War Machine interview: On getting handled by Belfort, Vegas chicks and being a free agent

FanHouse War Machine Interview

Quick Strikes: Spanning World of MMA

Originally posted on MMA.fanhouse.com

- Heavyweight Brett Rogers is keeping himself ready for a potential fight on the upcoming June 6 Strikeforce event in St. Louis. As of Friday morning, Rogers' involvement on the card is not official, as Strikeforce is looking for a suitable opponent for him. The former EliteXC fighter was once rumored to be fighting current Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, but thus far, no deal has been reached. Right now, there is one slot to be filled on the Showtime portion of the card, as the Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante vs. Jared Hamman fight has been moved to the non-televised undercard.

- Former WEC lightweight champion "Razor" Rob McCullough, pictured right, underwent a second surgery to repair his broken right hand on Thursday. McCullough injured the hand in his most recent victory against Marcus Hicks at WEC 39 in March. It appears as though he will now be out of action for the remainder of the calendar year.

- Female fighter Erin Toughill returns to action tonight at Palace Fighting Championship 13 in Lemoore, Calif., against Emily Thompson. According to Toughill's agent, Ken Pavia, she has an offer on the table to join Strikeforce's stable of female fighters. "While we're weighing all our options, Strikeforce is a very attractive one," Pavia told FanHouse. Toughill was originally offered to fight Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos on the April 11 Strikeforce card, but wanted a little more time to train for one of the best female fighters in the world.

- And finally, War Machine (born Jon Koppenhaver) is considering an offer from the War Gods promotion to compete on their upcoming June 20 card. The event takes place in San Diego, which is where War Machine currently lives and trains. Since his release from the UFC last spring, he has won his last three fights in a row. No potential opponent has been announced. War Machine fighting on a War Gods card seems like a pretty natural fit.

Click here to read the entire article at MMAfanhouse.com

MMA Opinion Podcast- Interview with War Machine

Click here for the Interview

War Machine takes off from first 'love' to fight this weekend

Originally posted on Yahoo.com

Our good friend, crazy Jon Koppenhaver is back in action this weekend. He's fighting at UWC 6 in the Wasihngton, D.C. area tomorrow night. He's giving up his true passion for a few days, in search of win No. 8 of his career.

Click here to read the entire article at Yahoo! Sports

War Machine wins third straight and Phil Davis improves to 3-0 at UWC: Capital Punishment

Originally posted on fiveouncesofpain.com

Jon Koppenhaver, more commonly known as War Machine from The Ultimate Fighter season six, put together his third consecutive victory since being released by the UFC in mid-2008 last night at Ultimate Warrior Challenge: Capital Punishment, submitting an extremely game Rashad Woods in the second round with a rear naked choke.

The event took place at the George Mason University Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia and was headlined by a UWC bantamweight championship clash between Mike Easton and Josh Ferguson.

Click here to read the entire article at fiveouncesofpain.com

Sherdog.com to Stream Saturday's UWC

Sherdog.com is pleased to offer a free live stream of Saturday’s UWC Capital Punishment card.

The prospect-filled event features Phil Davis, Mike Easton, War Machine, Marcus Foran, Ronald Stallings and more.

UWC “Capital Punishment”
April 25
George Mason University’s Patriot Center
Fairfax, Va.
Streaming Live on Sherdog.com!

Fight Card:
War Machine vs. Rashad Woods

Click here to read the entire article at Sherdog.com

War Machine vs. Reshad Woods at UWC 6 on April 25

Originally posted on MMAfighting.com

"The Ultimate Fighter 6" alum War Machine (7-2), formerly known as Jon Koppenhaver, will take on Reshad Woods (4-1) in a co-feature bout at UWC 6 "Capital Punishment" on April 25 in Fairfax, Virginia.

The bout will be contested at a catchweight of 175 pounds, as War Machine is a welterweight while Woods is closer to middleweight.

War Machine has supplemented his training at Undisputed in San Diego by putting in hours at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas. He's won two straight fights via first-round TKO since his release from the UFC. After Woods, Koppenhaver will set his sights on toppling another rising star when he takes on Roger Bowling at MMA Big Show "Conviction" on June 20 in Belterra, Indiana.

Click here to read the entire article at MMAfighting.com

Jon Koppenhaver interview

Originally posted on aroundtheoctagon.com

What have you been up to since your win over Guillaume Delorenzi in February?

Just training. Same old stuff. I’m going to the gym and staying shape.

You took that fight on short notice and did really well and beat a guy who was undefeated.

I’ve never taken a fight on short notice before. I watched the fight tapes and I thought he had a lot of skill but I didn’t think he could take me out. I thought as long as I kept my cool and didn’t blow my wad I could pull it off. And of course I needed money and I had to pay the lawyers so it made sense.

What are your thoughts on Roger Bowling you are fighting him in May?

He’s like Delorenzi. He’s strong and explosive but I don’t see him beating him. I’m a legit fighter and I think those small town heroes can’t beat me. They are just fights for me to get some experience until I get back to the big show.

I’m also fighting Reshad Woods April 25th UWC 6 in Fairfax, VA.

How did you get into MMA?

I left college. I went to the Citadel. I left there and a guy from my hometown had tried out for the Lion’s Den and made it. I figured he was no tougher than I am. I packed my stuff and moved to San Diego. I got an apartment and a job. I walked into the Lion’s Dena and asked for a tryout. They gave me a date a month later. I came back and made it. It was tough but I made it. I started training with Ken and Vernon White. I ended up moving in with Ken Shamrock for a couple of years. That’s how I started.

I then moved to Las Vegas and trained with Phil Baroni and all the guys at Cobra Kai. That’s how I became friends with Kendall Grove.

I hadn’t spoken to Shamrock in a while but he gave me my start. We were close. If I saw him it would be like old times. I stay in touch with Baroni and Kendall.

Didn’t Baroni give you the name “War Machine”?

Yeah, I have some bio mechanical tattoos. Originally my name was “The Green Machine”. That was my self given name. Baroni said Green Machine is gay. Back then when I was sparring I would spaz out and go crazy. He started calling me War Machine and it stuck.

Click here to read the entire article at aroundtheoctagon.com

War Machine and Joe Scarola to fight for ‘MMA Big Show’ titles

Originally posted on MMAmoz.com

The Cincinnati, Ohio-based mixed martial arts promotion “MMA Big Show” will feature two former contestants from “The Ultimate Fighter” (TUF) season 6 — War Machine (formerly known as Jon Koppenhaver) and Joe Scarola — on its upcoming “Conviction” card, which will take place at the Belterra Casino Resort and Spa in Belterra, Indiana, on June 20.

The main event, which the organization is referring to as “the biggest fight in MMA Big Show history,” will be a five-round welterweight title bout between War Machine (7-2) and Big Show standout Roger Bowling (2-0).

War Machine has been in and out of the headlines over the last few months for both good and bad incidents, including getting booted from the UFC last September for posting a controversial Internet message regarding the late Evan Tanner, as well as bad mouthing his former employer. The good news for the Las Vegas resident is that he has won two straight fights since his departure from the organization.

Click here to read the entire article at MMAmoz.com

UFC vet War Machine (Jon Koppenhaver) wins this past weekend at XMMA 7

Originally posted on MMAjunkie.com

War Machine, who used to fight in the UFC as Jon Koppenhaver (8-2) before a recent legal name change, defeated Guillaume de Lorenzi (5-1) at this past weekend's "XMMA 7: Inferno" event in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

War Machine, a late replacement for Phil Baroni, forced a submission via rear-naked choke late in the first round of the main-event fight, which took place at a catch-weight of 175 pounds.

**********

Full results from XMMA 7 included:
War Machine def. Guillaume De Lorenzi via submission (rear naked choke) -- Round 1, 4:13
Martin Desilets def. Todd Gouwenberg via technical knockout (strikes) -- Round 1, 1:47
Kajan Johnson def. Steve Claveau via submission (armbar) -- Round 2, 3:02
Thierry Quenneville def. Douglas Evans via submission (triangle choke) -- Round 2, 1:48
Dan Grandmaison def. Markhaile Wedderburn via technical knockout (strikes) -- Round 1, 1:48
Dereck Gauthier def. Dave Pariseau via submission (triangle choke) -- Round 1, 2:57
Tim Wadsworth def. Johan Croes via submission (armbar) -- Round 1, 3:12
Eddie Fyvie def. Stephane Lamarche via submission (armbar) -- Round 3, 2:18
Valerie Letourneau def. Kate Roy via submission (armbar) -- Round 1, 1:38
William Romero def. Mitch Gagnon via unanimous decision
Daylin Logan def. Dominic Poissant via technical knockout (strikes) -- Round 1, 4:06
John Makdessi def. Amir Uddin via technical knockout (strikes) -- Round 1, 3:06
Jeff Royer def. Sebastian Deroy via technical knockout (strikes) -- Round 1, 2:43

Click here to read the entire article at MMAjunkie.com

War Machine Ends El Toro’s Run

Photo and Post courtesy of Sherdog.com

War Machine made his first trip to Quebec a memorable one, leaving the Cepsum Amphitheatre with a big win over the previously unbeaten Guillaume "El Toro" Delorenzi in the main event at XMMA 7 “Inferno” on Friday.

A replacement for Phil Baroni on two weeks’ notice, the fighter formerly known as Jon Koppenhaver took the fight to the ground, where the welterweights battled back and forth. For every War Machine takedown, de Lorenzi had the answer, often reversing the controversial UFC veteran. With a little less than a minute remaining in the round, War Machine secured the rear mount though, and feverously worked in a rear-naked choke, giving de Lorenzi no choice but to concede.

Click here to read the entire article at Sherdog.com

War Machine Set to Battle Guillaume de Lorenzi in Tonight's XMMA Event

Posted by Sean Frank

Tonight War Machine, aka Jon Koppenhaver, travels north of the border to face rising undefeated prospect Guillaume de Lorenzi. War Machine steps in as a late replacement for Phil Baroni. The Ultimate Fighter veteran went 1-1 inside the octagon and looks to redeem himself after being cut by Bellator Fighting Championship (without even fighting). War Machine has received criticism for his recent comments, but appears re-focused on resurrecting his MMA career.

War Machine looking to become a better person

Originally posted on urdirt.com

In this video interview with RawVegas.tv former Ultimate Fighter season 6 contestant Jon Koppenhaver now known as War Machine is at a UFC 95 after party at the Hawaiin Tropic Zone in Las Vegas, Nevada and explains about every wrong thing he has done in the last 4 or 5 months and is now basically saying that he wants to be a better person and tone it down after making all that noise. We will see.

Click here for the video at urdirt.com

Quote of the Day: Ken Pavia

Originally posted on Bloodyelbow.com

From Monday's Savage Dog Show [1hr 57m mark]:

Jeff Sherwood: Who is, say, the latest fighter you've picked up that you're most excited about?
[pause]
Ken Pavia: War Machine.
[pause]
JS: War Machine.
KP: I'm excited because I think he's a project. I think he's a genuine, wear-it-on-your-sleeve guy who sometimes needs a little bit of a filter. But I like the kid. I think he's a good kid, he's misunderstood. And I like projects. And War Machine's behind the eight ball right now and we can change that. You know, we're gonna get him some good PR, we're coaching him through some interviews, um... we're telling him not to change, be himself, be War Machine, just don't start too many brawls in gay clubs and you'll be okay.

I swore a personal moratorium on posting anything War Machine, but it's a slow news day. Best of luck, Ken.

Click here to read the entire article at bloodyelbow.com

War Machine (Jon Koppenhaver) learning the price of poor decisions

Originally posted on MMAjunkie.com

Before you can figure out what drives a human being, it's generally important to at least know what to call them.

For the controversial UFC veteran known as "War Machine," that can be a difficult task -- though the 27-year-old recently told TAGG Radio (www.taggradio.com), the official radio partner of MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com), calling him Jon Koppenhaver is just fine.

"Legally, it's War Machine," Koppenhaver said. "That would be kind of cheesy to go, 'Hey, how's it going? My name's War. Mr. Machine.'"

Much to the befuddled amusement of many MMA observers, the California native legally changed his name to War Machine in August 2008 after TNA wrestling laid claim to the trademarked name. Koppenhaver said the name has caused its share of predictable confusion. For that reason alone, Koppenhaver is still comfortable with using his birth name.

"I was at the DMV and the chick for my ID was looking around and she was like, 'Mr. Machine?'" Koppenhaver said. "I go by Jon. I just did that for legal purposes."

Click here to read the entire article at MMAjunkie.com

Controversial fighter War Machine on Tuesday's TAGG Radio

Originally posted on MMAjunkie.com

Former UFC fighter War Machine (previously known as Jon Koppenhaver), who was recently dropped from Bellator Fighting Championships before an arrest last week in Las Vegas, will be an in-studio guest on Tuesday's edition of TAGG Radio.

War Machine, a cast member from "The Ultimate Fighter 6," will discuss his recent troubles and his plans to clean up his act. You can leave questions for the fighter in the comments section below.

Catch TAGG Radio, the official radio partner of MMAjunkie.com, Monday-Friday at noon EST (9 a.m. PST) at www.taggradio.com.

Baroni out, War Machine in at XMMA 7

Originally posted on MMAjunkie.com

Canadian based XMMA has suffered a few high-profile casualties for its Feb. 27 event, "Inferno," but the organization has responded quickly by adding another much-discussed athlete to the card.

Phil Baroni (13-10) and Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos (6-1) have been scratched from the "XMMA 7: Inferno" in Montreal, while controversial welterweight War Machine (6-2) has stepped in on two weeks' notice.

...........

Baroni's contract was also recently acquired by Strikeforce, and the "New York Bad Ass" announced on the Underground, a popular mixed martial arts message board, that he would be fighting for the organization in an as-yet-unannounced May event in Seattle.

Stepping in for Baroni on short notice for the bout with undefeated Guillaume de Lorenzi (5-0) is the always-entertaining War Machine.

The oft-discussed War Machine, recently known as much for his ranting MySpace postings, controversial opinions and outside of the cage activities, will look to build on a November 2008 knockout win over David Anderson.

War Machine was recently cut from the soon-to-debut Bellator Fighting Championships, reportedly for his controversial statements regarding President Barack Obama. The 27-year-old has since apologized for the remarks and has now signed with Ken Pavia and MMAagents.com as he looks to rebuild a once-promising career.

Click here to read the entire article at MMAjunkie.com