By BRIAN WILLIAMS, New Media Editor

Blog 13, Year 1

In case you missed it, Cain Velasquez dropped Aussie Brad Morris at 2:15 of the first round at UFC 83 on Saturday to improve to 3-0.

The mixed martial arts victory for the former Kofa High and Arizona State wrestling standout was the heavyweight’s first in the UFC Octagon. His previous fights were with BODOG Fights in Russia (first-round TKO of Jeremiah Constant) and Strike Force (first-round TKO-strikes of Jesse Fujarczyk).

Morris one of the more accomplished and feared heavies from Down Under came into the fight with the 25-year-old Velasquez at 10-2, having won five straight. (more…)

BY BRIAN WILLIAMS, New Media Editor YumaSun.com

BLOG 12, YEAR 1

Total Combat has come and gone and I am already looking forward to the next one, probably sometime this fall.

Saturday night at Paradise Casinos was a perfect night for Alliance MMA out of San Diego. Its fighters were a perfect 5-0, including a technical masterpiece by Shannon Gugerty in the evening’s main event at 155 pounds.

Gugerty, a tall lanky fighter with no ink, took the fight with hulking Johnny Torres of IE Grapplers out of El Centro, Calif., to the ground. It didn’t take long for some in the crowd to voice their displeasure for what looked like a stalled bout.

But to those in the know, Gugerty was controlling all of the action, basically toying with Torres, waiting for an opening. Torres survived the first round and actually looked to be back in the match early in the second period.

Again, appearances were deceiving. Yes, Torres was on top, but the bout was again on the mat and Gugerty was in complete control, moving in for the kill - a Guillotine choke midway through the round. (more…)

BY BRIAN WILLIAMS, New Media Editor YumaSun.com

BLOG 11, YEAR 1

Stirring rendition of National Anthem on guitar to open fourth trip to Paradise Casinos by Total Combat.
Great night. Weather is perfect. Crowd is begging for a first fight - Jamie Schaffer of Brawley vs. Sean Majors of San Diego at 145 pounds.

Majors quickly took the fight to the ground and from there cruised taking Schaffer out with a Guillotine choke at 1 minute, 17 seconds of the first round.

Quick note: Efrain Escudero (10-0) and a former Cibola graduate is not fighting due to his opponent backing out at last minute. Fight between Edgar Garcia of Arizona Athletic Center and Efrain Rodriguez of Undefeated, both are also Cibola graduates and currently living in Yuma, had their fight moved back. It is now the lead in to the main event.

Up next is Jamie’s brother Brian of El Centro vs. George Castro of Tucson in a heavyweight matchup. Castro out of Boxing Inc. totally outclassed brother Brian. Castro scored a quick takedown and pounded his way to the first-round victory that had many in the crowd chuckling. (more…)

BY BRIAN WILLIAMS, New Media Editor YumaSun.com

BLOG 10, YEAR 1

One of the joys of this profession is being able to experience new things, places and people. Shortly after moving to Yuma, some 18 months ago, covering a legit mixed martial arts event became a reality.

This is where I met Yuma product Chance Farrar, who was fighting at a Total Combat production at Paradise Casinos. Farrar dominated the fight and caught the eye of the World Extreme Cagefighting, which is owned by the UFC.

Through WEC, Farrar, unbeaten at the time, was slotted against WEC Bantamweight (135-145 pounds) champion Urijah Faber in the televised main event of WEC 28 - WrekCage.

Faber (20-1) used a rear naked choke to stop the contest 3 minutes 19 seconds into the first round. Until that point, neither fighter had asserted control in the bout. (more…)

BY BRIAN WILLIAMS, New Media Editor

BLOG 9, YEAR 1

It’s easy to see why Mariah Carey continues to endure since releasing “Vision of Love” back in 1989. No type or number confusion there it was 1989. And yes, she’s nearly 40.

With a body like that and a singing voice to match it’s easy to see why. There were a few stumbles, Glitter for example, but not many.

The release of the video for the single “Touch My Body” has created a slight BUZZ on the Net. The video is typical Carey, sexy and fun and more sexy, taking advantage of the recent popularity of geek films “40-year-old Virgin”, “Superbad”, and “Knocked Up”.

The video debuted at No. 1 on TRL and I guarantee when E=MC² (her 11th studio album) comes out on April 15 it will debut at the top of the sales charts and most likely set records before it’s done.