The Mad One

Denny Hodge’s articles

From the Land of the Rising Sun: A talk with Roxanne Modafferi, a PRO MMA exclusive

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Times are changing for women’s mixed martial arts.

It’s rare enough to see a woman’s fight headlining a show at any level in MMA, and yet this weekend we get to see just that, with Strikeforce stepping up to the plate with multiple title fights on their big August 15th card, anchored by the main event between Gina Carano, and Chris “Cyborg” Santos.

One of MMA’s top female fighters, Roxanne Modafferi (13-4-0) knows the significance of the bout first hand.

“I think this is huge for women’s MMA because the general public is now exposed to high-level professional women fighters.” Modafferi told PRO MMA (promma.info)

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Shane Primm prepares for July 18 bout with Mike Dolce – PRO MMA exclusive interview

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This Saturday July 18, Music City MMA will host “Rock & Havoc” at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. Headlining the card will be Ultimate Fighter veterans Shane Primm (2-1) of TUF 8 taking on Mike Dolce (4-6) of TUF 7.

Shane Primm began his mixed martial arts training in 2004 about 45 minutes southeast of Nashville, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. at Guardian MMA. He eventually turned pro, began training at Gracie Tampa, and was cast for The Ultimate Fighter season 8.

After losing his last bout back in December against the larger and much more experienced Krzysztof Soszynski at the TUF 8 Finale, Shane is moving down to middleweight for the first time. Shane will be looking to get back on track and what better place to do it than in front of his home crowd? PRO MMA (promma.info) recently caught up with Shane for a few questions.

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PRO MMA’s UFC 100 staff picks

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A portion of the PRO MMA (promma.info) staff has submitted their predictions for UFC 100. Check out our picks and see what you think. Do you agree or disagree? Is one of us right on the money? Is someone out in left field and completely off base? 

Let us know your thoughts.  PRO MMA (promma.info) will be providing a live play by play of all the action tonight beginning at approximately 9pm CST/7pm PST.

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PRO MMA’s “The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale” staff picks

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“The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale” takes place tonight, Saturday, June 20, 2009, at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nev. Headlining the card will be The Ultimate Fighter season 1 winner Diego “The Nightmare” Sanchez vs. Clay “The Carpenter” Guida. In addition, the lightweight and welterweight TUF 9 tournament finals will be held, and a new “Ultimate Fighter” will be decided in both weight classes, each receiving a coveted six-figure UFC contract.

As has become our custom for most UFC events and large fight cards, the PRO MMA (promma.info) staff has submitted their predictions. So check out our picks, see if you agree or disagree, let us know who is on the money, and who is off in left field.

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The Ultimate Fighter: US vs. UK episode 11 recap

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The semifinals continue with Episode 11 this week with two lightweight bouts that will determine who fights in the Ultimate Finale with a UFC contract on the line.

The first semi final bout of the night will be Team U.S.’s Cameron Dollar versus Team U.K.’s Andre Winner, with American fighter Jason Dent facing off against U.K. team member Ross Pearson in the second fight of this episode.

We check in at the training center with Team U.S. coach Dan Henderson checking up on Cameron Dollar’s tender ribs. Henderson’s goal is to have an all U.S. finals saying, “I want to make this Dana’s nightmare, with no U.K. guys.”

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“Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields” live results and play by play

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PRO MMA (promma.info) is live and on the scene at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis Missouri for “Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields.”

Tonight’s stacked card features a main event between former EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler and former EliteXC welterweight champion Jake Shields. The co-main event will feature Andrei Arlovski versus Brett Rogers. Also on the card will be Nick Diaz battling heavy handed Scott Smith, and Joe Riggs facing off against Phil Baroni.

Stay tuned to PRO MMA (promma.info) for full coverage of the night’s event to include a photo gallery, and live round by round updates and results starting with the under card at approximately 7:45 P.M. Eastern time.

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Back at Arizona Combat Sports, Riggs looks to handle his business with Baroni, wants Shields next

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Joe Riggs recently returned to Arizona Combat Sports where he trained for multiple years before leaving. “This is where I belong, this is where I started my career, this is where I was the most dominant, being here with Trevor and Todd Lally,” Riggs recently told PRO MMA (promma.info). “They weren’t just my trainers, they were like my older brothers, and now they have a bunch of stellar athletes to go along with their teachings.”

Now facing Phil Baroni, “Diesel” is ready to start a new streak of victories and has his sights set on Jake Shields and an eventual shot at the the vacant Strikeforce Welterweight Title.

Riggs vs. Shields was all but set in stone and scheduled to go down back on April 11, 2009 but was canceled in favor of a Shields matchup with Strikeforce Middleweight Champion slugger Robbie Lawler.

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Chris “The Christian Warrior” Wells leaves it all in God’s Hands

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Every major MMA gym in America seems to have that one guy; that guy that may not be the biggest name, and may not fight in a major organization, but he is guy that terrorizes his teammates in training whether it’s on the ground or sparring in the ring or cage.

PRO MMA (promma.info) recently visited Jorge Gurgel’s gym, JG MMA Academy & Fitness Center, in West Chester, Ohio, and quickly learned who THAT guy is. Between holding down a full time job as a high school teacher, and dedicating his life to Christ, 36-year-old Chris “The Christian Warrior” Wells (8-2) is currently busy preparing to headline the main card at “MMA Big Show: Unstoppable” on July 25th against UFC veteran Johnny “The Hater Hurter” Rees.

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PRO MMA interview with MMA model Erin Jade

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PRO MMA (promma.info) recently had the pleasure of speaking to the lovely MMA model Erin Jade. If you are not yet familiar with Erin, well… where have you been?

She has been featured in such publications as Fighters Only Magazine, Natural Muscle, and Physique, and has worked with such reputable MMA affiliates as Hardcore Sports Radio and The Fight Network. She’s even done a bit of film.

Maybe you need a model for an upcoming photo shoot, or a hot chick to appear in your next movie, or maybe you just want to check out the type of girl who loves MMA. Meet Erin Jade.

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UFC 97: REDEMPTION – PRO MMA staff picks

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Once again the PRO MMA (promma.info) elders make their predictions. The event is UFC 97: REDEMPTION going down this Saturday night, April 18th in Montreal, Canada. The headliner is a UFC Middleweight Title fight between Champion Anderson Silva and Thales Leites. 

Take a look at our predictions, see if you agree or disagree, and let us know why. Submit your picks as well.

Anderson Silva vs. Thales Leites
Denny Hodge: I don’t think Leites is going to be successful at getting the champ to the ground, to show us his world class ground game. Silva by TKO in Round 2.
Jeff Howard: Silva over Leites-I think Leites has a chance, if he can get Silva down. With that said, Leites’ chin is like glass and he will get crushed trying to take Anderson down.
Eddie Constantine: Silva by TKO RD2 – Silva should be able to overpower Leites, wearing him out as Thales attempts to take Anderson down tiring him out in the process.
Jack Bratcher: Silva wins in round one via (T)KO (strikes) because he can.

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