside MMA correspondent Ron Kruck caught up with Alistair Overeem and Antonio Silva. The Reem spoke about his victory over Fabricio Werdum and the challange that lies ahead in Silva. Bigfoot spoke about how to do the impossible and beat Overeem

Source: http://mmalice.com/strikeforce/alistair-overeem-and-antonio-silva-breakdown-their-upcoming-fight-video_54151b1ca.html

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Hockey Fight of the Day: Alan Hangsleben vs. Chris Kotsopoulos

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Source: http://www.fighters.com/05/08/hockey-fight-of-the-day-alan-hangsleben-vs-chris-kotsopoulos

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Frank Mir says Junior dos Santos avoids the ground “like it’s poison”

Former UFC heavyweight champ Frank Mir will enter his upcoming bout with current title-holder Junior dos Santos with a significant level of confidence despite the Brazilian’s reputation and record. While Mir understands Dos Santos is a threat to beat any adversary he also know he excels in an area “Cigano” arguably needs some work in [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/05/11/frank-mir-says-junior-dos-santos-avoids-the-ground-%e2%80%9clike-it%e2%80%99s-poison%e2%80%9d

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Breaking It Down: Bellator 68

You’re likely not in Atlantic City right now, but if you are, RUN, not walk, to the Caesars Hotel and Casino to score some tickets for tonight’s Bellator 68. You will not be disappointed… or maybe you will, I don’t know, I don’t even know you. Regardless, it’s time for another Bellator event, and with [...]

Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2012/05/11/breaking-it-down-bellator-68/

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