To read more by Jesse Motiff click here

The weight class would range between 205 to 225 or 230 pounds. Some have proposed calling it the cruiserweight division, while others feel it should be the new heavyweight division.Fighters like Lesnar, Shane Carwin, and Cain Velasquez would fight in the super-heavyweight division.Couture would seem to be a prime candidate for the new proposed division. He was quite small compared to most of the current heavyweights, but he walks around at 220 pounds and cuts down to the 205 limit for the light-heavyweight division.Couture wasn't necessarily opposed to adding a new weight class when asked about it on Wednesday on the UFC's conference call, but it also didn't seem like he would push for it. "I'm happy with the weight classes the way they are," Couture said. "I may be small for a heavyweight, but I've been fairly effective there. Whatever makes sense for the sport would be best, but I don't know whether it's really gaining any traction or if it would happen."Brandon Vera seemed more open to the idea and thought it could help grow the sport."The sport is growing and will need more main events, so it would make sense to add one."While being open to a new division, Vera doesn't mind the weight differential between himself and the larger fighters currently in the heavyweight division."I've fought bigger guys and didn't have a problem with it, but adding a new division could make new stars and build the sport even more."Vera is right in saying the new division could potentially make new stars, but it is a process that would take a few years to fully adjust to.Initially, the light-heavyweight division would be depleted of several fighters, but it also may give opportunities to fighters like Chuck Liddell and Couture to stick around longer and fight different opponents.

While some will be opposed to that thought, they are two of the biggest draws in the sport and would be good for the division at its inception.Adding smaller heavyweight fighters to a division with the heavier light-heavyweight fighters would be an interesting twist to the sport. It would spark great debate and interest among fans, as well as give a whole new group of fighters a chance for greatness.The division may not be formed for another couple of years, but Randy Couture and Brandon Vera could very well be laying the foundation for the division with their clash on Saturday night. To read more by Jesse Motiff, click here .. U.S. Secretary of Labor announces $10 million in grants to expandtechnology-based learningAwards will go to 20 projects in 16 states WASHINGTON, Jan 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ U.S Secretary of Labor ElaineL.

Chao today announced $10 million in grants to increase access totechnology-based learning. Twenty projects were selected from a pool of 193applications."These $10 million in grants will increase workers' access to skills trainingthrough the Internet, video teleconferencing and other technology-basedlearning media," said Secretary Chao. Technology-based learning broadly refers to transmitting knowledge throughelectronic means, whether over the Internet, through video conferencing, byDVD or via other media. It encompasses scheduled, teacher-student instructionas well as unscheduled, self-directed learning.Successful applications came from organizations in 16 states. The remaining projects involve the transportation, geospatial technology andenergy industries.Individual awards start at just over $150,000 and run upto almost $1 million.The projects will employ a variety of technology-based learning applications,ranging from setting up a "virtual hospital" to help train nurses to usingonline chat rooms to provide students with one-on-one support.In addition,award-winning projects have teamed up with growing industries, area workforceand economic development entities, and educational institutions includingcommunity and four-year colleges. Today's grantees and their partners willcarry out their activities over a three-year period.This competition was announced in the Federal Register on June 20, 2008, andis part of the Labor Department's Employment and Training Administration'sTechnology-Based Learning Initiative, which was launched in 2006. Editor's Note: A list of award-winning organizations and relevant industriesfollows this news release.2009 Technology-Based Learning GrantsAward-Winning OrganizationsOrganization City StateIndustryAmountAble-DisabledSan DiegoCalif.