World MMA Awards return for 2010, Nominees for the 20 Categories are Underway

"Fighters Only" is now taking nominations for the 2010 World MMA Awards, the third installment of MMA's most prominent awards program. I'm tuning in just to see all the fighters sporting the new MMA Clothing by various companies, like Tapout, Silver Star, Dethrone Royalty, Step In and more!

Nominations, which should reflect performances from September 2009 until the end of this month, are underway in 20 different categories until Sept. 26. Finalists will be announced on Oct. 1, and final voting runs until Nov. 26 at www.worldmmaawards.com.

The winners will be announced Dec. 1 at a black-tie reception, sponsored by BodyBuilding.com, at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

Broadcast details have not been unveiled, though the 2009 ceremony aired live on Versus.com and in a highlights package on the Versus cable station.

"The anticipation for the 2010 awards has been a little overwhelming," Rob Hewitt, President and CEO of "Fighters Only," stated. "I couldn't be more thrilled by the potential of this year's event.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who's supported us in making the World MMA Awards a landmark occasion in the industry's calendar and appeal to the fans to let their voices be heard."

The UFC, Greg Jackson and TapouT were multi-category winners in 2009. Additionally, major-category victors included Georges St-Pierre (Fighter of the Year), Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos (Female Fighter of the Year), the UFC (Best Promotion), Dan Henderson (KO of the Year), Toby Imada (Submission of the Year), Diego Sanchez and Clay Guida (Fight of the Year) and Brock Lesnar (Breakthrough Fighter of the Year). MMAjunkie.com picked up an award in the "Best Media Source" category, and MMAjunkie.com's John Morgan was named "Best MMA Journalist."

New categories for 2010 include Referee of the Year, Most Memorable Ring Entrance, Best Technical Equipment Brand, and Best Technical Clothing Brand.

Nominate your favorites now at www.worldmmaawards.com, and check out the 2009 winners below:

* Special Lifetime Achievement Award: Charles "Mask" Lewis Jr., TapouT
* Fighter of the Year: Georges St-Pierre
* Female Fighter of the Year: Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos
* European Fighter of the Year: Gegard Mousasi
* Breakthrough Fighter of the Year: Brock Lesnar
* Fight of the Year: Diego Sanchez and Clay Guida (The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale)
* KO of the Year: Dan Henderson (vs. Michael Bisping at UFC 100)
* Submission of the Year: Toby Imada (vs. Jorge Masvidal at Bellator 5)
* Best Promotion: UFC
* Leading Man of the Year: Dana White, UFC president
* Best MMA Clothing Brand: TapouT (What you do when you LOSE), Should be Step In Gear
* Coach of the Year: Greg Jackson
* Gym of the Year: Greg Jackson's Submission Fighting
* Ring Girl of the Year: Arianny Celeste, UFC
* Best Media Source: MMAjunkie.com
* Best MMA Journalist: John Morgan, MMAjunkie.com/"Dallas Morning News"
* Best Overall MMA Clothing Manufacturer: TapouT
* Best MMA Shorts Manufacturer: TapouT
* Best MMA Gloves Manufacturer: UFC

And remember.......... You Can't Win, Until You Step IN...

UFC 123: Rampage vs. Machida Predictions

The UFC gets no rest this week as just seven days removed from UFC 122 in Germany; they are doing it all over again Saturday for UFC 123. The event takes place in Michigan for only the second time in UFC history and the first time May of 1996.

The second to last PPV of the year will feature four former UFC champions in the night main and co-main events. Former light heavyweight champs Lyoto Machida and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will square off in the night’s main event. The Co-main event will complete a trilogy between former welterweight champion Matt Hughes and former welterweight and lightweight champion BJ Penn.

Along with the main card appearing on PPV, Spike will air two preliminary card bouts starting at 6pm PT with the PPV set to begin at 7pm PT.

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"And remember..... You Can't Win, Until You Step In."

HT: MMAValor

WEC 52 Complete Results

Main event:
135 lbs.: Urijah Faber vs. Takeya Mizugaki – Faber by 1st rd. Submission (Rear Naked Choke) [Submission of the night]

Main card (Televised):
145 lbs.: Francisco Rivera vs. Erik Koch – Koch by 1st rd. TKO [knockout of the night]135 lbs.: Joseph Benavidez vs. Wagnney Fabiano – Benavedez by 2rd rd. Submission (Guillotine)
145 lbs.: Chad Mendes vs. Javier Vazquez – Mendes by Unanimous Decision
135 lbs.: Demetrious Johnson vs. Damacio Page – Johnson by 3rd rd. Submission (Guillotine)

Under card (May not be broadcast):
155 lbs.: Zack Micklewright vs. Dustin Poirier – Poirier by 1st rd. TKO
135 lbs.: Clint Godfrey vs. Michael McDonald – McDonald by 1st rd. Submission (Armbar)
145 lbs.: Mackens Semerzier vs. Cub Swanson – Swanson by Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) [Fight of the night]155 lbs.: Raphael Assuncao vs. L.C. Davis – Assuncao by Unanimous Decision
155 lbs.: Anthony Njokuani vs. Edward Faaloloto – Njokuani by 2nd rd. TKO
145 lbs.: Yves Jabouin vs. Brandon Visher – Jabouin by Unanimous Decision

WEC 52 Main Card Breakdown

This Thursday, November 11th, the WEC makes its last journey to Las Vegas for its final event ever to be held at The Peal inside The Palms Hotel. This card has had its share of injuries and fighters being shuffled around but with just a few days left the Fight Card finalized.

The card is headlined by “The California Kid” Urijah Faber making his bantamweight debut against a very tough Takeya Mizugaki. Lets breakdown the main card fights that will be shown live on Versus starting at 6pm PT.

Check out the main card...

"And remember..... You Can't Win, Until You Step In."

HT: MMAValor

Chan Sung Jung and Rani Yahya agree to fight at UFC Fight Night 23

A pair of two high-profile featherweights that may be facing a pink slip have agreed to meet at UFC Fight Night 23.

Chan Sung Jung and Rani Yahya have verbally agreed to meet at the as-yet-unannounced UFC Fight Night 23 event. and bout agreements are expected to be finalized shortly.

While not yet official, "UFC Fight Night 23: UFC Fight for the Troops 2" is expected to take place Jan. 22 at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas

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"And remember..... You Can't Win, Until You Step In."

HT: MMA Junkie

Erin McDougall Step's In for RITC 41

Step In is a proud sponsor of Erin McDougall. Erin will be fighting this Saturday, November 6th at Rumble In The Cage 41 in Lethbridge Alberta. This fight can be viewed on GoFightLive.tv for just $10.00. Erin is more than an established Muay Thai fighter, she’s a well respected MMA columnist, connected to the Canadian MMA Scene, co-host of TUF Crap Radio, has her own blog and website and recently joined Step In as a Team Member/sponsored fighter.

Step In patiently awaits Erin's Victory!!

And remember..... You Can't Win, Until You Step In.

TUF 12 Recap: Episode 8 Kos in a Commotion

The show starts out with talk regarding the wildcard selections: Dane Sayers and team GSP were shocked that Marc Stevens got the nod over Sayers. Georges St-Pierre says the reason Sayers didn’t get selected was his lack of a pedigree. Dana White tries to explain it as Sayers is only going to get better but right here, right now Stevens is the better fighter and the obvious pick.

During the team GSP training session while Michael Johnson and Jonathon Brookins are training hard, Alex Caceres is having his back worked on because it’s been sore.

At the Koscheck training session Andy Main talks about the wildcard selection being bittersweet for him. Josh Koscheck thought Stevens has a lot of potential but just made a mistake and didn’t get to show it during his first fight (which only lasted 18 seconds).

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"And remember..... You Can't Win, Until You Step In."

HT: MMA Valor

Jon Fitch vs. Jake Ellenberger targeted for UFC 126 in February

A welterweight matchup between perennial contender Jon Fitch (23-3 MMA, 13-1 UFC) and Jake Ellenberger (23-5 MMA, 2-1 UFC) is on tap for UFC 126's pay-per-view card.

Sources close to the event today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that at least one fighter has agreed to the fight and that bout agreements are in the process of being finalized.

UFC 126 takes place Feb. 5 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas and is expected to feature a middleweight title fight between reigning champion Anderson Silva and challenger Vitor Belfort.

The event takes place on Super Bowl weekend and airs on pay-per-view.

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"And remember..... You Can't Win, Until You Step In."

HT: MMA Junkie