UFC lightweight champion B.J. Penn breaks down challenger Frankie Edgar. David (The Crow) Loiseau prays for Haiti. Patrick (Predator) Cote announces his return to action. Alan (The Talent) Belcher signs a new contract. And Phil Baroni hits the bar scene.
Thanks to Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites, a day -- and night -- in the life of a mixed martial arts fighter is now clearer than ever. Especially since many fighters treat their smartphone like a body appendage.
Here's a selective look at 24 hours on the Twitter fight scene.
Baroni, living up to his nickname the New York Bad Ass assuming it is him, sends 16 tweets in a seven-hour period that starts with the message "Back to bar." His ensuing Twitter journey cites "fat desert chicks," karaoke, jack and coke, bar fight and cops.
"Should be training but im out ... will make it up in the gym. It is what it is," he concludes.
"I been drinking every day since my fight but ill smash any one punch for punch. any one!" he adds.
Following fighters on the Internet can involve taking things with a grain of salt, however. Former WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown had his Facebook account hacked while UFC light-heavyweight Keith Jardine found someone else masquerading as the Dean of Mean on Facebook.
Penn, one of the savviest fighters around when it comes to social networking, uses Twitter to link to www.bjpenn.com for a video offering commentary on his next title fight against Edgar.
"I think that's a great a fight," he says. "Edgar's a very good opponent, he's got a lot of big wins and he gets after it. I've got to be prepared for someone like Frankie."
Lightweight Gray Mynard, who was also in the running to meet Penn, shows his class in a tweet to Edgar (whom he beat in April 2008).
"Just want to say congrats to @FrankieEdgar, I think he's a great opponent for BJ. I wish them both the best of luck on their upcoming fight!"
Penn did his video in Las Vegas, where he was meeting with Dana White. The UFC president was also on Twitter, showing off a picture of him enjoying a small tub of Pinkberry yogurt.
Belcher, a middleweight, links via Twitter to video of him signing his new four-fight deal with the UFC.
For Cote, it's time to celebrate his return after a lengthy layoff due to a knee injury.
"Big news today !!" he teases.
Three hours later, he expands: "'The Predator' Patrick Cote returns to UFC May 1 in Montreal."
Loiseau, a Montreal-born middleweight with roots in Haiti, and others use Twitter for a more serious topic: "Praying for HAITI... Praying for all my family and friends."
Former champion Frank Shamrock and UFC ring girl Arianny Celeste use tweets to urge donations to Haiti.
For some, Twitter is a way to share motivational thoughts.
"To be truly dedicated is a obsession that doesn't stop at success," offers former light-heavyweight champion Rashad Evans. "The road to victory is paved with sacrifice & hardwork!"
Says lightweight Kenny Florian: "Experience is a good teacher because she gives the test first & the lesson afterward."
Other just use it get something off their chest. Lightweight Nick Diaz clearly still hasn't got over his loss Monday to Maynard.
"Just watched the fight 3 times I won last nite all three rounds," he tweets.
Welterweight Mike (The Joker) Guymon was looking to be positive after losing his UFC debut to 20-year-old Canadian welterweight Rory (The Water Boy) MacDonald on the same card.
"Time to pick myself up off the floor, suck it up and move forward. Try and stop me."
There's also time to tweet about the toll of training.
From middleweight Nate (The Great) Marquardt: "10 a.m. Comes too early in Montreal: This morning we did our strength training with Jon (Chaimberg). I did not want to."
And welterweight Jay Hieron adds: "Just woke up like thirty minutes ago and about to go lift but man my body hurts so bad from the last three days, wish I could never be sore."
For lightweight contender Digeo (Nightmare) Sanchez, it's just a chance to share some good news.
"Am so happy after ten years of being alergic to cats I am finally healed no(w) I can enjoy one of gods amazing animals."
Fighter and Rampage Jackson sidekick Tiki Ghosn is also in a good mood.
"Just flipped thru the channels on tv and found "The devil wears nada"!! Lol!" he tweets.
And for Baroni, a new day dawns. "Just woke. About to get car and try and get out of this place."
