UFC 138: Paul Taylor out after car crash; Rashad Evans and Ross Pearson appear in Birmingham

UFC 138 took something of a body blow this week, when local lightweight fighter Paul Taylor was withdrawn from the event after a car crash. Tylor's injuries are not serious. It means, however, Anthony Njokuani is forced off the card, with the UFC unable to secure a late replacement.

Taylor was involved in a car accident late Monday night that resulted in him suffering a severe case of whiplash.

“I was very excited for the opportunity to fight in the UK. Unfortunately a situation outside of our control has caused the bout to be scrapped. I am sure Paul was excited to fight on his own soil so I feel for him as well,” Njokuani told MMAWeekly.com.

It seems that the Taylor-Njokuani bout could be rescheduled for Dec 30, when Brock Lesnar squares off against Alistair Overeem at UFC 141. Njokuani will remain in England through the week at UFC 138 and then head back home to Las Vegas to get back in training on Monday.

Carlos Condit given no option to step aside – claims agent Malki Kawa

Malki Kawa, president of First Round Management and agent for Carlos Condit, claimed this week that Condit had not agreed to step aside from his welterweight title shot against GSP.

“We are obviously disappointed in the UFC’s decision to cancel its commitment with Carlos Condit to give another fighter an opportunity at the Welterweight title based on emotional reactions from UFC 137," said Kawa. "Contrary to what has been stated, Carlos did not step aside to allow this to happen, and would not just hand over an opportunity for him to achieve his greatest career goal, one that he has earned through his strong performances in the Octagon. No option was given to him."

"For the second time in less than two weeks, Carlos has had an opportunity swept out from beneath his feet. He has shown nothing but pure class in his drive to the title, and will continue to do so. Carlos does not need motivation to fight for the title, he already has it."

However, Kawa claimed Condit will return even more motivated. "He will move forward and continue to train at the level that has made him the legitimate number one contender for the UFC Welterweight championship, and he is looking forward to the opportunity to earn that title.”

There is a busy sequence of events for the only UFC event in the UK in 2011

Wednesday, Nov 2:

There are UFC 138 fighter workouts at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel. Mark Munoz and Chris Leben, who headline the event, and British mixed martial artists Brad Pickett, Vaughan Lee and Jason Young will be working out there in the afternoon.

Throughout the week, Rashad Evans and Ross Pearson will be making several appearances. On Wednesday afternoon, Smiling Families Charity will come to the Hilton Hotel to meet the fighters. Later on Wednesday afternoon, Evans and Pearson will visit Birmingham Children's hospital. At 6:30pm – 8pm, at Waterstone’s, Birmingham New Street, Evans and Pearson will then move on to a book signing of the UFC Fan Guide, which has just been published. The book was written by Tom Gerbasi, and Anthony Evans, two of the most knowledgeable writers on the planet on boxing and MMA.

Thursday Nov 3

Evening (5pm), Evans and Pearson will attend Hunt@UFC at Birmingham Bull Ring shopping Centre, followed by Tesco DVD signing with the pair at Town Gate Retail Park, Birmingham Road.

Friday Nov 4

There is a Fight Club Signing at 1pm with Arianny Celeste, and Pearson, a Fight Club Q&A with Rashad (TBC) at 2pm, with the UFC 138 official weigh-in – at Community Hall, National Indoor Arena, King Edwards Road, B1 2AA – with fighters on the scales at 4pm. Doors open at 3pm. At 5pm, there is a Fight Club after party with Pearson.

From 6pm to 8pm, a signing session at HMV with Rashad Evans.

Saturday Nov 5

10am: JD Sports Signing with Rashad and Ross (Arianny to join from 12noon – 1pm)

1:30pm: Hunt @ UFC (Dana White TBC) with Pearson at Birmingham Bull Ring shopping centre

2pm: THQ Press Conference for UFC game at LG Arena

UFC 138 Lebon vs Munoz, LG Arena, National Exhibition Centre, B40 1NT:

5:30pm: First Bout

11pm: UFC 138 Concludes

11.15pm: Post-fight press conference.

Main card

Middleweight bout: United States Chris Leben vs.United States Mark Muñoz

Bantamweight bout: England Brad Pickett vs. Brazil Renan Barão

Welterweight bout: Brazil Thiago Alves vs. Sweden Papy Abedi

Lightweight bout: England Terry Etim vs. United States Eddie Faaloloto

Light Heavyweight bout: France Cyrille Diabaté vs. Australia Anthony Perosh

Preliminary card (Facebook)

Welterweight bout: England John Maguire vs. United States Justin Edwards

Featherweight bout: Japan Michihiro Omigawa vs. England Jason Young

Heavyweight bout: England Rob Broughton vs. England Philip De Fries

Welterweight bout: United States Chris Cope vs. England Che Mills

Bantamweight bout: United States Chris Cariaso vs. England Vaughan Lee

UFC 138 is live on ESPN UK on Saturday night.

UFC 137: Nick Diaz versus GSP back on again; BJ Penn and Mirko Cro Cop retire

Newslines from UFC 137:

Carlos Condit steps side for GSP to defend welterweight title against Nick Diaz next

Beaten BJ Penn retires; defeated Mirko Cro Cop announces it is all over for him

Roy Nelson and Cheick Kongo both call for heavyweight title shot

Donald Cerrone enhances his credentials for a lightweight title shot

Nick Diaz will face Georges St Pierre for the UFC welterweight title next up, in the wake of his victory at UFC 137 over BJ Penn. Diaz told a Mandalay Bay Events Center crowd he thinks UFC champion Georges St-Pierre faked an injury in order to avoid the fight. "He's not really injured; he's scared," said Diaz.

The move earned St-Pierre's attention, and UFC president Dana White confirmed at a news conference an hour later that Carlos Condit has agreed to step aside in order to make the fight. St Pierre said: "This is what I wanted since the beginning. Let's do what was supposed to be done originally. I've always wanted this fight — now I want it even more. I can't wait for Superbowl weekend."

White said: "Condit has agreed that he will fight on the same event. We spoke about it and if he wins, he will fight the winner of Diaz and GSP."

White announced the change with Diaz in attendance at press conference. Diaz then complained his preparation for the Penn fight and the lead up to the card. Diaz and his camp appear to believe that the fighter should not have been withdrawn from the original main event against St-Pierre. His manager Cesar Gracie echoed similar views after the news conference. But now it's game on.

UFC legends BJ Penn and Mirko Cr Cop retired in the Octagon in Las Vegas after their respective contests. Cro Cop was stopped by Roy Nelson; Penn decided to call it a day after a mainly stand-up war with Nick Diaz in which the ramparts were slowly taken apart for the Hawaiian. It was one-sided in the last two rounds, as Diaz set about Penn's body and head with a relish. The onslaught in the second round all but did for Penn. All but did… yet the hugely popular mixed martial artist came forward himself in the third, but his tired arms would not allow him much success against the relentlessness, and spite, of Diaz. Some will call it a war. But it was one-sided in many ways.

Diaz was marginal favourite coming in with the bookmakers. Penn looked tense. There were great exchanges in the stand up in the early seconds. Both had success. Penn with the right; Diaz with a right left. They then went to the ground, they rolled. Penn got the better of it, taking dominant position. It was Penn's round. But the second saw a dramatic shift. Diaz punished Penn for almost three and a half minutes. They may become known as the 200 seconds which heralded Penn's retirement call. If this is to be his swan song, it was a great way to go out. But who knows.. ? Although Penn left no caveat, minds can change when spirits repair.

For the record, it was 29-28, 29-28, 29-27 in Penn's favour. Diaz was his inimitable self straightaway after the contest. He was asked about fighting GSP. "I don’t think he's hurt. He’s scared." 'GSP, GSP' they crowd in the events center chanted. Penn had kind words for Diaz, who had admitted in the lead up to this contest that Penn had been his first MMA idol. "It sucked when I learnt I'd be fighting him," said Diaz. Most likely felt something similar to that for Penn to lose to a protegee. Always gracious Penn said: "Hats off to Nick Diaz, he was the man in there tonight. But it's time for me to call it a day. I have a daughter, another on the way, and i don't want to go home looking like this."

Time will tell.

Dana White said afterwards: "Diaz can fight. Penn got busted up tonight. Nick Diaz is the real deal. And what a warrior BJ Penn, there were moments in that third round even when he was exhausted he was firing back…"

Frenchman Cheick Kongo emerged victorious against Matt Mitrione. Kongo did just enough to take the first round against Mitrione and completely outstruck the American in the second. He then slammed his opponent to the ground twice in round 3. The canvas vibrated with the combined weight of the two big men thumping onto the surface. From the top, he threw strikes and elbows. I had it 30-27.

Roy Nelson ended the career of the ever popular Mirko Cro Cop. “I’m getting too old for this s***. I want to fight for the heavyweight championship. I want the winner of [Junior] Dos Santos and [Cain] Velasquez,” said Nelson.

Kongo also stated afterwards that he wants a re-match with Velasquez, to whom he lost in their first meeting, and a shot at the heavyweight title belt. The contenders are stacking up.

Nelson had Cro Cop onto the ground in the opening round, having taken the famed left leg strike of the Croatian and a left upper cut. Nelson appeared to rock Cro Cop with a right hand early in the second round, then slipped. Cro Cop, seizing his moment, let fly with a welt of left hands, as Nelson covered up. The American recovered to get a takedown. Nelson had Cro Cop in crucifix for the final minute, pounding his opponent from above. After a quiet start to third, Nelson unleashed a big straight right, Cro Cop fell flat, and ‘Big Country’ pounced, pounding at the fallen Croatian. It brought him a TKO victory.

Donald Cerrone bulls Dennis Siver in another impressive display

Donald Cerrone against Dennis Siver was always destined for something special.

They stood, they threw, Cerrone conquered. Siver’s world was rocked by a heavy left leg kick from ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone, leaving his legs jiggly, although the German scrambled to recover his feet and land with a left-right combination.

Seconds later, Siver was off balance again, stumbling out of contact, and to the ground. Cerrone galloped after his foe. Flattening Siver out, the submission by rear naked choke was inevitable. As Siver reddened, the canvas got thumped by the flat of the German’s hand. It took Cerrone 2 minutes 22 seconds to complete the rout. Title shot ? Maybe not for two fights, but certainly Cerrone is now heading that way.

Bart Palaszewski reckons he broke both hands KO-ing Tyson Griffin

Bart Palaszewski knocked out Tyson Griffin with a barrage of punches in the opening round of their 148lb fight after Griffin weighed in at 149 yesterday. The veteran of 48 fights, making his UFC debut, rocked Griffin with two left hands, and as his opponent covered up, he let fly like a threshing machine. He cut Griffin to the floor, his legs crumpling like a loose shirt. Dramatic finish.

Brandon Vera lost soul of the light-heavyweights

Strange to see Brandon Vera not even headlining the prelims. Time was when he was talked about in the same buffed terms as Jon Bones Jones is today. The world was Vera's oyster. He was the next best thing. He defeated Frank Mir. Would he go on to be a double divisional champion. Vera defeated Eliot Marshall, winning the first two rounds, but was dangerously rocked in the third. But the bigger picture is that the enigmatic fighter now resides in the wilderness of the roster. So much talent. Such a waste.

FULL RESULTS from UFC 137:

Preliminary card (Facebook)

Middleweight bout: United States Dustin Jacoby vs. United States Clifford Starks

Starks defeated Jacoby via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27).

Middleweight bout: United States Chris Camozzi vs. France Francis Carmont

Carmont defeated Camozzi via unanimous decision (30–26, 30–27, 30–27).

Lightweight bout: United States Ramsey Nijem vs. United States Danny Downes

Nijem defeated Downes via unanimous decision (30–25, 30–26, 30–27).

Light Heavyweight bout: United States Brandon Vera vs. United States Eliot Marshall

Vera defeated Marshall via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28). This fight aired on the Preliminary card after the Siver / Cerrone fight.

Preliminary card (Spike TV)

Catchweight (148 lb) bout: United States Tyson Griffin vs. Poland Bart Palaszewski

Palaszewski defeated Griffin via KO (punches) at 2:45 of round 1.

Lightweight Bout: Germany Dennis Siver vs. United States Donald Cerrone

Cerrone defeated Siver via submission (rear naked choke) at 2:22 of round 1.

Main card

Featherweight bout: Japan Hatsu Hioki vs. United States George Roop

Hioki defeated Roop via split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28).

Bantamweight bout: United States Scott Jorgensen vs. United States Jeff Curran

Jorgensen defeated Curran via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 30–27).

Heavyweight bout: Croatia Mirko Filipović vs. United States Roy Nelson

Nelson defeated Filipović via TKO (punches) at 1:30 of round 3.

Heavyweight bout: France Cheick Kongo vs. United States Matt Mitrione

Kongo defeated Mitrione via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–27, 29–28).

Welterweight bout: United States BJ Penn vs. United States Nick Diaz

Diaz defeated Penn via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-28).

UFC: Carlos Condit steps aside for GSP to face Nick Diaz next

Nick Diaz will face Georges St Pierre for the UFC welterweight title next up, in the wake of his victory at UFC 137 over BJ Penn. Diaz told a Mandalay Bay Events Center crowd he thinks UFC champion Georges St-Pierre faked an injury in order to avoid the fight. "He's not really injured; he's scared," said Diaz.

The move earned St-Pierre's attention, and UFC president Dana White confirmed at a news conference an hour later that Carlos Condit has agreed to step aside in order to make the fight. St Pierre said: "This is what I wanted since the beginning. Let's do what was supposed to be done originally. I've always wanted this fight — now I want it even more. I can't wait for Superbowl weekend."

White said: "Condit has agreed that he will fight on the same event. We spoke about it and if he wins, he will fight the winner of Diaz and GSP."

White announced the change with Diaz in attendance at press conference. Diaz then complained his preparation for the Penn fight and the lead up to the card. Diaz and his camp appear to believe that the fighter should not have been withdrawn from the original main event against St-Pierre. His manager Cesar Gracie echoed similar views after the news conference. But now it's game on.

UFC 137: Legends BJ Penn and Mirko Cro Cop retire in Octagon after defeats

UFC legends BJ Penn and Mirko Cr Cop retired in the Octagon tonight on Las Vegas after their respective contests. Cro Cop was stopped by Roy Nelson; Penn decided to call it a day after a mainly stand-up war with Nick Diaz in which the ramparts were slowly taken apart.

UFC 137: Mix and match and third time lucky for enigma Nick Diaz against BJ Penn

UFC legend BJ Penn and Nick Diaz meet in what is the third choice as the main event for UFC 137. The re-shuffle has the MMA world intrigued. The re-jigging has gone from Georges St-Pierre vs Diaz, to St-Pierre vs Carlos Condit – after Diaz was expelled for missing multiple news conferences – and then, due to a GSP knee injury, Penn vs Diaz as the main attraction.

Diaz has earned his place here, returning to the UFC after a career-defining 10 straight victories. He vacated his Strikeforce welterweight title when he expected to face St-Pierre for the UFC belt. In a previous run in the UFC, he was 6 wins, 4 losses, between 2003 and 2006, but this is the enigmatic character's time to shine.

Penn comes in, arguably, as the underdog. He drew against Jon Fitch in a title eliminator in February in Sydney, and has a record of 2-3-1 as a UFC welterweight, with both victories against fellow legend Matt Hughes.

Tale of the Tape

Penn Diaz

W-L-D 16-7-2 25-7, 1 NC

Age 32 28

Height 5’9” 6’1

Reach 70” 74”

Strength BJJ, Boxing BJJ, Boxing

On the main card, Cheick Kongo moves up to chief support, and seeks to become the fourth heavyweight with 10 wins in UFC history. The others are Frank Mir, Andre Arlovski, and Randy Couture, all with 10 apiece. No heavyweight has more wins than Kongo since his debut at UFC 61. Pedro Rizzo and Tim Sylvia also stand at 9 heavyweight victories in the UFC.

Similarly, no heavyweight has more wins than Matt Mitrione since his debut at the TUF 10 finale. The former Giants and Vikings practice squad member is unbeaten in five MMA bouts with four wins by knockout, but this will provide a major test for whether the loveable character has what takes in the heavy division. After losing back-to-back bouts against Cain Velasquez and Frank Mir in 2009, Kongo got back on track with a submission victory over Paul Buentello and a spectacular first-round knockout of Pat Barry in June. He also drew with Travis Browne after having a point deducted for grabbing the fence.

The ever-popular Mirko 'Cro Cop', the 2006 Pride Grand Prix winner, has lost back-to-back fights, each by knockout, and tries to avoid dropping three in a row for the first time. Nelson also enters on a two-fight losing streak for the second time and has never lost three in a row. The TUF 10 winner and former IFL heavyweight champion is just 2-4 in his last six bouts but each of his last six wins have been by knockout.

Scott Jorgensen vs Jeff Curran (bantamweight) was promoted to the main card after St-Pierre vs Condit and Brad Tavares against Dustin Jacoby were both shelved due to injuries. Curran returns to the UFC for the first time since 2004 when he lost a lightweight bout to Matt Serra – his only previous UFC contests. He also lost his last four WEC bouts from 2007-09. However, has won two straight and four of his last five overall and seeks his first three-fight winning streak since winning six in a row from 2006-07. Jorgensen has won six of his last seven with the only loss in that stretch coming to bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz.

At featherweight, Hatsu Hioki makes his featherweight debut against George Roop. Hioki has won four straight and is 12-1-1 in his last 14 bouts. Considered a top featherweight in the world, Hioki has won the Shooto lightweight and Sengoku featherweight titles. Roop comes off upsetting Josh Grispi by TKO in June.

The PRELIMINARY CARD has one contest which has fight of the night written all over it: Dennis Siver vs Donald Cerrone. Both teak-tough, seemingly impregnable fighters. It should be a fan pleaser. From this seat, I can't wait for the Cowboy v the Caveman.

Elsewhere on the prelimary card:

Tyson Griffin vs Bart Palaszewski

Brandon Vera vs Eliot Marshall

Ramsey Nijem vs Danny Downes

Chris Camozzi vs Francis Carmont

Dustin Jacoby vs Clifford Starks

UFC 137: GSP out with knee injury, Carlos Condit philosophical

Georges St Pierre has been forced to withdraw from defending his title at UFC 137 after sustaining a knee injury in training, leaving Carlos Condit the welterweight title challenger, in limbo.

UFC President Dana White put out a disappointed message on social networking site twitter that the leading welterweight in the world – GSP – removed himself from the UFC 137 main event.

As a result, it is ironic that Nick Diaz, initially scheduled to face GSP, now steps into the main event against BJ Penn. The rescheduled main event is likely to affect the ppv figures.

Condit has removed himself from the card altogether as he wishes to wait for a title shot against GSP. It is understood that Condit will be the first opponent for GSP when he is fit again.

Condit said: "I have trained for over a decade in mixed martial arts with the clear goal of becoming the best fighter in the world at my weight class. I have worked this long to become the UFC Welterweight Champion. I will work a little longer."

“I am greatly disappointed, for both myself and UFC fans, that I will no longer be fighting for the Welterweight title at UFC 137, but I also understand that injuries are a part of this business.

"As a professional fighter, it is my job to be prepared for any and all circumstances, positive and negative, that come my way during training and the actual fight. Georges is a great competitor and I know that he will want to return to 100 percent health as soon as possible so that this fight can be rescheduled.

This is the best training camp I have ever had, and I look forward to carrying over the growth that I’ve experienced in this camp to my next one."

Malki Kawa, Condit’s agent, claimed GSP against Condit "is the best match-up at this weight class".

"Carlos is hungry for the title shot and when this fight is rescheduled, he will be ready to show the world what made him the top contender,” said Kawa.



White tweet: I just landed in New York City, and what do I always say? I have to deal with bad [stuff] every day. GSP is out with an injury!!!”

There have been numerous injuries to top level fighters this year. Losing GSP will definitely hurt the PPV buy rate for 137. With the UFC planning 34 events in 2012, alongside its new 7-year television partnership with Fox, this is a stark reminder that events can be hugely affected by the twist of an ankle, or in some cases a cut.

Injuries to leading lights this year, who have had to pull out: Cain Velasquez, Brock Lesnar, Jon Jones, Rashad Evans, and now GSP.

UFC: Alistair Overeem completes heavyweight mix, Carlos Condit to beat GSP for title

There was nothing on for him in Japan, so Alastair Overeem decided that all momentum for him to move forward lay with the UFC. A much needed move for the fighter. Why had it taken him so long to get there? We don’t know, but clearly it was either part of a cunning plan, or on his part, the insistence that he could create a mixed martial arts career for himself outside the bounds of the world’s leading fight organisation.

Outside the UFC, Overeem has beaten some of the best exponents in the ring, and that automatically put the spotlight on him. As with others, the spotlight has been lit disproportionately on fighters involved in Strikeforce cards, as opposed to being in the UFC. Overeem had far more exposure in Japan, in Dream, another MMA organisation.

Knocking out the likes of Todd Duffee as the main event in a Dream show, would likely only merit the bottom of the pay per view card in a UFC event. But what it certainly did was engender interest in Overeem, and fight fans will now get to see what he really can do against the best out there.

He was offered a title shot against the winner of incumbent champion Cain Velasquez and Julia Dos Santos but preferred to stay busy by taking a fight with Brock Lesnar instead. Now we will find out how good he is very quickly. If this was Overeem’s plans all along – it has worked very cleverly for him. He now comes into the UFC with a big bang – who knows had he come sooner whether he would have got passed the likes of Shane Carwin and Frank Mir?

All in all, the entrance of Overeem enhances the UFC heavyweight stack. And as a footnote, he was born in the UK, and if we decide to claim him as our own in the UK, he offers the only opportunity in the heavyweight division of a European fighter holding the belt any time soon.

Last month I spent time in San Francisco with Nick Diaz at his training camp. He revealed then as I sat in conversation with him for a cover story with the mixed martial arts magazine Fighters Only, that the man himself has a complex mind.

He showed then through the honesty of his words that he suffers from a degree of self loathing and battles with inner demons. Now, of course, having failed to show for two press conferences to publicise his welterweight title fight with George St Pierre at the end of October, he has been removed from the title fight. A real shame in my view, and for those heavily criticising Diaz, there should be more sensibility for the mind of this fighter. He definitely is different.

In Diaz’s place, comes Carlos Condit. Condit, whose father works in politics in Texas, is very polite and a great guy. When he came to London last year and knocked out Britain’s own Dan Hardy in the opening round of their bout, it mattered not that he was being jeered by the 20,000 stentorian crowd.

I’m going out on a limb – Condit is going to win against the GSP. We will have a new champion. Polite maybe, but when the bell goes Condit is a natural born killer. The switch turns. He has lost once in five years – a split decision to Martin Campmann – which I actually thought he won. He has bad intentions and the skill set to beat GSP. He’s aggressive, clever, sets up his attacks, has KO power, and although many may disagree this will be a tougher fight for GSP which I believe will create a new UFO Welterweight champion.

As for Diaz, he slides down the card to face B J Penn in what is probably a more exciting matchup than the original title fight.