Growing up in Queens, N.Y., UFC middleweight Uriah Hall seemed to hardly resemble the man now seen knocking people out inside the Octagon. Having immigrated from Jamaica as a teen, Hall says he was a popular target for neighborhood bullies hellbent on doling out daily beatings. Speaking at a UFC media luncheon promoting Black History Month, Hall says the bullying reached a point where he even considered taking his own life. via FOX Sports:

"The bullying just got to a point where it's like, I gotta wake up tomorrow and look forward to this again? I don't want to deal with this s**t. I just didn't want to do it anymore, man.

"I don't know how I was gonna do it, but I didn't want to go to school."

After one exceptional instance of being assaulted on his school bus, Hall says he nearly resulted to deadly force in an attempt to retaliate.

"I got off the bus and I was about to kill this guy," Hall said. "I was going to get a gun, get a knife and stab this dude."

According to Hall, the traumatic experiences very much affected not only his personal outlook on life, but his fighting style. Saying he favors well executed technique over knockout power, Hall credits his turnaround to training karate at Tiger Schulmann's in high school. Now enjoying a promising career, it's good to see those days are well behind him.

lol having too much fun with this guy @mightymouseufc http://t.co/r7SRxRrj64 — uriah hall (@UriahHallMMA) February 25, 2014





5 MUST-READ STORIES

Wins all around. Chuck Mindenhall explains how almost everyone came out looking good with Gilbert Melendez' new deal with UFC.

Hired gun. Lyoto Machida says he felt like a hitman taking bonus money from Dana White.

Signal to noise. Luke Thomas gives us the best and worst of UFC 170.

Only fight left. Jeff Wagenheim explains how it actually does make sense for the UFC to book Ronda Rousey against Cris Cyborg.

Outside the Lines. ESPN looks into why TRT is so much more prevalent in MMA than in other sports.

MEDIA STEW

Explaining TRT.

Cung Le says China has talent, but no coaches.

It's like watching Ronda on a terrible blind date.

Gracie Breakdown for Ronda Rousey vs. Sara McMann.

The Renato Laranja Show.

Some nice ref cam action.

Long watches.

Knuckle Up #429: The Rousey-Zingano-Cyborg power axis AND the UFC 170

Opie & Anthony - Demetrious Johnson & Uriah Hall In Studio (02-24-2014)

TWEETS

Pretty wild.

Just FYI.

2 clear the air the rumors these reporters are writting about me having a 180 day suspension are false, i have a 20 day suspension. im fine! — Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) February 25, 2014

And there is no ankle injury at all — Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) February 25, 2014

Not so fast.

"@rory_macdonald: I would like to fight the winner of hendricks and lawler @ufc @danawhite" I would like to fly and be invisible. Nice try! — Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) February 25, 2014

Not a fan of beardless Josh Barnett.

Hmmm I think I need to find some bigger people to train with. These are just way to small.... http://t.co/3ZuUbj685k — michael (@bisping) February 25, 2014

Vitor's new haircut.

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise... http://t.co/dt0YxPM03n — Vitor Belfort (@vitorbelfort) February 25, 2014

Rickson did it first.

Yoga on The beach!! Yoga na praia! http://t.co/zA1qufhzgb — Lyoto Machida (@lyotomachidafw) February 26, 2014

Ronda at +150?

I wonder if Cris Cyborg & Ronda Rousey fought, who would have the favor in the betting odds? hmm — Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) February 25, 2014

Thanks for all the fun fights.

The strawweights are already battling.

The postman delivered me a bunch of these todayyyy 😊 yayy for comfy @Pillfreakdotcom hotpants!! #chunkymonkey pic.twitter.com/ewQBjptSNY — 'Rowdy' Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) February 26, 2014

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Feb. 25 2014)

Daniel Omielanczuk vs. Jared Rosholt at UFC Fight Night 39

Chris Camozzi vs. Andrew Craig at UFC Fight Night 39

Thales Leites vs. Trevor Smith at UFC Fight Night 39

Dustin Ortiz vs. Alptekin Ozkilic at UFC Fight Night 39

Beneil Dariush vs. Ramsey Nijem at UFC Fight Night 39

Jim Alers vs. Alan Omer at UFC Fight Night 39

Johnny Eduardo vs. Eddie Wineland at UFC Fight Night 40

Brett Cooper vs. Kendall Grove at Bellator 114

Dan Cramer vs. Doug Marshall at Bellator 115

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via Da Headbanger.

Why Melendez-Pettis Coaching TUF 20 is a Loss for the Fans

It very recently came to light that Gilbert Melendez would be coming back to the UFC after signing an offer sheet with Bellator. I admit that I was very happy to hear this not because I am one of those fans believes the UFC can do no wrong. I was happy to hear this due to the fact that the UFC is where the top MMA talent in the world compete and Melendez no doubt deserves to be competing with the best. In fact, I was happy to see that Melendez was talking with Bellator due to the fact that competition is always a good thing. It forces companies to push themselves to create the best possible product for fans. The best example I can think of is the WWE Attitude Era when they were trying to (and eventually succeeded in) run WCW out of business. Since WWE was able to buy out WCW, they haven't had any serious competition and the product is stale in comparison to what it once was. I realize that the competition is different seeing as how wrestling is scripted, but it does create a scenario where fighters know if they perform well they will get paid, even if they aren't going to get paid by the company they are with. Thus, they want to impress rather than be resigned to getting whatever contract comes from the top (and only) dog if there is no competition. ...

Check out the rest of the post here.

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