Anthony Johnson, Vitor Belfort Prepare For UFC 142 On The Round-Up

MMA Nation Round-Up provides you with daily coverage of the latest in news, multimedia, and analysis throughout the world of combat sports.

This morning we'll kick things off with an in-depth look at the co-main event of UFC 142, before we move on to a crew-cutted Clay Guida and Chael Sonnen's blunt career outlook. Let's start it up.

- The debate rages on about the relationship between mixed martial arts and pro wrestling. MMA Nation's Luke Thomas and Nate Wilcox delve into the subject to discuss the deep historical roots between the two sides.

- An intimate look at Anthony Johnson as he prepares for Vitor Belfort with Rashad Evans and the Blackzilians down in Miami, Florida.

- Leland Rolling returns with #10 on 2012's World MMA Middleweight Scouting Report: A 29-year-old former NCAA Division III All-American.

- King Mo was furious this weekend after being forced to brutalize Lorenz Larkin because of referee indiscretion, but is 'giving a fighter every opportunity' to fight back even legal? Luke Thomas takes a look.

- Vitor Belfort reveals his secret weapon for Anthony Johnson at UFC 142.

- Brain Hemminger previews the UFC 142 main card battle between Terry Etim and Edson Barboza.

- UFC newcomer Carlos Prater has a message for his UFC 142 opponent, Erick Silva.

- Which fighter made $150,000 for their work at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine? Check out the complete salary listing at MMA Mania.

- Tyron Woodley may not have lit the world on fire last Saturday, but should the should the blame fall solely on him? David Castillo says no.

- Ever wonder what Clay Guida looked like before growing those caveman locks? Take a look at "The Carpenter" circa-1999 high school prom w/ bowtie. (via Yahoo! Sports)

- Brandon Vera has some unfinished business with Thiago Silva, and now that the Brazilian is back in the game, Vera's message is clear: "I want that ass."

- If you're one of the 30 million people in America who receive Fuel TV, "The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil" is coming to a television set near you in March.

- Despite his bluster, Chael Sonnen is assuredly one of the more candid interviewees in the MMA world, and this clip is a prime example. "The People's Champion" explains how his career will ultimately be "colossal failure" if he doesn't capture that "one night, one moment, 12 lbs. of gold."

- In 2012 it's still more than a little indefensible to think that MMA is illegal in New York. Though, according to Dana White, that's going to change "this year."

- Bellator's stable got a little bigger on Monday, as MMA's premiere second-fiddle stole away Bloody Elbow's number-one welterweight prospect.

- We'll leave you with this -- MMA Fighting photographer extraordinaire Esther Lin puts together a fantastic montage of the best MMA photos of 2011 and the stories behind them. Enjoy.