And is there any chance "The Heat" can become a contender again in today's UFC welterweight division?

"Somehow I knew I'd get back in, at least I hoped I would. What Dana said was in the heat of the moment. He felt we were friends and that I'd backstabbed him. Thank God he changed his mind. He told me to get a fight under my belt. He told me to get my life back on track and that's what I did. My issues had to do with my anxiety problems and panic attacks. Painkillers were thrown out there, but that wasn't it. People made these accusations because I'd been popped for medication (months before). I'd taken two pain pills the morning of my fight for a torn hamstring and didn't think much of it. Every fighter I know takes pain medication like it's M&Ms. I was the unlucky one who only took it the day of the fight without even thinking about it. I think the UFC knows I still have something I can accomplish in the cage. They know that I can become a contender again and I will."

Despite a lifetime ban from UFC President Dana White following multiple infractions, former welterweight standout Karo Parisyan is getting another shot at UFC stardom after a successful return against Ben Mortimer under the Impact FC banner in Australia last July. The Armenian tells Sherdog.com that he's been able to overcome -- or at least contain -- the pre-fight anxiety attacks that led to his Octagon troubles in the past. Are fans convinced he's on the level? And can he fight his way back into contention in one of the sport's deepest divisions?

Thoughts?

Props: GracieMag.com

Quoteworthy:

"[Rampage] couldn’t be a better opponent and the date is great, too; it gives me time to prepare ... I’m happy to be back and to prove I’m in the mix with the best of them. I’m working hard, I’m correcting a lot of things and putting a lot of effort in. I’m doing all aspects of fighting, the takedowns, ground fighting and striking ... A fight between two former champions couldn’t be more fitting, two fighters who want their place in the sun. He’s a strong guy who has good boxing and wrestling. I feel he’s a bit limited standing, but he’s really strong and, although he may defend well on the ground, he’s not that good there, either ... I’m going to exploit Rampage where he isn’t totally dominant. But I’m prepared for anything, whether it’s standing or on the ground."

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida looks to get back into the title hunt when he collides with another ex-205-pound champ, Quinton Jackson. "The Dragon" plans to exploit "Rampage" where he isn't dominant. Clinch? Ground? Or will the Brazilian play keep-away until "B.A. Baracus" gets frustrated and makes a mistake on his feet? Let's hear some predictions Maniacs, how do you see this one playing out?

I'm not sure whether to file this one under bad karma or just bad business.

Shine Fights is taking another one on the chin this week, this time from the Virginia Athletic Commission, who apparently wasn't on board with the promotion's decision to let the fans do their matchmaking for next weekend's lightweight grand prix pay-per-view, according to MMA Fighting.

From a Shine Fights press release dated Aug. 23:

In their quest to mold Shine Fights Promotions into MMA's most fan-friendly organization, CEO Devin Price and COO Jason Chambers have taken the unprecedented step of allowing Shine fans to play matchmaker for the company's upcoming Lightweight Grand Prix Tournament, which will be televised nationally on Pay Per View. History will be made, as fans have never been given the opportunity to actually choose the fights they want to see. Now, they can mix and match those eight fighters in order to create the four opening-round bouts that they want to see. The combinations with the most votes will be selected as the official bouts

It was a nice idea, but probably one of those things you want to run by the commission first. The promotion recently announced the first match-up as a result of fan voting, the 155-pound scrap between Drew "The Master" Fickett and Charles "Krazy Horse" Bennett.

The report also states that Shine will stick to the original date of Sept. 10 but has been forced to abandon its plans for a tournament at the George Mason University campus in Fairfax after being denied a license and will instead head to Oklahoma to a venue yet to be determined.

This is the promotion's second major setback in 2010.  Shine saw the cancellation of its "Worlds Collide: Mayorga vs. Thomas" pay-per-view event back on May 15, after the courts awarded Don King Productions a last-minute injunction barring Ricardo Mayorga's participation in the main event.

Price and Co. were prepared to continue with their event and promote "Ninja" Rua into the main event against David Heath; however, the North Carolina Athletic Commission pulled the plug and reports circulated that Shine was unable to secure the fight purses in time for the event.

Despite recent claims from Price to reimburse fighters who were stiffed by the cancellation of that event, well-traveled MMA veteran Zac George (among others) insists he has yet to be paid -- even after the promotion moved forward with their upcoming grand prix.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more information regarding the Shine Fights tournament pay-per-view, still scheduled for Sept. 10, as it becomes available.

Props: Mirror TKO

Quoteworthy:

"Patrick Cote is a piece of (expletive). I've met Patrick Cote a couple of times. I've always found him to be okay, we've shook hands and I've had no issue with Patrick Cote and then out of the blue, he's talking (expletive) about me. He's just trying to make himself relevant again and he's trying to talk himself into a fight with me, which I'm not going to oblige. I know I'm talking about him now because you asked, but I've just distanced it. I think I'm above Patrick Cote and he's beneath me. He needs to stop talking (expletive) about me and get his arse in the gym and try and win a fight."

Heading into his Oct. 16 fight against Yoshihiro Akiyama, UFC 120 headliner Michael Bisping has some strong words for fellow middleweight Patrick Cote. "The Count" takes offense to "The Predator's" trash-talking and thinks the Canadian isn't on his level both personally and professionally. Anyone want to see these two settle their score in 2011? And who gets the upper hand if they do?

Does he make a legitimate argument? Or is he off his rocker?

The season finale of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 12 looks to have its first match-up on paper as former Spike TV reality show contestant and fan favorite Stephan Bonnar will lock horns with Croatian crusher Igor Pokrajac on Dec. 4 in Las Vegas.

MMAmania.com was able to confirm an initial report by ESPN host Jon Anik earlier today.

Bonnar (12-7), treading water after posting three consecutive losses, was able to get back into the win column with an emphatic win over fellow TUF veteran Krzysztof Soszynski at UFC 110: "Nogueira vs. Velasquez" earlier this year.

"The American Psycho" earned "Fight of the Night" with his stoppage of "The Polish Experiment" and could slowly start to re-establish his presence in the UFC's light heavyweight division with another impressive performance in "Sin City" this December.

Standing in his way is Pokrajac (22-7), who also rebounded from consecutive losses when he choked out free-falling  veteran James Irvin at the UFC on Versus 2 event last month in San Diego.

It was his first win under the UFC banner after racking up eight straight W's overseas. No question that stopping Bonnar could be a one-way ticket to bigger and better things in 2011.

TUF 12 Finale will feature the top two finalists from this season going head-to-head for a "six-figure" contract and the right to be called "Ultimate Fighter."

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more information on this still-developing fight card.

Props: UFC.com

Quoteworthy:

"I think Crocop is still the same individual we saw in PRIDE. I think a lot of guys have seen enough tape on him to know that if you walk away from him or stand there in front of him you could be in for a dangerous night because he still has the same leg he always had. He has a lot of speed and quickness … Mirko is very good on his feet; I’m not bad on my feet, either. Add in the wrestling that I have been working on, the jiu-jitsu aspect, he has many more things to worry about. Once that cage door shuts every advantage is mine.... I don’t see anywhere I don’t feel comfortable with Cro Cop – I can beat him in more ways than he can beat me."

Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir breaks down his upcoming fight at UFC 119 with mixed martial arts legend and 2006 Pride FC Open Weight Grand Prix winner, Mirko Cro Cop. Naturally, Mir is aware that Cro Cop's best chance to win the fight, which will headline the show in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Sept. 25, is if he keeps it upright. Mir, meanwhile, is confident in his advantage on the ground. But Mir feels he's better on his feet than the Croatian is on the ground, which could be accurate, but the difference standing is significant -- Cro Cop has the power to end it at anytime ... quickly. Is Mir a little too confident these days, thinking he could stand with the former K-1-level kickboxer, or will he come to his senses on fight night and waste no time taking it to the ground?