While most Americans are preparing to fire up their BBQ pits for this extended Labor Day Weekend, UFC welterweight Josh Koscheck was busy firing shots at controversial referee Yves Lavigne after he suggested Kos was scared to engage in a stand-up battle in his last outing against slugger Paul Daley.

“Josh’s last fight at the Bell Center, Josh was afraid to strike and was happy to hold Daley on the ground. The crowd booed and Daley, upset at the strategy, punched him after the bell,” Lavigne told Canoe.com (translated by WKR.com).

Because of the vigorous speed in which Internet geeks are able to type, it didn’t take long for Koscheck to catch wind of Lavigne’s comments. Today, the American Kickboxing Academy trained athlete took to his official website and unleashed some disses of his own:

“UFC referee, Yves Lavigne is clearly not suited to be a referee after his rant of personal attacks and opinions on me as a fighter. It’s supposed to be his job to look at a fight unbiased, but how can anyone trust this guy to fairly referee any fight ever again after his comments? It’s scary to think this guy has been calling fights in the octagon for this long. It’s very fair to say Mr. Lavigne will never ref one of my fights again. I would never put all my hard work as a fighter or my livelihood in the hands of this ref.

The (UFC) and the commission would be irresponsible to let him continue his job- any call this guy makes would have to be questioned. You call MMA a professional sport? Well, professional starts at the top. Never would an NFL, NBA or other major sports official state there personal opinions publicly about a player and keep their job. I now question every call Yves has ever made as a referee. Hopefully no fighter ever has to step into a fight with Yves Lavigne as referee. Better get that resume ready Lavigne…..”

After Koscheck wrestled his way to a lopsided unanimous decision victory at UFC 113 this past May, a frustrated Daley landed a left hook to Koscheck’s face WELL after the final horn sounded. Although it was a blatant cheap shot, it was the best strike the Brit landed all night.

On this week’s edition of ESPN2’s MMA Live, middleweight top contender Chael Sonnen confirmed Octagon brass’ prior announcement that he’d be granted an instant mulligan against reigning king Anderson Silva. Although, the chatty challenger had no choice but to utilize his own verbiage to spice up the message.

“There’s absolutely going to be a sequel. Part two is tentatively scheduled for New Year’s weekend, it may take place Super Bowl weekend,” Sonnen stated of his immediate schedule. “Either way, it will be in [Las Vegas, Nevada].

“Last time I defeated the myth, this time I’m gonna defeat the man.”

Speaking of their first tango, Sonnen unleashed 23 minutes and 10 seconds of perfection against the planet’s baddest 185-pounder. Unfortunately for the part-time realtor, championship scraps go 25 ticks and a momentary lapse in concentration cost him the opportunity of a lifetime.

“The only thing [that's going to be] different is that I’m leaving there with the belt. That’s it,” Sonnen matter-of-factly stated. “We were one minute away from pulling it off. Look, if I had beaten him, I would have had to come back and beat him again anyways. So nothing in my career has changed. I was the best fighter before the fight, I’m the best fighter after it.”

“I’m not here to be Number two. It’s Number 1 or move on, and I think that’s the way it’s supposed to be.”

Following their instant classic, it was discovered Silva had badly injured his ribs six days before showtime but opted to keep his appointment regardless. The condition of his bruised ribs will the determining factor on when the rematch will take place. It’s believed the champ may require a layoff until early February in order to get right, which would be pushing pigskin time.

The UFC’s mission for achieving global dominance is far from a secret. However, the world’s premier mixed martial arts promotion has hosted only one Octagon event in Brazil, a country that produces MMA champions hand over fist.

If enthusiasts were to believe former PrideFC middleweight champ Wanderlei Silva, it’s only a matter of time before they come back to storm his homeland, and it will be quite the fiesta once it goes down.

“For me, it would be a dream,” Silva told Sherdog.com of fighting in front of his countrymen. “I would really enjoy fighting for my Brazilian fans. There are some great Brazilian UFC fighters. [UFC President Dana White] could make it an unforgettable card. I could even help him make a Brazilian dream team to face foreigners.

“They’re putting so many Brazilians in fights with other Brazilians. It’s time to put us in fights against fighters from other countries. Without a doubt, it would be an event I’d like to participate in. I’d be happy to go in and put on a show for the people in Brazil. I’m sure they’d like my performance.”

As Chad Ochocinco would say, “Child, please!” Do you really expect for fans to believe there are enough Brazilian superstars out there to formulate a blockbuster fight card?

Oh, my bad…

“I’d put in [Antonio Rodrigo ‘Minotauro’ Nogueira], [Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua], [Anderson Silva], myself, [Antonio Rogerio ‘Minotoro’ Nogueira] and [Junior dos Santos]. That’s six,” Wandy said of his vast talent pool. “Actually, there are many fighters who could participate in such an event.”

Although Silva hasn’t formally been offered a position as an Octagon event coordinator, the iconic 205-pounder has served as one of the sport’s greatest ambassadors for most of his career. It’s a role he’s welcomed with open arms, especially if he can create opportunities for his country’s youth.

“I’m helping people who are starting to train, and I’m opening doors for others from Brazil,” he said. “Thank God I don’t need money from these people. God gave me what he gave me to pass on my gift.”

FYI – UFC 17.5 took place inside Ginasio da Portuguesa in Sao Paulo, Brazil back in October 1998.

Bellator Fighting Championships crowned a new featherweight champion in front of a boisterous crowd at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio on Thursday night. Fans were treated to a full card of electrifying fights, which included one of the best comebacks in the history of the sport.

In the night’s main event, Joe Warren challenged Bellator featherweight champ Joe Soto for his strap.

The 1stRound was all Soto, as the undefeated title holder put on a boxing clinic, delivering a series of devastating punches to what appeared to be a completely outmatched Warren. As the opening stanza came to a close, a battered and bruised Warren headed to his corner shaken, but not discouraged.

In round two, Warren stormed out of the gate, delivering a overhand right to the head of Soto that sent “The Hammer” reeling to the canvas. After scrambling back to his feet, Warren landed a crushing knee to the chin that ultimately finished the fight.

“I told you I was going to win,” Warren stated after capturing the title. “I came in here and got the job done. I’m super happy to be a World Champion. This is the first time I’ve knocked someone out – there is a lot more to come.”

Chairman and CEO of Bellator Fighting Championships, Bjorn Rebney, was thoroughly impressed by Warren’s heart and courage, stating, “If you saw Joe Warren’s fight with Patricio Pitbull in Season 2, most people would not of made it out of that 1stRound, but Warren has that immeasurable heart that allows him to push forward.

“Tonight was no different. When I sat down with Warren a year ago he told me that he was willing to die in there to get that title. Most people just say that, but when he says it you believe it. What a great performance. We have a tremendously talented and rapidly evolving featherweight champion.”

In case you missed last night’s Fox Sports Net broadcast, here are the highlights from the epic scrap (Please click HERE for Bellator 27 Results):

Bellator 27 took place Thursday evening inside the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, Texas. Joe Warren defeated former champion Joe Soto to capture the featherweight title in the card’s featured attraction.

After getting tagged in the 1stRound with a barrage of strikes, Warren rallied in the second stanza and laid Soto out with a knee to the grill. He landed a few more follow up shots on the canvas before the scrap was ultimately called.

“You can’t stop me, I’m the baddest man on the planet. This is the first time you’ve seen me knock someone out. There’s going to come a lot more,” Warren stated.

Please click here to watch a replay of Warren’s vicious knockout!

Preliminary Bouts:

Steven Peterson def. Ernest De La Cruz via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Jon Kirk def. Shane Faulkner via TKO (Strikes) at 2:19 in the 3rdRound

Ulysses Gomez def. Travis Reddinger via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)*

Gilbert Jimenez def. Aaron Barringer via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Richard Odoms def. Dale Mitchell via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Andrew Craig def. Rodrigo Pinheiro via TKO (doctor’s stoppage due to cut) at 2:53 in the 3rdRound

Andrew Chappelle def. Joe Christopher via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Main Bouts:

Ed West def. Bryan Goldsby via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)*

Zach Makovsky def. Nick Mamalis via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)*

Joe Warren def. Joe Soto via Knockout (Strikes) at :33 in the 2ndround (Warren captures Bellator Featherweight Title)

* – 1stRound of Bantamweight Tournament

Despite the back and forth banter between former welterweight top contender Thiago Alves and Mike Pierce, it appears the Brazilian’s next Octagon outing will come against John Howard at UFC 124 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Sources close to the situation told MMAJunkie.com on Thursday that bout agreements should be signed and submitted shortly.

Much has been made about Alves’ propensity to pack on a few too many pounds when it’s time to tip the scales, however he believes the welterweight division is exactly where he belongs.

In addition to missing the mark for his pivotal rematch with Jon Fitch at UFC 117, the talented 26-year-old was also suspended in 2007 for taking a banned diuretic to help him lose excess pounds. Furthermore, he weighed-in at an astonishing three pounds over the limit for his UFC 85 contest against Matt Hughes in June 2008.

Following his unanimous decision loss to Fitch, UFC president Dana White “encouraged” the Alves to move up to the 185-pound division due to his inconstancy at weigh-ins. Instead, the American Top Team fighter opted to enlist the services of Mike Dolce, a former contestant on “The Ultimate Fighter 7,” to help prevent any future embarrassments on the scale.

Howard owns a 14-5 professional record and was last seen taking a TKO loss to Jake Ellenberger at “UFC on Versus 2” this past month.

UFC 124 will be jumping off December 11th inside the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

WEC 52
When: November 11, 2010
Where: Las Vegas, Nevada
How: Versus
Who:

Urijah Faber vs. Takeya Mizugaki

Former EliteXC lightweight champ KJ Noons may not have been in the mood to grant Nick Diaz a rematch immediately after upsetting his bitter rival back in November 2007, but it appears the boxer/MMA fighter is good to go now.

“I’m super excited about the opportunity, and I think it’s a great thing for me,” Noons stated. “To be in the Strikeforce main event on Showtime, to be in line to be a two-time, two-division world champion, and getting to beat Nick again in the process … I couldn’t ask for a better fight.”

Noons surprisingly dominated Diaz in their first outing, dropping him with a right hand and landing a knee to the grill that opened up a gash on Diaz’s forehead. A disappointed Diaz immediately left the arena, but not before he flipped off the cage-side doctor that opted to call the bout after the 1stRound.

It’s a fact Noons refuses to let his mortal enemy forget.

“I already got one up on Nick. I beat the crap out of the guy,” he matter-of-factly stated. “He’s had a good run, and there’s a lot of build-up for this rematch. We’ve both improved, this is a different weight class now, he’s gotten better, I’ve gotten better … it’s a different situation.

“But at the end of the day, I’m a true mixed martial artist, I have respect for the sport, and I am a good role model.”

If you are in fact the anti-Sir Charles, what does that make the reigning Strikeforce welterweight champ then?

“Nick’s good for entertainment, but I come from a family of fighters,” Noons shared. “I started early, and I have respect for martial arts. It teaches you discipline, how to become a good person, and I feel that I am. On October 9th, I’m fighting a guy that, if I had a kid, I wouldn’t want him looking up to. He’s a trash-talking, pot-smoking chump.”

Despite the fact their original meeting took place many moons ago, and that Diaz has taken more bong rips than Cheech and Chong combined, the Stockton, CA native still can’t seem to forget about the controversial defeat. Diaz will have a slight edge heading into their mulligan, as the lightweight will be forced to jump up in weight to compete for Diaz’s 170-pound strap.

“It’s motivation for sure, I love being the underdog,” said Noons. “This is beyond a grudge match. He’s going to have to kill me to lose. It’s very personal. I’m going to light him up like a Christmas tree.”

HO! HO! HO!

Middleweight Alan Belcher underwent emergency surgery for a detached retina in his right eye last month, which forced him out of his main event scrap against Demian Maia at “UFC Fight Night 22” on September 15th. It appears the middleweight’s condition abruptly took a turn for the worse, as he went under the knife once again on Wednesday to correct the same problem.

As recently as this past Saturday, the 26-year-old appeared to be speeding down the road to recovery after tweeting he would be hosting a UFC 118 viewing party. However yesterday, Ashlee Belcher took to his Twitter account and alerted fans of her husband’s current health status:

“This is alans wife @Ashleebelcher Yesterday his vision was blurry again today heading into another surgery on same eye please keep praying

This is @Ashleebelcher after a few autographs in the pre op area he got wheeled back but all who know him knows he didn’t mind one bit

We are home He is in a lot of pain though Next few weeks are really important He has to lay face down thanks for prayers, @Ashleebelcher about

Thanks to our friend Mickey Smelser for bringing over your massage table for Alan to sleep face down on!

Several people have sent me @’s asking where they can send Alan a get well soon card to.gym address is 10322 gorenflo rd diberville ms 39340

On a funny note just heard Alan talking so I ran in there and said “what did u say baby?” he said “lights and insurance please and I gave them the expiration date” lol @ashleebelcher”

Since news broke regarding Belcher’s condition, several of his fighting friends have expressed their support and have encouraged the entire MMA community rally around the classy 185-pounder.

“Everybody please pray for my good friend Alan Belcher. Alan our thoughts & prayers are with you!!!” UFC lightweight Clay Guida posted.

“Praying for you bro!” fellow Octagon middleweight Jake Ellenberger wrote.

Everyone here at 5thRound.com would like to wish the entire Belcher Family nothing but the best.

If Ariel Helwani’s report holds true, UFC president Dana White is the most forgiving person this side of Mother Theresa.

According to MMAFighting.com, Karo Parisyan has magically maneuvered his way back inside an Octagon. The welterweight will face veteran Dennis Hallman at UFC 123 inside The Palace of Auburn Hills, Michigan.

This news comes nearly a year after the Armenian fighter caused White to unleash this vicious tweet after Parisyan abruptly pulled out of his UFC 106 contest against Dustin Hazelett just days before showtime.

“Karo Parisyan has [expletive] over the UFC, the fans and his opponent again!!! He will not be fighting saturday or ever again in the UFC!!,” White posted last November. “Pulled out of the fight the day before weigh ins again with a laundry list of excuses!!! Let the press ask karo why! Let him explain.”

The Karo controversy carousel certainly doesn’t stop there. Following his UFC 94 “win” over Dong Hyun Kim, the Nevada State Commission suspended Parisyan for nine months, fined him a total of $32,000, and overturned his split decision W to a No Decision after it was revealed that he had three banned pain killers in his system.

Parisyan also ran into trouble at UFC 88 back in September 2008 when he was a last-minute scratch against Yoshiyuki Yoshida because of a back injury. Shortly after, he went public regarding issues with panic attacks.

Hallman owns an extensive 42-13-2 (1 NC) record and was seen last month at UFC 117 handing Ben Saunders a unanimous decision loss.

UFC 123 takes place November 20th and will feature a light heavyweight clash between former champs Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Lyoto Machida. The show marks the Octagon’s first appearance in Michigan since UFC 9 way back in 1996.