Wednesday Morning MMA Link Club: Is It the Shoes?

(Cain Velasquez's new Lugz commercial. Yeah, he smashed that. Props: YouTube.com/MMAFightClub)

Some selected highlights from our friends around the MMA blogosphere. E-mail [e-mail] for details on how your site can join the MMA Link Club...

- Punch Drunk Preview: WEC 50 (Heavy.com/MMA)

- Cro Cop Says He's Not Ready for UFC 119 but Still Guarantees a First Round Knockout (MiddleEasy)

- Backstage: Ariel Helwani vs. Ed Soares (MMA Fighting)

- Total Fighter Payroll for Strikeforce Challengers Phoenix: $53,250 (MMA Convert)

- 10 Taekwondo Knockouts That Will Blow Your Mind (MMA Scraps)

- Shane Carwin still silent on steroid connection; media as well (Watch Kalib Run)

- Pettis: ‘Roller Doesn’t Want Any Part of My Stand-up’ at WEC 50 (Versus MMA Beat)

- Chael Sonnen Syndrome: Urijah Faber trash-talking his way to the WEC Bantamweight Title shot? (LowKick)

- Rafael Cavalcante: “I have been working hard for not just this fight, but for my dream, every day for six years.” (Five Ounces of Pain)

- Strikeforce Houston: Noons & Gurgel on Standing and Banging for a Title Shot (FIGHT! Magazine)