Roy Nelson Seeks ‘Money Fight’ In His Next Octagon Encounter

Roy Nelson made quick work of Dave Herman in their heavyweight contest at UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir last month. Now, the former winner of The Ultimate Fighter wants to continue bringing home the bacon.

“I just want a money fight,” said Nelson, in a recent interview with Sherdog’s “Beatdown” radio show. “But if not, I’ve always wanted to fight (Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira).”

Nogueira and Cheick Kongo are slated to square off at UFC 149 on July 21, and “Big Country” feels like the winner of that would be a perfect opponent for himself.

“I’d love that fight,” Nelson said. “Of course, (Junior dos Santos), Frank (Mir); there’s so many out there. If you’re in the UFC, you’re the best in the world.”

Nelson (17-7) has went the distance with both dos Santos, the current UFC heavyweight champion, and Mir, a two-time former holder of the belt. He lost both matches.

Photo credit: Tracy Lee/CombatLifestyle.com

 

Frank Mir Was Allowed To Use TRT Before Fight With Junior Dos Santos

Frank Mir, who was unsuccessful in his attempt to claim the UFC heavyweight title from Junior dos Santos at UFC 146, was allowed a therapeutic use exemption for testosterone replacement therapy, according to a report by Larry Pepe of Pro MMA Radio.

Pepe confirmed the news on his Twitter account, writing, “NSAC’s Keith Kizer confirmed to me that Frank Mir met all requirements for & received TUE for TRT for UFC 146 fight against JDS.”

Mir had to pass several pre- and post-fight blood tests conducted by the Nevada Athletic Commission. Pepe reported that he passed all of them.

Photo credit: Dave Mandel/Sherdog

 

UFC 146 Drug Tests Come Back With No Problems

The drug testing of 24 fights from UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir were all clean, according to information obtained by MMAjunkie.com from the Nevada Athletic Commission.

Keith Kizer, executive director of NAC, confirmed the clearing of the tests in an e-mail.

UFC 146 featured Junior dos Santos defeating Frank Mir in a bout for the UFC heavyweight title. The testing was of importance because it knocked Alistair Overeem from the planned bout several months ago following a pre-fight drug test that came back positive.

Photo credit: Esther Lin/MMA Fighting

 

Antonio Silva ‘Couldn’t See Straight’ After Cain Velasquez Bloodied His Face

 

UFC 146: Dos Santos Vs. Mir Medical Suspensions

Cain Velasquez could join his American Kickboxing Academy teammate, Daniel Cormier, on the sidelines with a hand injury.

The medical suspensions for this past Saturday’s UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir event have been reported by MMA Junkie’s Steven Marrocco. The results were confirmed by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

Velasquez, a winner over Antonio Silva in the co-main event, will need to have an X-ray on his left hand to find out of it is broken. The former UFC heavyweight champion could be suspended until November if it requires surgery.

UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos, who defeated Frank Mir, was on issued any suspension. Mir was handed a short suspension for his efforts.

UFC 146: DOS SANTOS VS. MIR MEDICAL SUSPENSIONS

Cain Velasquez: Needs X-ray of left hand. If broken, he is suspended until November 20 unless cleared by doctor. Suspended at minimum until June 26 with no contact until June 17

Antonio Silva: Needs X-ray of nose. If broken, he is suspended until November 20 unless cleared by an ear, nose and throat doctor. Suspended at minimum until July 23 with no contact until July 11 for lacerations

Jamie Varner: Needs X-ray of right hand. If broken, he is suspended until November 20 unless cleared by doctor. Suspended at minimum until June 26 with no contact until June 17

Jason Miller: Needs clearance of right thumb and left knee by orthopedist or sports doctor or suspended until November 20. Suspended at minimum until July 11 with no contact until June 26 for tough fight

C.B. Dollaway: Needs X-ray of left thumb. If broken, he is suspended until November 20 unless cleared by doctor. Suspended at minimum until June 26 with no contact until June 17

Jacob Volkmann: Needs clearance of left elbow clearance of right thumb and left knee by orthopedist or suspended until November 20

Frank Mir: Suspended until July 23 with no contact until July 11 for TKO loss

Dave Herman: Suspended until July 23 with no contact until July 11 for TKO loss

Shane Del Rosario: Suspended until July 23 with no contact until July 11 for TKO loss

Duane Ludwig: Suspended until July 23 with no contact until July 11 for TKO loss

Lavar Johnson: Needs evaluation of left elbow by orthopedist. Suspended at minimum until July 11 with no contact until June 26

Edson Barboza: Suspended until July 11 with no contact until June 26 for TKO loss

Stipe Miocic: Suspended until June 26 with no contact until June 17

Darren Elkins: Suspended until June 26 with no contact until June 17 for left ear hematoma

Diego Brandao: Suspended until June 26 with no contact until June 17 for tough fight

Mike Brown: Suspended until June 26 with no contact until June 17 for left forehead laceration

Daniel Pineda: Suspended until June 26 with no contact until June 17 for tough fight

 

UFC 146 Fighter Salaries Topped By Dos Santos, Mir, Velasquez

A trio of fighters who have all wore or currently wear the UFC heavyweight title earned $200,000 for their efforts over the weekend at UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir.

UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos and Frank Mir each earned flat-rate $200,000 payments, while Cain Velasquez racked up $200,000 thanks to a win bonus of $100,000.

The numbers, which do not include any bonuses other than the win bonuses or sponsorship payments, were confirmed with the Nevada Athletic Commission by MMA Junkie’s website.

UFC 146: DOS SANTOS VS. MIR FIGHTER SALARIES

Junior Dos Santos: $200,000 (no win bonus)
def. Frank Mir: $200,000

Cain Velasquez: $200,000 (includes $100,000 win bonus)
def. Antonio Silva: $70,000

Roy Nelson: $40,000 (includes $20,00 win bonus)
def. Dave Herman: $21,000

Stipe Miocic: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
def. Shane Del Rosario: $20,000

Stefan Struve: $58,000 (includes $29,000 win bonus)
def. Lavar Johnson: $26,000

Darren Elkins: $28,000 (includes $14,000 win bonus)
def. Diego Brandao: $15,000

Jamie Varner: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
def. Edson Barboza: $18,000

C.B. Dollaway: $40,000 (includes $20,000 win bonus)
def. Jason “Mayhem” Miller: $45,000

Dan Hardy: $50,000 (includes $25,000 win bonus)
def. Duane “Bang” Ludwig: $18,000

Paul Sass: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
def. Jacob Volkmann: $20,000

Glover Teixeira: $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)
def. Kyle Kingsbury: $12,000

Mike Brown: $52,000 (includes $26,000 win bonus)
def. Daniel Pineda: $10,000

 

Jason ‘Mayhem’ Miller Discusses His Release, Retirement From UFC

Jason “Mayhem” Miller claimed in lead-up interviews that if he was unsuccessful against C.B. Dollaway at UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir that he would retire from MMA.

Well, the UFC went ahead and released Miller following the decision defeat, and even made mention of a backstage incident involving Miller the night of the card.

Recently, “Mayhem” was a guest on The MMA Hour where he talked about his retirement and the incident in question.

“Yeah, I said I would (retire) and so I am. I didn’t get the job done and that’s what I’m saying. I’m done for right now. Who knows what the future holds, but at the same time, what’s the point?”

As for the incident, Miller said, “It was my mask. Burt (Watson) suddenly started yelling about my mask. I had a gas mask for the troops underneath my paper bag, and Burt started telling me right as I’m walking out for the fight. I’m trying to get focused instead of arguing about a paper bag. Maybe it was my fault. I thought we had an understanding once I started walking out to the cage and then now I’m working. I wish I could have heard about it before it would be easier to deal with. But here I am walking to the cage and suddenly I started getting yelled at. I’m like, ‘What, I’m trying to focus here.’ Whatever. Thing don’t always go the way you want. That’s life.”

Photo credit: Esther Lin/MMA Fighting

 

Moving Forward After UFC 146

After the heavyweight UFC 146 delivered in a HUGE way, it’s time I deliver my look at what’s next for the 10 heavyweight competitors from Saturday’s pay-per-view event. I won’t mince words, let’s just get to it.

-Junior dos Santos looked as impressive as he ever has inside the octagon on Saturday night. After making very short work of Frank Mir, as was expected, Junior gets a hero’s welcome in Brazil, some time off, and a year-end date with the man who dropped the belt to him on FOX; Cain Velasquez.

-If Frank Mir can take one thing from his loss to Junior, it’s that he stepped up and took the toughest possible fight in the division, and showed no fear at any point. While he may have been outclassed, he didn’t go down without a fight, and Mir can still be a serious problem for anybody in the UFC. If the stars align as some would suggest, a rubber match with Brock Lesnar could do big business near the end of 2012. If not, Werdum vs. Mir is an amazing fight.

-Cain Velasquez looked like an absolute monster against Antonio Silva. I had little hope for “Bigfoot”, but that was just as one-sided of a beatdown as they come. Hopefully after he delivers all that blood to the Red Cross, Cain can get the gym and prepare for his rematch with Junior dos Santos. If both men can enter the cage at 100%, this really could be the best heavyweight bout of all time.

-Speaking of Bigfoot Silva, I’d like to see him work on his wrestling, as he has the striking and BJJ to hang with the elite in the UFC’s heavyweight division. While style-wise, it may not benefit him, a returning Shane Carwin could poise an interesting challenge for the Strikeforce import, and vice versa.

-Roy Nelson looked awesome in his three punch victory over Dave Herman. A big fat bonus, a highlight reel knockout, and a few more fights under the ZUFFA banner are now his, and I think he gets a long-awaited rematch with the last man to defeat Roy, albeit controversially, in the IFL, Big Ben Rothwell.

-Dave Herman has hit hard times. I still think he’s one of the best heavyweights in MMA, but he just doesn’t take any aspect of the fight game seriously enough to make a big impact. Don’t be surprised if he appears on an FX or FUEL TV card taking on Philip de Fries or someone who holds a similar ranking.

-Stipe Miocic showed how important conditioning is, weathering an early storm en route to an impressive and violent victory. I could see him taking on Struve in the near future, as it would signal a slight step up in competition. If not Struve, throw a dart at a list of heavyweights and make it happen. I’ll watch Miocic fight anyone, any time.

-Shane del Rosario looked damn impressive for about five minutes. There is no shame in losing to Stipe Miocic at all, he’s a legit prospect and will do huge things in the future. I have no reason to think del Rosario won’t do the same with his always improving skillset, which he will demonstrate against Pat Barry, Gabriel Gonzaga, or some other mid-tier heavyweight.

-Stefan Struve did what many expected. A quick guard pull, a quick submission, and a big fat paycheck. I’d like to see him matched up once again with Mark Hunt, as I still think that is a very interesting match-up, but if Hunt is out for an extended period of time, Miocic vs. Struve is still a very intriguing fight.

-Ideally, Lavar Johnson needs to continue to be matched up with strikers that possess absolutely no ground game. I don’t imagine favorable matchmaking will follow him around throughout his entire UFC career, but the UFC wants fireworks. Match him up with Cheick Kongo after Nog beats him, or, if you must, Christian Morecraft.

I’ve played my hand at fantasy matchmaking, and now I pass the buck to all of you. What matches should be made following UFC 146?

 

UFC 146 Post-Fight Video Interviews: Dos Santos, Mir, Velasquez, Nelson, Miocic, Struve, More

MMA Fighting and FUEL TV’s Ariel Helwani caught up with Junior dos Santos, Frank Mir, Cain Velasquez, Roy Nelson, Stipe Miocic, Stefan Struve, Dan Hardy, Jamie Varner, CB Dollaway, Paul Sass, Glover Teixeira and Mike Brown to talk about their fights at UFC 146.

 

Dana White Talks Possible Brock Lesnar Return, Dos Santos vs. Velasquez 2, Mayhem Miller, Arianny Celeste, More

Dana White had plenty to talk about following UFC 146 last night. Check out these videos of Dana talking about everything from Brock Lesnar’s potential return to the UFC to the chances that Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez will meet again in the next heavyweight title fight.

Videos via MMA Fighting and FUEL TV.