Mixed Martial Arts news and notes

By Art Shimko
shimko_7@hotmail.com

-- Tons of UFC press and other MMA media (click the "Read more!" link below)...

-- Chuck Liddell makes an appearance on Late Night With Conan O'Brien tonight starting at 12:35AM EST.

-- UFC.com has articles on two of its acquisitions from Pride FC, one is on Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson and the other on Heath Herring.

-- Check out UFC's picks for top 10 fights, top 10 KO's and top submissions of 2006 and see if those choices match up with yours.

-- UFC's Undefeated Rashad Evans Looks to Hook a Tough 'Salmon' on Spike TV

-- SecondsOut.com reports that HBO will be airing three UFC events in 2007 at midnight with the air dates to be determined. I'm curious as to which fights will air and how UFC will determine which fights would be tailored for free TV and which ones for HBO as I don't see UFC slowly transitioning to basic cable because let's face it, Spike TV has been great to UFC and pretty much gave them a boost into the mainstream with its Ultimate Fighter reality series and Fight Night Live events and in turn those broadcasts have given Spike high ratings, it's a perfect relationship for both parties. And I don't plan on adding HBO to my cable package just for UFC, I might as well pay for the pay-per-views, even if there are some exclusive fights on HBO it's obvious that the money fights will be put on the pay-per-views. We'll see how this turns out for all parties in 2007.

-- Here's Dave Meltzer's LA Times article on Mirko Cro Cop signing with the UFC, and he gives a great history lesson on Cro Cop to those not familiar with the former Pride FC fighter.

-- Wanderlei Silva will be signing autographs tomorrow at 7PM at Toyota Central Limited (1600 S Figueroa St) in Los Angeles.

-- The Eugene City Council passed an ordinance (6-2) to prohibit mixed martial arts/cagefighting in their city unless promoters follow guidelines such as competing fighters sharing similar skill level, experience and weight as well as having either the promoter or fighter providing proof of insurance in the case of injuries. With the ordinance passed, the City Manager will adopt administrative rules ensuring that promoters will follow the rules and guidelines stated. The state legislature will be dealing with this issue within 2007.

-- Frank Shamrock takes on Renzo Gracie 2/10 at the Desoto Civic Center in Southaven, Mississippi, the event is the debut for Pro Elite/EliteXCTM and will be aired on Showtime beginning live at 7PM EST. Also on the card: Antonio Silva, David Loiseau, Joey Villasenor, the next female MMA star Gina Carano.

-- International Fight League Coaches to Hold Free Self-Defense Classes Nationwide in Conjunction with National Self-Defense Awareness Month in January

-- UFC will crank it up early in '07

-- Sanchez facing heavyweight challenge

-- Sherk warming up to life as champ (w/audio)

-- Few Rules, but to the Fighters, Pure Sport

-- My god is this chick cute as hell, but I wouldn't start a fight with her

-- A battle worth fighting

-- Life is exciting, worrisome with ultimate fighter in the family

-- Midwest Cage Championship and Des Moines Buccaneers Team Up Again
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