UFC: Liverpool’s Terry Etim steps into Rio crucible

As far as sporting tests go, stepping into the white heat of the Octagon in Rio to face an unbeaten Brazilian brawler is as tough as it gets.

By Brian Mallon | Sport | Wednesday, 11 January 2012 at 12:44 pm

The 12 most-read blogs of 2011

2011 has been a fantastic year for the blogs. With many new, talented writers being taken on board, we’ve seen a plethora of insightful and challenging views on a myriad of topics. Personally (and I’d like to think I’m not too biased…), I think blogging is a fantasic platform for writers to discuss and debate the news with honest opinions, and a connection to their readers.

So here’s a selection of the most read articles, as well as my own Editor’s Choice.

By Laura Davis | Notebook | Thursday, 29 December 2011 at 11:15 am

UFC 130: Rampage must maintain resurgence to secure Jones showdown

A title opportunity beckons should Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson defeat Matt Hamill in Las Vegas this weekend, but he must not lose the spark that he showed in his last outing.

By Adam Williamson | Sport | Thursday, 26 May 2011 at 6:24 pm

MMA: Was Nick Diaz’s flirtation with boxing a masterstroke?

If Nick Diaz’s intention was to scare Zuffa into delivering something for him in MMA, then it appears to have worked

By Adam Williamson | Sport | Thursday, 26 May 2011 at 6:23 pm

UFC 129: Exclusive interview with Randy ‘The Natural’ Couture

The Hall of Famer looks ahead to UFC 129 as he brings down the curtain on one of the most decorated careers in mixed martial arts history

By Adam Williamson | Sport | Wednesday, 27 April 2011 at 11:03 pm

MMA: UFC, Strikeforce and Paul Daley

Why Paul Daley’s future could be most adversely affected by Zuffa’s purchase of Strikeforce. Plus, a preview to UFC 128’s mouth-watering clash between Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua and Jon Jones

By Adam Williamson | Sport | Friday, 18 March 2011 at 12:46 am

UFC 127: Q&A with Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping

‘The Count’ talks in-depth about Jorge Rivera – the fighter and the film-maker. Plus there’s reaction to Anderson Silva’s latest ‘mind-blowing’ performance.

By Adam Williamson | Sport | Friday, 18 February 2011 at 7:31 pm

UFC: Bisping – “There’s only one person who’s going to be laughing on the night and that’s me”

Michael Bisping has reacted furiously to a YouTube video posted by Jorge Rivera, the Manchester middleweight’s next opponent, branding the clip as “pathetic garbage”.

By Adam Williamson | Sport | Friday, 11 February 2011 at 6:58 pm

UFC 126: Will stars Silva and Jones continue to burn brightly?

Long reigning middleweight champion Anderson Silva bids to extinguish the growing notion that what once burnt with such awe-inspiring intensity has begun to fade, while the rising star of mixed martial arts, Jon Jones, sets out to confirm the consensus belief that he is destined to illuminate the Octagon for many years to come.

By Adam Williamson | Sport | Thursday, 3 February 2011 at 6:43 pm

UFC: Is there such thing as a 10-7 round?

A detailed look at the scoring of last weekend’s UFC lightweight title clash between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard.

By Adam Williamson | Sport | Thursday, 6 January 2011 at 6:39 pm