Joe Ellenberger signs for the UFC

Ellenberger signs four fight deal to fight for the UFC

by Ben Heather @benheather

Joe Ellenberger, the twin brother of longtime UFC welterweight contender Jake Ellenberger has signed for the UFC.

The part that makes Ellenberger (14-1) joining his brother as part of the UFC roster is the fact he was told back in 2009 that his fighting career would have to end. At the time his record was 10-0 and he was diagnosed with Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, a disease that attacks and destroys the red blood cells. Not only was he told he would not fight again, he was told the chances are he would not be alive to celebrate his 30th birthday.

Thankfully for everyone that is not the case and with the help of Soliris, a drug which is used to prevent the breakdown of red blood cells in people with Ellenberger's condition he has been able to focus back on his career. Ellenberger returned to fighting in 2011 after a 22 month lay off and won back to back fights before losing for the first time in his career in October 2011 against Justin Salas, who signed for the UFC after the win.

After that loss he has got back to winning ways with two wins in 2012 but has not fought since then so him signing for the UFC now came as a bit of a surprise. As yet there is no date set for him to make for debut in the UFC but I for one will be looking forward to seeing him make it on the big show and complete his dream.

Chael Sonnen was never the shy and retiring type

Chael Sonnen signs new contract and will drop to middleweight after fight against Shogun

by Jack Broadey @J3cK_b

The UFC has confirmed Chael Sonnen has signed a new deal, the deal will coincide with his return to the middleweight division.

Sonnen confirmed a 5 fight deal which will kick in after his August 17 fight with Shogun Rua which headlines the first UFC on Fox Sports 1 event. Sonnen also told of a move in his training camp to help with the drop back to middleweight. He has moved to California to train at Mark Munuz's 'Reign'.

With the former Middleweight and Light Heavyweight contender known to talk his way into several huge fights there is no shortage of opponents for him. Vitor Belfort is stuck in a bit of a no mans land at the minute and has asked for the fight at the massive end of year ppv on Dec 28th.

Wanderlei Silva is another possible opponent. First and foremost though Sonnen has to deal with a very tough opponent in Shogun Rua who certainly can't be taken lightly.

Roy Nelson re-signs with the UFC, fights Cormier at UFC 166

Big country pens new 9 fight deal, plans to retire with the UFC

by John Haigh @JohnBJayHaigh

UFC heavyweight Roy "Big Country" Nelson's new UFC contract is a nine fight deal, according to what Nelson told Ariel Helwani on Tuesday. The new deal was announced on UFC Tonight, as well as the first fight of the deal with Nelson (19-8) squaring off against Daniel Cormier (12-0). The fight will be the co main event on October 19th at UFC 166 in Houston Texas, underneath the Velasquez vs. Junior Dos Santos rematch

Nelson now 37, said that he is relatively happy with the new deal, using the term relative saying he didn't get everything he wanted. But he said he expects to finish his career in the UFC and wants to fight for another five years.

Nelson was on a three fight win streak, all via knockout in less than three minutes off fighting over Dave Herman, Matt Mitrione and Cheick Kongo going into UFC 161 in Winnipeg. The streak had gained him the most popularity of his nine year career. But he couldn't match the speed, stamina, wrestling ability and footwork of Stipe Miocic in his last fight scoring a unanimous decision loss on June 15th.

Getting Cormier as an opponent, largely based on Nelson goading the former Strikeforce heavyweight Grand Prix winner, is the kind of match up somewhat unusual after such a decisive loss to a lower ranked opponent.

A win over Cormier would reverse all the damage of the Miocic loss and put Nelson back into contention in the UFC heavyweight division. It would also derail all the talk regarding Cormier dropping down to Light Heavyweight and getting an immediate title shot against the winner of the Jon Jones vs Alexander Gustafsson.

Erik Perez signs new six-fight deal with UFC

Bantamweight Erik Perez rewarded with new six fight deal

Erik "Goyito" Perez (13-4 MMA 3-0 UFC) the Mexican bantamweight has been rewarded for his 3-0 record in the UFC with a new six fight deal. Perez's management team at VFD Marketing today announced the details for the new deal.

The new contract which is set to earn $18,000 to fight Johnny Bedford at UFC 159, if he wins he will receive a further $18,000 bonus. The announcement also stated that Perez will earn "significant increases" following each victory.

"I'm very proud to fight in the UFC," Perez stated. "My goal is to become a champion, and I will work extremely hard in the gym and inside the octagon to reach it." Perez who currently boasts an eight fight win streak, a run that includes first round UFC victories over Byron Bloodworth, Ken Stone and John Albert.

UFC 159 takes place in New Jersey on April 29th and is headlined by the much anticipated light heavyweight clash between Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen.

The latest card for UFC 159 is below:

• Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen - for UFC light heavyweight title
• Alan Belcher vs. Michael Bisping
• Phil Davis vs. Vinny Magalhaes
• Pat Healy vs. Jim Miller
• Cheick Kongo vs. Roy Nelson
• Sheila Gaff vs. Sara McMann
• Johnny Bedford vs. Erik Perez
• Nick Catone vs. James Head
• Jimy Hettes vs. Steven Siler
• Leonard Garcia vs. Cody McKenzie
• Al Iaquinta vs. Joe Proctor
• Ovince St. Preux vs. Gian Villante
• Rustam Khabilov vs. Yancy Medeiros