By Joe Ferraro

There is simply no rest for the wicked, as the MMA Connected crew are prepping for two shows, within a twenty four hour period.

First, we have our thirty minutes preview show for UFC LIVE 2: Jones vs Matyushenko, which airs on Sunday at 8:30 pm EST (check your local listings), followed by the event itself, at 9 pm EST, exclusively on Rogers Sportsnet.

During our preview show, we will be joined by the UFC’s newest welterweight, Jake Shields, who gives us his thoughts on signing with the organization, how he stacks up against GSP, Anderson Silva and what’s in store for his first opponent, Martin “The Hitman” Kampman, at UFC 121 in September.We will also be joined by one of my favourite analysts in the sport today, Frank “Twinkle Toes” Trigg. We will analyze the bouts, offer our predictions but let’s be honest – history has proven that when the cameras are rolling, you never know where Trigg and I may take the conversation, so make sure you tune in.

Twenty four hours later, on Monday, will be our weekly episode of MMA Connected, where we will examine the aftermath that is UFC LIVE 2, while prepping everyone for UFC 117: Silva vs Sonnen, a stacked card that is set to rock the Oracle Arena, in Oakland, California on Saturday, August 07th.

Misc MMA News and Notes

    •       Tom Wright, Director of Operations for UFC Canada, has been highlighted in the Sports Business Journal. MMA Payout has the scoop.

•       While some media have taken shots at Canadian Women’s MMA phenom Sarah Kaufmann, Zach Arnold at Fight Opinion has his own views, which paint a separate and clearer picture for the current Strikeforce Bantamweight Champion, who has now taken promoting her career…into her own hands.

•       The trailer for “Such Great Heights”, a documentary on Jon Fitch ( and his American Kickboxing Academy family) has finally been released. I have yet to see the movie in its entirety and can’t wait to get my hands on it.

    •       Paul “Semtex” Daley has been added the stacked Shine Fights 13 Card, which features a main event between Keith Jardine vs Trevor Prangley, a co-main event between Houston Alexander and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, as well as a middleweight scrap between Joey Villasenor and Drew McFederies.

•       When Duane “Bang” Ludwig defeated Jens Pulver, right before my eyes, at UCC 12 in 2003, he provided arguably the most exciting memory of my MMA broadcasting career. He also helped the APEX team during our MMA trials a few years later, so we all grew to appreciate Ludwig for not only his fighting skills, but his coaching ethic and overall “good guy” demenor. When he went down at UFC Live 1 with a broken leg, it sunk my stomach, but good news today, as “Bang” has been medically cleared to begin (light) training. And, he’s now moving up a weight class.

    •       Randy Couture will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Oakland A’s vs. Texas Rangers game on Saturday Aug. 7, 2010.

•       It’s not just Shane Carwin who is seeking medical advice for lactic acidosis; middleweight Aaron Simpson has also been seeking assistance for his recent performances, that have seen the stud wrestler hit a stamina wall during competition.

•          Here’s an excellent article on UFC Welterweight John Howard, depicting how “Doomsday” would sleep under a competition ring at night, his old car, and much more.

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