UFC among sports’ big spenders with D.C. lobbyists

Anti-piracy aims have driven the UFC lately to spend more on federal lobbyists than any other sports organization except the NFL, a new report says.

The UFC spent $110,000 in the first quarter of this year on firms that lobby at the federal level, according to a report released this week by First Street Research Group, which tracks spending on lobbyists. Only the NFL exceeded that figure, giving $300,000 to companies that lobby Congress.

This past year, the UFC was third at $410,000, behind the NFL's $1.62 million and MLB's $520,000.

‘Strikeforce: Grand Prix Finale’ weigh-in photos: An MMAjunkie.com image gallery

SAN JOSE, Calif. - MMAjunkie.com was on scene for Friday's official "Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Finale" weigh-ins, where all 18 competitors successfully made weight.

The weigh-ins took place at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., which also hosts tonight's event and the long-awaited tournament finale between Daniel Cormier and Josh Barnett.

Check out images of all the fighters as they hit the scale at the official festivities.

‘Strikeforce: Grand Prix Finale’ weigh-in photos: An MMAjunkie.com image gallery

SAN JOSE, Calif. - MMAjunkie.com was on scene for Friday's official "Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Finale" weigh-ins, where all 18 competitors successfully made weight.

The weigh-ins took place at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., which also hosts tonight's event and the long-awaited tournament finale between Daniel Cormier and Josh Barnett.

Check out images of all the fighters as they hit the scale at the official festivities.

Weigh-in Video: Strikeforce ‘Barnett vs. Cormier’

Friday’s Strikeforce “Barnett vs. Cormier” weigh-in event can be viewed following the jump.

‘Strikeforce: Grand Prix Finale’ preview: Scenarios abound in Barnett-Cormier headliner

Fifteen months after it blasted out of the gate with an impressive array of talent, the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix is nearly at an end.

And while a number of circumstances outside the cage have robbed the competition of much luster, the finals promise an exciting clash between two of the best big men outside the UFC.

The winner, of course, takes one step closer to that promotion. Before that, the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix title serves as the final belt handed out before the Zuffa sister promotion shutters its big-man division completely.

Fans invited to next week’s UFC 146 open workouts, press conference

The UFC returns to its Sin City home next week, as UFC heavyweight champ Junior Dos Santos puts his belt on the line against former titleholder Frank Mir.

Additionally, four other heavyweight matchups join the headliner on the evening's main card.

In anticipation of the pay-per-view event, UFC officials recently announced that fans are invited to both a UFC 146 open workout session and pre-event press conference.

‘Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Finale’ play by play and live results

SAN JOSE, Calif. - MMAjunkie.com is on scene and reporting live from today's "Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Finale" event.

The event, which features Josh Barnett vs. Daniel Cormier in the long-awaited tournament finale, takes place at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. The main card airs on Showtime, and Showtime Extreme carries the prelims.

Follow along with our round-by-round updates and official results beginning at approximately 7:45 p.m. ET (4:45 p.m. PT local time) for the preliminary card and 10 p.m. ET for the main card.

‘Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Finale’ discussion thread

SAN JOSE, Calif. - MMAjunkie.com is on scene and reporting live from tonight's "Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Finale" event at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

Be sure to follow along with the latest card updates in our "Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Finale" live-results post, and then discuss the event in the comments section below.

Round-by-round updates and official results begin at approximately 7:45 p.m. ET (4:45 p.m. PT local time) for the preliminary card and 10 p.m. ET for the main card.

The Sunday Junkie deadline reminder, win a free ‘Fighters Only’ subscription!

As a reminder, submissions for the upcoming edition of "The Sunday Junkie" are due Sunday at 10 a.m. ET.

All topics - including this weekend's Strikeforce and Bellator events - are open for discussion. The person who sends in the submission we deem the best (based on timeliness of subject, clarity and overall persuasiveness) is the winner.

Each winner receives a free year's subscription to "Fighters Only," the world's leading MMA and lifestyle magazine.

The Sunday Junkie deadline reminder, win a free ‘Fighters Only’ subscription!

As a reminder, submissions for the upcoming edition of "The Sunday Junkie" are due Sunday at 10 a.m. ET.

All topics - including this weekend's Strikeforce and Bellator events - are open for discussion. The person who sends in the submission we deem the best (based on timeliness of subject, clarity and overall persuasiveness) is the winner.

Each winner receives a free year's subscription to "Fighters Only," the world's leading MMA and lifestyle magazine.

Free Live Stream: Bellator 69 Prelims

Sherdog.com is pleased to offer a free live feed of Friday night’s Bellator 69 prelims at 7 p.m. ET. The main card will air on MTV2 at 8 p.m. ET.

Renan Barao Faces Urijah Faber for Interim Bantamweight Belt at UFC 148

Renan Barao’s rumored promotion at UFC 148 is now official, as UFC President Dana White announced Friday night that the Brazilian will take on Urijah Faber for the UFC interim bantamweight championship.

Renan Barao to fight Urijah Faber at UFC 148 for interim bantamweight title

Urijah Faber has his opponent for UFC 148's co-headliner and interim-bantamweight-title fight.

During tonight's new episode of "The Ultimate Fighter: Live," UFC president Dana White confirmed surging 135-pound contender Renan Barao has gotten the slot.

The fight was booked after reigning champion Dominick Cruz was forced out of a rubber match with Faber following a recent ACL injury.

Episode No. 11 recap: ‘The Ultimate Fighter: Live’

Welcome to MMAjunkie.com's recap of episode No. 11 of "The Ultimate Fighter: Live."

The first-ever FX-broadcast season of the reality show airs each Friday. UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz and former WEC champ Urijah Faber are coaches as the cast is reduced from the initial 32 to one eventual winner.

Check out MMAjunkie.com's Episode No. 10 recap, which features the season's final two quarterfinal fights, as well as the announcement of Urijah Faber's new opponent for UFC 148.

Maiquel Falcao Tops Andreas Spang, Wins Bellator’s Season 6 Middleweight Tournament

Maiquel Falcao chose intelligence over bravado.

Bellator 69 results: Falcao victorious in tourney final, Amoussou survives Rickels

Maiquel Falcao survived Andreas Spang's signature left hook to dish out a thorough beating at Bellator 69.

Save for an illegal knee that cost him a point, the Brazilian vet was flawless on judges' scorecards with three 29-27 scores.

Falcao now meets Alexander Shlemenko for the Bellator middleweight title. Additionally, Karl Amossou advanced to the season-six welterweight finals, and Jessica Aguilar upset Megumi Fujii.

‘The Ultimate Fighter: Live’ episode No. 11 discussion thread

The 11th episode of "The Ultimate Fighter: Live" airs tonight on FX at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

This serves as tonight's discussion thread for the double-fight episode, in which the tournament's quarterfinal round continues.

Follow along with tonight's episode and live elimination fight on FX, and discuss it in the comments section of this thread. We'll then have an episode recap posted at the show's conclusion.

ShoFight Debuts First Pro Card on June 16 with UFC Vets Bailey, Parisyan, Grove, Martin

Missouri-based promotion ShoFight will host its first professional card on June 16, showcasing a pair of title fights between ex-UFC talents.

Bellator 69 discussion thread

Welcome to our discussion thread for tonight's Bellator 69 event.

The event kicks off at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT) from L'Auberge du Lac Casino Resort in Lake Charles, La.

Stay tuned for a full recap of the event, which includes an MTV2 main card with a season-six middleweight-tournament finale of Maiquel Falcao vs. Andreas Spang, as well as a welterweight-tourney semifinal of Karl Amoussou vs. David Rickels.

‘Strikeforce: Grand Prix Finale’ weigh-in results: Barnett (248), Cormier (238) official

SAN JOSE, Calif. - MMAjunkie.com was on scene and reporting live from today's official "Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Finale" fighter weigh-ins, where all 18 fighters successfully made weight for their upcoming matchups.

Today's festivities took place at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., which also hosts Saturday's Showtime- and Showtime Extreme-televised event.

Headlining the event are heavyweight grand prix finalists Josh Barnett (248 pounds) and Daniel Cormier (238), who each weighed in comfortably under the heavyweight limit.