mma news

Ahead of his middleweight title shot next month, middleweight Robbie Lawler has signed a contract extension with Strikeforce.

The promotion announced the news Wednesday, just a day after announcing it had also resigned its welterweight champion, Nick Diaz, to a new deal.

Sources close to Lawler's camp told MMA Fighting on Wednesday night that Lawler's deal has been in the works for several months, with many of the terms being worked out over the last couple of weeks.

LAS VEGAS -- I often watch good sports documentaries with equal parts envy and awe, marveling at the telling video footage intermixed with talking heads giving context to events that may or may not have been understood in their day. I often find myself wondering what those documentary subjects will be in 20 or 30 years, with the belief that maybe then, the sports media will truly understand the impact that men like Chuck Liddell had on the landscape of American sports.

Liddell retired Wednesday, exactly three years to the day of his last win. It was a long time coming. It was expected. But it was also sad, the "Iceman," nearly breaking down as he thanked his fans and family for their warm support of his pursuit of a sport that can be cold at times.

It was also sad that the retirement announcement of an important figure came and went with little fanfare. Perhaps it was because it's been expected for so long, but that didn't make it any less impactful. After all, it was the first time that Liddell himself has said he is done. The man saying good-bye is not just a mixed martial arts great. In time, it will be easier to understand that he transcended the sport. But the evidence is there, and it is simple: he helped add an item to the American sports menu.

Though it was generally regarded as little more than a formality, Chuck Liddell's official retirement on Wednesday was one of those moments where one side of your mouth curls a little and you nod silently in respect for one of the greats.

Liddell's retirement has been talked about for the better part of the last 20 months, ever since he was knocked out by Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 97. Then, his boss, UFC president Dana White, said "The Iceman" was done.

It turned out Liddell, who went into the UFC Hall of Fame at UFC 100, had one more fight left in him. But after Rich Franklin knocked him out in June, Liddell walked out of the Octagon for the last time as a fighter.

Liddell is widely regarded as one of the sport's true legends and one of the fighters who is credited the most for putting the UFC on the mainstream map. He's written a book, graced the cover of ESPN The Magazine, made cameos in critically acclaimed series ("Entourage") and in forgettable movies ("Drillbit Taylor"). He even was on "Dancing With the Stars." Now he'll don a suit – though we pray he doesn't lose the mohawk – as a UFC vice president.

But none of it would've been possible if not for so many memorable appearances in rings and cages. On the day of his official retirement, we take a look back at some of the greatest performances of Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell's Hall of Fame career.

TOKYO, Japan -- MMAFighting.com will have live Sengoku results of the Dec. 30 "Soul of Fight" event from the Ariake Colosseum.

In a Sengoku featherweight title fight, Marlon Sandro will look to defend his belt against Shooto titleholder Hatsu Hioki. Also, the likes of Roxanne Modafferi, Hitomi Akano, Kazuo Misaki, Megumi Fujii, Masanori Kanehara, Maximo Blanco and Won Sik Park will all be action on this 28-fight card.

Complete Sengoku results are below.

LAS VEGAS -- Since UFC president Dana White announced that the UFC 125 prelim fights will air on the ION network, there's been some speculation that the promotion's contractual situation with Spike opened the door to a new home.

That theory is right, but not in the way some people think. While contract extension negotiations between the UFC and Spike continue, it was actually the existing agreement between the two that made the ION deal possible, as White explained.

White said the deal came about after Spike was offered a chance to broadcast the fights but declined.

MMA Fighting was on the scene for the UFC 125 pre-fight press conference at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Wednesday, where main eventers Frankie Edgar, Gray Maynard and the rest of the main card fighters addressed the media prior to Saturday night's pay-per-view.

Watch the press conference highlights below.

UFC legend Chuck Liddell officially retired from the sport Wednesday afternoon. UFC president Dana White also announced that "The Iceman" had accepted a new position as executive vice president of business development for the UFC.

Watch below as Liddell, White and Lorenzo Fertitta address the media prior to the UFC 125 press conference in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS -- Two months after walking out of the octagon upon losing the UFC heavyweight title, Brock Lesnar has seemingly vanished.

In a way, it's nothing new for the Minnesota-based fighter to retreat to his family and quiet setting on his Minnesota ranch, shunning the media spotlight.

But this time his absence has come with rumors and whispers, that Lesnar is interested in returning to pro wrestling, although likely only for a one-fight payday at WWE's upcoming Wrestlemania event.

LAS VEGAS -- It will be a long while until the new UFC heavyweight champion defends his title.

Newly crowned champ Cain Velasquez will be out of action for six to eight months with an injured right shoulder, sources with knowledge of the situation told MMA Fighting.

UFC president Dana White subsequently confirmed the news to MMA Fighting following Wednesday's UFC 125 press conference at the MGM Grand Hotel.

Chuck Liddell has officially retired from MMA.

UFC president Dana White announced at Wednesday's UFC 125 press conference in Las Vegas that "The Iceman" was walking away from active competition to accept a position as the new UFC executive vice president of business development.

"I want to thank Frank [Fertitta], Lorenzo [Fertitta] and Dana [White] for everything they've done for me over the years and for the sport. Most of all, I want to thank my fans, my family," Liddell said before choking up.

"I love this sport and I'm excited going into a new stage in my life and keep promoting the best sport in the world and the sport I love. They're giving me the opportunity again to keep promoting and keep doing stuff now that I'm retired."