Eleven score and five years ago America was born. Now, all citizens are free to watch, participate, and flat out love local combative sports. US Combat Sports would like to wish all of you a happy and safe Fourth of July.

Nearly five years ago Wisconsin Combat Sports opened its doors in an effort to shine some light on the exciting local combative sports scene throughout the state of Wisconsin. The effort was an instant success.

Providing written coverage, fight photography, and video from events across the state WCS emerged as the unofficial online community for all things Wisconsin MMA. Creating gym listings for local businesses, increasing ticket sales for local promotions, and helping local fighters gain recognition the site helped raise awareness for members of the fight community.

Two years later the site made its way across the United States. Transitioning from Wisconsin Combat Sports to US Combat Sports, the company shifted its attention to covering local combative sports around the country opening sites in New Mexico, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Oklahoma, and the entire Mid-Atlantic region. But the real work is just about to begin.

Last year's Southwest Combat Sports Expo delighted nearly 3000 spectators with several amazing performances and training demonstrations. Once again anchored by the Southwest's largest grappling tournament, this years Expo '12 is sure to raise the bar.

The Gi and NoGi grappling tournament will be contested on 12 mats while the middle of the event center floor will once again be the stage for some awesome Combat Sports related demos.

Southwest Grapplefest VII and Expo '12 is being held at the Santa Ana Star Center, a 7,000 seat state-of-the-art venue known for world class entertainment and professional sports.

Happy Memorial Day. Everyone at US Combat Sports wishes to thank all of those that are currently serving, have served in the past, or will serve for our country in the future.

Your contributions and sacrifices have made the high quality of life in America possible and we will not soon forget. In a time when the word "hero" is thrown around loosely, veterans truly deserve the utmost respect and admiration.

From all of our active men and women competing in Army Combatives, current UFC and Strikeforce stars such as Brian Stann and Tim Kennedy, or even one of the sport's greatest legends in Randy Couture, veterans and combative sports go hand in hand.

After 64 fights of the greatest fights in MMA history, upsets and blow outs, and hundereds of votes, US Combat Sports has crowned the epic battle between Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Dan Henderson as the greatest fight ever. It defeated the very worthy fight of Clay Guida and Diego Sanchez.

The voting was closer than many expected with the champion only getting 68% of the tallies but was still earning a very comfortable margin. The fight, which was also 2011 Fight of the Year, was a five-round war between two legends in the sport.

Henderson started off winning the first two rounds rather convincingly and took the third round as well. But by the end of the third frame the tides had begun to turn. The fourth and fifth rounds saw Shogun make a great recovery and spend a good amount of time in dominant positions as Henderson battled just to survive.

Founded in 2007 the Combat Sports Club (CSC) has brought grapplers and BJJ competitors of the Southwest the opportunity to better their skills in an affordable and family friendly format. The tradition continues in 2012 with SW Grapplefest VI, April 28, at Rio Rancho High School in New Mexico.

CSC tournaments are regularly attended by some of Combat Sport’s biggest personalities, and dozens of former and current competitors have competed in and held titles in organizations such as the UFC, Strikforce, King of the Cage, Abu Dhabi Combat Club, IBJJF and many more. Aside from the success of the higher level competitors the core purpose of the CSC is to provide burgeoning competitors safe opportunities to hone their skills, and to foster awareness and appreciation for Grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

The research has been done, the votes have been tallied, and the nominees have been chosen. Celebrating the best in local combative sports accomplishments over the past year, Texas’ Best of 2011 Award nominations are now final and the fan voting can begin.

So, without further ado, here are the nominees for the best of the best in Texas’ local combative scene of 2011:

The opening round of the USCS Greatest MMA Fight of All Time Tournament kicks off today with you the fans voting on the 32 first round matches today through Wednesday.

There are a few interesting matchups that could shape how the bracket falls in this round including a couple 8 versus 9 showdowns.

In the first region you have the fight between Wanderleia Silva and Rampage Jackson at Pride 2003 taking on Frankie Edgar vs. Tyson Griffin from UFC 67. Both fights were very entertaining and a many fans remember the hype that surrounded the Silva-Rampage meeting.

Tell me if this sounds familiar. You’re having some drinks with a couple of buddies and one of them says, “Henderson vs. Shogun was the greatest fight ever”. The other one, already a six-pack of PBR deep, chimes in with “yeah right, Pettis vs. Henderson was the best”.

Well here is the chance for you the readers to settle the discussion once and for all. US Combat Sports has taken 64 of the most memorable fights in mixed martial arts history and put them in a bracket – you may have seen this once or twice with the March Madness tournament. 

The best part is you the reader get to pick the winners.  Not only that, you can fill out your own bracket and see where your favorites stand and win an array of prizes from sponsors like Combat Corner, BJJ Life, No Decision MMA, Counter Stryke, and Ruby Tuesday.  Here is how it works.

There is still time to cast your vote for the “USCS Best of 2011 Awards”. Make sure to nominate the best fighters, coaches, and promotions In your local area.  

With ten exciting categories to choose from, USCS wants to know just who you think should be eligible for each award. Votes will be tallied from now until February 20, and the five nominees will be unveiled on February 27.

Make sure to vote for the best and most deserving competitors and make your voice heard. Below are the categories to vote upon: