- Benson Henderson edged out Donald Cerrone in an epic five-rounder at WEC 43, while Mackens Semerzier came out of nowhere to score the upset of the year over Wagnney Fabiano.

- Chuck Liddell’s storybook run on “Dancing With the Stars” came to an abrupt end when his country-fried two-step failed to win over the judges.

- Half-crazy UFC vet Wes Sims was quickly choked to sleep by Justin Wren on Wednesday’s episode of The Ultimate Fighter, extending Team Rashad’s undefeated reign of destruction.

- “The Simpsons” devoted an entire episode to MMA, in which Marge went from killjoy protester to ass-kicking cage-fighter.

- Brock Lesnar was as big and scary as a baby as he is now, and Nick Diaz had lost all ability to give a fuck by age six.

- We met Mika Nagano, one of Japan’s sexiest MMA fighters.

- After contract negotiations with the UFC fell apart, veteran fighter Dan Henderson is jumping ship to Strikeforce.

- Leaner and meaner, Ben Rothwell laid out his plan to beat Cain Velasquez at UFC 104 next Saturday.

- If Tito Ortiz is your favorite fighter, you are either Jenna Jameson, Donald Trump, or Tito Ortiz. No exceptions.

Here’s a weekly rundown of MMA content from Ben Goldstein of CagePotato.com:

- Gina Carano appeared semi-nude (and fully hot) on the cover of ESPN: The Magazine’s “Body Issue.”

- Shinya Aoki won his best-of-three series against Joachim Hansen, Bibiano Fernandes kicked two separate asses, and the little Hulks beat the big Hulks at the DREAM.11 show in Yokohama on Tuesday. You can watch all the fight videos here and here.

- On Wednesday’s episode of “The Ultimate Fighter,” Team Rashad went up 4-0 thanks to Brendan Schaub’s grappling and Quinton Jackson’s awful coaching. If Rashad plays his cards right, he could be the first TUF coach to sweep the round-of-16.

- “TUF 8″ head-case Junie Browning was arrested for assaulting three nurses after a pill-related misunderstanding at a Las Vegas hospital.

- Mark Coleman blew out his knee and dropped out of his UFC 106 fight against Tito Ortiz. Ortiz called him a sissy. Coleman’s manager called Ortiz’s girlfriend a whore. Ortiz will now be facing Forrest Griffin in a rematch.

- UFC legend Chuck Liddell won another split-decision on “Dancing With the Stars.”

- We took a look at 10 of the wildest MMA fighter entrances of all time, and 10 career-ruining, soul-destroying fights.

Here’s a weekly rundown of MMA content from Ben Goldstein of CagePotato.com:

- Strikeforce announced that Fedor Emelianenko’s first opponent in their organization would be undefeated brawler Brett Rogers. Fedor responded to the news with a piss-poor jump-rope display.

- Gina Carano came out of hiding to thank her fans and give props to the woman who wrecked her two weeks ago. Speaking of Cris Cyborg, the Strikeforce women’s champ will be helping to revive the once-fearsome Chute Boxe name with her own gym in California.

- Shane Carwin doesn’t like Brock Lesnar’s attitude, *or* his taste in light beer.

- Could the UFC have a network television deal in the works?

- We watched the fastest knockout in MMA history, a kickass DREAM highlight reel, and Tito Ortiz’s latest lunkheaded video blog.

- New UFC Octagon Girl Natasha Wicks hasn’t given up her day job as a golf-caddy.

- Chuck Liddell began his training for “Dancing With the Stars.” God help us.

- UFC 102 goes down Saturday night in Portland. Check out our analysis of the card here and here, and come back to CagePotato.com at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT for our liveblog of the pay-per-view broadcast.

- SPORTS BY BROOKS reports that there is apparently a budding feud between Derek Jeter’s girlfriend (Minka Kelly of “Friday Night Lights”) and A-Rod’s girlfriend (Kate Hudson of every bad rom-com made in the last five years). Hudson has the experience, but my money is on Lyla Garrity. She’s tougher than she looks.

- THE CAMEL CLUTCH BLOG has video of MMA fighter Tito Ortiz pounding Danny Bonaduce.

- BALL DON’T LIE discusses the Nick Van Exel assist controversy.

- WALKOFF WALK has video of the Cubs beer tosser who issues a non-apology apology.

- DEADSPIN calls out Jets beat writer Greg Bishop for writing things like, “Quarterback Brett Favre and cornerback Ty Law, two of the oldest players on the Jets, bounded up the ramp like children in a footrace instead of golden oldies with 32 years of combined N.F.L. experience.” Ugh.

With UFC 100 a week away on July 11, I decided to look back at what got the UFC to this point. Here is my take on what I believe are the 10 most significant fights in UFC history, helping the company become what it is today.

1. Stephan Bonner vs. Forrest Griffin – Ultimate Fighter Finale 1: This fight was not only the most memorable fight to watch, but may also be the fight that really pushed the UFC into the next level of mainstream popularity. Following the debut season of The Ultimate Fighter, a show which UFC President Dana White and co-owners Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta funded out of their own pocket, the finale took place live on Spike TV, which was airing live fights for the first time in the history of cable television. The UFC knew it needed something big to happen to not only keep a cable television deal, but earn future advertisers, and also prolong its reality show for future seasons. Bonner vs. Griffin delivered just that. The two fought to the very end and both were so even, it was impossible to decide a clear winner for most fans. The fight at one point drew 10 million viewers, which was just what the UFC needed. The back-and-forth, non-stopped action gave the UFC an identity to fans that had never seen it before and got the ball rolling that has allowed the UFC to snowball into what it is today.

Read the rest of this entry »

Here’s a weekly rundown of MMA content from Ben Goldstein of CagePotato.com:

- Bobby Lashley made Bob Sapp tap twice and Gilbert Yvel KO’d Pedro Rizzo at last week’s ‘Ultimate Chaos’ event.

- Nick Diaz and Joe Riggs may be settling an old rivalry next month. But will anybody see it?

- With UFC 100 coming up next Saturday, we counted down the 10 greatest UFC events of all time.

- Nobody seems to think Michael Bisping has a chance against Dan Henderson in their UFC 100 fight. Though if he really plans on out-wrestling Hendo, maybe he really is doomed.

- Indiana became the 39th U.S. state to begin regulating MMA. Last state to legalize the sport is a rotten egg!

- Rampage Jackson says he’ll be knocking out Rashad Evans in his hometown of Memphis in December.

- Tito Ortiz fooled us for the last time.

- We chatted with Jon Fitch about the stupidity of trash-talk and the challenges of fighting a man in a dress.

Here’s a weekly rundown of MMA content from Ben Goldstein of CagePotato.com:

- Unless he has a great performance against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua next month, the UFC might not want Chuck Liddell to fight for them anymore.

- “King Mo” ruled and L.C. Davis got handled by a scrub at Sengoku: Seventh Battle. You can watch some of the fight videos here.

- Former UFC light-heavyweight champ Tito Ortiz and porn legend Jenna Jameson just had twins.

- After testing positive for three different unapproved painkillers following UFC 94, the Nevada State Athletic Commission smacked Karo Parisyan with a nine-month suspension, a $32,000 fine, and voided his last win.

- We looked at a one-legged mixed martial artist and a sexy Arianny Celeste magazine shoot.

- The full fighter roster for the “UFC 2009 Undisputed” video game was released. But where’s Randy?

- Denied justice in the “Lubrigate” scandal, BJ Penn may be starting a cult at his shadowy island fortress.

- If you have absolutely nothing going on Saturday night, why not watch former WWE star Bobby Lashley beat the bejesus out of Clay Guida’s brother at “March Badness”? Roy Jones Jr. will also be boxing in the main event. (You remember boxing, right? It’s like MMA, except you only get to throw punches, and you have to wear these weird pillow-things on your hands. And there’s no choking!)