Maturing Guillard doesn't want to blow opportunity at 'Fight for the Troops' card

Melvin Guillard speaks like a grizzled veteran. That's interesting coming from a dude who's still a few months short of 28. As he preps for his main-event fight at next weekend's Fight for the Troops card, Guillard is ready to launch himself into title contention after an up-and-down career with the UFC.

"You know, there's a lot of things in my past that haunted me and kept me from being at the top, a lot of mistakes I've made. I grew as an adult. I grew as a fighter and I grew just having a new team and an environment of people that care for what I'm doing," said Guillard, who's been training for the last year or so with Greg Jackson in Albuquerque.

"And right now my mental focus right now is I will be a UFC Champion in 2011. I went undefeated in 2010 and I called that in the beginning of 2010. Right now my focus right now is my career and I want to elevate it to the next level."

Guillard (26-8, 9-4 UFC) is gifted in most aspects of mixed martial arts, but he's struggled mentally at times inside and outside the Octagon.

"You know, I got caught up with drugs and just the negative people around me," Guillard said during the Fight for the Troops prefight teleconference (thanks to Spike for the transcript).

"And I think that’s what's big about what's going on in my life right now. I don’t have any negative people, no negative energy around me. I have a loving wife who supports me. She spends all her time in my training camps. You know, she gives up time from being in college to be here with me, you know."

Guillard says countless people have helped him over the years and he doesn't want to let them down.

"And, you know, the same with, you know, Dana and the UFC. You know, when Katrina hit, they came looking for me. Dana relocated me to Utah to live with Josh Burkman. You know, so many people has done so much for me and they believe in everything that I do and the skills that I have. I would be selfish not to take what people tell me and put it to use," said Guillard.

"So if I was out there still messing up and doing drugs and messing with the negative people, I'm letting down all the people that really believe in me including the fans. You know? There's so many fans out there now that love me so much that always loved me and I just felt I was being real selfish, you know, thinking of myself," said Guillard

Albuquerque and Team Jackson has brought needed structure to his life.

"I don’t do after parties anymore. I might go out and just hang out but I'm not doing after parties, getting drunk," Guillard said. "Like I'm really focused in right now on being a real champion and not only becoming a real champion but I want to hold that belt just as long as my teammate GSP has done it. You know, I want to have a legacy. I want to be a superstar and I want to be a legend in this sport but I'm just a fighter."

Guillard also knows he can go for broke. If he loses, he'll still have a job.

"Yes, I want to win it but the most important thing for me day to day and year to year is to make sure that I fight my butt off so that I don’t get cut because now, we can win fights and be a boring fight and you'll still lose your job," Guillard said.

"So, you know, I just stick to just going in there and give the crowd, especially my bosses -- you know what I mean? So, you know, and for fighters, it's easy for us to keep a job if some of the fighters would really pay attention. You know, we go in there and just leave it in the cage, win or lose. I've lost four fights in the UFC by submission and I've had Dana come to me and say, 'Kid, you were winning that fight. You just made a mistake.' You know what I mean?"

This is a huge opportunity. The promotion seems to be a big fan of Dunham. He lost his last fight against Sean Sherk due to a questionable decision. The UFC stood behind Dunham and threw right into a televised main event. Guillard is stepping in for the injured Kenny Florian.

If Dunham smokes Guillard, he may be in line for a title shot after the Frank Edgar-Gray Maynard-Anthony Pettis mix is sorted out. A huge finish by Guillard could change his career. It would be a nice chapter in what's been a pretty tumultuous story.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Maturing-Guillard-doesn-t-want-to-blow-opportuni?urn=mma-307120

jon fitch ken shamrock learn to fight matt hughes matt hughes fight mma

Training at Jackson's, Jones adopts the Diego Sanchez cartwheel

We didn't intend for today to be Jon Jones day, but this video from the Jackson's MMA Twitter feed was too fun not to share. Watch the first minute to catch Jones' tumbling skills. 

Learning from campmate Diego Sanchez, Jones has adopted the "YES! Cartwheel" and turned it into the "YEAH! Cartwheel." Sanchez, a confirmed bag of crazy, has added to his psychotic persona by shaving his head, and he is still wearing his jersey from the first season of "The Ultimate Fighter." 

A bit of training news is dropped at the end of the video: Strikeforce heavyweight Grand Prix participant Andrei Arlovski is working with Jackson's camp to prepare. He sparred with Rashad Evans, who is getting ready for his title bout with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. 

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Training-at-Jackson-s-Jones-adopts-the-Diego-Sa?urn=mma-307211

mma boxing mma clothing mma fight mma fight videos mma fighter mma fighters

Jeff Fisher at Departure News Conference: 'I Think I'm Tired, I Need to Rest'

Filed under: Titans, AFC South

Jeff Fisher didn't get much into specifics on Friday. Neither did the Tennessee Titans.

But what Fisher did say at a Friday news conference to discuss his departure from the team Thursday after 16 full seasons as the Titans' head coach, was that more than anything, the reason for the surprising move was simple.

It was time.

"It is hard for me to stand here and imagine that 17 years later it has come to this,'' Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean reported Fisher as saying. "I never imagined doing this as long as I have done it. I owe nothing but gratitude and thanks ... for this incredible journey.

"I have been blessed to be associated with one of the best franchises in the National Football League for this long. But as they say, all good things come to an end. I have a great feel of personal peace with this resolution.''

Fisher, who took over as interim coach in 1994, became the full-time coach the following season. He went 142-120 during his tenure, and coached the Titans to the Super Bowl following the 1999 season.

"I think I'm tired," Fisher said. "I need to rest."

Wyatt reported that Fisher, General Manager Mike Reinfeldt and Executive Vice President Steve Underwood declined to discuss specifics regarding the move.

"We had some differences,'' Underwood said. "And the differences that we had were obvious."

Owner Bud Adams spoke at the news conference via telephone.

"It's a very tough day for this franchise," Adams said. "Jeff meant a great deal to this team and I appreciate all that he has done for us,'' Adams said. "Unfortunately, organizations and coaches almost always reach a point where it is time for a change and this is where we are.

"This isn't personal, and I believe both the team and Jeff will benefit in the long run from this move. I am still confident about our future. I continue to have high hopes about our team.''

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/28/jeff-fisher-at-departure-news-conference-i-think-im-tired-i/

Philadelphia Eagles Washington Redskins New York Jets New England Patriots Denver Broncos Arizona Cardinals

Matt Wiman Dominates Cole Miller at UFC Fight for the Troops 2

by Michael David SmithFormer Ultimate Fighter housemates Cole Miller and Matt Wiman went at it at the UFC Fight for the Troops 2 on Saturday night, and in a surprising result, it was Wiman who took the fight to Miller for 15 minutes, grounding and pounding his way to a one-sided unanimous decision.

The win improves Wiman's record to 13-5 and puts him on a three-fight winning streak. Miller falls to 17-5 with one of the most disappointing showings of his career, a fight in which he hardly ever got off his back and took a serious beating.

"I was going through a lot of nerves before this fight," Wiman said. "It was probably the most nervous I've been."

Those nerves didn't show -- Wiman looked poised and confident.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/01/22/matt-wiman-dominates-cole-miller-at-ufc-fight-for-the-troops-2/

mma vs muay thai fights Texas A&M Aggies Arkansas Razorbacks Penn State Nittany Lions Alabama Crimson Tide

Fisher sheds little light on end of Titans run

Jeff Fisher waves goodbye after a news conference announcing he would no longer coach the Titans. (George Walker/AP)

Tribune News Services

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Jeff Fisher said he and the Tennessee Titans had reached a point where it was "time to move on" and part ways with each other after 16 full seasons.

Fisher, who declined to address specific details about the decision, acknowledged some differences with the team, but said Friday morning it was the best decision in the wake of two difficult seasons. The Titans rebounded from an 0-6 start to finish 8-8 in 2009, then wasted a 5-2 start in 2010 by losing eight of the final 10 games for a 6-10 record.

"I've been coaching for 24 years, and it's time. I need a break," Fisher said. "And I think timing wise this is a perfect opportunity to do this so the organization can move forward with their plan, and I'll move forward with whatever happens in the future."

The team announced the split Thursday night, shocking players, assistant coaches and the rest of the NFL because owner Bud Adams decided three weeks ago to keep Fisher for the final year of his contract. Adams said Friday by telephone from Houston that unfortunately teams and coaches almost always reach a point when it's time for change.

"This is where we are," Adams said. "This isn't personal. It is just time for a change, and I believe both the team and Jeff will benefit in the long run from this move. Now I'm still confident about our future. I think we have good players. I believe in Steve Underwood and (general manager) Mike Reinfeldt to find our next head coach."

The search to replace Fisher is already under way, and Adams' general manager Mike Reinfeldt and senior executive vice president Steve Underwood will handle the process whose only timetable is "as long as it takes." Underwood said reports of the coach's settlement at $8 million were "erroneous."

Among the four major U.S. sports, only Jerry Sloan with the NBA's Utah Jazz has been with the same team longer than Fisher had been with the Titans. Andy Reid of Philadelphia now takes over as the NFL's longest-tenured coach having finished up his 12th season with the Eagles.

Fisher guided the team's relocation from Houston to Tennessee and took the Titans to their lone Super Bowl appearance. He also had losing skids of at least five games in five of the last seven seasons.

He has coached more NFL games for one franchise than all but six Hall of Famers: George Halas, Tom Landry, Don Shula, Chuck Noll, Curly Lambeau and Bud Grant. He ranks third among active coaches in career wins with a record of 147-126, behind only Bill Belichick (176) and Mike Shanahan (160), and he is 20th in career coaching victories.

He could coach again this season. A team executive noted that's up to Fisher, but the coach wouldn't speculate when asked if he might work on television for a season.

"I think I need the rest. Those that coach 10 years that take a year off are three times better coaches ... in year 11. I'm going to take time," Fisher said.

Reinfeldt noted Fisher's departure didn't change the Titans' decision to either trade quarterback Vince Young or release him later this offseason. The general manager also noted Fisher just finished his 17th season with this organization and called that unbelievable in a hard job that takes a toll.

"He was the face of the franchise for such a long time," Reinfeldt said. "At the same time, I think change is part of the NFL. You look other places where change has happened, change can be a wonderful thing, and we can use that change to get us to where we want to be."

Source: http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2011/01/report-titans-coach-jeff-fisher-parting-ways.html

mma knockouts mma live mma mania mma news mma rumors mma sports

2011 Super Bowl: Aaron Rodgers Maybe Not Best Quarterback Ever

Source: http://stlouis.sbnation.com/2011/1/28/1960993/2011-super-bowl-aaron-rodgers-maybe-not-best-quarterback-ever

Northwestern Wildcats Wichita State University Nebraska Cornhuskers North Carolina Tar Heels Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Arizona Wildcats

From your wall to Chicago, Arianny is everywhere

Arianny Celeste has officially made it. Ever heard of Fathead? That's the company that produces wall-sized stickers of your sport's heroes. The oversexed folks at MMAFix ran across another piece of Arianny Celeste merchandise.

Another company has found a way for you to hang out each night with the UFC Octagon girl. 

If you're a real Arianny pyscho you can also get the "Come mess with me" poster, the Arianny IPhone case, the Arianny skin for your laptop and the "Come back to bed" poster.

If you want to get close to the real thing, Celeste is doing a meet and greet tonight in Chicago. 

Tip via MMAFix.com

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/From-your-wall-to-Chicago-Arianny-is-everywhere?urn=mma-313432

Aldrick Robinson Tory Collins Brandon McRae Jermelle Cudjo James Farrior Fred Davis