Getbig Bodybuilding, Figure and Fitness Forums
Getbig Misc Discussion Boards => Mixed Martial Arts (MMA/UFC) => Topic started by: Bluto on September 28, 2007, 04:04:32 AM
-
In this thread we'll post MMA/Fighting news/rumours/interviews/fight cards! The source is: who gives a shit dot com.
Bigger news with more "news value" will be given their own threads along with topics that are likely to be discussed/commented.
-
UFC's Dana White Makes Top 100 Sports Executives List
The following is an excerpt from an article on Business Week ranking the top 100 sports executives:
"Dana White--Mixed martial arts has gone mainstream and White is the president of the biggest brand in the sport, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). I'd put White at around No. 80 at the very least. "
-
- DIN THOMAS LIKELY OUT FOR FOUR MONTHS
Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Din Thomas is out of action due to a serious knee injury suffered in his submission loss to Kenny Florian at Sept. 19’s UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas according to Dean Albrecht, a member of his business management team.
Thomas appeared to suffer the knee injury when shooting in for an unsuccessful wrestling takedown on Florian. Moments later, Florian was on his back peppering him with punches and then locking in a rear naked choke for the submission.
Results from an MRI showed that Thomas suffered a torn meniscus, stretched anterior cruciate ligament, and bruised femur and tibia.
Albrecht indicated that Thomas is going to see a knee specialist in Atlanta next week. He will likely have arthroscopic surgery performed within the next two weeks.
Following the surgery, Thomas will have to undergo at least two weeks of rehabilitation before he will be able to resume training. A return to competition will still be much further down the road. It is likely to be at least four months before Thomas can fight again.
When he is able to fight again, Thomas, who had been on a three-fight winning streak, indicated that he would like a rematch with Florian.
-
UFC veteran Drew Fickett has been added to HDNet Fights’ October 13th event in Dallas. He will face Anthony Lapsley in a co-main event.
Fickett will enter the fight as the most experienced fighter on the entire card, compiling a 29-5 MMA record since turning pro in 1999. In his time with the UFC Fickett scored a number of wins but came up short against his toughest competition. After a debut win over Josh Neer at UFC Fight Night 1 he followed it up with another win over Josh Koscheck at UFC Fight Night 2. In his next bout he was submitted early in the third round by Josh Burkman at UFC Fight Night 3. He next defeated Kurt Pellegrino at UFC 61 before Karo Parisyan handed him his second UFC loss at UFC Fight Night 7. In his last fight he was victorious defeating Keita Nakamura at UFC Fight Night 9 in April of this year.
Following the win Fickett was called on to fill in for Jeff Joslin against Chris Lytle at UFC 73 but Fickett ultimately had to withdraw from the bout as well after suffering a knee injury.
His opponent, Anthony Lapsley, has a 10-2 MMA record and has just been pro for just over a year. He defeated Brent Weedman in his last fight, a United Fight League card in August.
-
Kazuhiro Nakamura Plans to Appeal
Upon hearing that Kazuhiro Nakamura has tested positive for marijuana, J-ROCK, Nakamura’s management company has released a statement denying the charges against their fighter. According to J-ROCK, Nakamura has never used marijuana and would have no motives or benefits for doing so prior to his fight at UFC 76.
Nakamura’s management said that he was taken to the hospital immediately after his fight with Machida for a precautionary CT scan in Anaheim, CA. The CT scan showed evidence of bleeding from the brain according to the doctors in America. However, contrary to this, upon arriving back in a Japan, the CT scans were reexamined by Japanese doctors who found no such indication of bleeding of the brain. J-ROCK is using the discrepancies between the two examinations as an example that medical results may vary, and can be inaccurate at times. Using this line of reasoning, J-ROCK is confident that their fighter is being wrongly accused of marijuana use.
J-Rock plans on appealing the CSAC’s allegations in order to protect Nakamura’s reputation. They are requesting that the results be reexamined.
-
(http://mmabuzz.com/images/stories/kickdown-42.jpg)
Date: September 28, 2007
Venue: Red Lion Hotel
Denver, CO
Mixed Martial Arts Bouts. Up to 13 action packed bouts. Doors open at 6:30P.M. First bout 7:30P.M.
FIGHTCARD
Eric Heinz VS Bryant Craven Kick Down PRO Welter Weight Title
Daniel Douglas VS Mark Korzionowski MMA
Joey Welch VS Pete Vandervort MMA
Nathan Gates VS Nick Waters Kick Down am Light Weight MMA Title
Sean Ogle VS Ian Berg MMA
Joe Salley VS Vernon Garner MMA
Tandi Ogden VS TBD
Willy Baisley VS Jason Brenton Kick Down am Feather Weight MMA Title
Melissa Secrease VS LaVeta Modified Muay Thai
Ticket Information:
1st Row..................... .....$50.00
2nd Row..................... .....$40.00
Reserved: $35.00
Gen. Admission $25.00
Online: http://www.martialartsradio.com
For Tickets Call: 720.422.5154 or (303) 692-4865.
-
Baddest Battle on Earth: Pueblo: September 29th
(http://mmabuzz.com/images/stories/clash_of_the_titans_poster-.jpg)
NO MERCY & ROCKY MOUNTAIN BAD BOYZ
PRESENT
CLASH OF THE TITANS
SATURDAY SEPT 29TH
LIVE AT THE
COLORADO STATE FAIR GROUNDS
IN PUEBLO
Red Corner
Vs.
Blue Corner
John Cronk 185 Donnie Liles
Chris Cisneros 145 Manual Gallardo
Jamie Smith 155 Mike Aragon
Joe Trujillio 220 Mike Chickering
Lumumba Sayer 200 Brandon Vincent
Justin Graves 150 Sean Ramsey
Nick Worrel 200 Sergio Salinas
Alan Bawanna 155 Ron Muir
Sid Severs 195 David Serotto
Kandi Brown 120 Ann Wyborney
Joshua Spellman 145 Darren Dodge
Nick Bushman 145 Jaramillo Aubestonbord
Carlos Gallegos 165 Danny Simpson
DOORS OPEN AT: 6 P.M
FIGHTS START AT: 7 PM
FOR TICKETS CALL: (719) 660-3234
-
Catchin up with Corey Hill
(http://mmabuzz.com/images/stories/coreyecko.jpg)
Corey Hill is back and he's got some business to take care of. For those of you that followed Corey Hill on The Ultimate Fighter 5 will remember him as the barking, high energy, high potential 6'4" 155 pound MMA fighter. Corey built up quite a reputation on the show. His high intensity training was constantly shown as well as his crazy antics (we all remember Mr. Buddy Rowe, right?).
MMABuzz.com recently caught up with Corey in Colorado Springs and got to ask him exactly where he's been and what he's been up to. Many internet reports claimed he had packed up and moved to Indiana to join Matt Hughes HIT Squad, well, that was just a rumor. He was approached by someone from Hughes camp to come train with him, but Corey's loyalty to Pat Miletich and his camp led him to stay. "I just love Iowa and Miletich and what I got going on (there). We (Corey's family) are going to stay and hang out there for a while."
Corey's been traveling back and forth to train at Team Miletich in Iowa. He was going to pack his family up a few months back and move them there with him, but as Corey stated ‘the money just wasn't there'. Corey managed to secure a sponsorship with the clothing line Ecko and is now in a good financial situation to move out to Iowa and train with Miletich full time.
Corey's training has really been paying off. "It's been a full year since I started training (MMA). I don't want to give too much away.... (with a big Corey Hill smile) but I've progressed a lot. I'm far from where I want to be, but I like (where I'm at) right now."
Corey hinted at a possible return to the octagon in November. "Possibly November. I've heard there is a UFC card in November. We're trying to get on the undercard right now. I can't say for sure, but hopefully November......November or December."
"Corey Hill just wanted to tell the fans to stay behind him. I've been working my butt off, getting everything situated. I got my family coming to Iowa....and just stay behind me. I have a lot of great things I'm gonna show the fans."
-
Remy Bonjasky interview
(http://www.freewebs.com/lethal-leif/BONJASKY.JPG)
ONJASKY INTERVIEW BY ADAM STEEL
HOLLAND'S K-1 HEAVYWEIGHT Remy Bonjasky has revenge in mind on September 29 when he fights Stefan Leko in Seoul. The 2003/4 K-1 champion beat the German in their quarter-final last year but was unable to continue after taking two kicks to the groin. Bonjasky took time out from training to talk to ADAM STEEL about the match-up, his plans for the future and determination to end a run of bad luck.
How has preparation gone Remy?
BONJASKY: It's gone good. We've trained twice a day in the morning and afternoon and
I feel good and confident for September 29 against Leko.
The only thing I've done different is train with Mirko Cro Cop in Croatia but nothing changed.
I think the training was more for Cro Cop. We were just sparring but sparring like against any other top fighter.
I train with Gilbert Yvel at the Vos Gym, who is a great fighter also. The only difference is
that Mirko lost a little bit of his stand-up abilities but he is still a superstar in fighting.
But he lost some of his reaction and techniques, that's why me, Gilbert and my trainer Ivan Hippolyte were there ahead of his fight against
Cheick Kongo
It was a benefit to me as well because we trained like it was a training
camp, just training, eating and sleeping.
We stayed there for a week and then came back and went again.
- You must be super-determined to beat Leko after what happened last year.
BONJASKY: Just hearing Leko's name is enough to motivate me because last year he did
some bad things.
The first kick between the legs I thought 'Hey, it can happen to anyone'.
But the second kick was clearly aiming at the same place, that's what I thought. I think
he did it deliberately.
When I got into the locker room I threw up and couldn't stand, it was
horrible - too much.
We went to the hospital to check it out because I still want to have some
kids! Luckily it was okay.
I felt so good in last year's final as well and when I was standing against Leko I
felt it wasn't going to last long.
Then I got the kick and it was like he took one of my dreams away.
I couldn't do anything about it but now I'm going to try again and September
29 is going to be a big nightmare for him.
Leko can expect to go two rounds tops because I'm not waiting for a
decision, not this time.
I didn't ask for him but K-1 said the fans want to see a real fight. Last
year we fought, then had to stop, go to the locker room and come back and
fight again.
They want to see a normal fight and the fans know that I'm going to kick
his ass. You are going to see all of my jumping knees again.
What do you think of Leko?
BONJASKY: Leko always has a big mouth and I don't know why. I think he is arrogant -
we aren't friends and we've never been friends.
At first he was okay, he was a normal guy, but when he has to fight you he
starts getting arrogant.
I don't know why because he has been in K-1 for eight, 10 years now and I
don't think he has ever made it to the second round of the final, so why
get arrogant?
When people win something I can understand it when they get arrogant - I
won't get arrogant but I can understand it.
He has never won the Grand Prix, only a couple of small tournaments so why
get arrogant? It's not necessary.
I've fought a couple of times against Leko. I fought him in Las Vegas when
I was pretty new in K-1 and I lost the fight by a couple of points.
Then I fought him again last year and I think he is a good fighter.
But he isn't good enough to go all the way. He only has a spinning heel
kick and a couple of punches, that's it.
I wasn't impressed by his win over Mighty Mo either because if you don't get hit
and you know how to make points, anybody can beat Mighty Mo as long as you
don't get hit by his right hand.
I'm determined to beat him but I won't fight angry and I don't fight angry because you don't breathe and
you lose all of your techniques.
I won't kick him in the groin either! But I'm very confident, I feel great and we are training real hard together
with Ivan.
The last two years have been tough for you from a personal point of view. You must think you are due a change of luck?
BONJASKY: It hasn't been easy. Together with my divorce, splitting
from my trainer Andre Mannaart and changing gym, my mother Margaritha died
on June 6.
It's been tough, the toughest time of my life until now. I think losing
your mother is the worst thing that can happen besides losing a kid.
A couple of times after my divorce and not seeing my son I thought I
couldn't get any lower.
That's when you really hit rock bottom and really see who your friends are.
When you win something, everyone rings you, inviting you out for something to eat, asking if they can come and see you and hold
the trophy, blah, blah, blah.
But when you've got a bad period or a hard time they never call - then you
can see who your friends are.
I've learned a lot though. A lot of people that I used to go out with or
talk to we don't talk that much any more. When you really see who your
friends are you need to send all of those other guys away.
Where did it all go wrong?
BONJASKY: Everything happened at once and maybe it was my own fault. There was a moment
where everything was going well and on the up.
And I was thinking that there must be a moment when everything will go
wrong and then it happened.
It was like asking for it. It was like a house that fell in, it was
terrible.
It passed my mind a couple of times to quit because I wasn't motivated.
I still did my fights but I think you can see that it wasn't the
Remy in the 2003 and 2004 finals.
At that time I was flying all over the ring but after that you could see I
wasn't using that technique any more.
But now everything is okay. When you go to another gym you have to start
all over, get used to the people and how they do things.
Because every trainer and gym has their own style. You have to feel at home
before you get comfortable and it took some time, maybe a year.
I've been training now for a year with Ivan and now I feel comfortable and
everything is okay.
It's made me appreciate what I have and I've learned not to take things
personally.
Like sometimes when you see someone talking bad about you in a magazine I
used to get angry but now I just leave it, I don't take it personally.
How confident are you about regaining the K-1 title this year?
BONJASKY: I've looked at a lot of videos and I really feel like I can fight
and beat anyone.
The last two years I had a rough time but now I'm confident and I feel
good again so we can start beating people up again.
How can Semmy Schilt be beaten?
BONJASKY: Sem is not invincible. He is a very good fighter with an
effective style.
If he was 10cm shorter I don't think he would be able to beat me, Peter
Aerts and Ernesto Hoost and the other guys.
I think his length is his biggest problem and his weight. He is 130, 135kg
and over two metres tall.
That's the biggest problem to overcome but I think you can overcome that by
putting on a lot of pressure and stepping back and moving around.
When you step in, make a few points like a hit and run strategy I think you
can win.
Don't get too close to him because he will use the knee and if you step
away far enough he will hit you with the front kick.
It's not like there is a big difference in power between him and everyone
else because I know Ray Sefo hits a lot harder.
But it's the sting, he has an accurate front kick and eventually it's like
making low kicks.
When you make three good low kicks you will start feeling them and after 10
it's over.
It's the same thing. I think he can be stopped with low kicks, I'm sure
about that.
It doesn't matter how big you are or which discipline you've trained, a lot
of people underestimate low kicks and they are a very effective thing to
use.
How big a threat is Badr Hari?
BONJASKY: He is a talented fighter but I could see in his second fight
against Ruslan Karaev if you put a lot of pressure on him it doesn't look like he
has got a big fighter's heart.
I can see when you put a lot of pressure on him he breaks down.
He has also been knocked down a lot in his career - not that he's stayed down but
he has been down a lot and I don't think it's a good thing.
Maybe he is still afraid a little because his jaw was broken by Peter
Graham.
I was supposed to fight him in Hong Kong but it was too soon after my mum
died.
They asked me to fight against Peter Aerts on June 23 as well and I said yes but
then my mum died and I cancelled. I was still getting my head together.
You've spoken recently about a move into MMA.
BONJASKY: I've got the upcoming three fights left with K-1 and my contract finishes in December.
If K-1 say they don't need me any more - not that I think that - then I
will have to start from the bottom again as an MMA fighter.
I've trained for a couple of months on ground techniques but it's
completely different to stand-up.
You use your power in a different way and it's completely different. Just
because someone is good at tennis it doesn't make them a good badminton
player.
It looks the same but it's not and it's the same thing with fighting
stand-up and on the ground.
It's both fighting but it's two different things. I can submit people if
they let me, but against the guys who can really grapple it's going to be
difficult.
I would try to keep a fight standing and then when it goes to the ground
just neutralise it and try and get up again.
The possibility is there to go to the UFC. After my contract is finished I
can do whatever I want, so we will see.
Finally, you made TV news in Holland this summer but it wasn't for kickboxing!
BONJASKY: Some English people came to Holland to do bad things I think. They shot me
in the back with a seven-inch dart behind Central Station in Amsterdam.
I was walking to a boat party with a friend of mine around midnight at the time.
I pulled the dart out and it was bleeding. I chased them running but they
were in a car and drove off.
Then I stopped a taxi and went after them and called the cops and they came
and arrested them.
They had been shooting people for weeks and the police had been trying to
get them but couldn't.
It was just instinct when I went after them, I wasn't really thinking.
They were really dangerous guys. After that the police went to their house
and saw a lot of drugs, money and real pistols so I'm glad the cops caught them
and I didn't.
I got a medal for bravery from the police commissioner in Amsterdam and I was glad.
-
Some recent quotes from Houston Alexander
"I wouldn't mind fighting Bisping. I wouldn't mind getting in the ring with that gentleman. He seems like a really confident guy, and I'm a confident guy, so I think that would be a great fight, an interesting fight."
At the UFC 76 post-fight news conference, Jardine said a rematch with Alexander "might happen sometime." That's also a fight Alexander would gladly step into.
"If I fight him again, I don't think it (the outcome) would be any different."
-
The UFC has confirmed the third bout for UFC 77: Hostile Territory, a welterweight matchup between Josh Burkman (8-4) and Forrest Petz (13-4).
Petz is coming off the biggest win of his career in June, when he defeated American Top Team's Luigi Fioravanti via unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night. He trains out of the Strong Style Fight Team and gym in Independence, Ohio.
Burkman, who most recently lost to Karo Parisyan at UFC 71 via unanimous decision, will make his seventh appearance for the UFC since completing his stint on The Ultimate Fighter 2. He extended his UFC career after the reality show with big wins over Josh Neer and Drew Fickett.
UFC 77 takes place October 20 at the US Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. During the UFC's previous stop in Ohio, at the Nationwide Arena, the company claimed the record for highest attended MMA event in North America by drawing an attendance of 19,079.
CURRENT UFC 77 CARD:
Anderson Silva vs. Rich Franklin
Tim Sylvia vs. Brandon Vera
Josh Burkman vs. Forrest Petz
RUMORED BOUTS:
Yushin Okami vs. Jason MacDonald
Demian Maia vs. Ryan Jensen
Jason Black vs. Matt Grice
Alan Belcher vs. Kalib Starnes
Jorge Gurgel vs. Alvin Robinson
Stephan Bonnar vs. Eric Schafer
-
The following is a transcript of a brief on-the-record conversation with MMANews.com's own Chris Howie and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua's marketing advisor Julio Heller, discussing a number of topics related to Shogun's UFC debut loss and knee injuries.
JULIO HELLER INTERVIEW (Sept. 27, 2007)
Chris Howie of MMANews.com: This is Chris Howie with MMANews.com and today I am speaking with the Marketing Advisor and our good friend to Chute Boxe - Julio Heller. How are you today Julio?
Julio Heller: I'm doing good Chris, thanks. How are you?
MMANews.com: I'm doing well, thanks for taking a few minutes out and speaking with me.
Julio Heller: No Problem.
MMANews.com: How is Shogun feeling since his fight last weekend [at UFC 76]?
Julio Heller: He is very sad and is recognizing that he may not have trained the necessary time he should have. He is very disappointed and realizes that this was a missed opportunity.
MMANews.com: Did the transition from ring to cage have any affect on him in your opinion?
Julio Heller: No, I do not believe so.
MMANews.com: There have been reports of a torn ligament in Shogun's knee. Is there any truth to these reports and was dropping the fight with Forrest ever considered?
Julio Heller: Yes, there is truth to this. In the final month before the fight, during a training session Shogun injured his knee. It is important for everyone to know that this is not an excuse for the loss.
MMANews.com: I can imagine it was important to Shogun to fight in front of the UFC fans.
Julio Heller: Yes, it was very important to him. I have an opinion about this injury though and that is after the injury in the fight with Mark Coleman, Shogun came back better than ever and was training harder and more focused. We'll see what happens once he is healed from this.
MMANews.com: During the post-fight press conference Dana White said: "...maybe we'll do Chuck Liddell vs. Shogu." Is this something that would interested Shogun?
Julio Heller: It is too early to say. Also during the conference, Dana said that they have four of the top Light Heavyweight's in the world in Shogun, Wanderlei [Silva], Chuck, and Rampage [Jackson] and that they can mix them up so we will have to see what happens.
MMANews.com: When can we expect to see "Ninja" [Rua] back in the cage?
Julio Heller: "Ninja" will be fighting in November.
MMANews.com: Has an opponent been named for him yet?
Julio Heller: No, not yet.
MMANews.com: How is he feeling since his fight with [Robbie] Lawler?
Julio Heller: He trained hard but did not do so well in the fight. Lawler was bigger and much stronger but he will be back.
MMANews.com: What are Shogun's plans?
Julio Heller: He will have surgery on his knee and then be off for three months, as you guys accurately reported yesterday. He will start training again in January and he will be fighting again sometime in 2008.
MMANews.com: Ok Julio, Thanks for the time.
Julio Heller: Thank you.
-
Spike TV �" UFC Programming for the Week October 1- October 7.
Below please find the complete listing of UFC related programming on Spike TV for the broadcast week of Monday, October 1 through Sunday, October 7.
UFC Unleashed
Premieres Wednesday, October 3 (9:00 PM - 10:00 PM, ET/PT).
Jason Lambert vs. Renato Sobral - UFC 68
Houston Alexander vs. Keith Jardine - UFC 71
Brandon Vera vs. Justin Eilers - UFC 57
Brandon Vera vs. Assuerio Silva - UFC 60
Brandon Vera vs. Frank Mir - UFC 65
The Ultimate Fighter 6
Premieres Wednesday, October 3 (10:00 PM - 11:00 PM, ET/PT); encores Thursday, October 4 (10:00 �" 11:00 PM, ET/PT), Saturday, October 6 (10:00 PM - 11:00 PM, ET/PT) & Sunday, October 7 (9:00 AM �" 10:00 AM, ET/PT).
-
Projected Pay-Per-View sales for the UFC event last Saturday were $25 million. With a target audience demographic of 18- to 34-year-old males, the UFC appeals to a new generation of sports fans.
If true, that would mean UFC 76 drew at least over 500,000 pay-per view buys.
-
The following are the results from the official "Strikeforce at the Playboy Mansion" weigh-in results held earlier today for tomorrow's show:
-Miguel Linares (135 lbs.) vs. Anthony Figureoa (132.5 lbs.)
-Luke Stewart (169.6 lbs.) vs. Sam Liera (169.3 lbs.)
-Eddie Millis (183.7 lbs.) vs. Daniel McWilliams (178.5 lbs.)
-Adam Smith (209 lbs.) vs. Dewey Cooper (204.2 lbs.)
-Richard Dalton (225 lbs.) vs. Daniel Puder (222.7 lbs.)
-Falaniko Vitale (194.7 lbs.) vs. Ron Fields (193.7 lbs.)
-Bill Mahood (201.9 lbs.) vs. Bobby Southworth (203.9 lbs.)
-Matt Lee (160.7 lbs.) vs. Jorge Masvidal (159.3 lbs.)
-Clint Coronel (154.7 lbs.) vs. Billy Evangelista (154.7 lbs.)
-Adam Lynn (155.1 lbs.) vs. Josh Thomson (155.5 lbs.)
-Joe Riggs (184 lbs.) vs. Eugene Jackson (183.9 lbs.)
-Tetsuji Kato (154.8 lbs.) vs. Gilbert Melendez (155.5 lbs.)
Don't forget you can watch the "Strikeforce at the Playboy Mansion" show live and for free over at Yahoo! Sports tomorrow night.
-
Tito Ortiz Denies Rumored UFC Bout With Dan Henderson
There are rumors floating around that Tito Ortiz will be fighting Dan Henderson, as opposed to Rashad Evans, in his next UFC bout.
MMANews.com's own Chris Howie spoke with Tito Ortiz directly earlier today to follow-up on the rumor, and the former UFC Light Heavyweight champion was quick to deny the story altogether.
Ortiz has not been told anything about a fight with Dan Henderson and said at this point there is no official word on who is next opponent will be in the octagon.
Of course Dana White said immediately following Ortiz-Evans 1 that before either guy fought anyone else, they would rematch each other.
-
Clay Guida vs. Roger Huerta Set For TUF 6 Live Finale
-
Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza has been rumored to have signed with Zuffa, likely for the UFC. No official confirmation has been made by the handlers of the grappling wizard and 5-1 MMA veteran, nor has the UFC confirmed a contract has been signed. "MMA Movement" was one of the first media sources to post the rumor, but many have followed since.
The man whose nickname means "Alligator," is a Brazilian, whose BJJ is beyond noteworthy. One noteable win, not because of how it was won, or who it was he beat, but just for humor sake, Jacare has beaten Alexander Shlemenko. I could make the obvious joke, but I assume any MMA fan can make their own joke to insert here.
-
Josh Thomson To Sue Frank Shamrock For Gay Comment?
PDG: Last night during the broadcast on Yahoo sports, Frank Shamrock was commentating. When you entered the ring Frank said that you were “The first openly gay fighter in mixed martial arts”.
Josh: Yea I know I have been hearing about that. I think that my agent is in the process of hiring a lawyer to file a lawsuit against Frank for slander. We’ll see how that goes.
PDG: Well the two of you have gone back forth recently with the taunts. What lead to the dislike between the two of you?
Josh: Really it is the fact that he left our gym and the American Kickboxing Academy fighters didn’t go with Frank. So he got all butt-hurt about the situation. So he started taking credit for all the AKA fighters. Saying we were all trained by him when in fact we were not. Frank likes to think that he trained me and Mike Swick and all the other guys. He never rolled or worked with any of us guys. My trainer Javier brought him in to spar with me, which is no different than Gilbert Melendez coming in to spar with me. He came in and worked with me a couple days a week…….that doesn’t mean he is my coach. He was my training partner. If frank wants to take credit for that then he is barking up the wrong tree. He was never my coach.
PDG: I have to be unbiased. If memory serves me right didn’t you wear a shirt to the ring in a past fight that was an insult to Frank?
Josh: Laughs….Yea all of that came about after he left our gym and started making videos on YouTube about Phil “NY Badass” Baroni. I had commented on a couple of forums saying that I would give the advantage to Phil if he fought Frank. I wasn’t talking shit it was just that Phil had fought a higher level of competition recently than Frank had. After that his videos were posted making fun of me and Phil. That is how all of this started. Before that I never had anything against Frank.
-
Daniel Puder Challenges Bob Sapp To MMA Bout
“After the match, I went and told Bob Sapp I want to fight him,” Puder said.
Puder said that Sapp was more than willing to accept the challenge.
“Sapp is going to talk to Scott Coker about it. We want to make it happen,” said Puder. “I want to fight him next year.”
-
New Era Fighting files $500-million claim against California State Athletic Commission
SANTA ANA, California (October 1, 2007) �" New Era Fighting (NEF) has filed a state regulated claims form to the State of California, initiating a $500,000,000 lawsuit against the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC), individuals Armando Garcia (CSAC Executive Director) and Frank Munoz (CSAC Staff Services Analyst), as well as the State’s Department of Consumer Affairs, NEF president Ron Kort announced today.
The lawsuit is the result of the CSAC’s cease and desist order, issued only minutes prior to NEF’s much publicized scheduled tryouts July 19 in Montebello, which forced the cancellation of NEF’s tryouts. The CSAC claimed Kort wasn’t a licensed promoter despite having approved his application, awarding him a promoter’s license, and cashed his renewal check ($1000) for 2007 (copies available upon request).
NEF is in the process of launching possibly the largest suit in California history against the aforementioned parties for loss of revenues (past, present and future), film production, media exposure, credibility, television show, venue deposits, fighters and opportunity costs.
Kort believes the State is responsible, “due to a pattern and practice by the California State Athletic Commission of intentionally, willfully and viciously interfering with a licensed and approved event, which effected and injured New Era Fighting in the same or similar fashion as other mixed martial arts promoters, managers and fighters.”
“Many witnesses have come forth offering to testify about many purported illegal acts in mixed martial arts by the California State Athletic Commission,” Kort said. “The support I’ve received from so many others who have gotten screwed over by this commission has been overwhelming. I look forward to my day in court.”
NEF is a mixed martial arts fighting organization that combines the raw brutality of mixed martial arts with entertaining, sexy and dramatic themes. For more information about NEF call 714.973.3053/714.448.9999 or go on line to www.NewEraFighting.com.
-
MANAUS, Brazil, Sept. 29 -- As the featured attraction for the first Amazon Challenge, Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza proved that the local fight scene in Brazil can no longer contain him.
Looking for his sixth win in seven fights, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu sensation took on the experienced Jose Ribamar. Ribamar knew that a victory over a famous fighter like Souza would propel him into the spotlight, but his decision to clinch with the world-class grappler was not a good one.
Souza took Ribamar down and leveled him with vicious strikes. With the intensity of an alligator chomping down on its prey, Souza punched violently until he passed Ribamar's guard and armbarred him to end the fight 3:28 into the first round.
Although he appears ready to compete abroad, Souza denied reports that he had signed with the UFC.
"I have not signed with Zuffa, unlike what people have said on the Internet," Souza said after his fight. "I was close to signing and fighting in WEC, but nothing is settled right now."
Even with 24 fights under his belt, Daniel Trindade of Associacao Trindade is not a well-known name. However, the Roraima cop, who was favored to win the Amazon Challenge 176-pound tournament, lived up to expectations.
He made quick work of Rosenberg in the first round, stopping him with strikes at 1:43. In the finals he faced Yuri Fraga, who had choked Claudio Supa with a guillotine 1:11 into round one.
Fraga seemed to have the tools to beat Trindade. Yet Trindade had other ideas and used his heavy hands to drop Fraga to the mat for a knockout 58 seconds into the third round. As he celebrated with a belt around his waist, Trindade said he was prepared to defend his title at the second Amazon Challenge event.
Diego Ceara, a former luta livre competitor and a current Souza teammate, dictated the pace against Juarez before knocking him out at 1:27 of the first round. In the semifinals, Ceara collided with Trindade's protégé, Fabiano Jacarezinho, who showed heart in pushing the fight the distance. The judges awarded the decision to Ceara, who will battle Jorge Clay in October for the 155-pound belt.
Nova Uniao's Jorge Clay finished Albert Frederico with a choke from the mount in the quarterfinals. In his second fight, Clay won a decision win over Fabio Saci, who had beaten Dan Harrison with a spectacular flying knee at 1:39 of the first.
The second Amazon Challenge, scheduled for Oct. 27, will feature the finals of the 155-pound tournament and 176-pound champion Daniel Trindade defending his belt possibly against Jungle FC veteran Adriano Martins.
-
strikeforce salaries
MAIN EVENT FIGHTERS
– Gilbert Melendez: $30,000 (3rd fight for Strikeforce; defeated Tetsuji Kato; no win bonus)
– Tetsuji Kato: $6,000 (1st fight for Strikeforce; lost to Gilbert Melendez; no win bonus)
MAIN CARD FIGHTERS
– Joe Riggs: $29,500 (1st fight for Strikeforce; defeated Eugene Jackson; includes win bonus of $15,000)
– Josh Thomson: $24,500 (6th fight for Strikeforce; defeated Adam Lynn; includes win bonus of $10,000)
– Daniel Puder: $20,000 (4th fight for Strikeforce; defeated Richard Dalton; no win bonus)
– Bobby Southworth: $20,000 (3rd fight for Strikeforce; defeated Bill Mahood; includes win bonus of $10,000)
– Falaniko Vitale: $20,000 (1st fight for Strikeforce; defeated Ron Fields; no win bonus)
– Jorge Masvidal: $18,182.50 (1st fight for Strikeforce; defeated Matt Lee; no win bonus)
– Eugene Jackson: $15,000 (4th fight for Strikeforce; lost to Joe Riggs; no win bonus)
– Ron Fields: $7,000 (1st fight for Strikeforce; lost to Falaniko Vitale; no win bonus)
– Billy Evangelista: $6,000 (2nd fight for Strikeforce; defeated Clint Coronel; includes win bonus of $3,000)
– Adam Lynn: $6,000 (1st fight for Strikeforce; lost to Josh Thomson; no win bonus)
– Clint Coronel: $3,000 (2nd fight for Strikeforce; lost to Billy Evangelista; no win bonus)
– Richard Dalton: $3,000 (1st fight for Strikeforce; lost to Daniel Puder; no win bonus)
– Matt Lee: $1,000 (1st fight for Strikeforce; lost to Jorge Masvidal; no win bonus)
– Bill Mahood: $1,000 (1st fight for Strikeforce; lost to Bobby Southworth; no win bonus)
PRELIMINARY CARD FIGHTERS
– Luke Stewart: $7,500 (4th fight for Strikeforce; defeated Sam Liera; includes win bonus of $4,000)
– Eddie Millis: $4,000 (1st fight for Strikeforce; lost to Daniel McWilliams; no win bonus)
– Sam Liera: $3,000 (1st fight for Strikeforce; lost to Luke Stewart; no win bonus)
– Anthony Figueroa: $2,000 (3rd fight for Strikeforce; defeated Miguel Linares; no win bonus)
– Miguel Linares: $1,500 (2nd fight for Strikeforce; lost to Anthony Figueroa; no win bonus)
– Daniel McWilliams: $1,000 (1st fight for Strikeforce; defeated Eddie Millis; no win bonus)
– Dewey Cooper: $500 (1st fight for Strikeforce; defeated Adam Smith; no win bonus)
– Adam Smith: $500 (1st fight for Strikeforce; lost to Dewey Cooper; no win bonus)
DISCLOSED FIGHTER PAYROLL: $230,182.50
-
DirecTV “Ultimate Fight Pack” bundle.
For $120 clams fans get UFC 77 (October 20), UFC 78 (November 17) and UFC 79 (December 29), as well as a FREE UFC Fight Club membership for one full year ($74.99 value).
For those fortunate to have High Definition (HD) televisions the cost for this package is $150.
Here are the Fight Club benefits:
* 10 percent off all Fight Club merchandise
* First access to UFC tickets
* Access to UFC with private chats and blogs
* Exclusive “Fight Pack” video, UFC video and archived footage
To take advantage of this offer DirecTV subscribers need to act before October 20.
-
The episode three of Ultimate Fighter season six drew a final cable rating of 1.1, according to Nielsen Media Research. That is up from last week's 1.0, and still off the mark from the season premiere which drew a 1.5 with a UFC Fight Night live lead-in.
-
Dan Henderson wants to stay at 205 while the UFC wants him to drop to 185 for another unification match. Henderson only has one fight left on his current contract.
-
Sean Sherk passed a lie detector test saying that he did not knowingly use steroids. While certainly not conclusive, it can’t hurt his chances at getting his suspension over turned or at the very least reduced.
-
More Details On The End Of HBO & UFC Negotiations
HBO, UFC Part Ways
Carriage Negotiations Break Down After Lengthy Negotiations
R. THomas Umstead -- Multichannel News
The long-rumored distribution deal between Home Box Office and Ultimate Fighting Championship has been KO’d.
The premium service said it will not air live UFC combat sports eventson its network in the near future, ending more than a year of negotiations.
“After lots of discussion it became apparent that the business model doesn’t make sense for either one of us. So we agreed to go our separate ways,” said HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg in a statement. “You never know what the future holds. We have enormous respect and admiration for the executives we dealt with at the UFC. We wish them well.”
HBO has been in talks with UFC about carrying live UFC events on the 28-million subscriber pay service, but sources close to both sides said the discussions had heated up over the past two months. In fact, UFC President Dana White was quoted in the Miami Herald this past August guaranteeing a HBO/UFC deal by the end of 2007, saying that it would “definitely be in place for a winter fight.”
Representatives for the UFC could not be reached for comment at press time.
The HBO/UFC breakdown could bode well for Spike TV, which is hoping to extend its deal with the UFC �" which includes the popular reality series The Ultimate Fighter �" before it expires sometime next year.
The network’s Sept. 8 airing of the UFC 75 event featuring UFC light-heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson drew 4.7 million viewers, the most watched UFC event ever in North America and the most-watched non-World Wrestling Entertainment show in Spike's history, according to the network.
Spike officials said the network is “optimistic” it can reach an accord with the combat sports outfit.
-
Cesar Gracie protégé Jake Shields will face Xtreme Couture welterweight Mike “Quicksand” Pyle at the next EliteXC event Saturday, Nov. 10, according to Shields’ father and manager, Jack Shields. Event location and additional match-ups have not been announced.
-
Hero's has added Ikuhisa Minowa, Bernard Ackah, Dae Won Kim and Shungo Oyama Oyama as participants for its "Olympia Hero's 2007 in Korea" event on October 28.
Yoshihiro Akiyama, Denis Kang, Dong Sik Yoon, Taiei Kin were previously announced as participants.
FIGHT CARD:
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. TBA
Denis Kang vs. TBA
Ikuhisa Minowa vs. TBA
Bernard Ackah vs. TBA
Dae Won Kim vs. TBA
Shungo Oyama vs. TBA
Dong sik Yoon vs. TBA
Taiei Kin vs. TBA
-
Dean Lister will fight Jordan Radev at UFC 79 on December 29.
Lister is returning from a loss to Nate Marquardt at UFC Fight Night Live 8 on January 25. He spent time this summer training with Team Cro Cop in Croatia and will be training for his return at Xtreme Couture Las Vegas with UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture.
Radev, an Olympic wrestler from Bulgaria, makes his own return from a :33 second knockout loss to Drew McFedries at UFC Fight Night 10 in June.
-
Gracie Proving Ground
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, HI
Kaika Sasaoka def. Jody Mesiona via sub (armbar) - R1
Dean Lista def. Daniel Devers via sub (rear naked choke) - R1
Brian Harper def. James Stanford via sub (guillotine choke) - R1
Vanoscar Penvaroff def. Gerald Arevalo via sub (guillotine choke) - R1
Kana Hyatt def. Duke Sarigosa via KO - R1
David Chew def. Kevin Grace via sub (rear naked choke) - R1
Pono Pananganan def. Ferrid Kheder via split decision
Michael Brightmon def. Ron Verdadero via unanimous decision
Billy Hall def. Fabio Prado via split decision
Chris Henriques def. Kimo Wolfel via sub (armbar) - R1
Jeremiah O'Neal def. David Padilla via sub (guillotine choke) - R1
Bryson Kamaka def. Israel Gomes via KO - R1
Shane Nelson def. Harris Sarmiento via unanimous decision
Koa Ramos def. Rhalan Gracie via KO - R1
Notes: Eastsidaz Gym's Koa Ramos knocked out Rhalan Gracie with a right hook at 2 minutes and 44 seconds of the first round. Rhalan is the son of Gracie Fighting Championships (GFC) and Gracie Proving Ground (GPG) promoter Relson... Selected winners from this event will appear on a future GFC pay-per-view card.
-
Luke Caudillo on Friday confirmed to MMAWeekly that he has accepted a bout with Marcus Aurelio for the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Nov. 17 event in Newark, N.J. Though not officially announced, the bout is expected to round out the fight card at the Prudential Center.
“We were looking more at December,” said Caudillo on the timing of the fight, “but it sounds like they offered this to a lot of guys and nobody really wanted to take it. So I said, ‘Let’s do it man. I’m a fighter.’”
Having fought his way into the UFC by way of the hard-nosed regional promotions of the Midwest, Caudillo realizes that Aurelio’s jiu-jitsu prowess and top-level experience makes the fight a difficult task.
“He’s an awesome jiu-jitsu guy,” he said of the American Top Team black belt. “And, I mean, he’s fought Gomi, you know. He’s one of the best.”
Aurelio and Caudillo are on equal footing when it comes to the UFC though, as both men lost their Octagon debuts.
In fact, Aurelio’s loss to Clay Guida at UFC 74 in August extended his losing streak to three, dating back to June of 2006.
Caudillo, meanwhile, had a two-fight winning streak snapped in his unanimous decision loss to Nate Mohr at UFC Fight Night 10 in Hollywood, Fla. back in June. But he still takes on a positive outlook from the experience.
“I’m kind of glad it’s out of the way. I didn’t think I was going to get the (first time) jitters, but as soon as the lights hit and the cameras rolled, I was a little nervous. So it’s good to have that out of the way.”
Now Caudillo can just focus on the task at hand, and having lost in his debut, he knows that this task is more than just Aurelio.
“It’s a ‘must win’ for me right now because I want to stay in the UFC.”
Earlier this week, the UFC made official a headline bout between Rashad Evans and Michael Bisping, as well as four more bouts to complete the planned UFC 78 pay-per-view fights.
Evans vs. Bisping marks the first time that two season-winners from The Ultimate Fighter will face each other in the Octagon.
UFC 78 is scheduled for Nov. 17 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Officially announced bouts for UFC 78:
–Rashad Evans vs. Michael Bisping
–Houston Alexander vs. Thiago Silva
–David Terrell vs. Ed Herman
–Karo Parisyan vs. Hector Lombard
–Frankie Edgar vs. Spencer Fisher
Other UFC 78 bouts, not yet officially announced:
–Thiago Alves vs. Ryo Chonan
–Akihiro Gono vs. Tamdan McCrory
–Joe Lauzon vs. Jason Reinhardt
–Luke Caudillo vs. Marcus Aurelio
-
Last Saturday night at Strikeforce at the Mansion, Gilbert Melendez, ranked as the No. 3 lightweight in the world by MMAWeekly.com, defeated Tetsuji Kato by unanimous decision. The interesting thing about how he beat Kato was that he did it with practically one hand.
It was noticeable after the first round that Melendez was reluctant to use his right hand, but that didn't stop the California native from dominating.
“It was … an injury I've had for a little bit, it just kind of lingered and never really went away. Right when I dropped him the first time was the first time I heard it,” explained Melendez of the injury. “I was able to punch and throw it a little bit more. But into the second round, midway through, I threw it at the top of the guys head, I knew I couldn't throw it anymore.”
He kept Kato at bay with some good ground and pound and effective striking, but Melendez felt things would likely have happened much differently with two good hands.
“I think I could've finished him ... I could've done a lot more. I tried. Hopefully, I'll have a better performance next time.”
The question on many fans’ minds about Melendez is the severity of the injury.
“I got it x-rayed. The guy said I was lucky. No break. Just a lot of swelling. I'm getting a sonogram … to make sure there are no torn tendons.”
While Melendez's hand is healing, the big question is when can we see him fight again. After all, his last fight prior to the Playboy Mansion was nine months ago and fans don’t want to see him on the shelf for that long again.
“I believe there's a Strikeforce in November,” Melendez commented. “If I'm healthy and I'm ready to go, I wouldn't mind jumping on there. I'm in good shape. I want to keep fighting.”
Josh Thomson was also successful on Saturday night with a first round stoppage of Adam Lynn. He recently mentioned his desire to fight Melendez – even though they are friends and have trained together – once the right terms were set.
“I guess I'm on the same page as him, too,” Melendez said of the match-up. “I know it would be a hell of a fight. I think everyone is going to get their money's worth and I hope we get our money's worth, too. I think it'll be a great fight. I'm pretty sure it would happen within a year.”
Another impressive fighter from the Strikeforce event was Jorge Masvidal, who has also had some very successful fights against tough fighters like Yves Edwards, Joe Lauzon and Keith Wisniewski. Melendez agrees that a bout with Masvidal could be on the table soon.
“He's pretty hungry. I was just watching his fight and I was really impressed. He's definitely a guy who has potential. It'd be a great fight, too. That's definitely a possibility now.”
A lot has been made recently of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s dominance of the American mixed martial arts scene. But Strikeforce proved last Saturday night that the UFC isn't the only promotion capable of putting on quality shows.
Melendez was well compensated for his fight; according to the California State Athletic Commission, he was paid $30,000 for his victory against Kato. The event was also streamed live on Yahoo! Sports. Melendez doesn’t seem to feel he’s missed the boat by not fighting in the UFC.
“When you prove yourself as a fighter, you don't have to settle. I guess some people have to jump on opportunities. There are a lot of organizations out there … taking care of their fighters. When people used to ask me why I wasn't in the UFC, it used to bother me. Now I'm like, I don't know, maybe someday.”
-
JOACHIM HANSEN FIGHTING IN LIMBO
Owning a 15-5-1 professional mixed martial arts record and ranked as one of the top ten lightweight fighters in the world, Joachim Hansen should be at the forefront of the lightweight division. But due to contractual issues, he has had to sit by on the sidelines for the better part of 2007 and has shifted his recent focus to kickboxing.
Hansen was under contract with Pride Fighting Championships at the time of its buyout by the Fertitta brothers, who also are majority owners of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He didn’t go into the details of his contract, but Hansen has had to sit the sidelines instead of abiding by the details of a contract that was done well before the promotion changed hands.
“Until I do a new contract with a new organization in MMA, I have to do what I can,” said Hansen. “So a lot of people back in Norway helped a lot getting kickboxing started up. I’m going to stay warm that way until something happens with my MMA career.”
There has been much speculation regarding his career, including talks of Hansen resurfacing soon in one of the other Japanese promotions, but if that isn’t possible, he may have to be content kickboxing for the remainder of the year until his contract runs out on Dec. 31.
“I’m going to talk to some people soon and maybe something will happen. (But) I don’t know so much, so I can’t tell you too much,” commented Hansen on the possibility of fighting elsewhere in 2007.
Until he’s able to line up anything else, Hansen will continue to sustain himself with kickboxing bouts, running his school and preparing and cornering his students in their fights.
-
Grapplers will go at it in a special edition of the 40th anniversary of Sports at the Wachovia Spectrum in which Boxing was the first Sporting event! Grapplers from Team Balance here in Philadelphia will be featured in the Grappling matches. The card will feature 7 Old School Philly Boxing matches with the PA Light Heavyweight Championship and the intro to Grappling and what you see on TV in Philly! UFC Star and former Champ Andrei Arvloski will appear at the fight as well as Congressman Bob Brady, Tim Witherspoon,newly Eleced Judge in Philly Jackie Frazier and Frank Stallone! Tickets comcasttix.com
Where:Reading Terminal Market
When:Wednesday October 10 at 12:00 P.M.
-
"Countdown to UFC 77" will premiere on Spike TV on Tuesday, October 16th at 11:00PM ET/PT, previewing the top matches on the "Hostile Territory" card scheduled to emanate from Ohio on October 20th, airing live on pay-per view.
You'll see previews of the Middleweight title rematch fight between champion Anderson "The Spider" Silva and former champion-turned-challenger Rich "Ace" Franklin, as well as the Heavyweight featured attraction - Brandon Vera vs. Tim Sylvia.
Replays of "Countdown to UFC 77" will air on Friday, 10/19 at 11:00PM and again on Saturday, 10/20 (the day of the event) at 6:00PM.
-
The following are the current online betting odds from BetUs.com for the upcoming UFC 77 "Hostile Territory" event scheduled for October 20th in Ohio:
-Anderson Silva (-220) vs. Rich Franklin (+175)
-Brandon Vera (-185) vs. Tim Sylvia (+145)
-Jason MacDonald (+190) vs. Yushin Okami (-240)
-Kalib Starnes (-145) vs. Alan Belcher (+115)
Those are the only four bouts with open betting lines at the moment.
-
No Limit Fighting’s promoter Phil Flahters confirms to nobody’s surprise Nick Diaz is off the upcoming “Brawl for it All” card in San Francisco. What is surprising is Nick’s replacement to fight Mark Moreno is Dennis Hallman.
-
Melvin Guillard is set to return to action in the Ultimate Fighting Championship against rival Rich Clementi. Sources close to the fight confirmed to MMAWeekly on Monday that the two will meet at UFC 79 on Dec. 29 in Las Vegas.
-
The following is an article from UFCDaily.com:
Earlier today rumors surfaced that former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir may square off with Fabricio Werdum at UFC 79 in December. A source close to one of the fighters informed UFCDaily.com this afternoon that there is “no truth” to the rumors.
-
The International Fight League has had to make a few changes to its World Grand Prix scheduled for Nov. 3 at the Sears Centre in Chicago. Heavyweight Ben Rothwell and light heavyweight Mike Whitehead will not be fighting as planned.
According to commissioner Kurt Otto, the situation stems from contract negotiations for the 2008 season. He indicated that both sides agreed that neither should fight for a belt in the organization – which is the focus of the Grand Prix’s four-man tournament format – if they were not guaranteed to remain in the IFL for the next season.
Rothwell and Whitehead are both represented by Monte Cox.
“We had confirmation [from their management]* that they were going to stay and they would sign, so they would stay in the Grand Prix,” said Otto. “The terms were agreed upon and the message was clear. … Their management changed gears. We said that if they don’t sign by [a certain] time, then we would be forced to pull them from the Grand Prix.”
And that is exactly what has happened. Both fighters have been removed from their respective brackets.
“We couldn’t let our Grand Prix be held hostage,” Otto stated.
In the case of the heavyweight division, Rothwell’s removal means that Reese Andy will face Roy Nelson in one half of the bracket and alternate Bryan Vetell will be inserted to face Antoine Jaoude in the other half.
The matter is entirely different in light heavyweight division. In addition to Whitehead, several of the other top 205-pounders in the league are unable to compete on Nov. 3 for various reasons, so fans will be treated to the first individual title fight in the IFL’s history at the Sears Centre.
Vladimir Matyushenko will face Alex Schoenauer for the light heavyweight belt without having to fight through the tournament format.
“It’s arbitrary, but it’s great to have a title fight on the line,” said Otto. “We’ll be showing it live on TV.
“We’ll have Benji Radach vs. Brent Beauperlant, Chris Horodecki vs. Bart Palaszewski, and then Vladdy vs. Shoenauer on the live broadcast [on MyNetworkTV]. And if we have some fast finishes, we’ll [show] even more fights for free.”
There had also been recent speculation that welterweight Jay Hieron, also represented by Cox, may be leaving the IFL. Otto stated that Hieron has signed for the 2008 season and remains in the Grand Prix.
His initial opponent, Mark Miller, has re-injured his hand, however, and had to withdraw. The re-shuffled 170-pound brackets now pit Hieron against Pat Healy, as Brad Blackburn steps in to face Delson Heleno.
“At the end of the day,” said Otto, “Monte has to do what he thinks is right for each athlete individually, but I’m disappointed.
“We’re in this for the long term. This isn’t a hotel. You can’t just check-in and then check-out. We want consistency in our league.”
Despite not signing to the initially agreed upon terms, Otto indicated that he would still like to have Rothwell and Whitehead back for the 2008 season and remains hopeful that it will happen. He also said that both fighters are still under contract with the IFL for the remainder of the year. They have not been released.
Representatives for Rothwell and Whitehead were unavailable for comment at the time of publication.
-
Frank Shamrock, coach of the International Fight League's San Jose Razorclaws, told MMAWeekly on Wednesday that he has been released by the organization and his team removed from the roster.
"They said they were going a different direction with their business,” stated the current Strikeforce and former Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight titleholder. “They're good people and they're a good company. They've got a hard road ahead of them. I'm still willing to help in any way because they treated me real good."
The Razorclaws will not be a part of the 2008 IFL season, but Shamrock believes that at least one of his fighters will carry over elsewhere in the league.
"I think they cut everybody but Brian Foster and he's in the Grand Prix, so he's got his chance coming up. I think they're going to reassign him to a new team. He's got a couple of teams that he has the option to go to."
Kurt Otto, commissioner of the IFL, had indicated that changes were forthcoming when he held a recent conference call with the media. Instead of initial plans that called for the league to expand from its current stable of 12 to 16 teams in 2008, he stated, “We're pretty much going to hold ground at twelve teams, (but) we've already added two coaches into our league as far as Mario Sperry and Ian Freeman, who have already started building their teams. They're going to be replacing two existing coaches.”
He continued, "Those two are going to be replacing certain teams which we're going to be announcing in the next two to three weeks. Even though two or three teams [are] leaving, we're still going to keep certain athletes of those teams that were able to compete and have them go on to new teams."
With IFL coaching behind him, Shamrock is now focused on his fighting career and personal life.
"I'm going to fight Renzo (Gracie) in April,” although he did not state where or for what organization, “(and) my wife is having a baby in May, and then I'll probably fight again in (or around) September."
-
Late last week, Jaime Pollack, president of Pride FC Worldwide, notified employees that the company office in Tokyo was being closed and that they were dismissed. Several accounts in the media painted a bleak picture surrounding the firings, indicating indifference and betrayal.
Pride FC Worldwide, citing “erroneous media reports,” released a statement this week about the Tokyo office and the release of its staff.
Pride FC Worldwide (Pride WW) is the company that was born out of Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta’s purchase of Pride Fighting Championships from Dream Stage Entertainment, Inc. (DSE) in March. The Fertittas are also the majority owners of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Pride WW stated that the decision to close the Tokyo office “was not made lightly, but was necessary because of a lack of cooperation from Directors at Dream Stage Entertainment, Inc.”
“We purchased the Pride assets with high hopes of producing live events in Japan,” said Pollack. “Unfortunately, this is not possible today due to lack of cooperation from the former Dream Stage directors.”
The statement also indicated that employees were released “pursuant to Japanese law” as advised by Pride WW’s legal counsel. Evidently, the company is not allowed to retain its staff without providing appropriate office space.
Most employees were provided with a retirement package according to Pride WW.
Although the Tokyo office is now closed and its employees released, Pride WW says it will “continue to pursue opportunities for the Pride brand in Japan, the United States and other markets around the world,” including continuing to air Pride fights on television, DVD and online distribution.
Those continued efforts do not, however, appear to include pursuit of live events, as Pride WW says in the statement, “For elite mixed martial arts fighters from Japan, as well as from other countries in the world, they have an immediate chance to discuss opportunities to showcase their talents in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.”
Pollack backed that by saying, “(We) have great respect for Japanese fight fans, and so we are hopeful they will appreciate our efforts to sustain the Pride brand under Pride FC Worldwide and will continue to follow the incredible sport of mixed martial arts and its athletes in the UFC organization.”
-
Nick Diaz has signed an exclusive deal to fight in the U.S. with EliteXC that will add an additional two years to his current contract, which has two fights remaining, Sherdog.com learned late Wednesday.
Diaz will fight next on Nov. 10 in Corpus Christi, Texas in an EliteXC 160-pound title fight.
-
Episode four of The Ultimate Fighter season six drew a 1.2 overall final cable rating, according to Nielsen Media Research. That is up from last week's 1.1, and marks the second highest number of the season - only trailing the premiere episode which had the UFC Fight Night live lead-in.
-
mma news interviews hermes franca:
MMANews.com: When was the last time you were in a grappling event?
Hermes Franca: Oh, about 2002 I think.
MMANews.com: How many times a week do you train grappling only?
Hermes Franca: I train all the time. I like to stay good, so three or four times a day... I mean week, I would say.
MMANews.com: Do you know anything about Enrico Cocco?
Hermes Franca: He's a tough kid. He just had an MMA fight. He is a local guy and a tough guy.
MMANews.com: Your open letter after your last UFC fight [about his "dirty test"] was very heart-felt, and some appreciated the candor and honesty. Have you felt most of your fans have been understanding?
Hermes Franca: It's fifty-fifty. Those who stick with me are my real friends. I was honest, I made a mistake. Yeah, I would not make the same mistake twice and other people may. I apologized to my friends, to the UFC.
MMANews.com: Is there anyone you want to thank?
Hermes Franca: Yes, please. I would like to thank Fight Republic and Premier Martial Arts!
-
Tap or Snap - October 13th: CANCELLED
Due to a death in the family of Promoter Brian Lee, the October 13th Tap or Snap: Phil Long Expo Center, has been cancelled. The main card fights will be moved to the November 3rd Tap or Snap, to be held at the Douglas County Event Center in Castle Rock.
Ticket holders can use their ticket for admission to the November 3rd show, which is promised to be a exciting event, featuring UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Serra as the guest of honor. Refunds will also be available to those who opt out of the November 3rd show. We apologize for any inconvienence. Please call 719-237-4025 for any further inquiries.
-
Matt Serra Seminar: Nov. 4th
-
"Representation for UFC 76 participant Kazuhiro Nakamura have requested a “cancellation” of their client’s three-month suspension for a positive marijuana test, said California State Athletic Commission Associate Governmental Program Analyst Bill Douglas today. In response, Douglas has scheduled the Japanese light heavyweight onto its agenda to present his appeal at an Oct. 31 hearing in downtown Los Angeles. Nakamura yielded a positive result for the non-approved substance following his Sept. 22 loss to Lyoto Machida at the Honda Center in Anaheim and was fined $500 along with the suspension.
UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk and Strikeforce competitor Phil Baroni will also be heard that day for separate steroids allegations.
“It is absolutely not true that he used marijuana,” a Sept. 27 press release from Nakamura’s management firm J-ROCK stated. “He spends all of his time coaching and leading children. There would be no reason for him to use such a thing.”
-
“The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz is not expected to return to action until sometime in 2008 according to a statement released by the former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion on Thursday.
It was expected that Ortiz would fight in October or November in a rematch with Rashad Evans, whom he fought to a draw in July.
With the recent announcement that Evans would now be facing Michael Bisping as the main event of UFC 78 in New Jersey, everyone started to wonder where exactly that put Ortiz.
“Right now I am totally focused on training,” he stated. “I have always had a reputation for being the best prepared fighter in any match I've ever entered and I intend to maintain that reputation.”
Ortiz has been dealing with multiple injuries; including a back ailment that has plagued him since around the time of his loss to current UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture in 2003.
Contract negotiations with the UFC have also been ongoing as Ortiz has only one fight left on his current deal, but the California native indicated he is positive a new deal will get done.
Recently Ortiz disclosed that he no longer deals with UFC president Dana White, whom he has a long-standing feud with and now speaks directly with owner Lorenzo Fertitta.
“I'm currently working very closely with the UFC to plan my next fight, which you can be sure will not disappoint my fans,” said Ortiz. “It looks like I will fight again in early 2008 and when I do, I will be 100% prepared to crush my opponent.”
No word on whom that opponent might be.
Ortiz also stated that he is planning a return trip to Iraq later this year to visit U.S. troops, something he has done numerous times in the past as a part of the United Service Organizations' efforts to support the soldiers.
-
Just days after both Ben Rothwell and Mike Whitehead were officially dropped from the International Fight League Grand Prix many stories started circulating questioning the reasons behind their respective exits from the event.
When Kurt Otto, commissioner of the IFL, on Tuesday announced that Rothwell and Whitehead were out, he also indicated that he felt his event was being “held hostage” by the fighters and their management.
MMAWeekly spoke to Monte Cox, manager for both Rothwell and Whitehead, who explained the situation from the fighters’ side in great detail, much of which differs from Otto’s explanation of the situation.
Monte Cox in his own words:
The way this all started you have to go back to a year ago. The IFL wanted to sign everyone to a year contract with a year option. I said I’m not comfortable doing that for people like Ben Rothwell, Jay Hieron and Mike Whitehead. These are guys who have already proven themselves and I think after a year, we’re hoping that they do well and I’d like to test them then on the open market. We had some trouble getting that done, but eventually we came to terms and we signed a one-year deal.
When we signed the contract, there was no Grand Prix included. There was no Grand Prix. They hadn’t even considered it yet. It’s not in the contract. It’s not included in any of the bouts that they are supposed to do.
When they came out with the Grand Prix and they announced the names of all the people who were in it, when I first saw my guys, I was like “wow, that’s bold!” to list all my guys without even asking me if we’re going to compete in it.
I called the IFL and I go, “What’s with listing the names?” They go, “Oh no, we’re just listing the names who qualified and if they decide not to do it, we’ll just change them.” And I thought that was an odd procedure, but okay.
Then we got down to where we’re a month-and-a-half out from the show and they say, “Hey, if your guys are going to compete in the Grand Prix, they have to sign a new contract.” I said, “What?” They go, “Yeah, you have to sign a new deal.” And I said, “Well that’s interesting; we signed a one-year deal for a reason. Not to come back and then throw that away then sign a new one three months early or four months early.”
So they sent us a contract and it ends up it’s a two-year contract. It’s a one-year with an option and I go, “Hey, we’re not going to sign any of these. There is no way we’re going to sign on for two more years.” They said, “Well, if you don’t sign on for two more years, you’re out of the Grand Prix.” I said, “I guess we’re all out of the Grand Prix.”
Then about a week or ten days ago, they came back and they said, “We’re sending you new contracts and you have two days. You have to sign them in two days or else they’re no good.”
I look at the contracts and they’re one-year deals for Jay Hieron and Mike Whitehead and, honestly, they were pretty good deals. I liked the numbers, I liked the terms that they had on them and I called the guys and went through it and I said, ‘I think we ought to sign them. This is good.’”
Ben’s numbers were also better, but again, I think Ben’s a star. I think he’s got a chance to make a lot of money in the sport and we want to wait until his contract has expired, so I’m free to go out and negotiate other deals and see what I can get on the open market.
I called the IFL office and I said, “Good news. Jay is going to compete. Whitehead is going to compete. They’re both going to come in and sign tomorrow.
They said, “What about Ben?” I said, “You know with Ben, I’m still not comfortable. I want to wait until his contract is up and see what he’s worth on the open market.” They said, “If Ben doesn’t sign, the other two are out.”
And I said, “What are you talking about?” He goes “Yeah, they’re out. It’s a package deal.” I go, “Are you (expletive) kidding me? Jay Hieron and Mike Whitehead, two guys that have done nothing but fight for you, go out and win for you, qualify for the Grand Prix, and they want to sign a one-year extension and they want to fight in the Grand Prix, but they’re out because Ben’s not going to sign?”
It was like blackmail. I won’t stand for it.
They go, “That’s the deal,” and I go, “Well, we’re all out.”
That’s the way it stood. I called all the guys and explained it to them and the next day the IFL calls (Jay) Hieron and says, “We need to talk to you in private.”
So they come down and get him in a car and talk to him. Hieron calls me and he goes, “Monte, you’re not going to believe this. These guys just tried to make me sign a contract in the back of their car.” I go, “What?!” and he goes, “They were sitting there trying to tell me I have to sign this. That you did not represent me well and if I knew what was good for me, I’d do this.”
I go, “What, are these guys like the Sopranos?” And he goes, “No, I didn’t do it. I told them I’m not signing anything without my manager.”
So I go, “Well, what happened?” and he goes, “They gave me the contract and said I have till noon tomorrow.”
I said to fax it to me. He faxed it to me and it was the same contract we already agreed to. So why are they trying to make him sign something we already said yes to?
As much as I would have loved to have Jay Hieron tell them to take a flying leap, it was a good deal and everything, so I said, “Yeah, go ahead and sign it.”
So Jay signed the deal and then (Mike) Whitehead calls me and says. “What about me?”
I go, “Have these guys called you?” and he said no. He said, “I’ve been trying to call them, but they haven’t gotten a hold of me.”
So finally Kurt (Otto) got a hold of him and Kurt goes, “Yeah you can sign, you were supposed to sign yesterday. It was a done deal. There was a deadline. Didn’t your manager tell you? He knew all about it. He screwed you over.”
Mike said, “You’ll understand if I tend to believe Monte on this one?” and he goes, “Well, why can’t I sign right now? Hieron is signing right now.” And (Otto) said, “Oh no, the deadline passed.
The bottom line is Mike Whitehead has done nothing but good things for this group. He went on a crappy team. He was the only one that stood out on that team. He makes the Grand Prix. He wants to fight in the Grand Prix. He wants to fight in the league next year. He’s ready to sign the new deal and now that they got their butts hurt over Ben (Rothwell) not signing like they wanted, Whitehead’s got to be sacrificed? He’s going to take the pressure for this? I’ve never heard anything more juvenile in my life. And that’s the way it stands now. They’re out of the Grand Prix.
Now they’re coming back, I’m hearing, “Oh, they’re just out of the Grand Prix. They can both re-sign for 2008.”
Well, Mike Whitehead has a better chance of becoming an astronaut than going back to the IFL after the way they just treated him.
It’s like he said, “You’ve got to have some dignity. Obviously they don’t give a (expletive) about me. Obviously I’m expendable. They don’t like me for whatever reason. I don’t want to fight for people like that.”
So much for the IFL’s “we care more about fighters” stand.
With all of this going on, rumors have circulated that the IFL believed a deal was already in place and that was why, when the deal wasn’t finalized, that the fighters were dropped from the Grand Prix. Cox commented on that point as well:
Kurt Otto, I hear he keeps claiming, “Oh, we had a deal. We had Rothwell. We’d agreed.”
Come on, this is business. Until a guy signs a dotted line, you don’t have a deal. Anyone who doesn’t understand that, they better not be running a company.
There were times that I told him, “Yeah, this looks good. We’re thinking of heading back to the IFL.” But in the end, after talking to Ben, we decided it’s in our best interest to just wait and see what they have
They have a 180-day matching clause. They don’t have to get all upset. If we get a legitimate deal, they have a chance to match it. So they can keep Ben if they want him. They’re just not getting him on their terms and that seems to be a little bit too much for them to handle.
From Cox’s statement, it seems a foregone conclusion that Whitehead is unlikely to return to the IFL, but what about heavyweight standout Ben Rothwell?
Ben hasn’t been happy with the IFL for a while. He wasn’t happy when he fought Ricco Rodriguez because Ricco spit in his face and no one cared. No one did anything about it. That bothered him. He just doesn’t feel like they care.
Both fighters are still under contract through 2007 and cannot negotiate with another organization until year’s end.
-
Mixed martial arts is one of the hottest properties in all of sports. And the Ultimate Fighting Championship rules the roost.
Many other promoters have stepped up to challenge the American juggernaut, most opting to sign the biggest name fighters they can lay their hands on and start chipping away at the UFC’s rock-solid pay-per-view dominance.
That is until Mark Cuban entered the fray.
Owner of the National Basketball Association’s Dallas Mavericks, chairman of the HDNet high-definition television network, self-made billionaire; it might be expected that Cuban would immediately take aim at the top of the MMA roster.
But that is not the tact that he has chosen at all. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
Instead of throwing millions of dollars at top free agent Fedor Emelianenko to make a big splash, his first fight card features the comeback of Erik Paulson, a talented fighter that hasn’t been in the ring for more than seven years and is relatively unknown to American fans.
The rest of the event is fleshed out primarily with a regional flavor that is sure to draw the Dallas MMA faithful to the American Airlines Center, but is far from the media magnet that usually gravitates towards anything Cuban has a hand in.
That wasn’t an accident, but part of his design for HDNet Fights’ first outing.
“This is our Beta test,” said Cuban. “This is where we are going to learn.
“We didn’t go out and spend half a million on marketing for this. I’m not looking to fill the American Airlines Center (on Saturday night). I want to get 3,000 people there to fill the lower bowl, so I can walk around and talk to people and find out what we did right, what we did wrong, what we can do better.”
In speaking with him, Cuban knows where he wants to go with the promotion, but realizes he doesn’t yet hold all the answers on how to get there.
“The reason I got into this … I see this unique opportunity to start treating MMA fighters as professional athletes,” stated Cuban.
A telling statement considering heavyweight champion Randy Couture’s recent resignation from the UFC, reportedly due to his discontent with the way that he and other fighters have been treated.
“The UFC’s done a great job in what they do, but they kind of stole the (World Wrestling Entertainment) script,” said Cuban about the promotion’s success. “And we just think that we can take a different approach and treat them more like a Mavs game, more like an athletic event than a spectacle.”
Some may say that it’s rather brash of Cuban to imply that he will lead the way to mixed martial arts’ future, but then again, he’s never exactly been known to be the “walk softly and carry a big stick” kind of guy.
“I have a reputation (for) how I’ve treated the Mavericks, how I changed the NBA,” he said. “I plan on taking everything I’ve learned … and apply that to what we’re doing here.
“When I got to the NBA, a lot of people didn’t like the way I do things, that’s their problem. I think now, there are probably a lot of people in the mixed martial arts industry that aren’t going to like the way I do things, once again, that’s their problem.”
-
Paulo Filho has joined Team Link.
After a series of seminars in September in the United States, Filho aligned himself with the Ludlow, Mass., gym where Gabriel Gonzaga trains.
"Now I am part of the team of my friend Marco Alvan, which is also where Gabriel ‘Napão' trains," Filho said. "I was there to give seminars and liked the structure a lot. I felt a great affinity with them … and now I am Team Link. I fight for Team Link from now on."
Undefeated in 15 MMA bouts, the Brazilian plans to move soon to the United States and establish residence in the country.
"I'm seeing what the situation will be with my father, but I want to move there because that is where the MMA business is," Filho said. "It will be good for me because there are a lot of good training partners. There is ‘Napão,' and there are guys from wrestling -- a lot of people to train with. They have a lot of new kids arriving and wanting to train hard."
A black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a sport in which Filho won three world championships and five national titles, "Paulão" spoke enthusiastically about his future home and the advantages it will bring him.
"The trainers are extremely good," he said. "The athletes there are cardio machines. The academy is giant, has boxing bags, has an Octagon, has a ring and has everything there. And the city is very calm, is very good for training because it does not have anything distracting. A lot of green, some very clean lakes and even a hydroponic market -- those foods without agrotoxics. It's a very good city for an athlete to live."
-
Josh Barnett, ranked as the No.3 heavyweight mixed martial artist in the world by MMAWeekly.com, had a very busy year in 2006. Fighting seven times in that span, he amassed a 5-2 record against some of the top competition in the world.
Unfortunately, in 2007, he has yet to fight once.
Why?
“Red tape,” says Barnett.
He fought all of his bouts in 2006 for Pride Fighting Championships. But when Pride FC was purchased by Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta – who also happen to be the majority owners of the Ultimate Fighting Championship – in March, Barnett’s fighting career was basically put on ice.
To say his relationship with the UFC is tenuous would not be a stretch.
While many former Pride fighters have found their way to the UFC, Barnett is one of the two top free agents that have not, along with Fedor Emelianenko.
He has been talking with many promoters and is optimistic that he will be fighting again soon, but Barnett would not tip his hand as to whether a fight with Fedor is on the immediate horizon. Despite being friends with Emelianenko, he does want that fight to take place.
“It would be a hell of a fight. … I want to fight him is so we can get it over with, so we can train (together).”
In the meantime, Barnett has kept busy with many other projects. He is part of numerous television productions including a documentary about the Pancrase organization that is set to air on Imagination TV and appearances on the acclaimed “The Human Weapon” series and a mixed martial arts segment on The History Channel.
He has also been helping Erik Paulson, who headlines Saturday night’s HDNet Fights in Dallas, Texas, train for his bout with Jeff Ford.
HDNet Fights is the upstart MMA promotion of the billionaire owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban.
“(Erik) is ready. He’s been working every day in the gym with us,” said Barnett.
And he indicates that this probably isn’t a one-off deal for Paulson, who is returning to fighting for the first time in more than seven years.
“Erik’s got a lot of gas left in him.”
At only 29 years of age, it’s likely that Barnett himself will be around for a while as well.
-
Murilo "Ninja" Confirmed For Dec. 1st Cage Rage Event
Murilo “Ninja” Rua vs. Xavier Foupa Pokam
We are able to announce as the top of the card main event for the December 1st show, what promises to be an outstanding bout between great warriors. Ninja will come back to these shores to take on the “Professor of Punishment”, Xavier Pokam. Ninja is currently coming of the back of two wins in his last 2 Cage Rage outings and is looking to make this a hatrick, but standing in his way is the formidable shape of Professor X, who is looking to extend his winning streak at Ninja’s expense. This is going to be a classic and will live up to its top of the card billing.
-
Denis Kang's Opponent For K-1 HERO's Debut Revealed
KANG TO FACE OYAMA IN HERO’S DEBUT
Former PRIDE middleweight and recent K-1 HERO’S acquisition Denis Kang will face Shungo Oyama in his debut for the promotion Sunday, Oct. 28
-
Pancrase has been forced to cancel its headlining bout on the 2007 Rising Tour card Sunday in Tokyo, after former heavyweight King of Pancrase Kestutis "Tiger" Arbocius failed to show for the fight.
Arbocius was scheduled to face reigning heavyweight Pancrase champion Assuerio Silva in the main event. He was slated to arrive in Japan on Wednesday, in order to appear for Friday's championship signing ceremony at Pancrase's P's LAB gym in Tokyo. However, Arbocius was nowhere to be found, sending Pancrase officials into a frenzy to rectify the situation.
According to reports, which attributed information to Arbocius' management, it was suggested that the 32-year-old Latvian may have had difficulty with local police at Vilnius Airport in Lithuania.
A Pancrase official told Sherdog.com via e-mail that no one knew Arbocius' current whereabouts.
"Nobody knows where he is, even his manager," the official said. "Pancrase is trying to keep in touch with him."
Pancrase quickly attempted to find a replacement, offering the bout to three Japanese competitors. However, all three fighters stated that it was too short notice to face a fighter of Silva's caliber.
The card will now proceed with Yuki Kondo-Yuji Sakuragi as the headliner. Pancrase will offer ticket refunds on the day of the event.
-
The following is an excerpt from an interview with top Welterweight fighter Jake Shields from ADCC News:
KM: Your contract status?
JS: This is the last fight on my contract. They offered some more fights but I’m letting my manager handle that.
KM: Who is your manager?
JS: Right now my Dad is actually my manager.
KM: What do you think of 2008?
JS: I want to go out there and fight the best. I’m really looking at UFC over Elite because that is where a lot of top guys are. In the next few weeks I’ll probably make my decision on where I’m going to be signing.
-
ANGRRR MANAGEMENT 13 RESULTS
*SPOILER*
Pro Rules MMA
Marc Goddard def. Ivan Serati via TKO (Strikes) at 1:34, R2
Ross Mason def. Henrique Santana via Submission (Exhaustion) at 2:30, R2
Chris Rice def. Mamarizaev Jahongir via Submission (Strikes) at 2:36, R1
Przemyslaw Mysiala def. Matteo Piran via Submission (Armbar) at 4:02, R1
Paul Reed def. Alexandre Izidro via Split Decision, R3
Mic Broster def. Samir Medjbeur via Submission (Armbar) at 1:03, R1
Jay Gilbey def. Nick Orchard via Split Decision, R3
Semi-Pro Rules MMA
Joss Ramage def. Nick Hipkiss via Majority Decision, R2
Barry Mear def. Ross Mould via KO at 1:32, R1
Dean Aplin def. Warren Kee via Submission (Armbar) at 3:35, R1
-
Stephan Bonnar returns to the Octagon on Saturday night against Eric “Red” Schafer at the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati.
In Bonnar's last fight, at Ultimate Fighting Championship 73 in July, he made short work of Mike Nickels by submitting him with a rear naked choke early in the first round.
He is of course remembered for his legendary battle with Forrest Griffin on the finale of the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter.” It's been two-and-a-half years since that epic fight that many have said put mixed martial arts on the map.
“It seems like yesterday,” Bonnar reflected. “Watching the show brings back memories. It is hard to believe though. I just turned thirty. I got old.”
After his close fight with Griffin, “The American Psycho” went on a three-fight win streak defeating Sam Hoger, James Irvin and Keith Jardine. It seemed like he was climbing up the ladder in the light heavyweight division until he hit a roadblock named Rashad Evans.
Evans tactically took him down at will and earned the victory. After that fight, Bonnar would once again meet his rival Forrest Griffin in a rematch at UFC 62. Unfortunately for him, Griffin would outpoint him and once again earn the nod.
Perhaps even more devastating than the loss to Griffin was the fact that Bonnar had tested positive for an anabolic agent that saw him suspended for nine months. Bonnar came back firing in his return fight against Nickels. He's ready to keep the momentum going and he's even joined Griffin at Xtreme Couture to enhance his training.
“It's some good sparring,” Bonnar said of his new training facility. “It definitely gets you ready for a fight. It’s definitely good work.”
Not only does he train with Griffin, but also an assortment of other great partners that have all come to the new Mecca of training in Las Vegas. One of those partners is none other than “The Natural” Randy Couture.
“That guy just always wows me. He first did it when he fought Vitor Belfort. I didn't think he'd win that fight. Then he beat Liddell and beat Ortiz. Then he beats Sylvia. Then he beat Gonzaga. It's just all these crazy moments.”
Bonnar has been ready to go since his fight with Nickels and he can't wait to get in the Octagon this weekend.
“I've been ready to fight for a while. It’s all great to get back in there and get a win, get out of there healthy. I was actually hoping I could get on the very next show. It's good to get back in there. I feel like it's been a long camp.”
Schafer last saw action in a losing effort to Michael Bisping back in December. He put up a very tough fight before succumbing to some devastating strikes. Bonnar has watched the tapes though and is ready for whatever Schafer brings.
A win for Bonnar on Saturday night will be one step higher up the ladder of the light heavyweight division, which in the last few months has been thrown for a loop. He isn't taking Schafer lightly, though, and knows that he'll need a solid game plan to come out with the win.
“It's pretty obvious. I'll try to keep it on my feet. Hit him with shots. His best chance of winning is on the ground. I expect a stoppage in the second round.”
-
whats werdum been up to and whats next?
the Brazilian submissions specialist continues his intense training regime under the tutelage of the legendary Chute Boxe Academy in Curitiba, Brazil
“I’ve never trained so much in my life,” said Werdum. “I’ve been here for two months and am already feeling an impressive difference. I am starting to dominate the standing as much as the ground game. The knees are better, so are the kicks, but the biggest improvement is my aggressiveness. I didn’t have it before.”
Werdum believes his UFC return is imminent.
“I spoke with my manager, and he said November,” said Werdum. “I think it's too son, but it will be in 2007.”
Though Nov. 17’s UFC 79 card is completely booked, there are pending shows December and February in Las Vegas, as well as a planned event in Newcastle, England in January.
“I thought it would be Tim Sylvia, but that's not happening,” said Werdum. “There’s also a rumor that it may be Frank Mir, but the way I’m training now, it can be anyone.”
-
Former NY Giant To Make Pro MMA Debut At Belterra Casino
November 3rd, 2007 MMA Big Show: CHAMPIONS - Former NY Giant Bobby Jones makes his Pro MMA Debut against 3-0 John Brown at the Belterra Casino Hotel & Spa in Belterra, Indiana.
Former New York Giant Bobby Jones will be making his pro MMA debut after recently dominating in his last amateur fight winning in 34 seconds by ref stoppage after slamming his opponent down and beating him in the face. Bobby is ready for a bigger challenge in his pro debut at the Belterra Casino and Hotel which is hosting the MMA Big Show: CHAMPIONS with special guest Andre Arlovski. John Brown, a 3-0 Pro fighter will be driving 14 hours from Gulfport, MS to test Bobby’s skills in the cage. Both men monstrous in size for heavyweights and both eager to prove themselves.
Cincinnati local and MMA Big Show poster boy Roger Bowling will be defending his 170lb Title against Drew Reed. Bowling won his belt by defeating Mike Skiba at MMA Big Show: PUNISHMENT on Sept 29th in Covington, KY where he pounded the guy until he began tapping. Roger is Relentless in competition and puts on an amazing show every time.
Another Cincinnati local and well known fighter Mojo Horne will defend his 185lb title against Matt Sredzinski who holds multiple titles and is a US Gold Medalist and Muai Thai instructor. This fight is sure to be fireworks as the two standup fighters collide.
Joe Ammerman will defend his 155lb Title after winning his title fight with 4 time NAGA Champion Jason Halderman with strikes in the 2nd round of MMA Big Show: PUNISHMENT. His opponent is still yet to be determined.
Other notable fighters on the card are Dustine Winterhalt, Jared Combs, Mick Berwanger and others.
The event doors will open at 6:00pm and the first fight is scheduled for 7:00pm.
Tickets are $30 Presale General Admission and $50 VIP Floor Seats and can be purchased at www.TicketWeb.com or www.MMABigShow.com for a direct link online. You can also purchase by phone at 866-468-7630.
This event will be the first year anniversary of the MMA Big Show which started in November of 2006 and has been putting on the best MMA events in the region ever since and is well known amongst fighters and fans nationally.
This event is also scheduled to be broadcast live online as a Pay Per View for $9.95.
See www.MMABigShow.com for more details and tail of the tape.
-
New Era Fighting declares war on MMA terror campaign
SANTA ANA, California (October 15 , 2007) �" New Era Fighting (NEF) has declared war on a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) terror campaign, filing a $500,000,000 lawsuit against the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC), individuals Armando Garcia (CSAC Executive Director) and Frank Munoz (CSAC Staff Services Analyst), as well as the State’s Department of Consumer Affairs.
NEF is a mixed martial arts fighting organization that combines the raw brutality of mixed martial arts with entertaining, sexy and dramatic themes. It has launched possibly the largest suit in California history against the aforementioned parties for loss of revenues (past, present and future), film production, media exposure, credibility, television show, venue deposits, fighters and opportunity costs.
NEF President Ron Kort filed the lawsuit because of a pattern and practice by the California State Athletic Commission of intentionally, willfully and viciously interfering with a licensed and approved event, which effected and injured New Era Fighting in the same or similar fashion as other mixed martial arts promoters, managers and fighters.
Kort has received numerous communications from supportive MMA and boxing promoters, managers, trainers and fighters who allege that they were also abused by the CSAC. Their reports include staged fights, payoffs, favoritism, threats of suspension, bully intimidation tactics, and much more.
“I’m pleasantly surprised and tremendously encouraged by the amount of responses our claim has triggered in the fight world,” Kort said. “I’ve been bombarded by people upset by the way they’ve been unfairly treated by the CSAC. The support has been overwhelming and is helping to level the playing field between the CSAC and the people it ‘licenses.’ We want to provide a platform to others who have been abused by the CSAC but may be fearful of repercussions for speaking on the record.
“When I first started investigating the CSAC, I was given lots of information from people who were initially afraid to give up their name because they were scared of Armando Garcia. One member of the media had interviewed Armando where Armando openly said, ‘There are a lot of people that try and take care of my back…..so when they hear things they contact me and give me a heads up…..’ However, many people are starting to realize that there is now little to fear and that Armando is not invincible. We will have our day in court and those that were afraid are now in support of this war against the California State Athletic Commission’s terror campaign. Anybody who would like to share their stories about the CSAC can send emails to FightBack@NewEraFighting.com. Your names and identities will be kept confidential without your express permission to use them.”
-
Representatives from Icon Sport have confirmed that Robbie Lawler will defend the promotion’s middleweight championship against Kala Kolohe Hose at Icon Sport “Fearless” Saturday Dec. 15. They were originally slated to fight in June, but the event was postponed after Lawler suffered a shoulder injury. Icon Sport has since been acquired by ProElite, Inc.
-
Cung Le Says Frank Shamrock Backed Out Of Proposed Fight
Earlier today MMANews.com spoke with Strikeforce Middleweight Cung Le and he confirmed that he will be fighting on the November 16th Strikeforce card at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, CA. Who his opponent will be has yet to be determined but Cung made mention of the fact that Frank Shamrock backed out of a possible match-up. Both fighters made mention of it during the Strikeforce at the Playboy Mansion show so it can be assumed it will most likely happen down the line. Cung also stated that there have been about a dozen names thrown at him but it hasnt been narrowed down yet. The show is still well over a month away so it should be announced who his opponent will be over the next few weeks.
After an impressive showing in his last about against Tony Fryklund, Le upped his record to 4-0 in MMA competition and will look to go 5-0. A rumoured bout between him and Shamrock has been discussed for quite a while now but it looks as if it will not be happening anytime soon.
With a tournament on the slate and Cung Le main eventing, along with Daniel Puder and Paul Buentello confirmed to be on the card - the next Strikeforce show is starting to shape up nicely.
-
Hermes Franca has left the Armory, a team in which he served as trainer. He is ready to open his own academy in West Palm Beach, Fla. called Team Hermes Franca set to open in November.
He is currently preparing for a grappling match at the North American Grappling Association event in Miami on Oct. 20. He will face Enrique Coco.
Still serving a mixed martial arts related suspension handed down by the California State Athletic Commission for a positive drug test in July, Franca has been working tirelessly to improve his ground game, working with new training partners.
“I am training with the Pablo Popovitch Team and I was in New York for 15 days training with Marcelo Garcia,” said Franca.
In preparing for this grappling bout with Coco, he stated that he has learned much since concentrating only on his groundwork and has picked up many new techniques along the way.
While preparing to open his own gym, Franca has been teaching seminars at the Premier Martial Arts Academy, working and teaching mixed martial arts to many students at the school.
He has also worked in some new sponsors that will be vital in the opening of his new gym.
“I would like to talk about my sponsors Premier Martial Arts and Pipe Hitters Union,” Franca stated. “They will take care of my logo, clothes, etc. Now my fans and the MMA world can get Hermes Franca stuff from there.”
The gym will be opening in November. It will be inside of a boxing gym called Palm Beach Boxing Club that will now also house Team Hermes Franca.
The gym can be found at 1611 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, Fla. Interested parties can call at either 561-833-2131 or 561-319-6608.
-
ADAM SMITH FAILS SECOND DRUG TEST IN CALIF.
Adam Smith, who was recently suspended and fined by the California State Athletic Commission for testing positive for both cocaine and marijuana, has now additionally tested positive for anabolic agents with metabolites for both Nandrolone and Stanozolol according to CSAC representative Bill Douglas.
The drug test failures stem from testing surrounding his losing effort against Dewey Cooper at the Strikeforce at the Mansion event held on Sept. 29 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Douglas revealed that Smith is “the first athlete in the State of California to test positive for anabolic agents and drugs of abuse at the same time.”
Smith’s previous suspension was from the conclusion of the bout on Sept. 29, 2007 through June 25, 2008 with a fine of $1,500.
His positive test for anabolic agents represents a second separate violation, which earned him a separate set of repercussions. He now will serve an additional suspension from June 26, 2008 through the end of his licensing year, which is Sept. 27, 2008. He has also been assessed an additional 271 days to complete the second suspension (totaling 365 days), which begins when he reapplies for licensure in California. A fine of $2,500 was assessed for the anabolic agents test failure.
The total time of suspension for Smith’s combined infractions is now 21 months with fines totaling $4,000.
Smith’s pay for his fight against Cooper, as reported by Strikeforce to the CSAC, was $500.
-
"Matt Hughes of the UFC has just signed a 5 year sponsorship agreement with Nutritox LLC as his title sponsor. Nutritox is a Dallas based nutriceutical company currently endorsed by several college and professional athletic teams."
-
WHO: Versus Channel's reality TV stars from 'TapouT'- Mask, Punkass and Skyskrape (AKA TapouT Crew) and UFC Fighter Keith Jardine
WHAT: Interview and Photo Ops, Entertainment, Autographs, and Giveaways
WHERE: Hibbett Sports
7011 Alexandria Pike, Space A
Alexandria, KY 41001
(859) 635-4700
WHEN: Friday, October 19, 2007 from 6p-8p
-
Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight champion Anderson Silva has yet to arrive for this Saturday’s event at the U.S. Bank Arena. He is scheduled to defend his belt against challenger Rich Franklin, whom he relieved of the title one year ago at UFC 64.
According to sources close to the Silva, he had planned to be in town by now along with the other UFC 77 fighters, but there were delays in the issuance of his work visa.
Apparently, due to a recent holiday, government offices in Brazil were closed this past Friday and Monday thus delaying his visa being issued. He evidently did receive the visa on Wednesday and hopes to arrive in Cincinnati on Thursday.
Most UFC fighters typically arrive four to five days prior to an event to fulfill the necessary media and production requirements, as well as getting acclimated to their surroundings and finish any last minute weight cutting.
With Silva arriving just two days prior to his fight, as long as there are no further delays, questions are sure to abound as to whether or not it will affect his performance come Saturday night.
-
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) program will look inside the world of British mixed martial arts on its investigative show “Inside Out,” airing this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. GMT. Jason “Badass” Barrett (3-4) and Mark “Babyface” Smith (5-2), two Cage Rage fighters from the Elite Fighting Systems team, will be featured.
“Inside Out” is said to have taken a balanced approach in their reporting this time out, as many local fans were outraged at the BBC’s previous outings where the sport was portrayed as “barbaric and unnecessary.”
-
CAGE RAGE FIGHTERS
SUBJECT TO DRUG TESTING
Process To Begin With “EliteXC Presents Cage Rage 24’’
Streaming Live Dec. 1 on ProElite.com
LOS ANGELES (Oct. 17, 2007) �" All fighters competing on upcoming Cage Rage fight cards will be subject to random drug testing, it was announced Wednesday.
Cage Rage, which recently was purchased by Los Angeles-based ProElite, Inc. (PELE.PK), is the biggest and most prestigious Mixed Martial Arts organization in the UK .
Gary Shaw, President of ProElite’s Live Events Division, EliteXC, initiated the idea to test the fighters
“Anybody that knows me knows that my No. 1 priority is the health and safety of the athletes,’’ Shaw said. “I wholeheartedly agree and support Cage Rage’s decision. This ensures that the highest safety standards will be in place each and every time a fighter competes in an EliteXC/Cage Rage fight card in Britain.’’
The process will begin before the “EliteXC Presents Cage Rage 24” Dec. 1 event that will be aired on pay-per-view live at ProElite.com.
“This shows that Gary Shaw and EliteXC truly have the fighters’ best interests at heart and are serious about promoting this great sport to the uppermost standard,’’ Cage Rage co-founder and promoter Dave O’Donnell said. “Drug taking will not be tolerated on a Cage Rage promotion.’’
Any fighter who appears on a Cage Rage show will be subject to random drug testing, which includes checking for anabolic steroids, stimulants, marijuana and cocaine. All fighters in world title fights will be tested.
MRI scan and ophthalmologic inspections will be introduced in early 2008, announced Shaw.
-
Wanderlei Silva is once again the special guest to the next UFC in USA. UFC 77 will take place on October 20, when the name of his opponent will be released. The date has been confirmed.
-
Jonathan Goulet, who is coming of a first round submission loss to Dustin Hazelett at UFN 11 will be looking to get back in the cage to fight around December.
During the armbar submission that was used to beat him back in September, Goulet's elbow popped causing an injury. Goulet told MMANews.com, "My elbow popped in my last fight but luckily I did not need surgery. I am doing physiotherepy right now and should be able to train soon."
After speaking with Goulet it looks like he could possibly be fighting in Alberta. "They miss me in Alberta," Goulet stated. "It's been a while since I fought in western Canada".
Goulet, who had a pretty busy schedule up until Sept. 07 should be enjoying his must needed rest but that is not the case, "I hope to be ready to train again next week and if I can that I hope for a fight in December. I know it's not all about me but that is when I want to fight."
With the mention of Alberta it could be possible that Goulet will be looking to fight in a possible December Hardcore Championship Fighting card. The organization has been landing a lot of big names lately while bulking up their roster and Goulet would be a great addition to the welterweight division. Only time will tell where Goulets next fight could be but one thing is for certain, he can not wait to get back in there.
-
"Some guys fight over women. Nick Thompson became a fighter just to impress one.
"A few years ago I went to see a mixed martial arts show with my new girlfriend," recalls the Minnesotan. "I wrestled a little bit in college so to try and impress her I told her I could do MMA. I started training the next week. I was awful, but I was hooked."
Thompson was, in fact, so awful he was nicknamed "The Fainting Goat" for his unfortunate resemblance to an animal notorious for losing consciousness when frightened. Knocked out in his first pro fight by journeyman Dan Hart, Thompson would go on to lose three of his first four bouts.
One of those early defeats came at the hands of Florida's Dustin "Clean" Denes, who again provides the opposition as the two square off Tuesday, October 23 at 9 p.m. and midnight EST when Bodog Fight: Costa Rica Combat continues in Canada on The Score Television Network.
However, Denes (12-3-3) will face a much different Thompson this time around.
The man now known only as "The Goat" rebounded from his early missteps to amass a record of 31-9-1 en route to becoming the new Bodog Fight Welterweight Champion. Thompson's stunning knockout upset of formerly undefeated champ Eddie Alvarez (9-1) at Bodog Fight: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Matt Lindland in St. Petersburg, Russia last April is also featured on this episode.
One last thing in case you were wondering: The girlfriend Thompson fought to impress? She's now his fiancé. "
-
Chute Boxe veteran Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos (15-10) has pulled out of Dec. 1’s Cage Rage 24 “Feel the Pain” event due to issues with his weight, according to Cage Rage promoters Andy Geer and Dave O’Donnell. Santos was to have faced British light heavyweight Paul Cahoon (8-10). The PRIDE veteran will return to the London-based promotion in March, as a middleweight. Santos is coming off a loss to former Cage Rage World light heavyweight champion James Zikic (15-5-2) at Cage Rage 21 last April.
In Santos’ place, Geer and O’Donnell have secured Australian Elvis “The King of Rock n Rumble” Sinosic (8-10-2) to face Cahoon.
-
“Dangerous” Dan Henderson Comes to Las Vegas NHRA Nationals Representing Endothil-CR and Oxydrene
It’s the perfect combination: the speed and power of a 7000+ horsepower top fuel dragster and the quickness and strength of mixed martial arts champion “Dangerous” Dan Henderson. Both will be in Las Vegas at the NHRA Nationals October 27-28 representing Endothil®-CR and Oxydrene®, the next-generation supplements that are helping today’s athletes get quicker, tougher and stronger.
Henderson recently became the spokesperson for Endothil-CR and Oxydrene, signing a one-year contract with the product’s manufacturer, Novex Biotech®.
“I use Endothil and Oxydrene to get the most out of my training sessions, so being their spokesperson was a no-brainer for me,” said Henderson. “But when they told me I would be linking up with the company’s top fuel dragster in Las Vegas, I was thrilled. I love drag racing. It’s so much like MMA �" the controlled power, the quick reflexes. I’ll feel right at home on the track.”
Novex Biotech joined the drag racing circuit a few years ago, selecting “Aussie” Dave Grubnic to drive the Endothil-CR/Oxydrene top-fuel dragster.
-
“Dangerous” Dan Henderson Comes to Las Vegas NHRA Nationals Representing Endothil-CR and Oxydrene
It’s the perfect combination: the speed and power of a 7000+ horsepower top fuel dragster and the quickness and strength of mixed martial arts champion “Dangerous” Dan Henderson. Both will be in Las Vegas at the NHRA Nationals October 27-28 representing Endothil®-CR and Oxydrene®, the next-generation supplements that are helping today’s athletes get quicker, tougher and stronger.
Henderson recently became the spokesperson for Endothil-CR and Oxydrene, signing a one-year contract with the product’s manufacturer, Novex Biotech®.
“I use Endothil and Oxydrene to get the most out of my training sessions, so being their spokesperson was a no-brainer for me,” said Henderson. “But when they told me I would be linking up with the company’s top fuel dragster in Las Vegas, I was thrilled. I love drag racing. It’s so much like MMA �" the controlled power, the quick reflexes. I’ll feel right at home on the track.”
Novex Biotech joined the drag racing circuit a few years ago, selecting “Aussie” Dave Grubnic to drive the Endothil-CR/Oxydrene top-fuel dragster.
Please no advertising.. No one wants to read spam thanks..
-
"Tito Ortiz to appear on Apprentice ‘Celebrity’ with Donald Trump"
-
The following is the current OFFICIAL fight card for the November 10th EliteXC "Renegade" card, airing on the Showtime premium cable network:
-Nick Diaz vs. K.J. Noons (EXC LW Title)
-Kimbo Slice vs. Mike Bourke
-Jake Shields vs. Mike Pyle
-Seth Kleinbeck vs. Kyle Noke
-
"Former Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight champion Carlos Newton will return to action against Dong Sik Yoon at the "Olympia Hero's 2007 in Korea" event on Oct. 28.
Newton was suppose to fight Melvin Manhoef in June, but withdrew due to injury. Dong Sik Yoon stepped in and pulled off a spectacular upset defeating the dangerous striker by armbar in a back and forth war. "
-
Ken Shamrock is looking for additional fighters and announced that he would be holding open tryouts on Oct. 25 for any interested mixed martial artists.
Head coach of the Nevada Lions of the International Fight League, Shamrock is looking for eight athletes for that team for the upcoming 2008 season, as well as for new additions to his own fight team, The Lion’s Den.
Tryouts will be held at The Stadium Sport and Fitness Club in Reno, Nevada. They will consist of several drills and sparring in the various MMA disciplines.
For further information, contact Lance Foreman at 530-252-8071 or email at foremanx5@yahoo.com.
-
babalu seminar
-
"Rich Franklin will be undergoing surgery, I believe today, for a broken nose suffered Saturday night in the Anderson Silva fight. "
-
FREEDOM FIGHT 2008 LIVE
ROBERT GUERTIN ARENA �" HULL, QUEBEC
SATURDAY JANUARY 26TH, 2008
Tickets on sale now at www.ticketmaster.ca or call 613-755-1111
Ottawa, Ontario (Canada) �" Freedom Fight Productions returns to the national capital region with its popular MMA brand and the extreme aggression that fans have come to expect. The live action is set to take place on Saturday, January 26th, 2008 at the Robert Guertin Arena �" Hull, Quebec just minutes from downtown Ottawa. 2008 marks the fourth annual MMA event delivered by Freedom Fight Productions to the Ottawa / Hull area and this year’s event promises to be the most explosive and exciting show to date. Fans can expect to see some of the most skilled and successful athletes from past Freedom Fight events as well as fighters from joint ventures with King of the Cage Canada. This year we will see undefeated fighters put it on the line, veterans of past Freedom Fight events making their return, a clash between an accomplished Thai fighting champion from Ontario and the Thai coach from the legendary Chute Boxe team. The 2008 edition of Freedom Fight will also introduce Freedom Fight’s very first “David vs. Goliath” competition, an exciting concept that’s derived from the early days of MMA, and takes extreme fighting to a whole new level.
Get your tickets today by visiting WWW.TICKETMASTER.CA or call 613-755-1111
This years teams:
TEAM BRUCKMANN MMA (Oshawa, ON.), F.I.T MMA (Ottawa, ON),
FRANCO BEHRING MMA (Toronto ON), OTTAWA ACADEMY OF MIXED MARTIAL ARTS (Ottawa ON.) SUFFER SYSTEM (London ON.),
TEAM SHREDDER (Sudbury, ON.), TORONTO BJJ (Toronto, ON),
SUDBURY BJJ (Sudbury, ON), IRON TIGER MUAY THAI, (Stoney Creek, ON), KEN BU KAN MMA (Sudbury, ON), ULTIMATE MMA FIGHT TEAM (Scarborough, ON), TAPSTAR MMA (Toronto, ON), CHUTE BOXE ACADEMY (Brazil)
MAIN EVENTS
Craig “Farmer” Brown vs. John “The Animal” Cole
Light heavyweight (205 lbs)
Local athlete and Freedom Fight veteran Craig Brown, made his MMA debut in 2003 with an impressive victory from strikes. “Farmer” then went on to win 2 consecutive Freedom Fight events: Freedom Fight 2005 saw Brown win his bout against Ricardo Francois by BRUTAL knock out and Freedom Fight 2006 where he TKO’D American John Clarke in 2 minutes 21 seconds of round 1. John “The Animal” Cole has shown the MMA world he’s a force to be reckoned; his first victory was accomplished in 22 seconds of the first round, he then went on to score a hard earned win against the rugged Jason Bissonnette last March. Cole’s most recent win was in a bout against Pete Rogers and ended by TKO in round 1. The ANIMAL and THE FARMER is a fight NOT to be missed!!!
Stephan Lamarche vs. Dan Grandmaison
Welter Weight (170 lbs)
Ottawa’s undefeated soldier Stephan Lamarche who represents F.I.T MMA exploded onto the MMA scene in 2006 where he won his bout in just 53 seconds by TKO. 2007 has been a fantastic year for Lamarche winning 3 consecutive bouts, starting in January, at KOTC �" Freedom Fight 2007 where he won his bout against Garret Vernoy. Two months later he went on to submit Cujo White by rear naked choke and in July Lamarche beat Nova Scotian Jeff Evely by once again sinking in a rear naked choke.
Dan “The Bighouse” Grandmaison (Sudbury ON.) from team Shredder made his first Freedom Fight appearance in 2006 where he defeated Nick Castiglia by TKO since then Grandmaison has built his MMA record to 4-3, with his most recent win at UCW 9 (Ultimate Cage Wars), where he faced off with Neil Berry and sealed success with a massive knock out in round 2.
Jeff Harrison vs. Mauricio Veio
Light Weight (155 lbs)
Fans of the striking arts will be in heaven when one of Ontario’s most decorated Thai fighters Jeff Harrison faces Mauricio Veio of the famed Chute Boxe Academy in Brazil. Harrison is the head coach of the 519 Fight Factory while Veio is the Thai coach for Chute Boxe and most recently Toronto BJJ. Both of these athletes are excited to fight an opponent who wants to go in there and bang and the fans at Freedom Fight 2008 will reap the rewards of these 2 stepping in the ring together.
FREEDOM FIGHT PRESENTS
“DAVID VS. GOLIATH”
Find out who prevails live, as 400 pound Jason L’heureux (Barrie Ont.), an MMA student under the direction of the legendary Gary Goodridge squares-off with the 230 lbs Ilya Woronowski (Toronto, Ont.), who defeated his opponent Sean Thompson at TKO 30: Apocalypse by submission (rear naked choke), Woronowski is a student of Sam Zakula of Tapstar MMA. Jason is confident that his size mixed with the tools that BIG DADDY has passed onto him will be enough to earn a victory in his MMA debut. The question is CAN THE RING CONTAIN THIS MMA EXPLOSION?
Also appearing:
(155 lbs) Mark “Boots” Holste vs. Derek Giroux
(205 lbs) Jason Bissonnette vs. Jon Christink
(155 lbs) Jean Marc “The Shark” Lalonde vs. Rick Bawden
(155 lbs) Brett “The Big Picture” Portieous vs. Barry “Mackdaddy Flexxx” Macdonald
(185 lbs) Markhaile “Showtime” Wedderburn vs. Trevor Zeigler
(170 lbs) Nick “The Lunatic” Portieous vs. Eric Muir
(145 lbs) Ian Dawe vs. Todd Wood
(145 lbs) Jefferson Alverez vs. Tony Legnaro
(225 lbs) Michel Aubin vs. Andre Desrochers
-
"At a press conference in Tokyo Tuesday, FEG president Sadaharu Tanigawa officially announced that two of MMA's most legendary figures, Kazushi Sakuraba and Masakatsu Funaki, would square off at K-1 Premium 2007 Dynamite!! on Dec. 31 at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka. The bout is the first bout added to the line-up for Dynamite!! "
-
"Dean Lister, one of the top grapplers in the world, confirmed that he is returning to mixed martial arts competition and the Ultimate Fighting Championship on Dec. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. He will face Jordan Radev in a middleweight bout."
-
"Dean Lister, one of the top grapplers in the world, confirmed that he is returning to mixed martial arts competition and the Ultimate Fighting Championship on Dec. 29 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. He will face Jordan Radev in a middleweight bout."
Posted this a while ago
-
Posted this a while ago
:o :o :o
-
This thread should be fired!! :-[
-
"Filho is a world-class fighter with a 15-0 professional record. He has fought all over the world, including the now-defunct Pride Fighting Championships in Japan. Filho recently defeated Joe Doerksen for the WEC middleweight title and will make his first defense Dec. 12 in Las Vegas against Frank "Twinkletoes" Trigg. "
-
"The following is the final official fight card for the December 1st-scheduled Cage Rage 24 "Feel The Pain" card from London, England:
-Murilo "Ninja" Rua vs. Xavier Foupa Pokam
-Drew Fickett vs. Mark Weir
-Elvis Sinosic vs. Paul Cahoon
-Robert Berry vs. Neil Grove
-Ross Pointon vs. Marios Zaromskis
-Mark Epstein vs. Tom Watson
-Brad Pickett vs. Ronnie Mann
-Dave Legeno vs. George Castro
-Lee Hasdell vs. Ivan Serati
-Abdul Mohamed vs. Robbie Oliver
-James McSweeney vs. Robert Paczkow "
-
A shoulder injury has forced Pennsylvanian Jon Murphy to withdraw from his heavyweight bout against James Thompson at EliteXC “Renegade” Saturday, Nov. 10 at the America Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, according to his manager, Ed Hsu.
-
Sean Salmon:
Next up, I have been given permission to announce that I will be fighting Jason “Mayhem” Miller on the Dec. 15 HDNet Fights card.
-
ufc and spikes deal until 2011
• Seasons 9 through 12 of the highly successful reality series, “The Ultimate Fighter®.” The first five seasons of “The Ultimate Fighter” on Spike TV were seen by 93 million viewers. *
• 12 live fight cards, “UFC® Fight Nights™,” hosted by Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg. Spike TV will telecast four per year.
• Two seasons of a new, weekly live fight series (details to be announced at a later date).
• 39 one-hour episodes of “UFC® Unleashed™,” hosted by Mike Goldberg, featuring the greatest fights in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, many of them never seen before on basic cable. Spike TV will run 13 per year in ‘09, ’10, and ’11.
-
In the warm yet windy climes of an Auckland spring, the man rumored to be stepping into a cage with Fedor Emelianenko, arguably the best MMA fighter at present, on a M-1 Global card come next February; melted to the reception he received on New Zealand soil.
The "Snowman" Jeff Monson, full of praise during in an interview with Roguemag.com, cited the "very good possibility of fighting the Russian" and also said he is "in the process of working through things with M-1."
-
In the warm yet windy climes of an Auckland spring, the man rumored to be stepping into a cage with Fedor Emelianenko, arguably the best MMA fighter at present, on a M-1 Global card come next February; melted to the reception he received on New Zealand soil.
The "Snowman" Jeff Monson, full of praise during in an interview with Roguemag.com, cited the "very good possibility of fighting the Russian" and also said he is "in the process of working through things with M-1."
If its true Monson is gonna get his ass handed to him.
-
"UFC 80: Kendall Grove likely to fight in Newcastle, England"
-
"UFC 80: Kendall Grove likely to fight in Newcastle, England"
I like Kendall, sucked to watch him get beatdown like that the last time he was in the land of the Limey!
-
Chael Sonnen knows whom he wants to fight next.
Seconds after he delivered a convincing victory over Kyacey Uscola at Sportfight XX: Homecoming -- in front of Sonnen's home crowd inside the Rose Garden -- an assistant held up a red and black sign: "Chael Sonnen challenges Frank Shamrock."
"I'm going to go ahead and keep going after him until he accepts," Sonnen, 21-8-1, said after the fight
-
Ice cold is a great fighter, he just doesnt come in with his head all the way in the game. I love the kid I just dont think that Uscola does everything at 100%. He could be great but right now he is just good.
-
“Boy, there’s a lot of people I wouldn’t mind fighting. Bisping or Hammil, either one. You know, the two top guys from their season. And now Jardine probably wants a rematch with me, and I’m happy to do that. I want a rematch with Rashad. Houston Alexander looks tough; he’s been destroying everyone. This division is just so deep, ya know?” - bonnar on who he wanna fight next
-
“Boy, there’s a lot of people I wouldn’t mind fighting. Bisping or Hammil, either one. You know, the two top guys from their season. And now Jardine probably wants a rematch with me, and I’m happy to do that. I want a rematch with Rashad. Houston Alexander looks tough; he’s been destroying everyone. This division is just so deep, ya know?” - bonnar on who he wanna fight next
Man, this guy has some balls. I think everyone on that list would tool his steroid taking ass.
-
"Yves Edwards and Antonio Silva will compete at EliteXC “Renegade” Saturday, Nov. 10 at the America Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, sources close to the American Top Team have confirmed. Edwards (29-13-1) will meet Moses Baca (2-2); Silva (8-1), meanwhile, will collide with Jonathan Wiezorek (11-1). "
-
Man I was just talking about Yves yesterday. GO YVES!!!!! ;)
-
"Din Thomas, well-known in the Ultimate Fighting Championship world, was arrested Tuesday after police say he ran “illegal cage fighting” matches at a local training studio that he runs, a police spokesman said.
Thomas, 31, faces a felony prohibited competitions charge after police got a tip Oct. 19 about the matches at a facility he uses in St. Lucie West.
Inside, they observed two men fighting in an octagon-shaped ring surrounded by about 150 spectators. The fights reportedly weren't sanctioned. "
-
The California State Athletic Commission on July 3, 2007, stated that fighter Phil Baroni had tested positive for Boldenone Metabolite and Stanozolol Metabolite following his Strikeforce main event bout with Frank Shamrock on June 22. He was subsequently fined $2,500 and suspended for one year.
Boldenone and Stanozolol are common anabolic steroids that are banned from athletic competition in California.
Baroni went before the commission on Tuesday to appeal and subsequently had his suspension reduced to six months. With the penalty being retroactive to the night of the bout, he will be eligible to fight again after Dec. 22. His fine was upheld.
“I take this as a loss. I never did steroids,” said Baroni following the hearing.
-
EliteXC President Gary Shaw on Wednesday announced the addition of two new weight classes for the promotion on a conference call promoting the Nick Diaz versus KJ Noons Nov. 10 world title fight on Showtime.
"We'll have 150- and 160-pound divisions," Shaw said, adding to a list of weight classes already sanctioned under the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. "Fighters should be able to fight for world titles without endangering their health. We'll have belts at each weight class."
-
LOS ANGELES – Phil Baroni looked morose as he exited his hearing with the California State Athletic Commission on Wednesday. His suspension of one year had been reduced to six months, but his name was not cleared.
“It feels like a loss to me,” Baroni told reporters. “I’m convicted of using steroids. I didn’t use steroids. I thought I took enough tests to prove I didn’t. I wanted more than anything to prove I didn’t do it. To be cleared of it. And I’m not. I’m labeled guilty.
“I’ll be able to fight soon, but I still didn’t get what I wanted.”
Baroni testified in front of the CSAC board for nearly a half-hour, flatly denying any steroid use and speaking at length about his career and training methods.
The centerpiece of his defense was four separate steroid tests he took around the time of his fight. The first was taken at the behest of manager Ken Pavia, who claimed he ordered it prior to the fight after discovering one of the 67 supplements Baroni was taking carried a warning for causing false positives. Baroni said he didn’t want the test floating around for possible detection by the media, so he had his fiancé’s name used in the results.
Only hours earlier, Barry Sample, Chief Scientist of Quest Diagnostics, Inc., the testing firm for the CSAC, had given a presentation where he stated that a lab couldn’t get a false positive for an over-the-counter supplement because supplements which carried steroid precursors had been taken off the market.
Yet when pressed to explain the warning on Baroni’s supplement, or entertain the possibility of tainted supplements on the market, he was hesitant to give a definitive answer.
“It’s possible that the warning is related to a lower threshold level, but even then one would not expect products that are legally available … to cause such an elevation in the T/E ratio,” Dr. Sample told a committee member.
“So when you say one would not expect, it could happen?” the committee member responded.
After a labored pause, the doctor spoke up. “It is difficult for me to say what manufacturers may do.”
The “chain of custody” issue that played a part in Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion Sean Sherk’s hearing also had an impact on Baroni’s case.
Baroni’s fourth and final test was done at an independent laboratory using the remainder of the urine sample obtained by the CSAC. Deputy Attorney General Karen Chappelle immediately attacked the credibility of the lab, saying the sample’s chain of custody couldn’t be verified. The laboratory was not on a list that the CSAC had provided to Pavia, however, he had documented that he had met the commission’s requests to verify the lab as an accredited facility.
Ultimately, the CSAC had signed off on the transfer of the sample from Quest Laboratories to the new lab, making them part of the chain of custody.
Pavia’s admission of Baroni’s false-named steroid test didn’t win any honesty points with the commission, but the government’s discrepancies in judging the validity of the third-party test raised sufficient doubt to prevent an unchanged ruling.
When the committee came to a vote, two commission members moved to strike all charges against the fighter. That motion was denied, but an amended motion to reduce his sentence passed easily.
Baroni’s first plan was to get back into the gym and get on with his life.
“I want to start training and getting back in shape,” he said.
“I’ve been depressed with all this. It’s hurt my relationships with family, with friends, my fiancé. It’s the first thing I think about in the morning and it’s the last thing I think about when I go to bed. People are going to believe what was put out there originally. It’s not like I got let off where I can say ‘see, I didn’t do it.’ I’m glad I didn’t get a year, but what can I say. I’m just upset that it happened.”
Like Sherk, Baroni claimed he spent at least $20,000 on his defense, not including missed fight paydays. As for a return to the ring, Pavia hoped that Baroni would be put on Strikeforce’s January card.
-
Contracts haven’t been signed yet, but we’re told Kendall Grove’s next opponent will be “The Conquistador” Jorge Rivera. The fight is being planned as part of UFC 80 in Newcastle, England. Jorge recently won 2 fights in England’s Cage Rage promotion and has been building his name across the pond.
-
The following is a news item from the official website for TAGG Radio, located at TaggRadio.com:
• November 2nd Dave Terrell out of UFC 78. Ankle injury allegedly.
-
(http://www.alliesnj.org/images/UFC-Internet-Poster.jpg)
-
"Representatives from Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts have confirmed UFC lightweight contender Tyson Griffin will collide with Brazilian Gleison Tibau at UFC 81 on Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. "
-
"Don Frye is no longer a coach in the IFL. "
-
"The undercard for Ultimate Fighting Championship 79 �" featuring a main event of Matt Serra vs. Matt Hughes for the welterweight title �" is starting to fill out as MMAWeekly has confirmed that Alaskan fighter Doug Evans will return to the Octagon to face grappler Mark Bocek in a lightweight bout. "
-
"World Extreme Cagefighting on Thursday officially announced its Dec. 12 event featuring three title fights and the return of veteran fighter Jens Pulver.
The main event at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas features featherweight champion Urijah Faber’s fourth title defense since defeating Cole Escovedo for the belt in March of 2006. Considered one of the top featherweights in the world, he will take on fellow top ten fighter Jeff Curran.
Doug Marshall will defend his light heavyweight belt against undefeated Cuban fighter Ariel Gandulla.
WEC middleweight champion Paulo Filho will make his second appearance for the promotion against an opponent that has yet to be determined. He won the title in August by dismantling Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Joe Doerksen in little more than four minutes.
Former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver will be making his long-awaited debut on Dec. 12, returning to his natural weight of 145 pounds. He is undefeated at featherweight, but will face a difficult test in fellow contender Cub Swanson. Since losing in his first professional bout, Swanson has reeled off ten wins in a row.
The winner between Pulver and Swanson is likely to put themselves towards the head of the line for a shot at the featherweight championship.
WEC: Faber vs. Curran will be televised live nationally on the Versus network"
-
Just a thought, but why not have all of these great news items be new threads? That way we can comment on them and it makes it easier to find/read...
-
Just a thought, but why not have all of these great news items be new threads? That way we can comment on them and it makes it easier to find/read...
cause there's too many of them and would flood the board
i try to make own threads for the more interesting stuff/bigger news
-
cause there's too many of them and would flood the board
i try to make own threads for the more interesting stuff/bigger news
Okay. But there is lot's of good stuff on here.
-
Epic mod only posts on a dying board.
De-Mod Bluto.
-
Okay. But there is lot's of good stuff on here.
it's hard to decide sometimes.
it'll probably be a good idea to have all ufc shows given their own thread for one thing
-
it's hard to decide sometimes.
it'll probably be a good idea to have all ufc shows given their own thread for one thing
Agreed I guess as the three mods if you feel something news wise is important enough to have it's own thread throw it up there. I believe we should also be adding training topics... Just a thought this boards traffic has really taken a decline...
-
Epic mod only posts on a dying board.
De-Mod Bluto.
don't start this shit again ::)
-
don't start this shit again ::)
Yeah Bluto is Mod because Ron wanted him to. There is no use trying to change shit. Ron has who he wants for whatever reason.
-
"Female mixed martial artist Jennifer Tate tested positive for marijuana following her first-round submission loss to Shayna Baszler on Oct. 26's ShoXC card, the California State Athletic Commission announced Thursday.
Tate, 27, has been suspended for three months and fined $500. The Stockton, Calif., native will be eligible to return to the cage on Jan. 24, 2008. "
i love you sweet leaf! 8)
-
"Female mixed martial artist Jennifer Tate tested positive for marijuana following her first-round submission loss to Shayna Baszler on Oct. 26's ShoXC card, the California State Athletic Commission announced Thursday.
Tate, 27, has been suspended for three months and fined $500. The Stockton, Calif., native will be eligible to return to the cage on Jan. 24, 2008. "
i love you sweet leaf! 8)
At least post a picture of the girl for christ sakes Blupo
-
" “He [Andrei Arlovski] is losing a tremendous amount of money. He relies on fighting to maintain a living…. We’re ready to fight whenever they ask. We believe we have a very good relationship with the UFC and Dana. I won’t talk about what was said because it was confidential. We haven’t declined any offers to fight…. We have a contract with the UFC. We’re not going anywhere. We have no other options. Our option is to fulfill our contract. The UFC is our employer. Dana White is our boss. As far as I’m concerned, we’ve been very good and loyal employees for the last seven years. Whenever the boss calls, we’re here to talk or fight.'’
Leo Khorolinsky — an adviser for former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski — indicates via the Chicago Sun Times that his client is losing out on big money while negotiations continue on a contract extension. “The Pitbull” has not competed since April 2007 and has one fight remaining on his current deal that expires in April 2008. Both sides haven’t talked in three weeks."
-
Cleaning House: Buy Randy Couture’s UFC Limited Edition H2 Hummer on eBay
Note: Auction begins on November 12 for the vehicle that “The Natural” took home for being a coach on season one of the The Ultimate Fighter (TUF).
(http://mmamania.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/ufcrandycouturehummer.jpg)
-
(http://mmamania.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/tapout-jardine.jpg)
-
"With a new contract in hand, Nate Marquardt (25-7-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) will return from July’s loss to UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva to take on Thales Leites (12-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC). The middleweight bout will be part of Feb. 2’s UFC 81 event, which takes place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. "
-
strikeforce 7 result SPOILER
Strikeforce: Four Men Enter, One Man Survives
HP Pavilion
San Jose, CA
November 16, 2007
Dennis Hallman def. Jeremiah Metcalf by Submission (Heel Hook) at 1:39, R1.
Chris Drumm vs. Evan Esguerra ended in a technical draw.
Alex Crispin def. Clint Coronel by unanimous decision, R3.
Anthony Figueroa def. Pete Sabala by unanimous decision, R3.
Eric Lawson def. Josh Neal by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 0:20, R2.
Jorge Santiago def. Sean Salmon by KO at 0:28, R1.
Trevor Prangley def. Falaniko Vitale by referee decision, R2.
Luke Stewart def. Bryson Kamaka by KO at 0:19, R1.
Anthony Ruiz def. Bobby Southworth by TKO (Doctor's Stoppage) at 0:54, R2.
Lemont Davis def. Brain Schwartz by unanimous decision, R3.
Alistair Overeem def. Paul Buentello by TKO (Tapout) at 3:42, R2.
Jorge Santiago def. Trevor Prangley by TKO at 2:31, R1.
Cung Le def. Sam Morgan by TKO at 1:58, R3.
-
Full Fighter Pay Info For Strikeforce Tourney Show
interesting to compare with the ufc...
Single Fights:
-Cung Le ($50,000) def. Sam Morgan ($10,000)
-Alistair Overeem ($30,000) def. Paul Buentello ($20,000)
-Lemont Davis ($2,000) def. Brian Schwartz ($30,000)
-Anthony Ruiz ($3,500) def. Bobby Southworth ($10,000)
-Luke Stewart ($10,000) def. Bryson Kamaka ($1,500)
-Dennis Hallman ($10,000) def. Jeremiah Metcalf ($5,000)
-Alexander Crispin ($6,500) def. Clint Coronel ($3,000)
-Eric Lawson ($5,000) def. Josh Neal ($1,500)
-Anthony Figueroa ($4,000) def. Pete Sabala ($1,000)
-Chris Drumm ($1,000) and Evan Esguerra ($1,000) fought to a No Contest.
Tournament Fighters:
-Jorge Santiago ($15,000) - tourney winner
-Trevor Prangley ($30,000) - tourney finalist
-Falaniko Vitale ($20,000) - tourney semi-finalist
-Sean Salmon ($5,000) - tourney semi-finalist
Total Disclosed Pay Out: $275,000
-
Cleaning House: Buy Randy Couture’s UFC Limited Edition H2 Hummer on eBay
Note: Auction begins on November 12 for the vehicle that “The Natural” took home for being a coach on season one of the The Ultimate Fighter (TUF).
(http://mmamania.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/ufcrandycouturehummer.jpg)
This isn't a hummer...
THIS is a hummer.
(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff301/torquer23/11-10-2007019.jpg)
(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff301/torquer23/11-10-2007021.jpg)
-
"welterweight contender Jon Fitch (15-2) has been approached about fighting Akihiro Gono (27-12-7) at UFC 82 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on March 1.
Fitch will fight on the card; however, Gono is not a lock to be his opponent at this time. Our sources indicate that the Fitch camp is working hard to line up a showdown with Karo Parisyan instead. That fight makes the most sense in terms of clearing up the 170-pound log jam. "
-
Penn Has More Choice Words For Sherk, Talks UFC Future
“If he’s gonna sit there and say this is a fake belt, he just tested positive for steroids, so what more can I say?” asked Penn, who did let fly with both barrels on Sherk during the UFC Fight Club Q&A.
“I don’t want to do the five fights a year thing for three years and then I’m done, like all these fighters have done,” he said. “I want to do one to two fights a year for the next ten years. I want to keep my name out there for the next ten years.”
-
The Apprentice will regain its former Thursday, 9pm slot when it returns for its new season in January.
The seventh season will feature a cast of 14 celebrities competing for a charity prize fund of $250,000. The contestants include country music singer Trace Adkins, model/actress Carol Alt, actor Stephen Baldwin, gymnast Nadia Comaneci, 2005's Playboy Playmate Tiffany Fallon, softballer Jennie Finch, UFC fighter Tito Ortiz, Spanish TV producer Nely Galan and actress Marilu Henner.
The more recognisable names include former heavyweight boxing champ Lennox Lewis, Kiss frontman Gene Simmons, America's Got Talent judge Piers Morgan, Sopranos star Vincent Pastore and infamous season one contestant Omarosa.
-
"The Ultimate Fighting Championship has re-signed middleweight contender Yushin Okami to a new contract sources close to the fighter confirmed to MMAWeekly.com.
There was much speculation about Okami’s future with the promotion after his last fight – a bout against Jason MacDonald that was widely regarded by fans as a No. 1 contenders match in the 185-pound weight class – was shelved to the prelims of UFC 77.
The Japanese fighter, a veteran of many promotions including Pride and K-1, was on the last fight of his previous contract when he defeated MacDonald. Despite rumors that Okami was fleeing the promotion, the UFC has negotiated a new deal with the fighter.
Okami’s name was conspicuously left out of the contenders list when UFC president Dana White spoke at the post-fight press conference at UFC 77, leading many to believe he would not return to the Octagon.
In his time with the UFC, Okami has amassed an impressive 5-1 record with his only loss coming to former middleweight champ Rich Franklin. He currently holds a disqualification win over 185-pound divisional king Anderson Silva, which makes a future match-up between the two an interesting bout.
After his last fight and his contract expiration, rumors circulated that Okami would appear on K-1’s New Year’s Eve card, but his new deal obviously puts those rumors to rest. "
-
"Hawaiian mixed martial artist Bryson Kamaka tested positive for the active ingredient in marijuana following his first round knockout defeat to Luke Stewart on Nov. 16 in San Jose, Calif., the California State Athletic Commission announced Wednesday afternoon.
"
-
"Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight contender Alan ‘The Talent’ Belcher will look to make it three-straight victories when he steps into the cage to face tough veteran fighter Ricardo Almeida on Feb. 2 at UFC 81 in Las Vegas. "
-
"King of the Cage light heavyweight champion James Lee trades the cage for the Octagon, signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He will debut at UFC 80 in New Castle, England against Alessio Sakara.
Following his eleventh fight in KOTC, a successful title defense against Hank Barela, Wednesday night in Mt. Pleasant, Mich., Lee announced to the crowd that he was leaving for the UFC.
Of his fight with Sakara, Lee stated, “It means a chance to prove that I am the best in the world. I am extremely excited to meet the fans in England. They seem wonderful and very supportive of the sport.”
Lee (13-2-0) hasn't been defeated in more than four years. He has reeled off nine straight victories without a loss.
Alessio Sakara (11-6-0) is coming off a TKO loss to Houston Alexander at UFC 75 in September. "
-
"season five winner of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), Nate Diaz (7-2), will return to the Octagon against Alvin Robinson (9-2) at UFC Fight Night 12 on January 23."
-
"Razor" Rob McCullough will next defend his World Extreme Cagefighting lightweight title in early February against Jamie Varne
-
"Razor" Rob McCullough will next defend his World Extreme Cagefighting lightweight title in early February against Jamie Varne
You forgot to cut and paste the "r" in Jamie Varner's last name.
-
oops thanks bro
-
"Patrick Cote will collide with Drew McFedries in a bout between two heavy handed knockout artists at UFC Fight Night on Wednesday, Jan. 23."
-
"Patrick Cote will collide with Drew McFedries in a bout between two heavy handed knockout artists at UFC Fight Night on Wednesday, Jan. 23."
That one is gonna be a real slobberknocker, I'm goin with Drew though.
-
"Mike Swick (10-2) is in talks to make his long-awaited welterweight debut against Josh Burkman (9-4) at UFC Fight Night 12 on January 23"
-
UFC lightweight Jorge Gurgel (11-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC), who runs a mixed-martial-arts training center just north of Cincinnati, and John Halverson (16-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC) have agreed to a bout that will take place at a UFC 82 event in Columbus, Ohio. The show is set for March 1 at Nationwide Arena.
-
The following is an excerpt from an interview with MMA pound for pound king Fedor Emelianenko:
STV: Who would you like to fight?
Fedor: I would like to fight champions in other MMA organization like Randy Couture, Gabriel Gonzaga and champions of UFC, Cage Rage and IFL etc.
-
UFC 81 "Breaking Point" tickets go on sale starting December 5th (to UFC Fight Club members).
The event will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada (formerly scheduled for the Mandalay Bay Events Center) on February 2nd.
Tickets go on sale to the general public starting Sunday, December 9th at 1PM EST.
The only confirmed fight set for the card as of this writing is the mega-main event with Brock Lesnar's UFC debut against former UFC Heavyweight champion Frank Mir.
Fights rumored for the card at this point include: Nathan Marquardt vs. Thales Leites, Tyson Griffin vs. Gleison Tibau and Ricardo Almeida vs. Alan Belcher.
-
"HEATH VS. GUSMAO SET FOR UFC 81"
Thales Leites vs Nate Marquardt CONFIRMED for ufc 81
-
"Ruben “Warpath” Villareal, who last faced Jimmy Ambriz at Galaxy Productions’ World Cage Fighting Organization event on Nov. 7 in Hollywood, Calif., has been fined and suspended for testing positive for 4-Hydroxytestosterone according to Bill Douglas, a representative of the California State Athletic Commission.
He has been fined a total $2,500 and suspended for 365 days.
4-Hydroxytestosterone is the same anabolic steroid that Vitor Belfort tested positive for following his Oct. 21, 2006 loss to Dan Henderson at Pride’s American debut in Las Vegas.
Villareal lost the bout to Amriz via TKO in the first round. It was his 13th bout in the past two years. Known for stepping in on short notice, Villareal has a 4-7-2 record in that time span."
-
CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST UFC'S DIN THOMAS
It was announced on Friday that prosecutors in Florida dropped charges against Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight Din Thomas after he was arrested in October and charged with organizing illegal fights.
MMAWeekly.com spoke to Thomas after the news broke that the charges were dropped and he explained the story of how his arrest came to be.
“I had a ‘smoker’ utilizing all my guys, all my students. If you don’t know what a smoker is, it’s basically just, even lower than, way lower than even an amateur event,” he explained. “It’s an opportunity where you invite your friends and family to come out and these guys get to perform in front of a crowd. So that’s basically what we do. This was the second time I’ve ever done this.
“So we had a smoker and the police came … there were police there, not on duty, but just there watching. Apparently somebody tipped them off that there were illegal fights going on … about six of them came. Four of them just kind of sat up and watched the whole thing and I kind of dealt with the other two for the rest of the time. They left and were like, ‘have a nice night.’ They stayed and watched everybody leave.”
Thomas continued, “About a week and a half later, the guys called me like, ‘we’re going to arrest you for what you did’ and I was like, ‘what, this is crazy!’ So then they came and got me. Next thing I know it was all over the newspaper, illegal fights are going on.”
Assistant State Attorney Jeff Hendricks spoke to the Palm Beach Post and reported that the state’s attorney’s office decided not to file any formal charges after a formal investigation.
The state of Florida currently doesn’t have a set of laws in place for amateur events for mixed martial arts and this is something Thomas feels is necessary for not only his students, but also anyone looking to propel to the professional level in the sport.
“There need to be amateur events. There’s no amateur events, only pro,” he stated. “So you have guys who want to fight that ain’t ready for the pro level yet … they cant’ fight amateur. We drive to Louisiana every couple months just so my guys can get amateur experience. Now it’s to the point where I want to throw my own events. I’m trying to get the laws changed in Florida and I’m going to see what I can do.”
With the weight of a long legal fight now behind him, Thomas can once again concentrate on getting healthy and finishing the rehab on his surgically repaired knee. He hopes to return to the UFC sometime in the first part of 2008.
-
Report: Sylvia vs. Nogueira Title Fight Set For UFC 81
The following is a translated note from an article on Portaldovt:
"In first hand, the fight between Minotauro and Tim Sylvia was signed hours ago, and it will take place in UFC 81, feb. 2nd, in Las Vegas.
Randy did not reach agreements with UFC and the vague title will be disuputed between Minotauro and Tim"
-
Former PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, in London for this weekend’s Cage Rage 24 event, told fans and press that he would be returning to the UFC Octagon at UFC 83 in April. The light heavyweight contender did not reveal an opponent.
-
Chuck Liddell Seeks Advice From Motivator Tony Robbins?
[Tony] Robbins relayed examples from his work with tennis stars Serena Williams and Andre Agassi, as well as Ultimate Fighting Championship star Chuck Lidell.
“I just got a call from Chuck Lidell. Chuck is finding himself in a position where he’s famous, because his sport has grown in popularity so rapidly. All of a sudden you have a posse and you’re going out to dinner before your fights and not working like you used to. He’s not as hungry as when he made it. We’re just starting the journey with him to find out what drives him.”
-
Jason MacDonald Confirms Fight For UFC 83 In Canada
I was told last week that my next fight will be in April. Joe Silva (the UFC matchmaker) told me they want to save me for the April card in Montreal.
I don’t know the date or an opponent or even if it will for sure be in Montreal. But he said he needed me on the Canadian card.
I was slightly disappointed to have to wait until April to fight again, but in hindsight it might be good because I’m pretty busy these days. I don’t even know if I can squeeze in a couple hours of training a day.
-
If GSP has the belt by then, it'll be a good event for Dana...
-
Tim Sylvia Confirms He'll Be Fighting At UFC 81
I just want to apologize to everybody that i haven't been on my website or MySpace in a while. I just moved to a new house and don't have internet yet, because they have to run a new cable. So, I'm hoping in the next couple of weeks it will be up and running.
Just found out I'm fighting February 2nd, on the Super Bowl show in Las Vegas. I can't say who I'm fighting yet, but I'll let you all know as soon as I can.
Deer season went really well. I'm back in training now, been training for the last three weeks. -Tim
-
“He [Fedor Emelianenko] is crazy. I don’t know why the guy doesn’t want to fight here. These are the best events. This is the biggest promotion. The guy could be a symbol here. He could have money for the rest of his life. He could do well with the promotion, with sponsors, with commercials, and many other possibilities. Japan is a good market, but the US is different. The American fans love the fighters. Everyday, people come up to me in the street. He needs to come to the UFC.”
- Former Pride FC champion Wanderlei Silva talks about his thoughts on Fedor Emelianenko opting to fight for M-1 rather than inside the Octagon. “The Axe Murderer” competed under the Pride FC banner alongside the Russian for almost five years. He recently signed a four fight deal to return to the organization is training for a fight with Chuck Liddell at UFC 79: “Nemesis” on December 29.
-
A source has confirmed to Sherdog.com that standout 145-pounder Hiroyuki Takaya has signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa-owned World Extreme Cagefighting. The 30-year-old Japanese fighter is expected to debut on the February WEC card, which is tentatively scheduled to feature a lightweight title clash between "Razor" Rob McCullough and Jamie Varner, as well as a welterweight title defense by reigning champion Carlos Condit.
-
Matt Hughes new book ‘Made in America: The Most Dominant Champion in UFC History’ set for 2008 release
“If you know anything at all about mixed martial arts and the UFC, then you know the name Matt Hughes. With devastating slams and ground-and-pound — and nine championship belts to his credit — Matt is the most dominant fighter in UFC history…. Matt discloses his most private thoughts and feelings during both his epic victories and his crushing losses. But when the gloves come off, there’s Matt Hughes the man. He talks with unflinching honesty about his early hell-raising and his near-death experience, the moment he let God into his heart, falling in love with his wife, the birth of his daughter, and all the important events of his life — and he shares personal photographs never before seen by the public. A Christian, a family man, and a fighter, Matt Hughes could only have been made in America.”
The publication date is set for January 1, 2008, from Simon Spotlight Entertainment. It’ll cost 24 clams.
(http://mmamania.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/matt-hughes.jpg)
-
All Access™ Wanderlei Silva with Rachelle Leah
Date Time: 12/28/2007 10pm ET/PT on MTV2
Event Type: TV
UFC® All Access™ Wanderlei Silva Hosted by Rachelle Leah on MTV2 - Go behind the scenes with Octagon Girl Rachelle Leah as she hangs out with UFC light heavyweight fighter Wanderlei Silva. See what's happening with Wanderlei as he prepares to fight Chuck Liddell - the fight everyone in MMA has wanted to see for years.
-
The following are the official REPORTED pay outs to fighters who participated on the live finale of The Ultimate Fighter 6: "Team Hughes vs. Team Serra" on Spike TV, on December 8th:
-Roger Huerta ($38,000) def. Clay Guida ($11,000)
-Mac Danzig ($16,000) def. Tommy Speer ($8,000)
-Jon Koppenhaver ($16,000) def. Jared Rollins ($8,000)
-George Sotiropoulos ($16,000) def. Billy Miles ($8,000)
-Ben Saunders ($16,000) def. Dan Barrera ($8,000)
-Troy Mandaloniz ($16,000) def. Richie Hightower ($8,000)
-Matt Arroyo ($16,000) def. John Kolosci ($8,000)
-Roman Mitichyan ($16,000) def. Dorian Price ($8,000)
-Jonathan Goulet ($14,000) def. Paul Georgieff ($8,000)
Total fighter pay out: $239,000
-
Belfort will meet UFC matchmaker Joe Silva on Wednesday, the Brazilian told Sherdog.com, and is specifically looking to avenge his last bout in the UFC, a split decision loss to Tito Ortiz.
"I want to rip his big head off," said a re-motivated Belfort. "The last time I had a back problem, and he just laid on top of me with a broken nose bleeding all over me and I tired in the last round."
But now the 30-year-old "Phenom" said he no longer has "a building" on his back, referring to a slew of personal issues, and has concentrated on improving his cardio.
He also explained that while other promotions, like EliteXC and M-1, have contacted him, he is more concerned with re-establishing his legacy in the UFC, beginning with Ortiz.
"I'm willing to fight him winner take all, the loser gets nothing," Belfort said of the former UFC light heavyweight champion. "He's a millionaire, he doesn't need money -- he has to have pride."
-
It was announced during a press conference on Thursday, December 13th that "The Beast" Bob Sapp will fight mixed-martial arts in Japan for the first time since November of 2005, as he will work the K-1 Dynamite!! show on New Year's Eve.
His opponent will be a man who has only fought on New Year's Eve in Japan his entire MMA career, a total of 3 fights (2 wins, 1 loss) under the K-1 banner - Bobby Ologun. Ologun's last fight was his only pro MMA loss, to the giant Hong-Man Choi last year on New Year's Eve.
As long as Sapp isn't injured in this fight, he will have another MMA bout - his first ever in the United States as he makes his Strikeforce debut on February 23rd, fighting at the Tacoma Dome in Washington state.
-
MMAWeekly: Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White has been quoted as saying, "I don't think Fedor is a top-five heavyweight in the world, and I'm not saying that because I didn't get Fedor. I've always felt that way about Fedor and I always felt Randy Couture would beat Fedor … Fedor is a farce." How do you feel about these comments?
Emelianenko: Dana talks a lot and uses words lightly. Let Randy Couture fight me. Allow this fight that everyone wants to take place. Me, Randy and MMA fans all over the world want it. The only obstacle is Dana.
MMAWeekly: What is your opinion of Randy Couture? He has announced publicly that at this point in his career you are the only fighter that he feels it is worth it for him to face in the ring.
Emelianenko: People want to see this fight and I want to meet him in the ring. I have the greatest respect for Randy and have always admired him. I am also thankful that he has such a high opinion of me.
-
UFCs Chuck Liddell book ‘Iceman: My Fighting Life’ set for January release
“When I walk out of the tunnel, I can see the lights, hear the music, feel the crowd, but it all begins to close off as I near the cage. By that point I’m thinking, I’ve been training hard, it’s time to focus … Every man is born with a fight-or-flight instinct, and mine is to fight. It always has been.”
Snip from former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell in the prologue of his new book that will be in stores in early 2008 for $25.95. “The Iceman” will get to showcase his fight instinct at UFC 79: “Nemesis” against former PRIDE FC middleweight champion, Wanderlei Silva, on December 29.
(http://mmamania.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/chuck-iceman-liddell.jpg)
-
“I’m not fighting for 6, 7, 8 months. I did everything I could this year, I tried to keep helping promote the sport, keep making it grow, but I think I didn’t get a lot of R&R. I trained through Thanksgiving for this fight, I didn’t even go home to Texas to spend time with my family. I think I’m going to take some time off. You know the truth is I need to finish school too. I fought 5 times this year and I think that’s the most anybody’s ever done in the UFC and I think I’m going to take some time off.”
Lightweight phenom Roger “El Matador” Huerta reveals he’s burned out from a frantic 2007 and looks to regroup after his epic battle against Clay “The Carpenter” Guida at UFC’s Ultimate Fighter Finale 6.
-
RICH FRANKLIN IS OUT UNTIL JUNE WITH A TORN MENISCUS!
-
IFL on HBO Latino done deal, details soon.
-
Bodog Fight recently announced that the promotion would resurface on Feb. 1 at the Las Vegas Sport Center in Las Vegas.
Welterweight champion Nick Thompson will defend his title against John Troyer in the main event.
Thompson, who suffered a shoulder injury in November and was forced to withdraw from a scheduled bout in Indiana, says he's back to 100% and will be at his best for this title match with Troyer.
"From what I hear, Troyer's a tough guy," said Thompson. "He is undefeated and recently beat three guys in one night to win an 8-man HOOKnSHOOT tournament, so I'm expecting a tough fight."
Troyer, who fights out of Louisville, Ky., may be tough, but after knocking out the previously undefeated Eddie Alvarez to win the welterweight title belt last April and Cage Rage veteran Mark Weir four months later, Thompson is supremely self-confident.
"You'd be a fool not to bet on me," said the Minnesota native. "The fact this fight is taking place in Vegas on Super Bowl weekend just means that a lot of people are going to get to see me whoop his ass."
"Not necessarily," says Bodog Fight commissioner and HOOKnSHOOT founder, Jeff Osborne. "Troyer is one of those 200-pound guys who cuts down to 170 pounds, and he's a monster. He holds four different titles at middleweight, so Nick will have his hands full."
The February fight card will also feature a four-man tournament, plus the return of Bodog Fight's newest female knockout sensation, Kaitlin Young.
-
“I’m not gonna come out here and be somebody’s highlight reel. It’s just not me. I just have to go back to the drawing board and see what’s going on, see what I want to do. I’ve got to see what my family wants to do and I’ve got to pray on it. Dana White and the UFC have treated me like family, so I’ve got to see what they want me to do and I’ve got to see where my heart is at…. Do I want to fight Matt Serra? Yah, I do. But am I going to die if I don’t get to fight him? No, not at all. There’re bigger things out there than fighting Matt Serra.” - Matt Hughes
-
Since his last fight with Jon Fitch, not much has been heard from Ultimate Fighter season one winner Diego Sanchez, but he recently released some news about his next possible fight and at what weight class he would be fighting in via his official MySpace page.
Sanchez says that he is hoping to have his next opponent signed to fight by February, although he has no definite person in mind and will fight anyone the Ultimate Fighting Championship presents as a potential opponent.
He also mentions that the fight will be at 170 pounds keeping him in the welterweight division, dispelling the rumors of a move to 155 pounds, something that he mentioned as a possibility following the loss to Fitch in September.
The welterweight division in the UFC is still jam packed with talent. Opponents ready to face Sanchez should be at no shortage, and while again nothing is set in stone, the fighter is looking at a fight date in Las Vegas.
Opening his career with an impressive undefeated run, Sanchez has fallen on harder times of late dropping his last two fights, albeit to top-level competition in Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch.
Now, the former Ultimate Fighter seems refocused and having signed on with Powermoves Entertainment for his management, Sanchez is ready to return to the Octagon.
Powermoves Entertainment also manages former UFC ring girl Ali Sonoma.
-
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight titleholder Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell's book, “ICEMAN: My Fighting Life” hits bookstores Jan. 29.
"I've been working on it for a while, since back in May (2007)," said Liddell. "It comes out at the end of the month."
"They came to me and talked about it and I got someone to help me write it," he told MMAWeekly. "It talks a lot about different stuff. It's the story of my life. It covers my whole life."
The 320-page book, co-authored by Liddell and Chad Millman, chronicles the life of the 38-year-old fighter from childhood through mixed martial arts super stardom with "never before seen" photos.
Liddell's not the only former champion to author his life's story. Former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes recently published “Made in America: The Most Dominant Champion in UFC History.” Former UFC light heavyweight champion, Tito Ortiz' book, “This Is Gonna Hurt: The Life of a UFC Champion” is expected to be released in the coming months.
ICEMAN: My Fighting Life is available at Amazon.com or MMAJacked.com. The book can be pre-ordered and purchased for $17.13 instead of the regular price of $25.95 for a limited time.
On Jan. 31, Liddell will be at The Events Center Bar inside the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas to sign copies.
(http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/articlefiles/5416-LiddellMyFightingLife.jpg)
-
:)
-
The following is an excerpt from an interview with Pat Miletich from The Houston Chronicle:
“I’ve had some offers to fight,” he said. “I’m considering it. I think a rematch with Renzo Gracie would be great, or a fight with Frank Shamrock. Frank’s somebody I’d thoroughly enjoy fighting.”
-
EliteXC’s newest signee — UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock (28-12-2) — will take on Cage Rage veteran Robert “Buzz” Berry (11-7) at Cage Rage 25: “Bring It On” in London, England, on March 8
-
EliteXC: “Street Certified” at the BankUnited Center at the University of Miami on February 16 in Miami, Fla., featuring the main event fight between Kimbo Slice and Tank Abbott, just got a bit more interesting.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco “Suave” Rodriguez (27-7) will take on Antonio “Big Foot” Silva (9-1), according to ProElite.com, in a match up that could decide the best heavyweight in the EliteXC organization.
-
The following are the official reported salaries to fighters who competed on the UFC Fight Night 12 special on Spike TV on Wednesday, January 23rd:
-Mike Swick ($20,000) def. Josh Burkman ($10,000)
-Patrick Cote ($28,000) def. Drew McFedries ($10,000)
-Thiago Tavares ($18,000) def. Michihiro Omigawa ($5,000)
-Nate Diaz ($30,000) def. Alvin Robinson ($7,000)
-Kurt Pellegrino ($20,000) def. Alberto Crane ($4,000)
-Gray Maynard ($16,000) def. Dennis Siver ($7,000)
-Jeremy Stephens ($10,000) def. Cole Miller ($8,000)
-Corey Hill ($16,000) def. Joe Veres ($3,000)
-Matt Wiman ($16,000) def. Justin Buchholz ($4,000)
Total disclosed payroll: $232,000
-
Martin Kampmann to return at UFC 84 (probably against Kalib Starnes).
-
UFC 82: Evan Tanner vs. Yushin Okami official
-
"Whether it’s a show of sportsmanship or a chance to redeem his past performance, WEC Middleweight Champion, Paulo Filho, has reportedly accepted a rematch against Chael Sonnen for the 185-pound title in March"
-
"Whether it’s a show of sportsmanship or a chance to redeem his past performance, WEC Middleweight Champion, Paulo Filho, has reportedly accepted a rematch against Chael Sonnen for the 185-pound title in March"
Sweet!
-
The Maximum Fighting Championship, working in conjunction with Gary's Management Team - Big Daddy Productions, has inked 2005 K-1 World Grand Prix Hawaii champion Gary Goodridge to a multi-fight deal that will see him make his debut at MFC 16: Anger Management on May 9, 2008 at the River Cree Resort and Casino.
-
HELLBOY
to fight in march in k1 heroes
-
Patrick Cote (12-4) is penciled in to take on Alan Belcher (12-4) in a middleweight scrap at UFC 83: “Serra vs. St. Pierre II” on April 19 from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, according to MMAWeekly.com.
-
Patrick Cote (12-4) is penciled in to take on Alan Belcher (12-4) in a middleweight scrap at UFC 83: “Serra vs. St. Pierre II” on April 19 from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, according to MMAWeekly.com.
Patrick Cote has reportedly pulled out of the fight (some sort of hockey related injury that has him out of training for 4 weeks)
-
Stephan Bonnar sidelined with torn ligaments
Monday, Feb 11, 2008 6:29 pm EST
UFC light heavyweight Stephan Bonnar will be sidelined for at least six months after tearing ligaments in his left knee during training on Tuesday in Las Vegas.
Bonnar said he was working on his jiu-jitsu in preparation for his April 2 light heavyweight bout against Matt Hamill in Denver. He said he heard a pop and later learned that he had torn the lateral collateral ligament.
"I was doing nothing out of the ordinary, just working on my (jiu-jitsu) getting ready for my fight," a downcast Bonnar said. "I heard a pop and I thought, 'Damn, what is this?' I walked around on it a little, but when I got home, it was really stiff and swollen."
Though it was initially diagnosed as a partial tear, an MRI revealed a complete tear. He'll have surgery soon in Los Angeles. A ligament from a cadaver will be placed into his knee.
Bonnar, who became one of the UFC's most popular fighters after his rousing fight with Forrest Griffin in the finale of The Ultimate Fighter 1, hasn't fought since submitting Eric Schafer at UFC 77 on Oct. 20 in Cincinnati.
Given the six-month recovery period, it will turn out to be close to a year between fights for Bonnar, who is 11-4.
"What really sucks is that if you break your leg, it feels really bad, but you get on crutches and you sit out six weeks and then you're back and you're good to go," Bonnar said. "In this case, there isn't the pain like a broken leg, but I'm out six months instead of six weeks."
-
UFC owners Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta billionaires on new Forbes list
“Gambling is in his blood. Last year, with his brother Frank and private equity money from Colony Capital, he [Lorenzo Feritta] took Bingo Palace, the Las Vegas casino and bingo hall built by his father, private for $9 billion, including debt. In 2001 he purchased the professional mixed martial arts league Ultimate Fighting Championship, which gained mass appeal from the reality TV show The Ultimate Fighter.”
-
“I have been pissed off with the way my last two fights have gone down, and I know some of the fans have been disappointed too. I’m looking to get back to how I used to do things, by knocking people out in exciting fashion. That starts with Charles McCarthy.”
- bisping
-
“The surgery was very quick, lasted 50 minutes, was quiet. Now I hope for healing and I think here in about two months I can return to training slowly, very cautiously…. Depending on my recovery, I think that I can fight again in September or October. We always talked with Dana White and also would like to thank him because the UFC offered me a doctor, a physical therapist — all to get me help. They have been very attentive with me.” shogun
-
“The surgery was very quick, lasted 50 minutes, was quiet. Now I hope for healing and I think here in about two months I can return to training slowly, very cautiously…. Depending on my recovery, I think that I can fight again in September or October. We always talked with Dana White and also would like to thank him because the UFC offered me a doctor, a physical therapist — all to get me help. They have been very attentive with me.” shogun
That's cool of Dana and the UFC.
-
Kenny Florian — not Joe Rogan — will be the color commentator alongside Mike Goldberg at UFC 83: “Serra vs. St. Pierre 2″ at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, on April 19.
Speculation has swirled for the past two weeks that Rogan would be absent from the broadcast booth and MMAWeekly.com was finally able to confirm it.
He apparently has commitments that supersede the historical first foray of the promotion into Canada.
Here’s a snip from “Ken Flo:”
“I’m looking forward to it. It’s not only going to be a tremendous night of fights, but it will be a great experience for me to get in there and commentate and watch these amazing fights real up close and do what I normally do on the couch, and yell and scream, except do it on TV.”
-
Ultimate Fighter 2 alumnus and oft-troubled lightweight Melvin Guillard (21-7-2) is returning to the UFC — a bit sooner than expected — to take on Germany’s Dennis Siver (11-5) at UFC 86 in Las Vegas, Nevada according to UFC.com.
-
Roger “El Matador” Huerta (20-1-1) plans to return at UFC 87 in August before his adopted hometown Minnesota crowd, according to a report from Ryan McKinnell over at MMAmadness.
An opponent has not been specified.
-
The following fights are rumored to UFC 85 "Liddell vs. Evans" scheduled for June 7th in London, England (all are expected to be preliminary bouts):
-Ryo Chonan vs. Roan Carneiro
-Jess Liaudin vs. Paul Taylor
-Antoni Hardonk vs. Neil Wain
The following fights are confirmed for UFC 85:
PPV Fights:
-Chuck Liddell vs. Rashad Evans
-Brandon Vera vs. Fabricio Werdum
-Jorge Rivera vs. Martin Kampmann
-Mike Swick vs. Marcus Davis
-Nate Marquardt vs. Thales Leites
Preliminary Fights:
-Thiago Tavares vs. Matt Wiman
-Jason Lambert vs. Luiz Cane
-
Time to bring back this thread, there used to be a mutual understanding that not all news were worthy of their own thread as it would flood the board.
UFC Quick Quote: Karo Parisyan inks eight fight contract extension
"I love the UFC. I love Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta, they’re one of the nicest people I’ve ever met and that’s the truth. I don’t kiss ass. I had a meeting with them last week they gave me a new, eight fight contract and the deal is I’m happy with them, I’m happy with the UFC. But the deal is there is a lot of stuff even Dana can’t control. He can’t control a lot of the referees. A lot of the judges are from the commission so he can’t control all those guys. It’s very hard. He can control [them] a certain amount of time [and] a certain amount of people, but not everything."
Yushin Okami vs Dean Lister UFC 92 fight on tap
Top middleweight contender Yushin Okami (21-4-1) will return to action against Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Dean Lister (11-5) at UFC 92 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 27
UFC Quick Quote: War Machine on the war path
“So the UFC decided to let me go because of my statements after the death of Evan Tanner. They tried to make it look like I was insensitive towards Evan and that that was the reason I was being cut. In all honesty my bulletin regarding Evan was bashing the UFC and the way they treat fighters and not negative to Evan in any way. if anything I was sticking up for Evan and the way he was mistreated by the UFC just like the vast majority of it fighters. Anyway, since my bulletins and all the bullshit being talked about on the underground several of Evan Tanner’s close friends and family members have been in contact with me. 99 percent of them were not mad at all and pretty much let me know that they knew where I was going with the whole bulletin and for me not to worry about hurting any of them directly. SO yeah one of his close friends just messaged me a few hours ago and let me know that the UFC sent NO ONE to speak at his funeral. He let me know how much this saddened the family and how very disappointed they were about it all. This is an EX CHAMPION of theirs, NOT some scrub that fought for them once and thats it. Are you trying to tell me he doesn’t deserve any of the UFC brass’ presence at his funeral? Doesn’t deserve a single kind word or statement of gratitude for the services that he provided their organization?”
Dan Henderson appearance in Florida Oct. 3-4 at Nordstrom
ormer Pride FC middleweight and welterweight champion and current top UFC middleweight contender Dan Henderson will sign autographs and meet with fans this upcoming weekend in Tampa and Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., to promote the One More Round clothing line.
The best cutman in the business, “Stitch” Duran, will join Henderson at the two Nordstrom locations on October 3 and 4.
Here are the details:
Friday, October 3 - 6:00PM – 8:00PM
Nordstrom International Plaza (Store 765)
2223 North West Shore Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33607
Tel: (813) 875.4400
Saturday, October 4 - 1:00PM – 3:00PM
Nordstrom The Gardens Mall (Store 773)
3111 PGA Blvd.
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Tel: (561) 340.2100
Roan Carneiro Uncertain With UFC Future, Feels Robbed
"I did five fights, I have two victories, two losses and one robbery. I had a four fight contract and did two, let’s see how it’ll be now, I don’t know if they’ll call me for these two fights or just end my contract. I’ll let this in Alex Davis (his manager) and God’s hands”, said Jucão, that is not worried about leaving the event. "
“I’d like to do these last two fights, but this last one was very frustrating. I don’t blame UFC, I failed my tactics, but I won. If I need to leave UFC that’s ok. Babalu (Sobral) left, TimSylvia, Arlovski, and many others did and are still there fighting. Of course UFC is the biggest, but it’sthe only one”, said the BJJ black belt, that thought about fight at Jungle Fight, in Rio de Janeiro. “I want to fight again in Brazil, and Jungle Fight is growing and if Wallid Ismail (Jungle Fight promoter) wanna a welterweight fighter, I’d love to fight. Jungle is in my hometown, I’d love to see my friends and fight is what I know to do”.
Ryo Chonan Vs. Brad Blackburn On Tap For UFC 92
IFL veteran Brad Blackburn (12-9-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), who made his victorious debut for the UFC in July, has verbally agreed to face UFC, PRIDE and DEEP veteran Ryo Chonan (15-8 MMA, 1-1 UFC) on Dec. 27 at UFC 92 in Las Vegas.
Jason MacDonald Signs New Four Fight Deal With The UFC
Canadian UFC Middleweight Jason MacDonald has inked a new deal with the UFC. The top middleweight made the announcement on his Sportsnet.ca blog. MacDonald, who holds a 5-3 since debuting in the UFC Octagon in October 2006 holds notable wins over Chris Leben, Jason Lambert, and Ed Herman.
From his blog:
I signed a new contract with the UFC this week. It's a new four-fight deal, so I'll be looking forward to four more fights in the UFC and hopefully climbing my way to the top of the division.
On the next few cards there are quite a few middleweight matchups, So it will be interesting to see who they match me up with next.
My gut feeling is I'm going to fight Michael Bisping, win or lose in his upcoming bout. I have no particular reason for that. Nobody has said anything to lead me to believe that. I just see that happening. But then again Alessio Sakara just had a good knockout so maybe they'll think that is a good matchup, another striker vs. grappler matchup.
UFC May Bring David Loiseau Back To Big Show
After putting together three straight wins, former UFC Middleweight Title contender David "The Crow" Loiseau has found himself back in the sights of UFC match maker Joe Silva.
A source close to the UFC has informed MMANews.com that the company is interested in bringing Loiseau back to the Octagon, possibly in his next fight. There is a possibility that Loiseau may have to take one more fight outside of the UFC depending on schedules and potential match ups, but if all goes well "The Crow" could be back sometime over the next few months.
Loiseau made a quiet exit from the UFC in 2006 following a dismal performance against Mike Swick in which he lost a unanimous decision. Prior to that fight he lost to Rich Franklin in a UFC Middleweight title fight that many believe was a significant turning point in his career, for the worst.
Since his departure, Loiseau has won four of six fights, his last two fights being stoppages via (T)KO. His last loss came to UFC newcomer Jason Day, who was given a shot at the big show following the win over Loiseau.
Attempts to reach David were not immediately returned but we will have more on this story as it develops.
There... 8 posts in the same thread, not 8 separate threads.
-
Some more
Report: UFC 93 in Dublin, Ireland, possible for O2 Arena January 17
The Ultimate Fighting Championsip (UFC) could be headed back to the Emerald Isle with a major mixed martial arts event at The O2 in Dublin, Ireland, on January 17.
It would be dubbed UFC 93, according to UK.Eurosport.Yahoo.com, meaning that the Super Bowl weekend card on January 31 that features the monster main even between welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre and lightweight champion BJ Penn would be renamed UFC 94.
Even though the show is still unconfirmed, the report indicates that Rich Franklin could headline the fight card against former light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell or Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. It’s important to note the the “Iceman” has remarked in recent interviews that he does no intend to return to the Octagon until sometime in Spring 2009.
In addition, Mark Coleman is still being discussed as a possible opponent for Shogun. Therefore, take the rumored match ups for what they are worth … simply rumors at this time.
The 02 in Dublin, which recently underwent a major renovation, opens its doors for the first time ever on December 21, 2008. It’s a multimillion dollar venue that can hold around 10,000 seated fans.
This is not the first foray for the promotion into Ireland — UFC 72: “Victory” took place in Belfast in June 2007, featuring a main event between Franklin and Yushin Okami.
It was a live pay-per-view (PPV) event that aired at 3 p.m. ET in the United States. Whether it was the timing or the line up, UFC 72 was perhaps the least watched event of the entire year.
“Cote is going to get murdered. Anderson Silva is really, really good and Cote is basically a Leben fight for Anderson.”
- Travis Lutter
Rich Franklin could meet Dan Henderson Jan. 17 at UFC 93
HDNet will air the Oct. 11 "Night of Combat II," an event co-promoted by Kim Couture's KC Concepts and Scott Kelp's Superfights MMA, on a one-week delay.
-
JESSE TAYLOR & DREW FICKETT HEAD TOTAL COMBAT
Sycuan Ringside Promotions (SRP) is diversifying its business portfolio by jumping into the hot-as-ever world of mixed martial arts.
Sycuan Ringside Promotions in association with Total Combat Entertainment will present Total Combat “Notorious” on Thursday, Oct. 2 live from the Sycuan Resort & Casino, located just fifteen miles east of downtown San Diego.
SRP, more commonly known for its boxing promotional business than its recent foray into MMA, is looking to bring quality MMA fights to the sports savvy community of San Diego.
“Everyone in the boxing business has seen the growth and potential of mixed martial arts,” said Scott Woodworth, president of SRP. “It only makes sense for us to get involved in the sport. The San Diego community is very big on MMA and we’re aiming to bring competitive and exciting fights to the fans starting on Oct. 2.
“Total Combat Entertainment is well known in Southern California and we’re extremely happy to be partnering with them for this event at Sycuan Resort & Casino.”
In the main event, experienced wrestler and Temecula, Calif. native Jesse Taylor will mix it up with the veteran and dangerous Drew “The Master” Fickett of Phoenix, Ariz. in a three-round welterweight fight.
In the co-main event, San Diego-native Kevin Dunsmoor will take on Total Combat veteran Ian McCall of Laguna Nigel, Calif. in a three-round bantamweight bout.
The card also features two aggressive females. Kim Rose, who is coming off a win over MMA legend Randy Couture’s wife Kim Couture, will face Megan Gangitano. Both Rose and Gangitano are from the San Diego area and will compete in the 135-pound division.
Another bout to keep an eye will be the 140-pound match up between Nick Alvarado of San Pasqual, Calif. against San Diego local Rolando Perez.
Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua vs Mark Coleman UFC 93 fight confirmed Jan. 17
Light heavyweight contender Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (16-3) will return to the Octagon to rematch Mark Coleman (15-8) at UFC 93 at The O2 in Dublin, Ireland, on January 17, 2009.
“The Hammer” defeated Rua in controversial fashion at PRIDE 31 back in 2006 when an awkward landing broke the Brazilian’s arm less than a minute into the fight. It was a bitter “fluke” loss for the 2005 Pride FC Grand Prix Champion and one that he has been out to avenge ever since it happened.
Rua made his debut with the promotion with much fanfare and promise late last year, being billed as the top 205-pound fighter in the world. He then lost his first match via third round submission (rear naked choke) in an action-packed fight against Forrest Griffin at UFC 76: “Knockout” in September 2007.
Griffin went on to challenge for and win the light heavyweight championship. Meanwhile, Rua had surgery to repair a knee injury, which he then re-injured several months later while training for a fight against Chuck Liddell at UFC 85: “Bedlam” in June that never happened.
He has not competed since the loss to Griffin. And when he does step inside the Octagon against Coleman he will have been on the sidelines for almost a year and a half.
Coleman — the first-ever UFC heavyweight champion and most recent inductee into the promotion’s hall of fame — will return to the Octagon for the first time since 1999. He had a semi-successful run in the Pride FC organization, with the highlight of his work overseas being the champion of the first-ever open weight grand prix in 2000.
Since that time, however, the 43-year-old has compiled an average record (4-4), taking on some of the best competitors in the division such as Fedor Emelianenko (two losses), Mirko Cro Cop (loss) and Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira (loss).
Coleman — the “Godfather” of the ground and pound — is a collegiate national wrestling champion for THE Ohio State University and competed in the Olympics in 1992. He was supposed to challenge Brock Lesnar in his return to the promotion in August before his own injury forced him off the card.
UFC 93 features a main event between light heavyweights and former champions Rich Franklin and Dan Henderson. It will air on pay-per-view (PPV) at 10 p.m. ET on fight night.
-
Josh Grispi vs Diego Nunes WEC 37 fight likely Dec. 3
Josh “The Fluke” Grispi (9-1) will face off against Brazilian Diego Nunes (10-2) in a featherweight bout on the WEC 37 card at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 3
Frank Shamrock rooting for Ken against Kimbo Slice to set up sibling rivalry
“I know that Ken has ten times the skills that Kimbo has, but can he put it together at this age with this many injuries, and you know with the way life is - it’s always the big question. So honestly I don’t know. I hope he smashes him and then we set up a fantastic PPV with him and I. You never know.”
-
UFC 94: Matt Arroyo vs Dan Cramer
It’s a battle of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) contestants as season six alumnus Matt “No Regard” Arroyo (3-2) is scheduled to face season seven’s Daniel Cramer (0-0) at UFC 94 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 31
-
Roy Nelson: ‘I put myself ahead of Arlovski’
“I put myself ahead of Arlovski for the pure fact that I bring a more complete package. He’s great at what he does. He’s a phenomenal striker, but lax at grappling…. My physique works for me. I consider myself like 75 percent of the Americans out there. I give 100 percent. And I like food…. I’m looking for that big endorsement, like Taco Bell, Pizza Hut or McDonald’s. Maybe after this fight, I’ll do a cookbook.”
-
While it is still unknown when WAMMA heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko will return to action, one date can certainly be removed from consideration.
Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio recently told MMAjunkie.com that he has been assured by Emelianenko's management team that the Russian will not be appearing on New Year's Eve for DREAM -- or any organization.
"I've been told actually 100 percent that he is not fighting on New Year's Eve," Atencio said. "We have extended his contract, and that's where we're at."
-
Overeem says Cro Cop "was looking for a way out"
In the wake up of his disappointing no-contest with Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic (23-6-2) at the Sept. 23 DREAM.6 event in Japan, Alistair Overeem (28-11) maintains that he was merely seconds away from victory and that his opponent was looking for a way out of the fight.
Overeem made the comments during the latest edition of "Inside MMA."
"The second [strike] definitely wasn't in the crotch," he told reporter Ron Kruck. "I think it was a spectacular fight. You could clearly see me dominating him. You can clearly see me kicking his butt. I cut his face two times. I was destroying his body."
That's why, he said, Filipovic decided not to continue.
"He was not motivated to continue the fight," Overeem said. "He was looking for a way out. ... We fought for nine minutes, and he didn't hit me a single time."
Unsatisfied with the conclusion, but knowing that a future match-up will require Filipovic's consent, Overeem is hoping to talk his way into a rematch.
"I want to fight him again, and I want to finish him," Overeem said. "Mirko, give me another chance, and I'll KO you because you know you were going to get KO'd [at DREAM.6].
-
Jesse Taylor upsets Drew Fickett at Total Combat 32
Despite earning a spot in the finale of "The Ultimate Fighter 7" earlier this year, Jesse Taylor was kicked out of the competition and the UFC after a drunken Las Vegas rampage.
Taylor got a second shot with the organization, but he was again kicked out of the UFC after a loss to C.B. Dollaway and some questionable comments he made about Quinton Jackson and the UFC's management team back in July.
On Thursday, though, Taylor (7-3) finally had something go right: he upset veteran fighter Drew Fickett (35-7) with a first-round TKO at Total Combat 32.
-
KELLY KOBOLD READY TO CRUSH GINA CARANO
It's been 14 months since Kelly Kobold last competed and Saturday night on CBS, she steps into the highest profile fight of her 16-2-1 mixed martial arts career when she takes on Gina "Crush" Carano in EliteXC from the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla.
"I've been training very hard for this. I'm really, really excited about the opportunity to get on CBS and showcase some of the skills and what I've been working on for the past six years," Kobold told MMAWeekly.com.
Kobold has been competing professionally as a mixed martial artist since 2002. The veteran, who no one seems to spell her last name correctly, takes on the most recognizable female fighter in the sport. "No one really knows what to call me, and that's okay,” said the Team Bison trained fighter. "I'm bold, not bald."
She last fought on Aug. 24, 2007, losing for only the second time in her career to Julie Kedzie in the now defunct Bodog Fight promotion. "I've been held up with contract negotiations and with the collapse of Bodog. I've been held up and haven't been able to fight," explained Kobold. "I'm finally excited to get back in there and do what I love to do."
When questioned about her opponent, Kobold commented, "I don't give a (expletive) about Gina Carano. Put it that way. I don't care. I've said this before. This is my chance to go out and shine.
"I'm thankful that Gina's name has made that possible, made this venue possible. Has made this sport that recognizable for women. I'm thankful for that," she added. "What makes me one of the toughest opponents she's had to face so far is I'm not a fan of hers. And I'm not scared of her. I respect her striking, but I'm not in awe.... She's just another fighter just like I am."
The bout between Kobold and Carano is scheduled to take place in the EliteXC created 140-pound division, a division that Carano has struggled to make weight for in the past. Questioned about Carano and making weight, Kobold said, "I think it's important to make weight. It's a part of your job. And honestly, you don't have a whole lot of job requirements for this. You get in the cage. You fight. And you make weight. You give a couple of interviews. That's about it really.
"Not making weight is pretty huge. Weight classes are important. They're in place for a reason. You need to make weight," she continued. "Her opponents have always been in a position where, especially with MMA, people kind of fight to make a living. You can't turn down a fight like that. You can't turn down a fight if someone can't make weight, so she can get away with it. It's shame on the commission for allowing the fight to happen. It's shame on the promotions for not penalizing her for it, for not making sure it doesn't happen. And shame on the fighter. It is bad."
Although critical of Carano not making the weight limit in the past and skeptical if she will for this fight, Kobold's not concerned about it. "It's not that it's a concern. It's something that's been brought up. It's nothing that will keep me from fighting. The fight will go on. I'm a fighter before anything else. I have the mindset that a couple of pounds won't really matter," she stated. "Do I think it's fair or professional? Not really. But I'm definitely not going to judge until she doesn't possibly make weight. It's something that I'll address then."
Discussing the fight, Kobold said, "I'm grateful for the publicity. It doesn't matter who is standing across the cage from me. I'm just grateful I have a huge audience to perform in front of. It won't be my first fight in front of a large audience. I don't feel there's going to be any pressure on me about that. I'm looking to go out there and perform to the best of my ability. I've not been known for boring fights. And this definitely won't be one of those boring fights. I'm going to go out there and be an exciting fighter."
Asked how she sees herself finishing Carano, the Minnesota resident stated, "I really want to cut her. I like that. That would be a perfect way for me to win."
-
ALMEIDA OUT; DAN MILLER WILL FACE MATT HORWICH
An undisclosed injury has forced Brazilian Jiu-jitsu ace Ricardo Almeida out of his scheduled fight at UFC 90 in Chicago. Stepping in to replace him is highly touted middleweight prospect Dan Miller, who will now face Matt Horwich on Oct. 25.
The fight has been verbally agreed to by both fighters and should be signed shortly according to sources close to the situation, as confirmed to MMAWeekly.com
Miller was signed to the UFC recently after a stint in the International Fight League that saw him crowned the last-ever middleweight champion for the now defunct promotion.
Ironically enough his opponent, Matt Horwich, was the first ever IFL middleweight champion, but lost the belt during his first title defense a few months later.
Miller made an impressive debut in the Octagon by submitting veteran fighter Rob Kimmons by rear naked choke in the first round of their match-up at the UFC Fight Night event in mid-September.
Meanwhile, Horwich will be making his UFC debut after a long career that has spanned numerous events all over the world.
The Team Quest fighter had a solid run while fighting with the IFL posting a 7-4 record while competing in both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.
Miller and Horwich will be a part of the undercard fights as the main event of the evening will pit widely regarded pound-for-pound and 185-pound king Anderson Silva against Patrick Cote for the UFC middleweight title.
-
Rumor: Clay Guida Vs. Nate Diaz At TUF 8 Finale On Dec. 13
According to the rumors section at MMAWeekly.com, a bout between Clay Guida and Nate Diaz could be on taps for The Ultimate Fighter 8 finale on December 13th that will air live on Spike TV.
When contacted by MMANews.com regarding the rumored bout, Diaz' trainer and manager Cesar Gracie denied the rumors stating "we have not been contacted regarding this fight."
Attempts to reach Clay Guida were not immediately returned.
Both fighters are coming off decision victories in September with Diaz picking up a split decision against Josh Neer and Guida unanimously defeating Mac Danzig after three hard fought rounds.
-
UFC: Search on for next Michael Bisping as UK prepare to face USA
"There hasn't been a British TUF champion since Michael [Bisping], but we are looking for the best middleweight and welterweight in the country to step up and take on the Americans." So shouted UFC President Dana White on Wednesday, as it was announced that there would be auditions held by The Ultimate Fighting Championship organisation at Earls Court in London on Oct 20.
It will be a real test of how UFC has taken hold in this country since the holding of seven events here. It represents a search to find the toughest, bravest, most skilful mixed martial artists in the United Kingdom, to take part in The Ultimate Fighter: Team USA v Team UK
The show will go out on television screens (worldwide) in the New Year - with the best unsigned, and this is an important distinction, welterweights and middleweights on either side of the Atlantic against each other for six-figure contracts with the UFC.
Not only will they step into the Octagon to battle for the right to join the world's premier MMA organisation, but also for national pride.
For the first time, the two teams of UFC hopefuls will be divided not solely on skill but on nationality, with the British taking on a team of Americans in single combat. As ever, the teams will be coached by two UFC veterans.
Interestingly, the best four British MMA fighters - Bisping, Dan Hardy, Paul Kelly and Paul Taylor - are already signed up to the UFC. This clearly represents an opportunity for those who may have slipped through the net, to put themselves on the line. Intriguing.
White says: "When we did the auditions for season three of the Ultimate Fighter in the UK in 2005, I was amazed how much better the standard of MMA had gotten since we were in London for UFC 38 in 2002. In those three years, the skill levels and quality of training had really shot up and it was in that audition we found Michael Bisping, who has gone on to become one of the UFC's top stars.
"Now it is another three years later and we are back looking for the next Michael Bisping or even the British Forrest Griffin or Rashad Evans. I'm excited to see what the Brits have to show me this time."
UFC UK Division President Marshall Zelaznik believes Bisping, who stormed to the season three TUF championship in 2006, has the profile to be an inspiration to a generation of British MMA fighters.
Michael Bisping was the best kept secret in British MMA as he stormed into the London TUF auditions in December 2005. Six months later, he walked out of the Octagon at the TUF 3 finale in Las Vegas an international sports star with a life-changing six-figure UFC contract in his hand.
Bisping has gone on to be one of the most internationally recognised athletes in the sport, with his image everywhere from magazines to television, and this week, to a billboard in Times Square. He has also become the first Briton to headline UFC events in Newark (2007) and, in two weeks time, in Birmingham.
Elsewhere, UFC is to venture into Ireland for the first time next year, with UFC 93 coming to Dublin in January.
The 02 Dublin venue, is, in fact, the old "Point", famous for generating a great atmosphere. It was a 7,000 seater venue, and will be re-opening as a state of the art 13,000 seater, with Coldplay headlining just before Christmas.
UFC will be the first sporting event to be held there. Two major fights will take place: former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin takes on Dan Henderson, while there is a re-match which will delight MMA fans. It is a re-run of a fight in Japan where Shogun Rua will attempt to gain revenge over Mark Coleman for breaking his arm in 2006. The fight is at 205lbs.
-
Matthew Riddle vs. Ryan Thomas added to UFC 91
A bout between "The Ultimate Fighter 7" cast member Matthew Riddle and UFC 87 veteran Ryan Thomas has been added to the nearly-completed undercard of "UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar" according to sources within Riddle's camp.
Featuring a highly anticipated heavyweight title fight between champion Randy Couture and WWE-import Brock Lesnar, UFC 91 takes place Nov. 15 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The bout will be both fighters' second in the UFC, and the second-ever professional fight for Riddle.
-
EliteXC's Jared Shaw responds to latest Dana White outburst
Never one to back away from a verbal battle, EliteXC Vice President Jared Shaw has responded to UFC President Dana White's recent scathing outburst directed solely his way.
Shaw recently told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that he was unconcerned with White's labeling of him as a "retard," but understands why others might be.
"Names will never hurt me," Shaw said. "But I'm sure it may have hurt a lot of disabled and handicapped people in this world."
White's original comments were made to NBC Sports.
"There's guys out there in the industry that know what they're doing and run a real business," White told NBC Sports. "ProEliteXC, you think that business is being run well?
"Hey Jared (Shaw), you're $60 million in the hole, retard. Get over it.
"These idiots pop up and they start throwing all this money around, and they think they're going to come out and go head to head and compete with the UFC? It'd be like me starting a fast-food joint saying 'I'm going to take down McDonald's.'"
The battle between the UFC and EliteXC is certainly not a new one. For each of EliteXC's two previous CBS broadcasts, the UFC has offered counter-programming designed to lure away would-be viewers of EliteXC.
The trend started when the UFC ran a two-hour block of programming on Spike TV featuring the ultra-popular Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell concurrently with the May 31 network-television debut of EliteXC on CBS. When EliteXC returned to CBS on July 26, the UFC offered a free replay of UFC 84 as alternative viewing.
That same strategy will be implemented tonight, as fans can choose to view the "EliteXC: Heat" event on CBS, or a replay of UFC 86 -- featuring a light-heavyweight title match between Quinton "Ramage" Jackson and Forrest Griffin -- on Spike TV.
While Shaw understands the business strategies implemented by the UFC, the EliteXC executive took issue with White's politically taboo usage of the word "retard." Shaw also wanted to point out the irony in White's fast-food simile.
"My only message for 'Simple Dana McDonald' is this -- The last time I checked the fast-food industry, the recognized No. 1 global franchising opportunity for a fast food chain was Subway. And their spokesperson's name is Jared."
-
Ortiz Flirts with EliteXC Contract
EliteXC’s next great attraction could be right around the corner and his name is Tito Ortiz.
The fight game’s most elusive free agent announced he’s “maybe a week away” from signing a deal with the promotion during a live telecast of EliteXC’s “Saturday Night Fights” on CBS.
Ortiz completed a multi-fight contract with the UFC last May after an 11-year run in the Octagon. Citing discontent with the promotion, and particularly its president Dana White, the former UFC light heavyweight champion has made overtures to start anew with a fresh organization.
“The names are starting to come over,” Ortiz said, after referencing former UFC heavyweight Andrei Arlovski's presence on the card. “I'm going to exercise my right, of course, to be a free agent. We're working really close with Elite. We're about, I'd say, about maybe a week away from signing the deal. I'm excited. I know all of the fans will be excited when I come. I'm just looking forward to getting back in the cage.”
-
EliteXC welterweight ace Jake Shields told Sherdog.com’s Greg Savage he like to move up in weight to face Robbie Lawler.
-
Here are the Shooting Disco 6 complete results:
Ryuichi Miki (7-2-3) defeated Jin Akimoto (10-12-4) via majority decision
Taisuke Okuno (6-2-1) defeated Yoichiro Sato (1-1-1) via unanimous decision
Daiji Takahashi (6-10-3) battled Seiji Otsuka (8-8-5) to a draw
Sakae Kasuya (4-3-3) defeated Hidenori Nishino (1-3-1) via unanimous decision
Ayumu Shioda (4-6) defeated Kenji Hosoya (2-4) via unanimous decision
Taiki Tsuchiya (2-1) defeated Daisuke Matsumoto (3-5) via TKO (4:57-R1)
Takeshi Sato (1-0-1) defeated Nozomi Otsuka (1-1) by rear-naked choke (2:41-R1)
Guy Delameau (1-0) defeated Hisaki Hiraishi (0-1) via unanimous decision
-
Johnny Rees (10-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) has agreed to replace Luke Cummo and will fight Steve Bruno (11-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) at the Dec. 10 "UFC Fight Night 16: UFC Fights For the Troops" event.
-
Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre has signed with CAA Sports, a division of Creative Arts Agency, one of the largest entertainment and sports agencies in the world.
CAA Sports will work with St. Pierre, alongside manager Shari Spencer, to help build new marketing and endorsement opportunities along with using the agency’s resources to create new endeavors in movies, television, licensing and digital media.
“Beyond being a fierce competitor and a tremendously skilled fighter, Georges St. Pierre’s class, integrity and humility also make him a terrific ambassador for the sport,” said Howard Nuchow, co-head, CAA Sports. “We look forward to creating opportunities for Georges that cross international borders and build upon his widespread appeal.”
CAA Sports is a world famous agency currently representing over 400 professional athletes, including the last five NFL MVP’s, and other sports superstars such as New York Yankee’s captain Derek Jeter, and international soccer player and celebrity David Beckham.
“CAA Sports is the best talent agency in the world and an ideal partner to guide the professional growth of the world’s best fighter,” Spencer commented. “Georges’ appeal transcends the Octagon and I am confident that together we can introduce Georges, and the entire sport of MMA, to a wider audience.”
The addition of St. Pierre to the growing roster of athletes at CAA Sports is a huge move for both the fighter and the entire MMA industry. CAA is an extremely recognizable company worldwide and their reach will expand St. Pierre’s marketability in many different areas that MMA hasn’t seen yet.
The significance of the signing of St. Pierre with CAA may not be seen on the surface to the average MMA fan, but in the long run the deal could be huge for both the fighter and the industry.
"The significance may not be apparent at first, but it represents a huge step toward mainstream acceptance, not only for Georges, but the entire sport of MMA," Spencer said in an interview with MMAWeekly.com "Georges now joins the ranks of other iconic athletes in individual sports, such as Jimmie Johnson in NASCAR, David Beckham in soccer, and Sidney Crosby in hockey."
St. Pierre could branch out into many different areas through his deal with CAA, and his manager feels the potential is limitless.
"CAA has an extensive network of corporate marketing clients, not to mention being the best talent agency in Hollywood," Spencer commented. "So in terms of pure deal flow, we anticipate that the relationship with CAA will provide an accelerated access to opportunities that would take me, working alone, much longer to cultivate.
"And working with an athlete who’s earning potential is limited by the age of his body, unless he’s Randy Couture, it’s in Georges’ best interest to position him with these opportunities sooner rather than later."
One question that has to be raised is the ability for new sponsors who work with St. Pierre to be visible during his time on UFC broadcasts. The promotion currently has the final say in any sponsors who are seen in their broadcasts or ads.
"I’ve apprised CAA of the guidelines for sponsor approval with the UFC in order for us to create the appropriate sponsor packages," Spencer stated. "In other words, it depends on the category whether or not the package can include Georges displaying the sponsor’s logo on his attire, banner, etc."
St. Pierre is considered one of the top MMA fighters on the planet and with the addition of the CAA group his star power may reach a whole new audience of fans in the future.
“I’m very excited to be working with CAA,” St. Pierre commented. “They represent a lot of great athletes and I’m honored to be associated with them.”
The partnership between St. Pierre and CAA Sports will begin immediately as the Canadian prepares for his next bout, most likely against UFC lightweight champion B.J. Penn in January.
-
Elite XC Heavyweight Champion Antonio Silva’s appeal hearing will take place at the Ronald Reagan State Building in Los Angeles, Calif., on October 22, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. PT. The champ tested positive for the anabolic steroid Boldenone following his win over Justin Eilers to capture the first-ever (and this vacant) strap on July 19.
Since that time “Bigfoot,” his management team and American Top Team (ATT) camp have claimed innocence. Here’s a statement released from the Brazilian after the test results were revealed:
“Dear Family, Friends, Fans and Public, I did not use the steroid Boldenone, or any other steroid of prohibited substance. I don’t agree and never have agreed with the use of this kind of product in order to win, for this is cheating. I will go to the full extent of my power and the law to prove my innocence in this matter.”
Silva’s case is based around the fact that he suffers from the medical condition known as Acromegaly, which is more commonly referred to as “Gigantism.”
Here’s an explanation of the disease given on Wikipedia.com:
“Acromegaly is a syndrome that results when the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone (HGH) after epiphyseal plate closure. A number of disorders may be affecting the pituitary to create this circumstance, although most commonly it involves a GH producing tumor derived from a distinct type of cells (somatotrophs) and called pituitary adenoma. Acromegaly most commonly affects adults in middle age and can result in severe disfigurement, serious complicating conditions and premature death if unchecked. Because of its insidious pathogenesis and slow progression, the disease is hard to diagnose in the early stages and is frequently missed for many years, when changes in external features, especially of the face, become noticeable.”
Silva’s manager Alex Davis maintains that, “It would be completely insensible or even dangerous to make use of any other steroids or substances that could worsen that kind of problem.”
We’ll find out on October 22 if his argument can stand up in a court of law. Traditionally, the California commission has been one of the toughest states on steroid use, but this sounds like medical proof that he at least would have an abnormal level in his system.
Whether that means he did or did not take anything extra on top of that is for the commission officials to decide.
Elite XC has stood by its champ throughout this difficult time and he was even seen this weekend at “Heat” in Sunrise, Fla., carrying around his championship belt. For now, he remains the company’s Heavyweight Champion until the CSAC hands down its final decision.
He faces a 12-month suspension and fine if the finding is upheld.
-
Welterweight prospect Mike Stumpf has signed a three-fight deal with EliteXC. The XFO veteran is coming off of an impressive win over Dom O’Grady at Adrenaline MMA’s inaugural show.
“I am excited! I have been waiting patiently for something to happen. This is just what I need to get motivated and start taking my game to the next level,” said Stumpf.
“The CBS cards and the fights I have seen seem very impressive. The talent is top guys and the production looks exciting to fight for.”
The Team Curran fighter will make his ShoXC debut on Oct. 10 in Hammond, Ind. Stumpf, who comes in as a late replacement for Mark Miller, will take on King of the Cage veteran Anthony Lapsley.
"Mike is 10-1, and personally I think he deserved a shot at something a few fights ago, but I couldn't get him signed,” commented Jeff Curran, Stumpf’s manager and trainer. “This opportunity with EliteXC is great and I look forward to seeing Mike rise up."
Stumpf aspires to do great things. He has taken his wrestling pedigree and evolved himself into a well-rounded fighter; constantly improving his skills as he strives to establish himself as one of the best welterweight prospects today.
“Stay tuned guys. I am coming out to make a name for myself. Thanks for all your support everyone.”
-
John George, who last competed for MEZ Sports Partners on June 14, 2008 in Upland, Calif., has had his license revoked by the California State Athletic Commission. George becomes the first athlete in California to test positive twice for anabolic agents and the first athlete to have his license as a professional athlete revoked for the repeat steroid violation.
He is eligible to reapply for licensure after Sept. 23, 2009. Due to having tested positive twice and having his license revoked, however, before any subsequent application for license is approved, George will need to appear in front of the California State Athletic Commission. A majority vote of the Commission will determine if his application for license is granted and if he is reinstated for competition.
Two other fighters, Alijah Reni and Jeremy Tavares, have also been fined and suspended by the CSAC.
Reni, who last competed for War Gods on Sept. 12, 2008, in Salinas, has been suspended for adulterating his test for drugs of abuse. He has been fined $1,000 and suspended from the conclusion of the bout through March 11, 2009.
Tavares, who last competed for StrikeForce "Young Guns" on Sept. 13, 2008 in San Jose, has been suspended for his second marijuana violation and for attempting to adulterate his test for drugs of abuse. He has been fined $1,000 and suspended from the conclusion of the bout through March 12, 2009.
CSAC representative seemed especially concerned relaying that, “In the case of the Tavares and Reni suspensions, during the entire weekend, only two bouts were selected for drugs of abuse testing and lo and behold, it produced two positives out of a total of four athletes tested.”
-
“[Brock Lesnar] was never proposed to us, but Gabriel Gonzaga would love to fight him because he’s a big name and I think it would be a clash of two monsters. I think it would be a huge fight so if the UFC gave Gonzaga that honor he would be happy to fight Brock Lesnar.”
– Marco Alvan — the head trainer for former UFC heavyweight number one contender Gabriel Gonazaga
-
Anthony Johnson vs Kevin Burns rematch slated for Ultimate Fighter 8 Finale
-
Italy's Ivan Serati to debut at UFC 93
The UFC's latest European roster addition will make his octagon debut at January's UFC 93 event in Dublin, Ireland.
Ivan Serati (10-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) has been added to a fight card that currently features a main event of Rich Franklin vs. Dan Henderson, and a co-main event of Mauricio "Shogun" Rua vs. Mark Coleman. It's the UFC's initial foray into the country.
-
“Joe Rogan is a bad guy and I’m not just saying that. He’s one of my best students. He is a brown belt and he is just a nightmare in the gym … He hits harder than anybody I’ve ever held mitts for. If he wanted to do MMA, Joe Rogan could go straight to 170 and fuck up a lot of dudes. He can for sure.” - Eddie Bravo
-
Big John McCarthy Leaves the Fight Network
Big John McCarthy has said so long to the Fight Network … and it doesn’t sound like it was on the best of terms.
His farewell post is a heartfelt goodbye to the coworkers he’ll miss (including original President/CEO Mike Garrow, color commentator Mauro Ranallo and radio host/producer John Pollock), as well as a big “F” you to “all the higher ups that have taken over the Fight Network over the last year” (okay, so he doesn’t say “F” you, but rather “shame on you” — he is, after all, a family man).
Big John’s departure is just the latest name to leave the network — he joins Loretta Hunt, TFN broadcaster JT McCarthy (no relation), and others — following months of shakeup at the company, which involved new ownership and new management.
His departure will no doubt fuel emerging rumors that the Fight Network could go off the air … and soon. Whatever the case, you might want to read McCarthy’s post while it’s still made available.
And for all you diehard Big John fans out there, this could be the break you’ve been waiting for. He hints at a possible return to refereeing — even at a return to the UFC:
“A few people have said that I have attacked the UFC. That is simply not true. I have never said anything bad about the UFC. I spent 14 years of my life trying to build up the UFC and make people understand how incredible the fighters of MMA were. I considered myself very lucky in the fact that I was able to be around the UFC for as long as I was, and you never know maybe I will go back to refereeing and someday work another UFC.”
-
Scott Smith vs Hector Lombard Elite XC fight booked for Nov. 8
Former middleweight number one contender Scott “Hands of Steel” Smith (13-5) and Cuban Judo Olympian Hector “Shango” Lombard (17-2-1) will soon duke it out the Reno Events Center in Reno, Nevada, adding another exciting bout to the main card of Elite XC’s November 8 Showtime event.
Smith has been busy over the past few months feuding with division champion Robbie Lawler. The two competed against one another in the “Fight of the Night” during the debut for Elite XC on CBS back in May before having the bout ruled a no contest in the third round after and inadvertent eye poke.
The rematch went down two months later during the second CBS event. This time, however, Lawler proved to be too much for the challenger, handing him a second round technical knockout with some vicious body kicks and strikes.
Smith’s road back to a title shot will not begin with an easy fight — Lombard is a highly touted prospect with a solid mixed martial arts resume.
“Shango” — the reigning Cage Fighting Championships (CFC) middleweight title holder — will be making his debut for the promotion after inking a deal nearly six months ago. He captured the CFC belt with a unanimous decision win over Jean Francois Lenogue last November and has successfully defended his strap three times this year.
His last loss was in 2006 at Pride: “Bushido 13″ against the 2008 DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix winner Gegard Mousasi. ince that time, he’s put together a streak of 11 straight bouts without a defeat.
November 8 will mark his debut fight on United States soil.
The event will be headlined by a middleweight championship match between Lawler and number one contender Joey Villasenor. The vacant company lightweight title will also be decided in Reno when Nick Diaz and Eddie Alvarez clash in the co-main event.
The action will be aired live on the premium cable channel Showtime beginning at 10 p.m. ET.
-
Kaitlin Young vs Sarah Kaufman Elite XC fight set for Showtime
Continuing the theme of having at least one female match on each of its big events, Elite XC announced today that Minnesota Martial Arts Academy standout Kaitlin Young (4-2) will face off against undefeated Canadian Sarah Kaufman on the Showtime card set for the Reno Events Center in Reno, Nevada, on November 8.
-
KJ Noons thinks he’s a free agent … Elite XC doesn’t
With a lightweight title fight between Nick Diaz and Eddie Alvarez confirmed for November 8, where does that leave recently stripped champion, KJ Noons?
According to a Sherdog.com interview with Noons it means he now has complete freedom:
“I’m a free agent. Since I’ve been stripped, I’m no longer the champion and I don’t owe them the fights. I owed them fights for being a champion.”
Not so fast … Elite XC officials disagree. Here are thoughts from the company’s Head of Fight Operations, Jeremy Lappen:
“KJ still has two more fights on his contract. I’m hoping we’ll work something out, but there’s really not much to work out. He’s still under contract with us.”
-
Jake Rosholt vs Nissen Osterneck WEC 36 fight set
-
UFC Quick Quote: Dana White ‘disgusted’ with Elite XC and alleged fight influencing
“It disgusts me. I’ve been busting my (expletive) for 10 years flying all over the planet to show everybody what a great sport this is and what amazing people are involved in it. Then CBS throws this guy who fights at people’s barbecues on the main event because they’re trying to compete with us, and he gets knocked out in (14) seconds by a guy who didn’t win ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ and couldn’t fight in the UFC. Then the guy turns around the next day and says, ‘The promoters actually paid me to not go to the ground with this guy. They paid me to stand up,’ which I’m pretty sure is illegal…. (Slice is) a joke. It was bound to happen. These guys have lost $60 million trying to get this thing off the ground. They’re building their promotion around a guy who can’t fight. It’s kind of (expletive) stupid, isn’t it? You’re in the fight business and you’re building your business around a guy who can’t fight…. When dirty people go out and do stuff like that, it hurts. Promoters have a bad rap as it is because of the last 100 years of boxing. We actually started to turn that around and were doing the right things and then you have these guys coming out and doing (expletive) like that. It hurts us.”
-
MMA Quick Quote: Tito Ortiz back surgery a success
“On October 6th 2008 my extensive back surgery was performed in Las Vegas by Dr. Smith. It lasted 3 hours, due to the doctors careful hand and my densely muscled core that had to be separated in order to get to my spine. My doctor was impressed with my quick recovery, and an hour after surgery I was on my feet and walking to the car. This is now the beginning of a new era. There will never be a question again about where my heart lies … and that is with my fans. I am focused on a quick recovery, and I will be back in the cage with a renewed outlook on fighting. I am a new Tito Ortiz … one with a bright fight future … one ready to power through the light heavyweight class and get the belt around my waist again. Mark my words … the best is yet to come.”
-
Joe Riggs vs Luke Stewart Strikeforce fight set for San Jose Nov. 21
Frank Shamrock: Kimbo Slice should have fought me - not a ‘Nobody’
“I think it was a mistake to not let me fight [Kimbo Slice]. When I realized we would have to cancel the show, I said, ‘Look, I’ll fight the guy’. You know, it’s a great story — little brother steps into the spot, comes out of the booth. It’s very compelling, but we need a fight to happen that’s compelling. That went around for hours. Then I put my shirt on and went to work. No one committed to it, so I just kept talking. Kimbo is great - great for ratings. But Kimbo fighting a star, a superstar, somebody who’s going to elevate him or knock him down in a good way, that’s what we needed that night. We didn’t need a nobody to beat Kimbo. Everybody knows that Kimbo is not very good. He hasn’t had time to mature. He’s a new guy.”
Brian Stann scratched from UFC Fight Night 16: “Fight for the Troops” with foot injury
Jorge Gurgel vs Aaron Riley UFC 91 fight likely to be announced soon
-
Goran Reljic sustained a back injury while training for his upcoming 185-pound fight against Thales Leites (14-1) at UFC 90: “Silva vs. Cote” at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill., on October 25, and has been forced out of the bout
-
“People like to be on the side that’s winning. They’re supportive when you’re winning and critical when you’re losing. I still get some sweet hate mails pretty regularly. There are some gyms with guys who begged me to come in there and train and do seminars before that fight and who wouldn’t return my calls or talk to me afterwards…. It’s good. It separates people who are really supportive and back you from people that are just trying to jump on your wagon while you’re successful…. [Being granted a release from the UFC] was something I’m happy about. I’m glad I’m not fighting there and will be fighting independently where I want and for whoever wants to pay me.” - Kalib Starnes
-
Steve Cantwell vs. Razak Al-Hussan possible for UFC Fight Night 16
All may not be lost for WEC light heavyweight champion Steve Cantwell.
After defeating Brian Stann for the WEC belt earlier this year, and with Zuffa's decision to fold the WEC's 205- and 185-pound weight classes into the UFC, Cantwell was slated to rematch Stann at "UFC Fight Night 16: UFC Fights for the Troops" in December.
Although Stann was recently forced off the card with a broken foot, UFC newcomer Razak Al-Hussan (5-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) could get the fight with Cantwell (6-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) instead.
-
Dana White tells the Canadian Press he does not feel Brandon Vera has been the same since money became an issue:
“As soon as he had a few wins and all the money got involved and his new contract and his ex-manager and all that bullshit, he’s changed. He’s not the same fighter he was. He needs to put all that shit behind him and he’s needs to come back and be the cocky, crazy Brandon Vera that I met a few years ago. That kid needs to come back. It seems that now the money’s involved, he doesn’t take chances like he used to, he doesn’t let his hands go like he used to. He’s got to come back and be the old Brandon Vera."
-
World Victory Road has officially added Takanori Gomi to their November 1st card that will also feature Josh Barnett as well as the lightweight and middleweight semi final and finals of their Grand Prixs.
The full card to date is as follows:
Josh Barnett vs. TBA
Muhammad "King Mo" Lawal vs. Fabio Silva
Sergey Golyaev vs. Takanori Gomi
Middleweight GP final
Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Jorge Santiago
Kazuhiro Nakamura vs. Yuki Sasaki
Joe Doerksen vs. Izuru Takeuchi
Lightweight GP final
Mizuto Hirota vs. Kazunori Yokota
Satoru Kitaoka vs. Eiji Mitsuoka
Bang Seung Hwan vs. Jorge Masvidal
-
Dana White tells the Canadian Press he does not feel Brandon Vera has been the same since money became an issue:
“As soon as he had a few wins and all the money got involved and his new contract and his ex-manager and all that bullshit, he’s changed. He’s not the same fighter he was. He needs to put all that shit behind him and he’s needs to come back and be the cocky, crazy Brandon Vera that I met a few years ago. That kid needs to come back. It seems that now the money’s involved, he doesn’t take chances like he used to, he doesn’t let his hands go like he used to. He’s got to come back and be the old Brandon Vera."
he better get his head on straight he's got a tuff fight coming up/
-
UFC 91 preliminary drug tests come back clean from NSAC
The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) today confirmed that several fighters have passed initial screenings for drugs and illegal substances prior to their clashes at UFC 91: “Couture vs. Lesnar” on Saturday, November 15.
UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture, Brock Lesnar, Nick Catone, Amir Sadollah, Aaron Riley and Jorge Gurgel were tested several weeks out from the pay-per-view (PPV) event that will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas to eliminate the possibilities of “cycling off” performance enhancers such as steroids.
It’s a proactive and unique measure — often referred to as the new “out of competition” testing policy — that the NSAC has adopted to curtail and prevent the use of banned substances.
If a positive test is returned early, which would essentially devastate a major PPV event such as UFC 91, “the commissioners would decide” on a course of action based on the results, according to NSAC Executive Director, Keith Kizer.
These fighters — along with other random participants slated to compete on the card — will likely be tested again right around fight night. It is merely an extra layer of protection to ensure good clean fights when it comes time to bang.
-
Jason ‘Mayhem’ Miller retires from MMA competition … for now
“I got plenty of money. I don’t even care. I just do it for fun. I love fighting, but I’m just doing it for fun. I don’t feel like doing it right now, so I’m not going to do it. There’s no need. There’s no need for me to fight, so I’m just happy to have lived such a fun career inside of MMA, so if it ends now, it was fun.”
“Oh, I will be in the MMA world. I can’t really escape this land of tacky skull tee shirts and [censored] with bad tattoos. I can’t get out of here that easily, but with that being said … I don’t know, I don’t need to fight.”
“I might come out of retirement in a little while, but right now I’m retired.”
-
UFC Quick Quote: Pete Sell vs Josh Burkman could be a loser leaves town match
“I think it’s do-or-die for both of us. We are in the same predicament. We have to show the UFC that we belong here…. All in all [the move to welterweight] is a very good thing for me. I can’t go on binges a week at a time, eating or drinking. If I go off the wagon, I’m not going to make weight…. I feel like being injured like that … being on a losing streak, it gives you the time to reflect when sitting on sidelines. It makes you appreciate being able to be in there. I’m really excited just to be able to get that feeling again, to feel that glory and that rush fighting in front of so many people. I’ve been putting my time in since March, and for all the hard work and dedication I’ve put in, it’s time to cash in.” - Pete Sell
-
Josh Thomson vs Yves Edwards Strikeforce title fight booked for Nov. 21
Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Josh “The Punk” Thomson (16-2) now has an opponent to defend his title against for the first time at “Destruction” on November 21 at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, California.
We’ve known for sometime that he would be headlining the event with his first title defense, but it wasn’t until today that the promotion announced MMA journeyman Yves Edwards (34-14-1) as the challenger.
-
Stephan Bonnar vs Jon Jones UFC 94 fight on tap
Stephan Bonnar (11-4) confirmed that he will return to action against Jon Jones (6-0) at UFC 94 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 31
-
UFC Quick Quote: Sean Sherk looking in the mirror against Tyson Griffin at UFC 90
“Stylistically, I think we’re a lot the same. Obviously, physically, we look a lot the same. I see a lot of same attributes in myself that he has as well. To be honest with you, I just don’t think he’s seasoned enough yet. We’re talking about a guy with 13 fights who hasn’t fought an A-level fighter yet, versus a guy who’s got 40 fights who’s been fighting A-level fighters for six years. So there’s a lot of experience coming into this that I have.”
-
Nate Diaz unlikely to fight until 2009, UFC 94 return possible
"The Ultimate Fighter 5" winner and rising lightweight contender Nate Diaz (10-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) will not fight at the Dec. 10 UFC Fight Night 16 event as was first expected, and instead, will likely sit out of competition until early 2009.
The news comes from GracieFighter.com, the official website for Cesar Gracie's fight team.
According to the report, Diaz was tentatively scheduled to meet veteran lightweight Clay Guida at the December event, but a foot injury sidelined Guida and has now put Diaz on the shelf.
"With every viable UFC contender having already been paired for fights in the next couple of months, it became clear that Diaz would not have an opponent ready for the rest of 2008," the GracieFighter.com report stated. "Nothing has been signed as of yet. However, we are hoping to see Nathan fight early in 2009 possibly on the same card as [Georges St. Pierre] vs. (B.J.) Penn in Las Vegas."
-
HDNet reaches deal to purchase IFL assets for $650,000
A bankruptcy court has cleared the way for HDNet to purchase the remaining assets of the International Fight League.
During a hearing Wednesday, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York authorized the now-defunct IFL to sell the assets, which include the league's video and image library, to HDNet for $650,000 and the assumption of certain IFL liabilities.
HDNet made its bid in September, and no other bids were submitted. The deal is still contingent on certain closing conditions.