Daily News & Rumors

Thales Leites, who less than four months ago competed for the UFC middleweight title, was given his walking papers in a meeting Wednesday afternoon with the UFC, FanHouse confirmed with a source close to Leites. mma.fanhouse.com

Although the loss was the Nova Uniao member's first back-to-back of his career and an exit from the UFC is obviously a regression, Leites is a fighter that should have no trouble finding a new promotion to compete for as he could instantly be a contender in any other organization. mma.fanhouse.com


“This is all getting compounded by three,” said Carano. “There’s the title, there’s Cyborg, and there’s five (five-minute) rounds. So for me, mentally, these have been the things that focused me and bring back the passion I need to train, because when I have an awesome opponent to train for, I’m in the gym.” mmaweekly.com


Nick Diaz has signed a contract to box professionally in addition to his commitments in MMA with Strikeforce, longtime boxing promoter Don Chargin announced Thursday. mma.fanhouse.com


"Nick is just one of those guys ready and willing to fight anybody," Gracie stated. "Literally anybody. He just loves to fight. It's been one of his career goals to become a dual-sport world champion, and I think the world is ready to see a fight in which a top MMA guy in his prime takes on a top boxing guy in his prime. It's never been done before, and I think Nick will surprise a lot of people come fight night." mmajunkie.com


Michael David Smith: Let's start with the question everyone is asking: Will we see you fight again?
Chuck Liddell: I don't know. I don't know what my final decision will be. It's hard for an athlete to quit what he's done his whole life. So I don't know. I'm going to make the right decision for me, and that decision could come in a couple months. But we'll see. mma.fanhouse.com


“I already talked to Scott Coker about being on the card either at the end of the year or early next year and once he gets down with the fights this weekend I’m sure he’ll start working on his next event,” said Le on Sherdog Radio Network’s “Beatdown” show Wednesday. “As soon as his deal with CBS is all straightened out, I’m sure he’ll get to me. He just recently acquired all the Pro Elite athletes so he’s a very busy man right now.” urdirt.com


Fresh off his unanimous decision victory over Kendall Grove at UFC 101, MMAmania.com has learned that Ricardo Almeida (11-3) will finally get to make his welterweight debut when he tangles with 170-pound stalwart Jon Fitch (19-3) at UFC 106 from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Nov. 21. mmamania.com


A featherweight contest between Affliction imports Mark Hominick (16-8 MMA, 0-2 WEC) and Deividas Taurosevicius (10-3 MMA, 0-0 WEC) is now official for WEC 43. mmajunkie.com

The two fighters were originally scheduled to meet on the preliminary card of "Affliction: Trilogy," but that event was canceled following the loss of main-event fighter Josh Barnett after a positive drug screen result. mmajunkie.com


Former UFC heavyweight contender Vladimir Matyushenko (22-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) is the latest UFC veteran to return to the organization, as "The Janitor" will now face Croatian light heavyweight Igor Pokrajac (21-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at UFC 103. mmajunkie.com


MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) today learned from sources close to the event that Ellenberger has agreed to replace an injured Chris Lytle and face will now face Carlos Condit (22-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 19. mmajunkie.com


The Ultimate Fighter 7 semifinalist Dan Cramer has been released by the UFC following his loss last Saturday at UFC 101 in Philadelphia, FanHouse has learned. mma.fanhouse.com


Four bouts were today added to September's "Sengoku 10th Battle," including a lightweight contest between Lightweight King of Pancrase Maximo Blanco (3-2-1) and former featherweight grand prix contestant Tetsuya Yamada (3-1). mmajunkie.com


“I performed just as good as I thought I would,” said Pellegrino to MMAWeekly.com about his win over Neer. “I took a fight with a very tough kid, and the fight was going to come down to who was smarter and who had a game plan. mmaweekly.com

“I’m undefeated for a year-and-a-half now and I’ve got three wins in a row, which is the first time for me in the UFC,” he stated. “I’m very happy to do that, especially in Philadelphia, on the East Coast and prove to Joe Silva, Dana White and the UFC that I’m a main card fighter and I can take on these tough guys. mmaweekly.com


“I wouldn’t be surprised if he fought one fight and won that and came right back and fought for the title again,” said Bowles. “I think that’s what Faber did.” mmaweekly.com

“It’s the biggest thing that’s ever happened to me in my life,” said Bowles. mmaweekly.com


“I’m feeling really good,” exclaimed Boetsch to MMAWeekly.com. “I’ve been training out here in Kirkland with Matt Hume, wanted to do some new stuff, doing a lot more cardio and I feel really excited about getting back into the cage and perform.” mmaweekly.com

“It really made me open my eyes and say that I really need to start working with professionals at a legitimate training camp and get the kind of coaching a guy at my level should get. I definitely want to get back into the cage and show people that I am a top level athlete.” mmaweekly.com


Erin Toughill could be next in line to face the winner of Gina Carano vs. Cris Cyborg at a later date for the Strikeforce 145-pound women's title. That is, once a contract is finalized between her and the promotion. mma.fanhouse.com