Fuel TV is a U.S. cable and satellite specialty channel that launched on July 1, 2003.^[1] It focuses on the cultures of such extreme sports as skateboarding, snowboarding, wakeboarding, motocross, surfing, BMX and FMX, and as of late 2011, became the official cable home of the Ultimate Fighting Championship as part of a broader agreement between Fox and the UFC, featuring pre-match and analysis programming involving the circuit, along with undercard fights for UFC pay-per-view events. It is a unit of Fox Cable Networks and is currently available to 26-million American households. Additionally, Fox Sports Australia operates Fuel TV in Australia and a Portuguese speaking channel also operates in Portugal; some Fuel TV content previously aired on FX channels in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Fuel TV content available to another 100+ countries around the world.^[1]

The original concept for Fuel TV was conceived and launched by independent producer Chris Braly ^[2] as a regional music and extreme sports weekly broadcast which began airing September 8, 2001 on Chattanooga-based WB affiliate WFLI-TV (Channel 53), using Saturday evening paid programming time on that station.^[3] NewsCorporation eventually negotiated a buy-out of the concept and trademark in late 2003. The regional weekly version of Fuel TV aired its final episode on WFLI in September 2003.^[4]

The Fuel TV satellite channel features programming from original series, exclusive events, licensed films, and creative interstitials. Extreme sports programming can be seen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with a diverse combination of sports, music, reality programming, extreme sports news, and other content from extreme sports events around the world.^[5][6]

Possible conversion into a Fox national sports network[link]

In March 2012, news began circulating that News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch was "taking the steps to start a US national sports network." The company considered converting Fuel TV to the new network due to it's established reach in US homes. Fox Sports would be the last of the "big four" broadcast television networks to establish a national cable sports network, with CBS Sports Network and NBC Sports Network beginning to challenge ESPN (ABC) in 2011.^[7]

See also[link]

• Fuel TV Australia
• Fox Sports

External links[link]

• Official website
• Fuel TV's Programming Guide
• News Corp Press Release May 30, 2007 - News Corporation/NBC Universal Joint Venture Inks Deals with Troupe of Premier Content Partners

References[link]

Stephan Bonnar
Born	(1977-04-04) April 4, 1977 (age 35) Munster, Indiana, United States
Other names	The American Psycho
Nationality	American
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight	205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st)
Division	Light Heavyweight Heavyweight
Reach	80 in (200 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
Fighting out of	Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Team	One Kick Nick’s[1]
Teacher(s)	Carlson Gracie, Sergio Pehna
Rank	black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt in Taekwondo
Mixed martial arts record
Total	21
Wins	14
By knockout	3
By submission	7
By decision	4
Losses	7
By knockout	2
By decision	5
University	Purdue University
Website	http://www.stephanbonnar.com/
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
[2][3]

Stephan Patrick Bonnar (born April 4, 1977) is an American mixed martial artist who currently competes for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). His initial fame came as the runner up on season 1 of The Ultimate Fighter on Spike TV, a reality show which showcases mixed martial arts.

He is known for his iron chin, having his only TKO losses due to a cut and for never being submitted in MMA competition. He is a fan favourite due to his brawling nature. He holds notable wins over Keith Jardine and James Irvin and is known for his two closely contested fights with TUF 1 winner Forrest Griffin (0-2) and his two back and forth battles with Polish-Canadian standout Krzysztof Soszynski (1-1). Bonnar earned his Taekwondo black belt at the age of sixteen.^[4]

Mixed martial arts career[link]

Due to his strong performance in the light-heavyweight finals, where he lost against Griffin by unanimous decision (29–28), Bonnar was awarded a contract to fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Bonnar trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with the legendary Carlson Gracie, under whom he received his purple belt before Carlson's passing. This experience has led to most of his bouts ending by way of submission. Stephan now trains BJJ in Las Vegas under Master Sergio Pehna. However, he also has trained in Muay Thai during several trips to Thailand. Since the beginning of 2010 Stephan has been training Muay Thai in Las Vegas under Master One Kick Nick Blomgren at One Kick's Gym. Stephan is the Ironheart Crown Light Heavyweight champion and Total Fight Challenge Light Heavyweight champion 2002-04.^{[citation needed]}

After his loss to Griffin, Bonnar became the staple of the regular UFC Ultimate Fight Night shows at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, defeating such notables as Sam Hoger, James Irvin and Keith Jardine before succumbing to Rashad Evans by way of majority decision. More recently, Bonnar lost a unanimous decision against Forrest Griffin in the long-anticipated rematch at UFC 62.

Bonnar was forced to withdraw from his fight against Matt Hamill at UFC Fight Night 13 due to a serious knee injury he suffered during training. He returned to action at UFC 94 against Jon Jones, which resulted in a loss via decision. In his next fight at UFC 100 Bonnar lost a unanimous decision to Mark Coleman.

Bonnar is a fan of the rock band The Who and uses their song "Eminence Front" as his entrance music to UFC fights.

Bonnar mentioned on the MMA Live Post Fight Show for UFC 101 that he was considering a drop down to middleweight after two disappointing losses at light heavyweight. Despite this, Bonnar next faced Krzysztof Soszynski on February 21, 2010 at UFC 110.^[5] Soszynski was victorious at 1:04 in the third round, due to TKO (Cut). The fight however, was overshadowed by video replays that showed that the cut was opened up by a clash of heads. Bonnar appealed the decision and it was announced on March 10 that he had lost the appeal and the result would stand as a TKO win for Soszynski.^[6]

At UFC 116, Bonnar won the rematch with a second round TKO against Soszynski after catching him with a knee. The win broke Bonnar's three fight losing streak, bringing his UFC record to 6-6. The fight earned Bonnar and Soszynski Fight of the Night honors alongside Yoshihiro Akiyama and Chris Leben's fight.

Bonnar fought Igor Pokrajac on December 4, 2010 at The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale.^[7] Stephan won the bout via unanimous decision (29-26, 29-26, 29-26).

Bonnar was expected to face Karlos Vemola on August 14, 2011 at UFC on Versus 5.^[8] However, Bonnar was forced to withdraw from the bout due to an injury and was replaced by Ronny Markes.^[9]

Bonnar faced Kyle Kingsbury on November 19, 2011, at UFC 139.^[10] Bonnar defeated Kingsbury by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-25, 30-27).

Bonnar has recently been campaigning for a spot as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter against Forrest Griffin going as far to state he would, " Not go for any takedown, not block any punches and always move forward." However, no official word has been issued.

Personal life[link]

Stephan and his longtime girlfriend Andrea Brown were married on October 30, 2009 in Tuscany, Italy.^[11]

Outside of competition, Bonnar has done commentary work for televised MMA programming, notably serving as World Extreme Cagefighting's color commentator for most of 2010, calling 5 of their final 7 cards. He has also made appearances as an analyst on the ESPN2 series MMA Live and for UFC broadcasts on the FOX television networks.

Championships and accomplishments[link]

[edit] Mixed martial arts

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • The Ultimate Fighter 1 (Runner Up)
  • Fight of the Night (One time)
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter
  • Fight of the Year (2005) vs. Forrest Griffin on April 9

[edit] Martial arts

• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
  • Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• Taekwondo
  • Black belt in Taekwondo

Mixed martial arts record[link]

Notes and references[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Official UFC Profile
• Ironheart Crown official site
• Professional MMA record for Stephan Bonnar from Sherdog

Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira
Born	Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira (1976-06-02) June 2, 1976 (age 36) Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil
Other names	Minotauro, Big Nog
Nationality	Brazilian
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight	239 lb (108 kg; 17 st 1 lb)
Division	Heavyweight
Reach	77 in (196 cm)
Style	Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing
Stance	Orthodox
Fighting out of	Gardena, California
Team	Black House (2006–present) Brazilian Top Team (1999–2006) Team Nogueira Internacional
Rank	3rd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[1] black belt in Judo
Years active	1999 –present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	42
Wins	33
By knockout	3
By submission	20
By decision	10
Losses	7
By knockout	2
By submission	1
By decision	4
Draws	1
No contests	1
Other information
Occupation	Mixed martial arts fighter, Currently employed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Children	1
Notable relatives	Antônio Rogério Nogueira, brother
Notable students	Anderson Silva, José Aldo, Junior dos Santos, Patricky Freire, Patricio Freire, Lyoto Machida
Website	http://www.minotauro.net/
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
last updated on: March 10, 2010

Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɐ̃ˈtoniu ʁoˈdɾiɡu noˈɡejɾɐ] born June 2, 1976) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist known for his technical mastery of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He competes in the heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he is a former Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion. He is the twin brother of Antônio Rogério Nogueira.

He rose to prominence in the Japanese Pride Fighting Championships promotion, where he was the first Pride Heavyweight Champion from November 2001 to March 2003, as well as a 2004 PRIDE FC Heavyweight Grand Prix Finalist.^[2][3] He is one of only three men to have held Championship titles in both Pride Fighting Championships and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (the others being Mauricio Rua and Mark Coleman). He is currently ranked as the #7 heavyweight fighter in the world by Sherdog.^[4] Nogueira holds notable victories over Randy Couture, Mirko Cro Cop, Dan Henderson, Fabricio Werdum, Mark Coleman, Josh Barnett, Tim Sylvia, and Sergei Kharitonov.

Early life[link]

Born in the town of Vitória da Conquista, Brazil, Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira started training in judo at the age of 4, boxing at 14 and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu when he was 18. At the age of 10, he was accidentally run over by a truck and fell into a coma for four days. During this time he lost a rib and part of his liver and had to be hospitalized for eleven months. As a result of the accident he has a large scar, including a noticeable indentation, on his lower back.^[5]

A few years after his MMA debut he started to train at the Brazilian Top Team. In June 2007 Nogueira officially left Brazilian Top Team prior to his UFC debut and is currently associated with Black House.^[6]

MMA career[link]

Pride FC[link]

Nogueira's victories in Pride include wins over Dan Henderson (who gave Nogueira his first loss by split decision, however Nogueira would later avenge the loss in PRIDE when he submitted Henderson with an arm-bar in their re-match), the UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman, Heath Herring, former UFC heavyweight champions Ricco Rodriguez and Josh Barnett, the legendary Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipović, and Bob Sapp.^[7]

Following the end of Akira Maeda's Rings federation, Nogueira was signed by Pride. He debuted in July 2001 at Pride 15, quickly submitting Gary Goodridge by triangle choke. In Pride 16, he submitted UFC and Pride Grand Prix champion Mark Coleman by triangle armbar. He was crowned as the inaugural Pride World Heavyweight Champion after defeating Heath Herring by decision^{[citation needed]}.

He next defeated Enson Inoue, and then fought for Antonio Inoki's UFO organization, scoring his first MMA KO victory against Sanae Kikuta^{[citation needed]}.

He then represented Pride at a co-promotion with K-1, Pride Shockwave, against the super heavyweight and former American football player Bob Sapp. He eventually won the fight^{[citation needed]}.

Dutch kickboxer Semmy Schilt was his next opponent. He scored another victory by triangle choke^{[citation needed]}.

Nogueira's first Pride title defense was against Russian Sambo champion Fedor Emelianenko at Pride 25 where he suffered his second career loss, a judges' decision after Emelianenko dominated the fight with characteristic ground-and-pound through the guard^{[citation needed]}.

Afterwards, he won a decision against former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez. Despite Rodriguez managed to score takedowns and maintain top position, Pride's fight-scoring is determined primarily by "effort to finish the fight by KO or submission", and Nogueira's multiple near-submission attempts won him the decision victory.^[8]

In November 2003, with heavyweight champion Emelianenko unable to fight due to injuries, Pride elected to crown an interim champion, so top contenders Nogueira and Mirko Filipović were matched up. Filipović managed to dominate the first round with his superior striking and a left high kick, but in the second round, Nogueira managed to secure a takedown and roll into an armbar to submit Filipović^{[citation needed]}.

On April 25, 2004 at Pride Total Elimination 2004, the first round of the 2004 Heavyweight Grand Prix, he faced the unbeaten professional wrestler and former judoka Hirotaka Yokoi, who he submitted with the debut of his anaconda choke. He then repeated the move against Heath Herring in the next round to advance to the semi finals where he defeated Sergei Kharitonov to again face Fedor Emelianenko in the finals^{[citation needed]}. The fight was markedly different from their first, with Nogueira able to avoid the damage he suffered from ground-and-pound in their first meeting, but was stopped when Emelianenko suffered a cut after an accidental headbut and could not continue, resulting in a no contest. Another rematch was required to determine the tournament champion, and was scheduled for Pride Shockwave 2004 on 31 December 2004. Nogueira suffered another unanimous decision loss to Emelianenko^{[citation needed]}.

At Pride Critical Countdown 2005 he defeated Polish Olympic judoka Pawel Nastula by strikes and following this, at Pride 31 he beat professional wrestler and fighter Kiyoshi Tamura by armbar for the second time^{[citation needed]}.

He then entered the 2006 Pride Open Weight Grand Prix, progressing to the semi final by defeating fellow Brazilians Zuluzinho and Fabricio Werdum. In the semi final, he faced the American catch wrestler Josh Barnett and lost to a split decision, as both had landed damaging blows and submission attempts without managing to secure a victory. Barnett went on to face Mirko Filipović in the finals, submitting to punches and kicks to the face^{[citation needed]}.

Nogueira avenged the loss to Barnett with a unanimous decision win in their rematch at Pride Shockwave 2006^{[citation needed]}.

In an interview with Sherdog.com, Nogueira has stated that his best moments of his career were against Bob Sapp and Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic, both matches he won under Pride.^[9]

UFC[link]

At UFC Fight Night 9 which took place on April 5, 2007 Nogueira was in attendance and was sitting cage side with UFC president Dana White. It was subsequently announced at UFC 69, by White, that Nogueira had joined the UFC, promoted initially as simply "Minotauro" Nogueira, much like the UFC's promotion of Mirko Filipović as Mirko "Cro Cop" and Quinton Jackson as "Rampage" Jackson^{[citation needed]}.

His debut in the Octagon was a third fight with Heath Herring at UFC 73, promoted under various combinations of his name and nickname, but was officially introduced to the audience under his full name and nickname. Nogueira once again defeated Herring, via unanimous decision. During the first round Herring landed a head kick that sent Nogueira to the canvas, in which unofficial judge Eddie Bravo thought the fight could have been stopped. Herring let Nogueira get back to his feet, and Nogueira was then able to recover and come back with a dominant decision victory^{[citation needed]}.

It was announced during the UFC 79 broadcast and subsequent press conference that Nogueira would be fighting former long time UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia at UFC 81 for the Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship. Nogueira was nicknamed "The Bull" because of his outstanding conditioning and iron chin^{[citation needed]}.

At UFC 81 Nogueira defeated Tim Sylvia in the third round with a guillotine choke to become the Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion. During the fight Sylvia knocked Nogueira down with punches. After pulling Sylvia into his half guard in the third round, Nogueira quickly secured a sweep and attempted an armbar which he missed but immediately transitioned into a guillotine choke as Sylvia tried to regain his feet thus mounting an amazing "come from behind" victory. He is the first fighter to hold championships in both the UFC and Pride.^[10]

Nogueira's entrance music for UFC matches is The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter"^{[citation needed]}.

Nogueira and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir were the coaches for the eighth season of The Ultimate Fighter, which premiered on September 17, 2008 on Spike TV.^[11]

Both winners of The Ultimate Fighter Season 8, Light heavyweight Ryan Bader and Lightweight Efrain Escudero, were members of Team Nogueira.

He was also featured in the 2010 movie "The Expendables" as a Bolivian soldier.

After the season concluded, coaches Nogueira and Mir met at UFC 92 for the Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship.^[12] Frank Mir won a very one sided fight in the second round via TKO due to punches, showing much improved striking by knocking Nogueira down twice in the first round,^[13] Herb Dean stopped the match at 1:54 of the second round.^[13] The loss marked the first time Nogueira had been stopped in his career.^[14]

Two days after the fight Dana White revealed in an interview that “Nogueira had just gotten over a Staph infection”.^[15] Nogueira himself verified this fact several months later in his own interview, stating that he had a Staph infection “20 days before the fight, [requiring] 5 days in the hospital.” When asked if this infection affected his fight, Nogueira answered: “For sure.” In addition to this significant illness, his knee was injured during training for which he had surgery in February 2009. Despite these legitimate handicaps, Nogueira offered strong praise for Frank Mir’s performance, with particular credit given to Mir’s ability to maintain “very good distance.”^[16]

The UFC next wanted to schedule Nogueira to face UFC Hall of Famer and Former UFC Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture at UFC 97, but Couture had to turn down the fight due to elbow surgery in January 2009.^[17] Couture later agreed to fight Nogueira at UFC 102 in Portland, Oregon.^[18] Nogueira defeated Couture via unanimous decision. Nogueira showed much improved sharpness on his feet, and displayed his excellent chin by walking through many of Couture's strikes while still throwing punches, eventually gaining the better of the exchanges as he scored two knockdowns of Couture in the fight. Although taken down twice, Nogueira swept from guard on both occasions (after some time on his back) to gain the full mount over Couture. On the floor, Nogueira threatened with two submissions, first with a D'Arce choke and later with an arm triangle.

Nogueira was expected to face undefeated prospect Cain Velasquez on January 2, 2010 at UFC 108, but again Nogueira caught another severe staph infection cancelling the bout that was supposed to reveal the #1 contender for the UFC Heavyweight Championship against Brock Lesnar.^[19][20] The bout instead took place on February 21, 2010 at UFC 110 in Sydney, Australia.^[21] During the bout Minotauro was out-boxed as Cain landed a uppercut-right hook combo that dropped Antonio early in the first round. Velasquez followed up with five clean shots on the ground, prompting referee Herb Dean to stop the contest, in which Velasquez earned a KO victory.^[22] At the time, Nogueira had been knocked out in two of his last three fights.

Nogueira was to face Frank Mir on September 25, 2010 at UFC 119 in a rematch from the Championship bout at UFC 92.^[23] Nogueira pulled out of this fight in order to undergo needed surgery on both of his knees and was replaced by Mirko Filipović. He stated on May 15, 2011 that he will fight at the UFC's return to Rio De Janeiro in Brazil.^[24]

On August 23, 2011, Minotauro established a partnership with Brazilian football team Internacional to represent the club's brand in UFC. In an interview for SporTV, Minotauro said: "I'll do my best to represent Internacional in the best possible way. Now I am 100% Internacional."^[25]

Nogueira defeated The Ultimate Fighter alumni Brendan Schaub by knockout due to punches in the first round on August 27, 2011 at UFC 134 in his home-city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was his first fight in over 16 months (and was billed as his "return fight") and earned him his first Knockout of the Night bonus.^[26] Nogueira celebrated his victory by sitting on top of the octagon fence and displaying a Brazilian national flag with Sport Club Internacional's emblem added to the center of the flag.

Nogueira faced Frank Mir in a rematch on December 10, 2011 at UFC 140. After close early exchanges and a lot of work against the cage the two separated and Nogueira rocked Mir with a hard overhand right, jab combo. After Mir fell to the ground Nogueira continued with ground and pound before attempting a guillotine choke. Mir was able to get out of this and during the scramble ended in side control, and locked up a kimura. Nogueira managed to roll Mir, only to be reversed himself. Mir stepped his right leg over the face of Nogueira and cranked the kimura, causing Nogueira to tap out at 3:38 of round 1; right after his arm was broken.^[27]

Nogueira is expected to face Cheick Kongo on July 21, 2012 at UFC 149.^[28]

Personal life[link]

Nogueira has one daughter and two son one of who lives in NYC .^[29]

Championships and achievements[link]

[edit] Submission grappling

• ADCC World Submission Wrestling Championships

• 2000 ADCC – 99kg+: Quarter finals

• CBJJ World Championships

• 1999 Black Belt Absoluto: 3rd Place
• 1997 Purple Belt Pesadissimo: 2nd place

• CBJJ Pan-American Championships

• 1999 Brown Belt Pesadissimo: 1st Place
• 1999 Brown Belt Absoluto: 1st place

• CBJJ Brazilian Championships

• 1998 Brown Belt Pesadissimo: 1st Place
• 1997 Purple Belt Pesadissimo: 3rd Place
• 1996 Blue Belt Absoluto: 1st Place

[edit] Mixed martial arts

• Fighting Network RINGS

• RINGS King of Kings 2000 Tournament Winner

• PRIDE Fighting Championships

• Pride Heavyweight Championship (One time, first)
• Interim Pride Heavyweight Championship (One time)
• 2004 PRIDE Heavyweight Grand Prix Runner-Up
• 2006 PRIDE Openweight Grand Prix Semi-Finalist

• Ultimate Fighting Championship

• Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship (One time)
• Fight of the Night (Two times)
• Knockout of the Night (One time)

• World Extreme Fighting

• WEF Heavyweight Superfight Champion (One Time)

• Wrestling Observer Newsletter

• 2002 Fighter of the Year

• Black Belt Magazine
  • 2002 NHB Fighter of the Year^[30]

• Inside Fights

• 2009 Fight of the Year – vs. Randy Couture on August 29^[31]

Mixed martial arts record[link]