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Feb 7, 2006
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Affliction “Day of Reckoning” fight card

When: Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008
Where: Thomas & Mack Center; Las Vegas, NV
Watch: Pay-Per-View

Here’s the latest on the Affliction: Day of Reckoning event:

Main Card

Josh Barnett vs. Andrei Arlovski @ HW (official)
Matt Lindland vs. Vitor Belfort @ MW (official)
Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira @ LHW (official)
Ben Rothwell vs. Pedro Rizzo (official)

Chris Horodecki vs. Dan Lauzon @ LW (rumored)
HDNet undercard

Roy Nelson vs. Paul Buentello @ HW (official)
Mike Pyle vs. Jason High @ WW
 
Feb 7, 2006
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Vitor Belfort out of Affliction 2

After his victory at Affliction’s debut, Vitor Belfort now is recovering from his broken hand and has been scratched from Affliction 2. “Man, I’m doing physiotherapy now and won’t be able to fight at October 11th, I wanna fight with 100%, so I’ll be at the next show to fight for the title”, said the athlete to TATAME, confirming that he’ll still fight for the title. “I spoke to them yesterday and they said I’ll face the winner of Matt Lindland’s next bout for the middleweight title. He doesn’t have an opponent yet, but the winner of this fight will face me probably in December”, told the athlete.
 
Feb 7, 2006
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MMA Quick Quote: Couture wants 6-10 million to face Emelianenko

They’re still trying to call me the heavyweight champion. I resigned and relinquished the title. Nogueira’s in my opinion the champion now in the UFC…I need to be free and clear of that before I can pursue this fight somewhere else with Fedor (Emelianenko). I’d love for the UFC to step up and make the fight happen. It has the potential to be the biggest mixed martial arts fight to date…It has the potential to do 700,000+ pay-per-view buys which is a helluva lotta money. I think 6-10 [million should be the salary] for each of us and they’re still gonna make a boatload of money on top of that.
 
Feb 7, 2006
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IFL CHAMP JAY HIERON TO SIGN WITH AFFLICTION

Former International Fight League welterweight champion Jay Hieron has followed in the path of Xtreme Couture teammates Mike Pyle and Chris Horodecki, announcing his intent to sign a one-year, three-fight deal with Affliction.



Hieron last week told MMAWeekly.com he had offers on the table from EliteXC, UFC, and Affliction, but the clothing company turned fight promotion brought the best deal.



“They came and offered me what I thought I was worth, and I’m happy to be a part of it,” he said.



Hieron and his lawyer are currently in due diligence with the contract, ironing out details of pay and exclusivity. He says he would like to test his skills overseas if the opportunity were there.



“I know I could definitely fight overseas, and I’m trying to see what we’re doing entails in the States,” he said.



The signing ends a two-month period of limbo for Hieron’s career following the cancellation of the IFL’s Aug. 15 card at the Izod Center in New Jersey. He said he had heard rumors of the company’s demise, but didn’t take them seriously until the event was cancelled.



“I’m finally going to see where my career’s going,” he said. “Now I can just put my mind at ease and train and know I have a home. Get back to what I love doing, and that’s competing.”



Now, the search is on to find the welterweight a worthy opponent. A quick survey of Affliction’s welterweight ranks shows that the company needs to import more talent to keep Hieron busy in the next year. The only other notable fighter in the division is teammate Mike Pyle, and that’s not even an option for him.



Hieron said he has already begun training for Oct. 11’s “Day of Reckoning,” and should know more about his opponent soon.
 
Feb 7, 2006
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John Alessio: I'm not facing Jake Shields at Sept. 20 EliteXC event

Despite recent reports of EliteXC welterweight champion Jake Shields (21-4-1) defending his title on EliteXC's Sept. 20 card against John Alessio (23-11), the potential challenger today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) he will not be ready in time for the Albuquerque, N.M. event.

Alessio was recently forced to take time off from training after suffering a broken arm in a June victory over veteran Pete Spratt. Now the Xtreme Couture fighter feels it imperative to allow ample time for a full recovery.

"Sept. 20 is the date [EliteXC] brought up (for a bout with Shields), and that's just too soon for my arm," Alessio said. "I had surgery on [my arm] three days after the fight (with Spratt). I had a cast on it for a little while. Now I'm out of it, and I'm back in training.

"But I had to take five weeks off. Getting ready for a five-round fight by Sept. 20 is too much."

Not that Alessio wouldn't relish the opportunity to face Shields.

"I'm a hundred percent in to fight Shields," Alessio said. "I just need a little bit longer. If EliteXC can make it happen on the Oct. 4 show, then it's a go. I just don't know what EliteXC's plan is."

Additionally, though ongoing rumors have been circling for weeks that Alessio's signing with EliteXC was a done deal, the 29-year-old said the contract is not yet official.

"I signed [the contract]," Alessio said. "I just don't think we've handed it in. I think my managers are holding on to it to wait to find out what's going on.

"To be honest, I'm not one hundred percent sure. We're still talking as far as I know."

Despite the questions currently surrounding the bout, Alessio is hopeful a deal can soon be reached.

"I hope [EliteXC] can make it happen Oct. 4 because then I'm in," Alessio said. "It would be a big honor to fight for the EliteXC title -- especially against such a great champion.

"It could be a fun fight."
 
Feb 7, 2006
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Exclusive: Cyrille Diabate Ready To Return At ShoXC, Eyes EXC Title


Cyrille "Snake" Diabate (11-6-1) will make his return to MMA action this Friday night when he takes on Jamie Fletcher (6-3) at ShoXC from the Table Mountain Casino in Friant, California. The event will air live on Showtime.

Diabate last fought for Cage Rage in April of 2007 but since then has run into a few road blocks that put his MMA career on hold.

"After my last fight in Cage Rage I wanted to make sure I took my career to the next level," Diabate told MMANews.com "I knew management was crucial so I contacted Ken Pavia (of MMAagents) and he was interested in working with me straight away. The first fight he booked for me, I broke my ankle two weeks beforehand."

Rarely injured through his fighting career that began almost 18 years ago, Diabate was stuck in a cast while the broken ankle heeled. Once the cast came off Diabate was offered a chance to train at Team Quest while Dan Handerson prepared for his fight with Anderson Silva earlier this year. Following that, EliteXC came calling and "Snake" signed a contract and will make his US debut Friday evening.

For Diabate, motivation was something that was hard to maintain with the obstacles in his way, but with new management and all injuries mended he is ready to take his career too that next level he was ready for over a year ago.

"Motivation is a hard thing to keep when you have been training and fighting for over 17 years. When I was 18 I was a bit of a handful and I had alot of things to express, mostly anger. I loved Martial Arts and Combat Sports and that was when I decided to make the jump. Now I want the EliteXC belt and I want to establish myself as a true and real MMA artist."

Primarily known as a striker, only three of Diabate's 11 wins have come via submission but his last win in April 2007 was a slick armbar submission only 1:05 in the first round. Working his ground game is something that he has spent a lot of time on and although he realizes he isn't the best grappler in the world, he knows how to put it together.

"I won't say I have the best grappling or wrestling in the world but my skills in those fields are enough for MMA. The whole is what is important, the transistions between those aspects of MMA, and the gameplan is what binds everything together."

Jaime Fletcher has fought on the last two ShoXC and is also a veteran of Pancrase but experience could come in to play as Diabate has fought some top level fighters in his time including Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Renato "Babalu" Sobral. "I think I match up well him him (Fletcher) and I feel like he is a tough that that will let me shine. I have more experience, more skills, and I think that will be too much for him at some point in the fight. I see myself winning by any number of different ways."
 
Feb 7, 2006
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Jackson Arraignment Postponed

The arraignment of former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (Pictures) has been postponed Friday pending further investigation into his July 15 arrest in Costa Mesa, Calif.

Jackson was arrested on suspicion of felony evading, reckless driving and hit-and-run charges following a chase by authorities that saw Jackson’s Ford pick-up truck bounce off other vehicles, jump street medians and swerve onto sidewalks, which “caused pedestrians to flee in terror,” according to a Costa Mesa police department report.

“The district attorney’s office is responsible for filing charges and that case is still under investigation based on some new evidence that has been discovered,” said Farrah Emami, spokesperson for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Emami said Jackson, 30, would be notified of a new court appearance date once charges have been filed. Emami could not provide a timeline as to when the district attorney’s office, in conjunction with the Costa Mesa police department, would complete its initial investigation.

The outspoken Jackson, who shot to celebrity status with his first-round knockout of light heavyweight king Chuck Liddell (Pictures) at UFC 71 in May 2007, was also involved in two separate collisions on the 55 Freeway prior to his pursuit through Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. Holly Griggs, 38, of Huntington Beach, was reportedly sideswiped by Jackson in her 2007 Escalade vehicle, and has since miscarried a 16-week pregnancy.

“There were different incidents that occurred in different jurisdictions. There was Highway Patrol, there was Costa Mesa, there was Newport Beach. We’re looking at all of this as one potential case,” said Emami. “The recommendations of the police are taken into consideration, but it could be more charges or less charges, depending on what the evidence reports.”

Jackson was released on 25 thousand dollars bail on July 15, but was detained by police the next day following reports of erratic behavior by his friends and acquaintances, who had congregated at the fighter’s home in Huntington Beach. Jackson was placed under a 72-hour mental observation at a local hospital and was later released.

The Memphis native made his first public appearance at a pre-fight press conference for UFC 87 at the Mall of America in Minneapolis last Thursday. Flanked by UFC President Dana White, a lighthearted Jackson was cheered on by an enthusiastic audience.

“Everybody goes though a little something,” Jackson told the crowd. “UFC’s got my back. I’m doing good.”

White said Jackson’s behavior was caused exhaustion, dehydration, and “delirium,” following the fighter’s five-round decision title loss to Forrest Griffin (Pictures) at UFC 86 a week before the incident.

“He hung out in Vegas for a week,” said White. “He was hanging out by the pool and he was fasting, and he wasn’t drinking, he wasn’t eating. And he was drinking energy drinks.”
 
Feb 7, 2006
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Vitale match-up possible in Strikeforce, but Trigg focused on Sengoku 4

Veteran middleweight fighter Frank Trigg (16-6) is focused on next week's Sengoku 4 fight with Makoto Takimoto and -- that fight alone.

That's why the former UFC and PRIDE fighter isn't really discussing a possible Oct. 3 match-up that would take place at Strikeforce's upcoming show in Denver.

"I plan to fight for Strikeforce on Oct. 3, but I don't want to commit and then not be able to fight," Trigg today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "I definitely want to fight, but I just don't want to make that promise and then not be able to compete because of an injury or something from [next week's] fight in Japan. ... I don't even want to talk about the October fight."

Earlier this week, Strikeforce officially announced "Payback," an event that takes place Oct. 3 at the Broomfield Event Center near Denver. The main event features Colorado native Duane "Bang" Ludwig vs. fellow UFC veteran Sam Morgan. Trigg and Phil Baroni were also announced as likely participants, though their opponents weren't revealed.

"I have not signed a contract (with Strikeforce)," said Trigg, who hasn't fought since a submission victory over Edwin Dewees in December. "I won't even look at the contract until I get back from Japan because I want all of my focus to be on Makoto Takimoto."

However, that hasn't kept the industry from speculating on his potential Strikeforce opponent.

One rumored possibility for Trigg is Falaniko "Niko" Vitale (26-8), a nine-year veteran who's competed for the UFC, ICON Sport and many of the world's other top promotions. He's won five of his past six fights -- the loss came to Trevor Prangley at a November 2007 Strikeforce event -- and he owns previous victories over the likes of Matt Lindland, Yushin Okami and Dave Menne.

Trigg wouldn't confirm the Vitale match-up and only said he hopes to fight a "top-level guy" when he returns to the U.S.
 
Feb 7, 2006
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ShoXC preview: Jared Hamman discusses Po'ai Suganuma rematch

Despite having faced Po'ai Suganuma before, Jared Hamman still isn't that familiar with the Hawaiian fighter he meets for a second time on Friday night. After all, their first encounter lasted a mere 15 seconds.

"I really don't know much about his skills, but I know now that he's aggressive," said Hamman, who was on the receiving end of that aggression in their first fight in April on "ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series."

After clipping Hamman with an overhand right, Suganuma delivered a flying knee seemingly out of nowhere that floored Hamman and ended the proceedings before either fighter broke a sweat, much to the chagrin of the crowd at the Table Mountain Casino in Friant, Calif.

"One of the things that I tell my football players is that the first person who hesitates is the first person who gets rocked," said Hamman, who was a linebacker at the University of Redlands in California and went on to coach at the Division III school. "I hesitated just a little bit and he hit me with the right, which kind of dazed me a little bit. I sat back, and then he threw the weirdest-looking flying knee I've ever seen."

While Hamman defers to referee Jon Schorle as to whether or not the right call was made to wave off the fight, the previously unbeaten light heavyweight sprang to his feet almost immediately and appeared to be ready to continue.

Given the brevity of their first go-round, a rematch was all but a certainty, and it comes as the main event Friday on the latest installment of ProElite's "ShoXC" event from the Table Mountain Casino on Showtime (11 p.m. ET).

"Nobody likes to win by controversial decision," said Suganuma (9-1), who fights of Hilo, Hawaii, and is trained by B.J. Penn. "I thought I had him dazed, but I don't think he was completely out. I was a little surprised the ref did what he did but only because I wanted to hit Hamman again. If he wants to fight again, let's do it."

Defeat leads to changes for Hamman

The loss has served as a turning point in Hamman's fledgling MMA career. The 26-year-old has decided to put coaching on hold to train full time. He stepped down from his position at Redlands after three years and believes now is the time to move into contention for a permanent spot on the EliteXC roster.

"Before the loss, I was doing it (MMA) as a hobby – this thing I did on the side," he said. "But when I went down, it reset my mindset, and now I'm pissed. Now, I'm more driven and more determined to go for the championship belt. Before, I didn't have a goal. I was just fighting to test myself. Now, I have a goal and that's to win the belt."

Although his eyes are fixed on the sport's top prize, Hamman (9-1) has no illusions about his progression as a fighter. He's still young, with plenty to learn. He recently moved to Los Angeles to work more closely with his trainer, Vladimir Matyushenko, and take advantage of the occasional session with top boxing trainer Freddy Roach at Roach's Wild Card Boxing Club.

With nine wins, all by stoppage, in 10 fights, Hamman has written a quality first chapter in MMA. The winner of Friday's rematch will take a considerable next step in EliteXC's light heavyweight division, with a possible match-up against highly regarded prospect Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante potentially in the offing.

Other bouts scheduled for the Showtime portion of the card, include a lightweight bout between Fabricio Camoes (8-4) and Sam Morgan (19-10), Cyrille Diabate (11-6-1) against Jaime Fletcher (6-3) in a light heavyweight fight, and a King of the Cage title bout featuring middleweight champion Keith Berry (6-2) against Ray Lizama (5-5).

The card also will introduce a new women's weight class – 130 pounds – with American Debi Purcell (4-1) facing Rosi Sexton (8-1) of England.

Purcell was one of the first two women to compete in King of the Cage, and was the first and only female coach in the International Fight League. She has a three-fight deal with EliteXC.

"I've been telling promoters for years what women could bring to the sport," she said. "I've always thought that if you brought in skilled women and put them on a fight card, it would bring in the fans. We come to fight, always give everything we have, and it's always exciting. You never see a boring women's fight.''

Purcell hasn't fought since dropping her first fight to Hitomi Akano in February of 2006. Sexton is fighting for the first time since beating Julia Berezikova last August.

This will be the seventh edition of "ShoXC," which ProElite CEO Chuck Champion views as a critical piece to the continued progression of the EliteXC fight brand.

"We think we can get a lot more (out of ShoXC)," Champion told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "ShoXC is a great opportunity for us to showcase young fighters on their way up, and to use our other brands, like King of the Cage, to funnel people (fans) up to EliteXC, then to the CBS shows and then on to pay per view. We think we can do a lot more with it."
 
Feb 7, 2006
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Reis vs. Quach for 140 lbs. title to take place Sept. 20

Los Angeles-based Elite Xtreme Combat will introduce its 140 lbs. title on Sept. 20 in Albuquerque, N.M. at “The Pit” when Wilson Reis and Bao Quach face each other for the vacant championship.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com spoke with EliteXC officials earlier in the week about the possibility of the matchup being finalized by week’s end. EliteXC has yet to officially announce the match but Reis informed his no Gi jiu-jitsu class at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu United in Jenkintown, PA on Thursday night that the fight had been finalized earlier in the day.

Reis improved his record to 5-0 following a unanimous decision victory over Bryan Caraway during the SHOWTIME portion of EliteXC’s “Unfinished Business” on July 26. The 23-year renowned jiu-jitsu black belt is considered one of the top competitive grapplers in the world.

He’ll be facing an opponent in Quach, who improved his winning streak to nine following his unanimous decision victory against Mark Oshiro during ICON Sport’s “Hard Times” event on August 2. Originally known for being primarily a ground fighter, Quach’s standup has become highly respected under the tutelage of Colin Oyama.

EliteXC’s “Showdown” on Sept. 20 will be broadcast on SHOWTIME and is also expected to feature Joey Villasenor, Dave Herman, and Cristiane Cyborg against opponents yet to be determined. Five Ounces of Pain also broke the news on Tuesday that Paul Daley will be in action on the show in a bout against undefeated Team Tiger Schulmann welterweight prospect Lyman Good
 
Feb 7, 2006
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BROCK LESNAR IS A MIXED MARTIAL ARTIST

When former Division I collegiate wrestling heavyweight champion and World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Brock Lesnar made the decision to compete in mixed martial arts, he set lofty goals. After his debut win over Min Soo Kim in K-1, Lesnar set his sights on the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

"I'm a fighter, and I believe that if somebody should be holding a belt in the UFC, it's Brock Lesnar," the 31-year-old wrestler told MMAWeekly.com in August of 2007.

Lesnar debuted in the UFC against former heavyweight titleholder Frank Mir at UFC 81 and lost via kneebar in a fight he was dominating. "I've been in front of a lot of crowds, but the one thing I hadn't been in was the Octagon and fighting a former champion," commented Lesnar. "I put a lot of pressure on myself that first fight. I had more pressure on my first fight I think than I did this fight."

UFC president Dana White had reservations about bringing Lesnar into the UFC. "When Brock said he wanted to fight in the UFC, I told him, ‘this isn't the place to learn how to fight. You should fight in smaller shows,’" White told the media during the UFC 87 post-fight press conference. "He wanted to come here and test himself against the best."

After Lesnar's performance against Heath Herring at the Target Center in Minneapolis, White admitted something he rarely admits. "I'll be honest, I didn't think he could come in here with no fights and compete at this level. He proved me wrong. He looked unbelievable... I'm very impressed and I think everyone else is too."

Following his first win in the UFC, Lesnar told the media, "I got really excited after I won. And I have every right to be. I came off a loss. And it was tough. I don't like to lose. And it feels good."

Lesnar dropped Herring early in the first round with a right hand. Questioned if he's been working on his striking, he answered, "I've been working on everything, not just the right hand. It's one of those things where we broke Heath Herring down. And the advantage we had in our camp was Heath didn't have any footage on me and we had everything on him. He was expecting me to shoot on him and I faked a shot, faked a jab, and came with the right hand and put it where I needed to put it."

Following his impressive victory some criticized Lesnar for his post-fight antics, comparing it to his pro wrestling days. "That was just me. I was excited," stated the heavyweight fighter. "That was for Heath's camp because on the way out to the Octagon there was some things said before the fight. And I had the last laugh and the last words to say. That's all that matters to me.

"I may have went a little overboard," he added. "But I was having fun. You know? I like where I'm at and if I offended anybody, I'm sorry. Ah… not really."

With only three MMA fights, Lesnar hasn't shed that stigma of being a former professional wrestler despite the fact that several mixed martial artists also participate in pro wrestling matches in Japan.

"First and foremost, I'm an amateur wrestler," stated Lesnar. "I was in the entertainment business for four and a half years. I didn't forget who I was nor will I ever forget. I started wrestling when I was five years old. Nobody gave me anything in my entire life. I've had to fight for every damn thing that I've got and I'm proud of it. I'm proud to be here."

Lesnar admitted that two years ago he was at a crossroads in his career and didn't know what direction he'd end up going. But the 280-pound heavyweight has found a place in the UFC. "I feel at home here. People bounce around from job to job their whole lives and never find a home. I feel like this is where I belong."

White appears to agree, “(Heath Herring’s) fought the best fighters in the world. He got dominated… dominated by Brock Lesnar. Brock Lesnar is a mixed martial artist, no doubt about it.”
 
Feb 7, 2006
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Official UFC 88 fight card announced

The UFC recently confirmed the official fight card for "UFC 88: Breakthrough," which takes place Sept. 6 at Atlanta's Phillips Arena.

The event, which airs live on pay per view, features a headline bout of former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell (21-5 MMA, 16-4 UFC) vs. undefeated contender Rashad Evans (11-0-1 MMA, 6-0-1 UFC).

Additionally, former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) takes on "The Ultimate Fighter 3" alumnus and fellow Cincinnati native Matt Hamill (4-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) in the night's co-main event.

Other televised fights include Karo Parisyan (18-5 MMA, 9-3 UFC) vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida (10-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), and middleweight bouts of Dan Henderson (22-7 MMA, 2-2 UFC) vs. Rousimar Palhares (8-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) and Martin Kampmann (16-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) vs. Nate Marquardt (26-8-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC).

The full card includes:

MAIN CARD

Rashad Evans vs. Chuck Liddell
Rich Franklin vs. Matt Hamill
Karo Parisyan vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Dan Henderson vs. Rousimar Palhares
Martin Kampmann vs. Nate Marquardt
PRELIMINARY CARD

Kurt Pellegrino vs. Thiago Tavares
Tim Boetsch vs. James Lee
Matt Brown vs. Dong Hyun Kim
Roan Carneiro vs. Ryo Chonan
Jason Day vs. Jason Lambert
 
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Joe Riggs' plan: Move to 170 pounds, return to the UFC

With a September bout with highly regarded middleweight Kazuo Misaki (20-8-2) on the horizon, Joe Riggs (28-10) on Thursday told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) it will be his last in the division.

The Riggs vs. Misaki bout is one of a handful of matches that have been officially announced for "Strikeforce at the Mansion II," scheduled for Sept. 20 at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Riggs, who has fought from 170 pounds all the way up to heavyweight in his seven-year career, said the decision was made based on the way his 25-year-old body has developed.

"I'm going back to 170 because, for one, my body weight is just adjusted," Riggs said. "When I used to cut to 170 -- back when I fought Diego (Sanchez) and those guys -- it was a really, really tough cut. My body has adapted. Now it's easier."

Before making that drop to welterweight, Riggs must first fight a very tough Misaki. Riggs, who had an eight-fight stint in the UFC, believes the win is important to re-establishing himself among the world's elite.

"I'm at the point in my career where I want a big fight," Riggs said. "I need a big fight like that to push myself back into the top 10. Styles make fights, and this is a good style for me.

"[Misaki] likes to stand up and throw. He's more of a counter-fighter. I'm going to keep it on the feet. I'm going to press forward and keep going. He likes to rely on his speed, and I'm faster than he is. Technical-wise I'm better than I've ever been in my career."

Riggs, who has two fights remaining on his contract with Strikeforce, also hopes a win against such a noteworthy opponent could propel him to signing with a larger organization.

"The reason I want to fight somebody like Misaki more than a lesser opponent is because I'm not as young as I used to be," Riggs said. "I'm 25 (years old). I'm not old or anything. I'm just tired of stagnating.

"I want to jump back up there. When I leave Strikeforce I want to build up the momentum and carry that over to my next contract -- whoever that may be with. Like the UFC or something."

Riggs said he is open to the idea of returning to Strikeforce when his contract expires, but the desire to fight again on a grander scale is currently driving the Arizona resident to succeed on MMA's biggest stage.

"You never know," Riggs said. "I've got to weigh my options. Strikeforce is a cool company. I like (Strikeforce promoter) Scott Coker and those guys. They pay me good money. But I miss fighting on those (bigger) shows.

"I asked for my release from the UFC (in 2007), and they gave it to me. After that, sometimes the grass isn't always greener on the other side. I do miss fighting in the UFC."

While Riggs will have to wait to finalize any changes in his contract status, the decision to drop to 170 pounds has already been made.

"I'm going to be in the sport for many more years," Riggs said. "I'm only 25 (years old). I've got a decade left to go. Maybe when I do get older it might be hard to get that weight off me. I might go back to 185 (pounds) in later years. But for the next couple years to come, 170 (pounds) is definitely where I'll be at.

"I'm really excited. I can't wait to get going."
 
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Report: Elite XC cancels Showtime show set for September 20

Elite XC has apparently canceled its upcoming Showtime show from “The Pit” at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, N.M., on September 20, according to The Fight Network.

No reason was given for the sudden decision.

Here’s the snip:

“EliteXC has canceled their September 20th event that was scheduled to take place in Albuquerque, New Mexico.”

Jake Shields, Nick Diaz, Joey Villasenor, Paul “Semtex” Daley, Dave “Pee Wee” Herman and others were all expected to complete on the card.
 
Feb 7, 2006
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WEC 35 Ratings

Dave Meltzer gives the ratings and analysis for the recent WEC show in the print version of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

The latest ratings lesson comes from the 8/3 WEC show on Versus. The show did a 0.5 rating and 423,000 viewers, doing a 0.4 in Males 18-34 and 0.8 in Males 35-49. It’s the same numbers WEC was doing for non-Faber headlined shows before the 6/1 blowout. So even coming off a hugely successful event, the base regular WEC audience hasn’t changed. Most expect the next show with Faber to do a better number, but the hoped for upping of the profile of the company making a ratings difference for a normal show didn’t happen. It’s successful for Versus, which averages a 0.2 in prime time. The Males 18-34 number has to be disappointing, as of the 71 cable networks, it was only No. 12 in its time slot. The show did a sellout 1,006 fans, with 734 paid and a $116,900 house.
 
Feb 7, 2006
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UFC Eyes Canadian Regulatory Landscape

The Zuffa braintrust has stated that once Massachusetts and New York are wrapped up the UFC would turn their legalization forces towards Canada and mvoing towards full regulation there.

The current landscape in the Canadian market is a bit of a patchwork of differing regulations for different provinces. Some provinces like Quebec embrace MMA while Ontario has gone to great lengths to keep MMA at bay. Then you have the confusing situation that is the Vancouver/British Columbia mess. MMA is legal in certain parts of BC but the city of Vancouver itself has taken to banning the sport within the city limits:

But don’t expect the UFC or any other major promotion to host an MMA show in Vancouver anytime soon.

While major cities throughout North America and Europe are literally begging the UFC to come to town, Vancouver has clearly laid out the “not welcome” mat.

Vancouver city council voted last year against sanctioning MMA events, citing insurance and liability issues.

The UFC certainly looks to have their work cut out for them once they make the push into Canada. I’m not sure about the feasibility of it, but they may want to try and lobby on a national level in Ottawa, getting a seal of approval that can then be taken to the individual provinces to use as persuasion. The UFC seemed to take an opposite tack here in the States, completing regulation in most of the U.S. and then hiring a Washington DC lobbying firm to work congress.
 
Feb 7, 2006
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Thiago Silva ready for Lyoto Machida

Getting closer to the most important fight of his career, Thiago Silva faces Lyoto Machida on the fight that might define the next contender for the light heavyweight title. Training hard at American Top Team, Thiago still doesn’t have a strategy to face him. “I’m ready to fight. My preparation is good, I’m really focused. I came to now, but I was training in and will go to everything or nothing”, said Silva, that sees both athletes pretty equal at the division. “I think we both came where we are and faced great athletes, and who wins have all right to fight for the belt, and he has even more than me (laughs). But unfortunately I have to face another Brazilian fighter.
 
Feb 7, 2006
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Thiago Tavares Interview

What’s the game plan to beat Kurt Pellegrino?

Our game is pretty the same, but his Wresting is better than mine, and my Jiu-Jitsu is better than his. I bet that this fight will be finished on the ground. Our game standing up is pretty close and we are both getting better in this aspect, I’ll rush into him. I’m betting on the physical preparation, training Muay Thai, Boxing and I’m with a high level BJJ game and a good Grappling. I’ll do my best and we’ll see how it’s gonna be.

Will you go to Minotauro Team to train?

No. I’m at Florianopolis, my home land, and I’m getting ready in my gym. I’ll continue representing Minotauro Team, but Nogueira brothers are traveling a lot, Minotauro came here last week, but there’s almost nobody in Rio de Janeiro now. My training here are good, I’m doing my preparation with Thiago Jambo, Fábio Maldonado…

After your loss to Matt Wiman, how many fights do you think you have to win to start thinking about a title shot again?

I’m not in a position to think in a title shot. If I had beaten Matt, my situation here would be better and I would be thinking about it, but I believe that winning two or three in a row I’d do it. If I had beat him, my next fight was already set, but now my reality has changed and I’ll do whatever I need to beat Kurt and keep training hard , I’m believe it’s a matter of time. I did a new four fights contract with UFC and I’m pretty happy.

What happened in your last fight?

I respected him a lot, but during the fight, for a moment, I underestimated him. I thought that I was better than him in the fight and relaxed, and he punched me.

Dana White confirmed BJ Penn’s fight against GSP… How do you think BJ is going to be at welterweight?

He’s a phenomenon. He has total chances to win this fight, just like the other one against GSP. I believe it’ll be a close fight it might end by decision, but I believe St.Piere will take it. Both are like Anderson Silva, Minotauro and Fedor, and just an absurd level.
 
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Mirko CROCOP responds to Overeem - Accepts To Fight Him!

Hi everyone, today I can take a bit more of free time so I'm here with you to share my thoughts and give you a little insight to my current trainings and career status.

Good news first. I'm very satisfied with my recovery and I'm back to my usual training regiment. I feel no pain and everything looks perfect so far. I'm training hard, really hard, as I feel I have a lot more to prove. First to myself, but to army of my loyal fans as well! I had no summer break, I'm 100% focused on getting back on track and I can promise you many great things from Cro Cop.

Regarding September 23, I'm expect to fight, but nothing is still officially confirmed. I leave this to DREAM and I have no doubt that I'll be there on that card, fighting whoever they put me against. I'm hoping to face a top ranked fighter, preferably Alistair Overeem. I'm familiar with his latest interviews and many people already asked me what do I think about his words. I don't like commenting other fighters, it's not my thing.
But Alistair, you should save your strength for a real fight, because it's coming. When I see you in the opposite corner, then I'll talk.

I'm off to my hometown to visit my familly and friends, since it's an Assumption Day in Croatia and I took a day off. On Monday I resume my preparations for September and expect some exclusive materials from my trainings here on www.mma-id.com soon!