MMA News Thread

[Shogun Locc]

Mike Budnik replaces Cole Province at "WEC 40: Torres vs. Mizugaki"

Former X-Games medalist Mike Budnik (7-2 MMA, 1-2 WEC) will step in on just nine-days' notice to face American Top Team's Rafael Dias (11-5-1 MMA, 0-1 WEC) at "WEC 40: Torres vs. Mizugaki."

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) was today informed of the change after original participant Cole Province (5-1 MMA, 0-1 WEC) was forced to bow out of the preliminary-card featherweight bout due to an undisclosed injury.

WEC 40 takes place April 5 at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. The main card airs live on VERSUS.

Budnik will be looking to rebound from two-straight losses in the WEC, the first two defeats of the 34-year-old's career. "Wildfire" dropped a split decision to John Franchi at WEC 39 on March 1.

Budnik has opened his career with an undefeated record over seven fights before the WEC defeats.

Dias will be fighting for the first time since a November 2008 defeat to Danny Castillo at "WEC 36: Faber vs. Brown." The Brazilian native and veteran of the WEC, IFL and BodogFIGHT counts seven submission wins among his 11 career victories.

After losing original main-event participant Brian Bowles in February, WEC 40 has lost two scheduled competitors in the past two days with Province and Anthony Pettis withdrawing due to injuries suffered in training.

The full WEC 40 card now includes:

MAIN CARD (televised)

* Champ Miguel Torres vs. Takeya Mizugaki (for bantamweight title)
* Joseph Benavidez vs. Jeff Curran
* Ben Henderson vs. Shane Roller
* Rafael Assuncao vs. Jameel Massouh

PRELIMINARY CARD (un-televised)

* Anthony Njokuani vs. Bart Palaszewski
* Dominick Cruz vs. Ivan Lopez
* Diego Nunes vs. Cub Swanson
* Wagnney Fabiano vs. Fredson Paixao
* Eddie Wineland vs. Rani Yahya
* Akitoshi Tamura vs. Manny Tapia
* Mike Budnik vs. Rafael Dias

 

[Shogun Locc]

Brandon Vera promises UFC 96 win a sign of things to come

A win over Mike Patt (12-4 MMA, 0-2 UFC) might not earn anyone an immediate title shot, but for the UFC's Brandon Vera (10-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC), his UFC 96 TKO-win over the Ohio native was a step in the right direction.

"I found myself," the former heavyweight contender recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). "It wasn't just at 205 (pounds). I found myself as a fighter, as well.

"I'm happy with myself and where my mind's at and where we're at as far as my coaching goes and where we're at in my career. I'm super excited to be where I'm at today."

Vera's win comes after a stretch of three losses in four fights, and "The Truth" said it took that difficult series of bouts to begin a change in his career.

"I would say it's a combination of everything (that influenced me to change)," Vera said. "The losses didn't really add up. You're supposed to learn something from your losses, or gain something from it. I didn't. I always had something to fall back on, whether it was a broken hand, or the referee stopped the fight early, or I cut weight too hard.

"The Jardine fight was the fight that I actually started thinking about what I'm doing as a fighter. I started training different for Jardine, but maybe it was a little bit too little, too late. I might have started training like a real fighter maybe too late to be able to beat Jardine at that point in my career."

Vera said the change that began during his training for Jardine has remained in place.

"I didn't end up getting super-serious about this until the middle part of camp for Jardine. I just continued on from there.

"I would say it's a combination of everything from my gym to my home life to lawsuits to this, that, that, this. We're still human, and I still have things other than fighting to worry about in my life. I would say it's a whole bunch of the above, besides getting a big head. That definitely adds to it, too."

The over-confidence that contributed to losses to Jardine, Fabricio Werdum and Tim Sylvia also affected Vera's preparation in the "off-season," a behavior that "The Truth" has definitively changed.

"I was losing to these guys, and I wasn't even training the way I am now," Vera said. "It's like I was getting by on talent alone. I would (only) train hard for eight weeks.

"I'm a 'go-hard' kind of guy. When we get into the gym, I'm going to do what's required of me. Whatever you tell me to do, I'm going to do. You give me a certain time to finish, certain reps, I'm going to do it. I'm not going to just fade out and say, 'Oh, I can't do it anymore.' I'm going to finish what's in front of me. But I would only do that for an eight-week camp, and then I would be off to the races, living like a fat cat not doing anything, gaining weight."

Vera said he would only hit the gym to converse when he wasn't preparing for a fight.

"I'd show up to the gym maybe once a week, talk to people, and then leave," Vera said. "I guess when I figured out that wasn't going to work anymore, that the talent wasn't going to get me by anymore, that I actually have to work, it was actually like a breath of fresh air, I guess you could say. It was like, 'Oh, that's what I need to be doing.'

"I wish somebody would have smacked me in the back of the head and told me a long time ago, but as all my coaches said, 'Brandon, that's something you're going to have to go through. You're going to have to figure that out on your own. You're lucky you figured it out in less than a year, as opposed to some fighters that don't ever get a chance to figure it out and get kicked out of the UFC. Or some fighters don't ever figure it out and just fade away into the abyss.'"

While it may appear from outside the situation that Vera's coaches could have provided better direction to him long before now, the 31-year-old insists it was a lesson best learned on his own.

"I'm pig-headed," Vera said. "I'm hard-headed, bro. Whatever I want to do, or wherever I want to go, I'm doing it, and there's nothing you can say. I'm a fighter, through-and-through. You're not going to tell me what I can and can't do, unless it's eight weeks out.

"I remember one of the stupidest thing I ever said to my coaches was, 'If there's no fight, if I don't have a contract signed to fight, I don't want to be training really hard.' That was probably one of the most horrible things I ever told my coaches. They told me they didn't want to push it on me. They wanted me to figure it out for myself. It's a better lesson learned that I figured it out rather than them pushing it on me."

Many observers have pointed to the 11 months of inactivity between Vera's November 2006 win over Frank Mir and a UFC 77 loss to Tim Sylvia as a turning point for the worse in the California resident's career.

Vera's not so sure.

"I'm not sure if that had a big [effect] on it, or if it was just my mindset," Vera said. "Right now I'm so dead-set on, 'The way I was thinking was wrong the whole time, ever since my Tim Sylvia fight.' My mindset has just been wrong.

"It could have been the money I was making. It could have been the things I was reading online. It could have been the fame. It could have been a whole bunch of stuff."

Whatever it was, Vera believes the issues are a thing of the past. And while the win over Patt won't be turning many heads, Vera has a goal in mind that just might.

"I'm in the 205-pound division in the UFC," Vera said. "That's arguably the deepest talent pool in MMA right now. It's got the who's-who and the what's-what of the 205-pound division. I think it's more stacked than the 155-pound division right now.

"Any fighter in the 205-pound division on any given day could end up being the champ that day. It would be awesome to fight anybody, anybody in the top-five, anybody in the top-10 in the UFC. I'm down."

 

[Shogun Locc]

Kenny Florian: Let's make this UFC 101 fight with B.J. Penn happen

While mentions of B.J. Penn (13-5-1 MMA, 9-4-1 UFC) seem to come predominantly with repetitive discussions of "Greasegate," the lightweight champ will soon be looking to defend his belt for the first time since defeating Sean Sherk in May 2008.

As rumors continue to circulate regarding a UFC 101 main event between Penn and top contender Kenny Florian (11-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC), the challenger said on the latest episode of ESPN.com's "MMA Live," he's still waiting to secure the deal.

"At the end of the day, I just want this fight to be signed," Florian said. "Let's get an event, let's get a date, and let's make it happen."

Florian was asked by "MMA Live" host Jon Anik if UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta's comments on popular mixed martial arts message board The Underground of a potential UFC 101 bout with Penn were true.

Florian responded by jokingly questioning Anik's sources.

"Do you believe everything you read on the forums?" Florian asked. "Are you going and getting your news on forums now?"

Florian, currently riding a six-fight win streak in the UFC, then clarified that nothing was finalized, but that he was hopeful for the bout.

"Hopefully it is true," Florian said. "Aug. 8, it's supposed to be in Philadelphia at the Wachovia Center, which would be phenomenal for me. I'm from the East Coast."

Later in the episode Florian answered a viewer mail question which asked if the events of "Greasegate" made a third bout between Penn and UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre (18-2 MMA, 12-2 UFC) a marketable option for the organization.

Florian had a simple answer.

"I think the fans want to see Penn against Florian," Florian said.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Report: Gegard Mousasi to 205 pounds for DREAM.9 bout with Sokoudjou

DREAM middleweight champion and 2008 middleweight grand prix winner Gegard Mousasi (24-2-1) will step up to 205 pounds in his next bout according to a report from FiveOuncesOfPain.com.

Mousasi will meet UFC, PRIDE and Affliction veteran Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (5-4) at DREAM.9 according to the report.

While DREAM.9 has not yet been officially announced, a recent listing of the event on the Tokyo Broadcasting System's official website suggests the event will take place on May 26.

Mousasi hasn't competed since his September 2008 victories over Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza and Melvin Manhoef en route to winning the DREAM titles. In the weeks following the win, Mousasi announced his intentions to move to 205 pounds as well as his desire to pursue a professional boxing career.

The Armenian striker is currently riding an 11-fight win streak and has earned 14 of his 24 career wins by knockout or TKO.

Sokoudjou would be making his DREAM debut as well as his first appearance in Japan since back-to-back knockout wins over Ricardo Arona and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira first brought the 24-year-old to prominence. "The African Assassin" has since gone just 1-3, including a January submission loss to Renato "Babalu" Sobral.

U.S. broadcast plans for the event have not yet been announced, though DREAM.7 aired on HDNet via tape delay. The network plans on doing the same with April's DREAM.8.

 

[Shogun Locc]

DANILLO VILLEFORT VS JESSE LENNOX AT UFC 101

In a battle of former WEC welterweights now moving to the UFC, American Top Team submission specialist, Danillo Villefort, will take on Miletich fighter, Jesse Lennox, in a scheduled undercard bout for UFC 101 tentatively scheduled for Aug 8 in Philadelphia.

The bout was confirmed to MMAWeekly.com on Thursday by sources close to the fight.

Villefort makes his UFC debut just 1 fight after making his WEC debut back in January winning by TKO over popular Northeast fighter, Mike Campbell.

The former IFL fighter is currently riding a 5 fight win streak and also holds a submission win over UFC fighter, Mike Massenzio, who he fought in May 2008.

His opponent, Jesse Lennox, also makes the move to the UFC after only 1 WEC contest in which he picked up a KO over Blas Avena.

Lennox, who trains with Pat Miletich and his team in Iowa, suffered his only loss while competing in the IFL in 2008, but has since reeled off 3 straight wins including the fight in the WEC.

Villefort and Lennox, along with a number of other WEC welterweights will make the move the UFC after the promotion did away with the weight class just last month.

UFC 101 is yet to be announced by the promotion, but the card is expected to feature a lightweight title bout between champion, B.J. Penn, and top contender, Kenny Florian, as the headliner.

 

[Shogun Locc]

MIGUEL TORRES WANTS TO CEMENT HIS LEGACY

There's little argument when talking about the best bantamweight in the world.

The list starts and stops with WEC champion Miguel Torres, who next defends his title on April 5 against Japanese fighter Takeya Mizugaki. While Torres is focused on the task at hand, he admits he's looking to the future as well.

The future for Miguel Torres may very well take him out of the 135-pound weight class he lords over currently. According to a recent interview on MMAWeekly Radio, he is looking to cement a legacy in the sport.

"I do want to get up just to challenge myself in general. To fight a Mike Brown or Urijah Faber, or even at 55 in the UFC, has been a dream of mine since I first started doing this sport," Torres commented. "That was my goal when I first started out. I think to be a champion you always have to change. If your goal is to be a champ, a real champ, and you don't have any more goals, you're pretty much stuck in a rut."

The bantamweight king also alluded to the possibility of competing for only a few more years, although he has a lot of goals left to achieve before he leaves the sport.

"I'm always trying to achieve new things, and strive for bigger things, and I think I can stay at 35 and dominate for a while, but I don’t want to fight forever," stated Torres. "I don’t want to be a Randy Couture and fight until I'm 44, 45 years old. I want to fight 3 to 5 (more) years.

"I think once I've had my run at 35, I want to go up. I owe it to myself and to my fans. I'm no longer just a fighter or a champion; I'm an entertainer. I get a ton of e-mails and tons of responses of people who'd love to see me go up."

Torres has been running roughshod over some very good competition in the WEC's bantamweight division. While he admits that challengers like Brian Bowles, Jeff Curran, and Joseph Benavidez definitely hold intrigue; he understands the challenges of conquering other weight classes as well.

The current WEC champion and East Chicago, Ind., native is confident in what he could bring to any weight class he competes in. He admits that he may give up some size, but he'll make up the difference with his skill.

"I thought about it. I wouldn't even try to put on a bunch of weight. I'd walk in at 155 or whatever I walk around at to get it," Torres admitted. "I wouldn't try to put a bunch of weight on."

Admitting that his job at 135 pounds isn't quite finished yet, Torres hopes to get a few more fights in and then head into the deep waters of the higher weight classes.

"I want to stay where I'm at, make a living, make a legacy, and then I want to go up in weight and I want to test myself," he stated.

Miguel Torres will try to build on that legacy in his next title defense when he takes on Top 10 ranked bantamweight Takeya Mizugaki on April 5 at WEC 40 in Chicago.

 

[Shogun Locc]

UFC wants event in Brazil, but not now

With a lot of Brazilian athletes doing great fights in the UFC, the biggest MMA event in the world is turning its eyes to the Brazilian market, analyzing the possibility of hosting an event in the country. President of the organization, Dana White is excited to bring the show to the Brazilian’s lands again.

"We are already with some plans underway in Brazil, inclusive. But it is true that a live event in the country would generate high visibility for the UFC. We are always looking for good opportunities to achieve this. We are making the UFC a global event and we would love to take it to Brazil. We are only studying the economic issues for this", said Dana, to the UOL website.

On the other hand, Lorenzo Fertitta, owner of the organization next to the brother, Frank, is more cautious when talking about the plans for Brazil, in an exclusive interview published in the TATAME Magazine February issue. "I would love to do an event in Brazil, but, at this moment, our focus is on Europe and, for sure, we will be doing many fights in England, as we have already done in the past, and we’ll do an event in Germany this year. I also want to take some fights to Italy, Spain and some of these areas and then focus Brazil, South America and Asia”, detailed Lorenzo.

 

[Shogun Locc]

For UFN 18's Ryan Bader, wrestling and MMA a team effort

When "The Ultimate Fighter 8" winner Ryan Bader (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) takes his first trip back into the octagon since winning the reality show competition, the situation will take him back about three years.

Bader's trip to Nashville for the UFC's first card in Tennessee on Wednesday harkens back to his days wrestling at Arizona State University, when he and his most successful teammates were preparing for the NCAA wrestling tournament.

Bader, a three-time Pac-10 champion and two-time All-American wrestler, is one of four fighters from the Arizona Combat Sports camp appearing on the live special on Spike TV. Bader will face Carmelo Marrero (10-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC), best known for out-wrestling heavyweight contender Cheick Kongo to a decision win in 2006.

Also fighting is Bader's new teammate Carlos Condit, who is coming over from the WEC – where he was the last welterweight champion – and debuting in the UFC against Martin Kampmann in the night's main event.

Aaron Simpson, an assistant coach at Arizona State when Bader was there and a wrestler with international credentials, also debuts against WEC transplant Tim McKenzie. A fourth teammate, Steve Steinbeiss, will debut on the UFC stage in a prelim fight against Ryan Jensen.

The team atmosphere heading into Wednesday's card rekindles the vibe from Bader's college wrestling days.

"It's nice to go there and feel like you're part of a team," said the 25-year-old Bader, whose camp also included roommate and college teammate C.B. Dollaway, who fights Tom Lawlor at UFC 100 on July 11. "If you aren't motivated, you have three or four other guys in the room going through the same thing, and you see them training as hard or harder."

Marrero makes an interesting first big-stage opponent for Bader, who knocked out Vinny Magalhaes in 2:18 on Dec. 13 in Las Vegas to win the "TUF 8" light-heavyweight tournament. Marrero, who trains with American Top Team, decisioned Steinbeiss in his most recent fight on Nov. 5 on a WEC show in Sunrise, Fla.

"[Marrero] is a wrestler and a great athlete, but I think I'm a little better athlete," Bader said. "I saw him in WEC when he fought Steinbeiss. He's a step up in competition, and Steinbeiss has helped me on this. It's two wrestlers, so it should be an exciting and fast-paced fight."

Bader said this fight differs from his last match with Magalhaes, a world-class Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner.

"In that fight, the game plan was not to go to the ground," Bader said. "In this fight, there is no game plan. Wherever the fight goes is fine."

Bader noted his stand-up has improved in the past three-plus months, and that the previous fight gave him confidence that he doesn't have to take his opponent down.

But it's a shot back at the big time for the 28-year-old Marrero. After beating Kongo, the Philadelphia native lost by submission against Gabriel Gonzaga. He then dropped to light heavyweight, lost to Wilson Gouveia, and was cut from the company. He worked his way back with four wins outside the UFC.

Bader looks to break something of a drought for the reality show that launched the career of stars such as light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans, former champion Forrest Griffin and the United Kingdom's Michael Bisping. It's really been a few years since the show has produced a genuine championship contender.

"The pluses of the show was getting so many fights in a short period of time," Bader said. "You get a lot of ring experience. Another big plus was getting coaching from (Antonio Rodrigo) Nogueira, Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida. I made some great contacts and I still stay in touch with them.

"The negative is the boredom of it all. There's no TV, no radio, no books or magazines. After you've told everyone your best stories three times, there's not a lot to do. By four or five weeks, you just can't wait to get out of there. But I'd do it again if I had the choice."

The season was best remembered for some gross pranks, but Bader said he wasn't bothered by them and felt it wasn't much different than being on a wrestling team – though he admitted being tricked into eating the fruit laced with urine was something different. He said the pranks broke up the monotony of all the down time in the house, and that there was an agreement not to cross a certain line.

It was also a weird time for him, as Arizona State – probably the strongest wrestling program in the West – canceled the sport for budgetary reasons just as he was going into the TUF house. Bader, who graduated in 2006, was still involved with the program. While he had no connection to the outside world, a big fight to try and save the program went down.

The program was saved by an extensive fund-raising campaign – though the caveat is that money must be raised to fund it every year now.

Bader remains in close contact with the wrestling team. Perhaps the most talked-about story of last week's NCAA tournament was Sun Devils wrestler Anthony Robles, born with no right leg, placing fourth in the 125-pound weight class.

"I train there (with ASU wrestlers) as often as I can," Bader said. "If I didn't have the fight coming up, I probably would have gone to the tournament. If you're ever out there feeling sorry for yourself, when you see (Robles), it gets you motivated."

Bader noted that there is a mountain that all the ASU wrestlers run, and Robles goes out there, on crutches, and runs up the mountain just like everyone else. Robles garnered national publicity as a prep wrestler, but there were a lot of questions about whether he could be successful at the collegiate level.

Arizona State has also likely produced more UFC fighters than any other school. When Bader was in college, the top of the order was Dollaway at 184 pounds, himself at 197 pounds, and Cain Velasquez as a heavyweight – all of whom earned All-American status. Simpson, who placed in the U.S. Olympic team trials in 2000 and 2004, was an assistant coach. Kyle Kingsbury played on the football team at the same time.

In addition, three of the sports' legends were on the wrestling team in the '80s: Dan Severn, Don Frye and Dan Henderson.

"I don't know if it's a style or why," Bader said about so many ASU wrestlers being able to make the successful transition. "A lot of wrestlers can be successful at this sport, but there are Division I national champions who don't make it. A lot of us came up together. A week after nationals, Cain went down to Mexico for his first fight, although his opponent canceled out. We (Bader and Dollaway) got into it later, and Simpson came after us."

 

[Shogun Locc]

Report: Manny Gamburyan vs. John Franchi in works for WEC 41

"The Ultimate Fighter 5" finalist Manny Gamburyan (8-4 MMA, 0-0 WEC) is likely to make his WEC and 145-pound debut against Jon Franchi (5-0 MMA, 1-0 WEC) at the recently announced WEC 41 according to a report from MMAMadness.

The report cites sources close to the event who suggest the bout is likely to be signed to the evening's main card.

WEC 41 is scheduled for June 7 in Sacramento, Calif., and will be headlined by the featherweight title rematch between current champ Mike Brown and former belt-holder Urijah Faber.

After making his way to the finals of "TUF 5," Gamburyan suffered a shoulder injury in his live-finale bout with Nate Diaz. Gamburyan bounced back with submission wins in the UFC over Jeff Cox and Nate Mohr, but recent losses to Thiago Tavares and Rob Emerson left the "Pitbull" seeking a drop to 145-pounds.

Franchi will be looking for his second-straight win in the organization after earning a split-decision win over Mike Budnik at March's "WEC 39: Brown vs. Garcia." The 26-year-old has reeled off five straight wins to open his career since turning pro in October 2007.

The bout is the first reported contest for the card since the official announcement of WEC 41 and the evening's main event. The night's main card will air live on VERSUS.

 

[Shogun Locc]

UFC lightweight Roger Huerta waiting for the call to fight his "last fight"

Popular UFC lightweight Roger Huerta (20-2-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) - the first mixed martial artist to ever grace the cover of Sports Illustrated - hasn't been mentioned much in recent months.

After declining to renew his contract with the UFC in January, Huerta said in the most recent episode of HDNet's "Inside MMA" that he's been stuck waiting by the phone.

"To be honest I'm just waiting for that phone call," Huerta said.

As Huerta told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) in January, after "El Matador" turned down a fight with Joe Stevenson at UFC 95 in February due to "personal issues with family and stuff," the UFC extended his contract by six months.

Added to a contract extension issued after his request for the time off that eventually led to his role in the upcoming film "Tekken," Huerta's fight contract now runs through December - though there is just one bout remaining on the agreement.

The UFC has been accused of "freezing out" fighters such as Andrei Arlovski and Brandon Vera in recent years. Each fighter found themselves in a similar position to Huerta - holding one remaining fight and an extended period of time on their UFC contract.

Huerta last saw action in an August 2008 unanimous-decision loss to current No. 1 contender Kenny Florian. That defeat snapped a 16-fight win-streak for the popular fighter, but with fight bookings already being rumored for UFC 101 and 102 in August, Huerta's name hasn't been mentioned at all.

"(I'm waiting) for the UFC to give me a phone call and I'm able to fight my last fight," Huerta said. "I'm just kind of waiting on that."

It's an odd position for the 25-year-old who was once considered among the UFC's most marketable commodities. Huerta, who fought five times in a 10-month period in 2007, told the "Inside MMA" panel he never really got to appreciate the May 2007 Sports Illustrated honor.

"To be honest, in the beginning it didn't really hit me," Huerta said. "It really hadn't hit me all. That was kind of the busiest year I ever had in my fighting career.

"I was always really - my focus was mainly on fighting and doing a lot of PR for the UFC. They were like my No. 1 priority at that time. It really didn't hit me until after the (Clay) Guida fight. After that, everything kind of sunk in and I really started taking it in, like, 'Wow. It really was a big deal.'"

 

[Shogun Locc]

Team B.J. Penn: "We plan on making this fight happen" at UFC 101

Kenny Florian (11-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) knew he was next in line for a UFC lightweight title shot with current champion B.J. Penn (13-5-1 MMA, 9-4-1 UFC). The only question was when.

With Florian recently imploring on ESPN.com's "MMA Live" for Penn to set a date, "The Prodigy" is now apparently ready.

According to a post on Penn's official website, the lightweight champ has verbally accepted the bout and is planning on signing the bout agreement sometime today.

The complete, unedited post is included below:


UFC Lightweight Champion BJ Penn is set to defend his lightweight title against number one contender Kenny Florian. The newly agreed upon match is set to Headline UFC 101 in Philadelphia, PA on August 8th 2009.

The Challenger, Kenny "Kenflo" Florian, is currently riding a six fight win streak inside the octagon. Most recently dispatching Joe Stevenson via RNC in round 1 at UFC 91. Florian has made it no secret that he desires his second shot at the lightweight title. Most recently stating on ESPNS MMA Live,

"At the end of the day, I just want this fight to be signed. Let's get an event, let's get a date, and let's make it happen."

The Champion, BJ "The Prodigy" Penn, has not been down to lightweight to defend his title since UFC 84, in May of 2008, when he beat Sean Sherk via TKO at the end of the third round. When I asked BJ about the upcoming bout he simply said,

"I look forward to the challenge."

According to our sources here within Team Penn, Florian has already signed the bout agreement for this fight. As for BJ, we received the bout agreement this afternoon and plan on making this fight happen.

More as it becomes available.

Penn has been focused in recent weeks on reaching a definitive conclusion to the events surrounding "Greasegate," but recent comments by both UFC brass and Florian have urged the lightweight champion to move past the controversy and focus on defending his belt.

That moment will now apparently come at UFC 101, rumored to take place Aug. 8 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Bobby Lashley agrees to take on Marcus Jones at April 25 XFC event

After a lackluster unanimous-decision win over Jason Guida (17-20) at Roy Jones Jr's "March Badness," former WWE superstar Bobby Lashley (2-0) has agreed to make his next appearance against former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Marcus Jones.

The potential bout could main event the Florida-based XFC's April 25 event "XFC 8: Regional Conflict" at the Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenneesee.

Yahoo! Sports' Dave Meltzer first reported the possibility of the bout, and MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has since been able to confirm the matchup from sources close to Lashley.

Immediate attempts to reach Jones' camp for comment of his status were unsuccessful.

Training at American Top Team, Lashley moved to 2-0 on his young career with the 15-minute win over Guida. The victory followed an explosive, 41-second TKO of Joshua Franklin in Lashley's December 2008 professional debut.

Following the bout with Guida, Lashley admitted he had plenty of room to improve.

"We're going to go back, we're going to train, and we're going to pick up some of the parts," Lashley said. "We're going to look at this tape and look at the ways we're going to finish. Back to the training camp."

Jones (4-2), a massive former NFL defensive lineman, has won two-straight contests, both by TKO. Training out of Gracie Tampa, Jones last saw action in a hard-hitting, first-round victory over Jesse Juarez at "XCF: Rumble in Racetown."

While Jones' power was on full display in the contest, the 35-year-old admitted after the bout that he was still a novice in the sport of MMA.

"I just want to keep working hard and improving," Jones said. "I know I'm just getting started."

The XFC recently signed a multi-year broadcast deal with HDNet, and "XFC 8: Regional Conflict" will be the first XFC card to air on the network.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Kampmann comfortable in all phases of UFN 18 bout with Condit

For most MMA observers, the main event of Wednsesday's "UFN 18: Condit vs. Kampmann" in Nashville, Tenn., is full of questions.

But as one of the bout's competitors, Martin Kampmann (14-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC), told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio), his only question is how to finish the fight.

"I'm happy either way," Kampmann said. "I'm going to try to knock [opponent Carlos Condit] out because the fight starts on the feet. But if that's not going to happen, then I'm going to try and submit him."

The bout represents an interesting matchup for many reasons. Kampmann had a successful run in the UFC at 185 pounds before recently dropping to the welterweight division. Condit (22-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will be making his UFC debut after the WEC dropped the welterweight division with the "Natural Born Killer" reigning as champion.

Both fighters have great striking ability, but each have shown a penchant for success on the ground.

But Kampmann believes he's found Condit's Achilles' heel while working to improve his own overall game.

"Lately I've been working a lot on my wrestling," Kampmann said. "That's really been one of my main focuses, is to improve my wrestling. I think it's definitely improved, but there's still a long way to go, of course.

"I try to be all-around, and I try to work on all aspects of the game. My striking still needs to improve. I get sloppy sometimes and get punched in the head too much. I go home and I say, '[Expletive], I've got to start moving my head.' And also my [jiu-jitsu], I get caught.

"But my wrestling has been my main focus lately. That's what I've been working a lot on. Condit, I think that's one of his main weaknesses, too, is his wrestling."

Despite a unanimous decision win over current middleweight challenger Thales Leites in 2006, Kampmann has yet to nail down a signature win in his otherwise successful UFC run. The Danish striker believes Condit's notoriety as the final WEC 170-pound champion may help provide that milestone.

"I think Condit is a good fight," Kampmann said. "He's got a lot of people that know him from the WEC because he was the champ. I think he gets a lot of recognition, too - at least a lot of the hardcore fans know he's really good.

"I think it should be a real good fight. Hopefully we win and it's going to take me even closer to moving up the ladder."

While three of Kampmann's UFC wins have come via submission, the 26-year-old comes from a striking background. Condit has an established ground game of his own but has also shown a willingness to stand and bang in his near-seven-year career.

Kampmann believes if he can deal with Condit's lanky frame he should be able to score with strikes.

"[Condit] has got real good striking, I'll give him that," Kampmann said. "And he's got good, long reach, so that's always annoying to deal with that because I have to be able to slip and slide a little bit to move in on him.

"He's going to be able to punch me when I can't reach him. But I think as long as I get in on him, I'll do good."

Not that the Xtreme Couture-trained fighter is afraid to take the action to the floor.

"I'll go to the ground with him for sure," Kampmann said. "If that's what it takes to win the fight, I'll do it for sure.

"First I'm going to look to punch him in the face. And if he gives me a submission, I'll take it. But I know I've got to watch out, too. He's got real slick arm bars, good triangles, and I know he goes for kimuras, guillotines.

"He's got a real slick submission game off his back (and) probably off the top, too. I know I've got to watch out."

Both Kampmann and Condit can provide instant credibility for themselves in the 170-pound division with a win. While the fight seems to be a virtual coin-toss for many MMA experts, there's one thing even Kampmann agrees on: The bout has the potential to be a real treat.

"I'm looking forward to it," Kampmann said. "I've never fought in Tennessee before. I've never been there. So I'm looking forward to going there.

"And I'm looking forward to the fight. Condit is a real tough guy, and I think we match up real well against each other. It's bound to be a great fight, for sure."

 

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Josh Barnett says Affliction 3 future still unknown

With multiple rumors circulating regarding Affliction's immediate future, two-time organization veteran Josh Barnett (24-5) insists he doesn't yet know what his own future holds.

"I've heard nothing, I know nothing, I see nothing," Barnett said while a substitute co-host on the most recent edition of HDNet's "Inside MMA."

Barnett has been linked to a possible showdown with WAMMA heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko (29-1) - or maybe not - at a possible July 11, head-to-head showdown with UFC 100 - or maybe not.

While Barnett wouldn't comment as to a possible date for the show, "The Babyfaced Assassin" simply stated he was ready to take on all comers. The 31-year-old did hedge for a bout with Emelianenko, suggested that it was both the most logical contest for him to take and the bout that fans were most ready to see.

"What it comes down to is that I don't have a bout agreement to fight anybody in particular," Barnett said. "This is coming up on my third fight for Affliction, with the logical idea that it would lead up to [a fight with Emelianenko]. But as it sits, I'm sitting on my last fight and I'm just waiting for an opponent to show themselves.

"Whoever is available, I'll take them, but I know the fans are really hot to see me fight Fedor. It just hasn't been put together."

While Barnett would seem a certainty to be on the card for Affliction's third event, regardless of opponent, the date of the event is still a major point of contention for many MMA observers and analysts.

As for the possibility of going head to head to with the UFC's centennial event, "Inside MMA' host Kenny Rice quickly offered his take on the situation.

"Here's my unsolicited comment for those putting Affliction 3 together: There's about nine months left to go in this year. I think I would avoid the UFC 100 head-to-head card."

Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio recently told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) he believes the date could work, but that is was far from a done deal.

"I think it could work," Atencio said. "I really do.

"(But) I haven't finalized [the date. Scheduling an event for July 11] is a thought in the back of my head, but whether it's going to happen or not is a different story."

 

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15 Questions with Chute Boxe Founder Rudimar Fedrigo

After the hurricanes of 2007 and 2008 passed through Chute Boxe and swept away some of its biggest champions in Wanderlei Silva and Maurício "Shogun" Rua, one of Brazil’s oldest teams is recovering and rebuilding.

“We’ve been producing champions for 30 years,” said Chute Boxe founder Rudimar Fedrigo in an exclusive interview with Sherdog.com. “Now that we have a much better structure, you can bet that a new generation of champions will come.”

Looking totally adapted in the post-Pride era, Fedrigo now splits his time between Chute Boxe and his government post as the Secretary of Sports in Curitiba, Brazil. He greeted Sherdog.com at his new office to discuss the famous team’s next chapter, its new jiu-jitsu partnership, the opening of Chute Boxe USA, and his picks for the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

Sherdog.com: How do you do balance your coaching schedule at Chute Boxe and being the Secretary of Sports for Curitiba?
Fedrigo: Working hard, from Monday to Monday, I have to be present at car races, marathons and many other sportive events related to my post, but I can balance this new job with Chute Boxe because we have a very good structure that allows me to do it. Today, here in Curitiba, I have Master Nilson de Castro responsible for heading up the MMA training and we have Daniel Lima and Julio Borges as assistants at muay Thai, along with a lot of muay Thai black belts. Taking care of the wrestling, we have the Cuban Alejo Morales, who’s doing an excellent job with the team, and with him, focused on the MMA, we have Cristopher. We also have Luiz Azeredo focused on the jiu-jitsu and now we have a partnership with Fábio Gurgel (Alliance) and he is sending world champion Sérgio Moraes. So, in my opinion, it’s a top-level team of trainers, so it’s just a matter of time before the new athletes show if it’s working or not.

Sherdog.com: Cristiano Marcelo was responsible for Chute Boxe’s jiu-jitsu instruction for so long, but decided to leave. What changed after his departure?
Fedrigo: We didn’t disagree about anything -- he has a lot of friends here at Chute Boxe and will continue having them, including me. We had the privilege of living together for a long time, and that’s the important point. He now has a goal of creating a team, with his own training system and I wish him good luck. Actually, I had a goal for this year to establish new partnerships for jiu-jitsu. So after that, I talked to Fábio Gurgel, the leader of the Alliance academy, and he accepted my offer to bring his system to Chute Boxe. I have a huge respect for Fábio Gurgel. Not only is he an icon in MMA’s history, but his school, Alliance, has shaped some of the most important jiu-jitsu champions of Brazil.

Sherdog.com: Speaking of new acquisitions, how did the team receive Alexandre “Cacareco” Ferreira?
Fedrigo: It was also very good. He’s a special person that I already knew for a long time. About ten years ago we met at backstage at an event in Holland and we had a very nice conversation. A few years later, he had a controversial situation with some Chute Boxe members at a Jungle Fight event, but it’s part of the past for me. Actually, anything from the past -- we are over it. The important thing is that he was well accepted by the team. I’m sure he will bring happiness to our team and it’s a pleasure to be his manager. I hope I can give him the improvement he deserves.

Sherdog.com: Do you believe this is all part of the evolution of MMA? That he rivalry time is over?
Fedrigo: Can be, can be. I think so. In a certain way, the sport is starting to be like soccer clubs. But the most important thing is that anyone who comes here must have the proud to defend Chute Boxe’s name. Anyone who trains here must understand that he has a surname, which is Chute Boxe. There was a Swiss guy who spent one month training with us here and after this period he asked me if he could sign a contract to be part of our team. So, that’s fundamental and I’m sure that Cacareco wants to represent our team in the ring.

Sherdog.com: How have the losses of Mauricio “Shogun” and Wanderlei Silva in the UFC effected the team?
Fedrigo: We obviously felt the losses. It’s not easy to make an MMA champion, and, of course, when a guy leaves, like these names you’ve mentioned, it destabilizes any situation. But our school has produced many champions and we will continue doing it. I can guarantee it to our fans. With this structure, with the conditions we offer, if the athlete has some talent, he has a great chance of becoming a champion. The advantage of having a well-structured school, just like any company or team, is that we can get out of hard times easier. This whole package, this history, the name, the symbol, the strength that the academy has makes it that it can get out of tough situations like this.

Sherdog.com: How is Chute Boxe USA coming along with Rafael Cordeiro?
Fedrigo: We’ve had this wish for a long time and it’s excellent. What other MMA team in the world has such a great structure with two excellent gyms in two major cities like we have here in Curitiba and the USA? [Chute Boxe USA is located in Huntington Beach, Calif.]. And with a great trainer like master Rafael Cordeiro, one of our most accomplished members of our team, running it I see the possibilities are excellent. Chute Boxe is definitely getting big.

Sherdog.com: The American fighter has a totally different mentality. Sometimes they train with two different teams. Would there be the possibility of some fighter training with Rafael in California, but not representing Chute Boxe’s name in the ring? Let’s say Quinton "Rampage" Jackson wants to make the gym a part of his training, but doesn’t want to defend Chute Boxe’s name?
Fedrigo: No problem. This is a commercial deal. Actually, it already exists in Brazil. If some fighter wants to prepare with our team he doesn’t necessarily need to follow the entire schedule of the team, so we can make a commercial agreement depending on what he decides. Every case is different for sure and it’s going to happen more frequently in the USA because that’s how America works. I don’t see any problem with that. Of course our main focus will always be the MMA team, producing teachers, champions and top professionals.

Sherdog.com: One year ago I interviewed you about Shogun and Wanderlei’s decisions to leave Chute Boxe and you said the fighter needs to have a “star” to fight for. Do you believe Shogun and Wanderlei miss Chute Boxe?
Fedrigo: It’s hard to say because I don’t know what kind of training they are getting, so it’s hard to give an opinion about that. But I keep believing that when a team has a history, an excellent structure, and many trainers and practitioners from many disciplines it’s better for the fighter to train. I also have to keep in mind that those fighters were used to having a structure working for them and it’s hard to get adapted to a different way.

Sherdog.com: During this 30 years of Chute Boxe, what has been the best and worst moment?
Fedrigo: This is a very hard question… I think the best moments of Chute Boxe were provided by Wanderlei Silva. All his conquests were remarkable and the worst was the loss of Osmar Dias. [Dias was shot and killed leaving the Chute Boxe Academy on November 11, 2008]. We lost a great leader and a friend. I will never forget the moment I arrived at the academy and saw his body shot on the ground. I sat on the sidewalk looking at his dead body and just thought I’d never be able to talk with him again. I think it was the saddest moment of Chute Boxe’s history.

Sherdog.com: Chute Boxe has created many champions and great trainers like Jose "Pele" Landi-Jons, Anderson Silva, Wanderlei, Shogun, Murilo "Ninja" Rua, Andre "Dida" Amade, Sergio Cunha, and Diogenes Assahida. Which one of them does Chute Boxe miss the most?
Fedrigo: All of them. It is a pity to not have them with us today, when our structure and conditions of training are much better than the times when they were fighting.

Sherdog.com: Some believe that Anderson Silva is among one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. How do you see him?
Fedrigo: I receive compliments, even today, every time he wins a fight. He is for sure one of the big names that helped to make the Chute Boxe name respected around the world.

Sherdog.com: What is your strongest memory of Silva’s time with Chute Boxe?
Fedrigo: A good moment I remember is when he knocked out Carlos Newton [at Pride 25 in March 2003] with an amazing flying knee and also when he knocked out Alex Stiebling [at Pride 21 in June 2002]. He is an amazing, complete and creative fighter.

Sherdog.com: Who do you consider the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world?
Fedrigo: I believe Anderson Silva and Fedor Emelianenko are the most complete fighters in the world. I’m also very surprised with [Alistair] Overeem, who is evolving a lot lately, and Wanderlei Silva on a good night.

Sherdog.com: What is going to happen in light heavyweight (205 lbs, 93kg) division of the UFC?
Fedrigo: I believe Lyoto [Machida] has a great chance to win. When he came to Chute Boxe, we could feel that he had a lot of potential and he’s having a good moment.

Sherdog.com: So, you believe he will be next UFC champion?
Fedrigo: I believe that Wanderlei has a great chance to become the UFC champion. I’ve heard He is planning to came down to 83kg [185 pounds], but I would bet on him if he continues at 93kg [205 pounds]. If he regains self-confidence and his fighting rhythm, I think he could be the UFC champion.

 

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DIN THOMAS HAPPY AT 145, READY TO KNOCK HEADS

Following a loss to Josh Neer in April 2008, veteran fighter Din Thomas exited the UFC and soon announced his move to the ever-growing featherweight division. Since that time, the former "Ultimate Fighter" participant has gone 2-0 while also signing a new deal to fight under the Affliction banner starting in 2009.

Thomas picked up his most recent win at Roy Jones Jr.'s "March Badness" card last weekend where he defeated former Strikeforce lightweight Gabe Lemley with a devastating knee strike knockout in the first round.

The move to 145 pounds seems to fit Thomas, who enjoys not giving up as much size as he was forced to when competing against lightweights in the past.

"I feel really good at 145 now and the best part about it is the guys I'm fighting are smaller, so I think that is the real key for me," said Thomas. "When I fought Josh Neer, I just told myself I can't keep fighting these bigger guys. I'm training with the 155-pounders on my team and these guys are just a little too big for me."

After leaving the UFC, most believed he would land with Zuffa's other promotion, World Extreme Cagefighting, which boasts an impressive list of featherweights, but the Florida based fighter said the call never came.

"I felt like Vincent Chase on the last couple episodes of 'Entourage.' People just didn't want to see me and I was like 'dang, nobody really wants to give me a deal' and nobody was really looking out," Thomas commented. "So Affliction came along and they reached out and I was like 'alright, I appreciate it.' So I ended up signing with them."

Focused on making the featherweight division take notice, Thomas is now waiting for Affliction to make the call to put him in his first fight for that promotion, and he's ready to take on any opponent willing to step in the ring with him.

"When Affliction calls me, when they call me with an opponent, as long as I'm 100% healthy, I'm going to be in there," he said. "It really don't even matter who the opponent is. Anybody. I'm going to be in there and see if I can't rack up another W, knock somebody's teeth in the back of their throat."

Thomas will head back into training with his teammates at American Top Team while waiting for his next bout in 2009.

 

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Akihiro Gono released from the UFC, now in negotiations with Sengoku

he UFC has decided to part ways with PRIDE FC veteran Akihiro Gono following his decision loss to Jon Fitch at UFC 94 in January. The loss was Gono’s second consecutive loss in the UFC and it dropped his overall record with the company to 1-2.

It doesn’t look as though Gono will be out of work for long though. According to the latest print edition of The Wrestling Observer, Gono is currently in negotiations with the Japanese-based Sengoku promotion. If Gono does sign with Sengoku it would mark the first time since 2006 the Japanese MMA veteran has fought overseas.

Gono has fought all over Japan in his long illustrious career. Since his MMA debut in 1997 he has competed for the Shooto, Pancrase, and PRIDE promotions among many others. His signing with the UFC in 2007 was huge news for PRIDE fans as Gono became a fixture for the company following wins over Hector Lombard, Gegard Mousasi, and others.

 

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Michael Bisping offered new eight-fight deal with the UFC

After winning the third season of The Ultimate Fighter, the UFC had high hopes for England’s own Michael Bisping. Well, after going 7-1 with the company over a 3-year period that includes wins over Matt Hamill, Eric Schafer, and Chris Leben, Bisping is about to be rewarded.

According to a report from British MMA magazine, Fighters Only, the UFC has offered Bisping a new eight-fight, two-year contract.

The news could not come at a better time for Bisping who has been busy taping season nine of The Ultimate Fighter the last few weeks. Bisping is set to coach a team of fighters from the United Kingdom as they battle a team of fighters from the United States coached by Dan Henderson. The show is set to debut on Spike TV on Wednesday, April 1. Bisping will then face Henderson at UFC 100 in July, with the winner expected to be named a top challenger for Anderson Silva’s UFC middleweight title.

Bisping is currently 17-1 since his MMA debut in 2004, and the man has never been finished. His only professional loss came at the hands of current UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans, who defeated Bisping via split-decision back at UFC 78 in 2007.

 

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DREAM is also interested in getting Akihiro Gono

Dream Event Producer Keiichi Sasahara commented about Gono after the press conference at Deep official Gym in Tokyo on March 26. "He is a very attractive fighter because he has unique individuality. I believe he can attract and bring more fans into Dream. We have our first welterweight champion in July, and I want him to fight our champion for the welterweight belt."

 

[Shogun Locc]

Barnett, Huerta and Radach Featured on HDNet’s ‘Inside MMA’
videolink: http://www.sherdog.com/videos/recent/Barnett-Huerta-and-Radach-Featured-on-HDNets-Inside-MMA-1960
Josh Barnett fills in for Bas Rutten alongside Kenny Rice. They are joined on the set by Roger Huerta, Benji Radach and sports writer Pramit Mohapatra.

From the news cage, Ron Kruck offers the latest in MMA happenings.