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Feb 7, 2006
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M-1 Superfights

M-1 Global announces that from now on all the superfights will consist of three 5-minute rounds with the possibility of an extra 5-minute round in case of draw. Thus, these bouts will be held under IMA rules.

That change comes into force starting with the next M-1 Affliction Challenge event scheduled for November, 21-st in St.Petersburg, Russia
 
Feb 7, 2006
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SBJ: UFC Gates Up, PPV sees modest gains

The Sports Business Journal has another good article looking at the exodus of competitors from the MMA market, as well as the general health of the UFC as the leader in the industry:

Zuffa LLC, the UFC’s parent company, says it is turning a profit on $300 million in annual revenue. Pay-per-view accounts for more than half of that number, followed by television money generated from a deal with Spike TV, and event operations.

Gate receipts for PPV events are averaging $3.25 million this year, up nearly half a million from 2007. PPV buys were up approximately 8 percent in 2007, and another year-over-year increase is expected in 2008.

The article notes the growth of the UFC but also illustrates how the gains of the sport have yet to fully reach the athletes, in the form of big time sponsorship dollars:

Nick Swinmurn, president and CEO of MMADHOUSE, said a UFC fighter can bring in $100,000 in a single year over three or four bouts, and estimates that fewer than 10 percent of all fighters are making in the high six figures annually in endorsements.

“For the majority of guys, it’s not that lucrative yet,” he said. “But as long as you’re in the UFC there’s no doubt the opportunities are coming.”
 
Feb 7, 2006
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'Relentless' Faber Continues to Improve
vidolink:http://www.sherdog.com/videos/recent/Relentless-Faber-Continues-to-Improve-1816
Urijah Faber says Mike Thomas Brown has to have a perfect night to take his WEC featherweight title. “The California Kid” will put his skills to the test tonight on the Versus-televised WEC card against the crafty American Top Team fighter.

Greg Savage caught up with Faber to discuss his title defense at WEC 36
 
Feb 7, 2006
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Filho Misses Weight for WEC 36 Title Bout

A mixture of disbelief and disappointment spread through the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on Tuesday, as World Extreme Cagefighting middleweight champion Paulo Filho stepped on the scales at the official weigh-in for WEC 36.

The undefeated Brazilian checked in at 192 pounds -- a whopping seven pounds over his contracted weight limit -- for his rematch with Chael Sonnen. “How much?” a dismayed Sonnen asked, with longtime trainer Matt Lindland at his side. The Team Quest middleweight had no such trouble meeting the 185-pound threshold; Sonnen tipped the scales at 184.5.

Filho, whose personal problems away from the cage in recent months have been well-chronicled, later weighed-in at 189 pounds. The contest will go forward, but in a non-title, three-round affair.

Filho submitted Sonnen with an armbar at WEC 31 in December, and though the American claimed afterward that he had not tapped out, replays showed otherwise. Sonnen has since defeated Bryan Baker by unanimous decision.

Meanwhile, WEC featherweight kingpin Urjah Faber (144.5) will carry a 13-fight winning streak into his showdown with American Top Team’s Mike Thomas Brown. Though he checked in half a pound over the 145-pound limit for the fight, Brown (145) made weight on his second attempt.

“I can’t wait,” Faber said. “I’ve been dying to fight here.”

Filho and Brown were not the only WEC 36 fighters who had trouble on the scales.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace Rani Yahya (137) came in a full pound over the 136-pound limit for his highly anticipated bantamweight bout against Yoshiro Maeda (135). Even so, Maeda -- who was involved in a “Fight of the Year” candidate with 135-pound champion Miguel Torres at WEC 34 in June -- accepted the fight without forcing Yahya to cut additional weight.

WEC 36 Full Weigh-in Results:
Urijah Faber (144.5) vs. Mike Thomas Brown (145)
Paulo Filho (189) * vs. Chael Sonnen (184.5)
Jens Pulver (146) vs. Leonard Garcia (145.5)
Jake Rosholt (185.5) vs. Nissen Osterneck (184.5)
Rob McCullough (155.5) vs. Donald Cerrone (156)
David Avellan (185) vs. Aaron Simpson (184.5)
Jose Aldo (146) vs. Jonathan Brookins (146)
Carmelo Marrero (206) vs. Steve Steinbeiss (202)
Danny Castillo (156) vs. Rafael Dias (155)
Rani Yahya (137) vs. Yoshiro Maeda (135) **

*The Filho-Sonnen fight will now be a three-round, non-title bout.

**Although Rani Yahya came in 16 ounces over the limit at 137 lbs., Yoshiro Maeda has agreed to face the Brazilian without forcing him to drop another pound.
 
Feb 7, 2006
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PRO ELITE FOR SALE AT PUBLIC AUCTION

The pieces of fallen mixed martial arts promotion Pro Elite, Inc. are on sale.

In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing dated Nov. 4, executives from Showtime Networks and parent company CBS Corporation announced that the assets of Pro Elite, Inc. would be sold to the highest bidder in a public auction scheduled for Nov. 17.

“Showtime gave the Issuer a notice pursuant to the Security Agreement, as amended, that it intends to sell all of the Issuer’s personal property, whether tangible or intangible, to the highest bidder at a public sale,” the filing states. “Showtime reserves its rights under the Security Agreement, as amended, and applicable lawto adjourn or cancel the sale and thereafter dispose of such property in a public or private sale or in any other manner provided by applicable law.”

The filing comes only days after Pro Elite sent a letter to fighter managers stating the company was in the process of downsizing and planned to put on another card in early 2009.

Kelly Kahl, Senior Executive Vice President for CBS Primetime Television, had no comment on the sale.
 
Feb 7, 2006
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VARNER EXPECTS TO FIGHT EITHER RAZOR OR COWBOY IN JANUARY

It appears World Extreme Cagefighting lightweight champion, Jamie Varner, will return to action in January to face the winner of “Razor” Rob McCullough and Donald Cerrone as announced by the champ himself at a public Q&A session with fans at the WEC event in Florida on Tuesday.

Varner last fought in August when he defeated Marcus Hicks, but the defending title holder has been waiting for a new opponent since that time and it was originally thought that he would fight in December, but the cancellation of the WEC event in September forced everything to be pushed back.

While speaking to the crowd, Varner said that he expects the fight to take place on Jan. 25 possibly in San Diego, Calif., but WEC officials could not confirm that information to MMAWeekly.com at the event.

When speaking to MMAWeekly Radio in August after his win, Varner made his pick for who he would like to fight, but will have to wait until Wednesday’s event to find out get the title shot.

“I want Rob to win, I really want Rob to win. I like Donald Cerrone, he’s a great fighter. I’d like to fight both of them, but I’ve just got a bone to pick with Rob,” Varner commented.
 
Feb 7, 2006
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LIDDELL ADDRESSES CRITICS, VOWS TO MOVE ON

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell is fighting a battle of meaning in the public eye: can one punch change everything?

Liddell, 38, built his reputation giving and taking punches. From 2004 to 2006, he cleaned out the sport’s marquee division, collecting wins against stars like Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz, who, like him, built the foundation for the UFC’s explosion in popularity.

But a new guard has encroached upon Liddell’s legacy, and chinks have begun to appear in his armor. Spearheaded by the minds at Jackson’s Submission Academy in Albuquerque, N.M., Liddell has lost to three out of his last four opponents, and his light heavyweight title to Quinton Jackson at UFC 71.

A spectacular knockout loss to Rashad Evans at UFC 88 brought the subject of retirement into sharp focus. After the fight, Liddell said he’d decide in the gym, not in the pressroom, whether to hang up his four-ounce gloves.

Nearly two months later, Liddell is sitting on the mats at training home The Pit, texting away on his beloved Sidekick. He has just celebrated his son Cade’s birthday, and is beat from a month and a half of travel.

Not a whole lot’s changed in his lifestyle. He’s still crisscrossing the country doing publicity junkets for the UFC, as popular as ever. A recent itinerary took him from the Philippines to Hawaii to Nebraska, in no particular order.

Trainer John Hackelman stands by the heavy bags in the brightly lit room, about to take a staff member to lunch. He says the conversation following Liddell’s loss to Evans was pretty short.

“Chuck, how you feeling?” he recounts. “Do you want to go on? ‘Yes.’ Alright, let’s go. I don’t think one punch – I’ll never say lucky punch because Rashad trained for that punch too long – is going to separate Chuck from his career. It landed just like Chuck knocked out many, many, many opponents and they didn’t all quit right away. It was the first time Chuck was KO’d, and I don’t think that would warrant talks of retirement.”

Liddell bristles at the idea of one fight changing everything.

“You don’t ever want to get caught like that in a fight, but it happens,” he says. “I don’t think that says I can’t perform anymore. Up to that point in the fight I was winning the fight. If he hadn’t caught me, most likely we would have gone another round and a half, or maybe I would have caught him.”

Of particular irritation are critics who say Liddell’s striking style sets him up for defeat. Outsiders have often characterized it as a “looping” punching style, focused exclusively on the knockout punch. Obviously, it’s worked for Liddell more than it hasn't. But against Evans, who used a more compact striking style, many questioned whether it was outdated.

“I think it’s unfair,” Liddell told MMAWeekly.com. “I do have some great looping punches but most of those are started off by some good straight punches, good solid punches. But I do like to throw with power, and it shows. I’ve done well with it.”

It’s a situation he has been largely immune to until now. Once unquestioned, he finds himself defending his legacy. All he wants to do is fight.

“I have one fight I get caught, and all of a sudden my striking is no good?” Liddell poses. “That’s kind of how you guys feel in the sport. You media guys, (if) you lose a fight – nobody was saying that when I beat Wanderlei (Silva). Nobody was talking about how my striking was overrated. Now eight months later, I lose a fight, and my striking is no good.”

Liddell does acknowledge his mistakes in the Evans fight, and says he’s still working on “bad habits.” In the gym, he could get away with dropping his hands, leading with body shots. As he knows now, those days are over. The key is a stricter gameplan – everything measured to maximize offense and defense.

“It’d be me changing my game plan, not my style,” Liddell says. “I mean, you’re not going to change how I punch, how I strike. (I can) change what I decide to do just like I did for Wanderlei, I planned on taking a couple of shots. That’s not changing my actual style. My style includes everything, it’s just what I decide to use in the fights.”

Hackelman says he wouldn’t want his prized student to change. At this point in Liddell’s career, there’s not much he can.

“Keeping the hands up is great to say, everybody knows they should do it, but it’s a big problem for fighters of all levels,” he says. “You could get the best fighters on the planet in boxing, kickboxing, MMA, everyone drops their hands, because of simple physics of gravity. Everyone’s going to drop their hands occasionally, and when you do, you expose certain things, so yeah, we’ll work on that. You just work on some of the things that need to be tweaked, that’s all.”

Then Hackleman goes stiff, keeling over on the mats. He gets up with a big smile. This MMA business can’t be too serious.

Liddell says he anticipates another fight in early 2009, but thinks the UFC is waiting to see how the light heavyweight picture looks at the end of December before giving him an opponent. One idea, Anderson Silva, was floated at the post-fight press conference for UFC 90. Though he doesn’t call fighters out, Liddell welcomes the idea, and says a fight with Silva would be a perfect place to showcase different skills.

“I think it would be a great fight,” he said. “I think I match up well. I hit very hard, and I’m a big 205-pounder. And he’s going to have to worry about me taking him down. I have a good shot mixed in the middle of that. So he’s definitely a guy that I would take some shots on.”

That said, Liddell only has so many opportunities to get his title back. He still burns for it, and another setback could be devastating. But another one of his patented knockouts could silence fickle MMA fans... and that's the way he'd like to go out.

“My timetable is still the same,” he said. “I want to make another run at it. I think another loss could put an end to making a run for it, cause I think that would put me way too far out of title contention. Now, I still feel like I get a few wins, get a title, get a few defenses, maybe. So we’ll see.”
 

Arson

Long live the KING!!!!
May 7, 2002
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it is weak, how people act like somebody is garbage after one k.o, rampage has been stopped WAY worse, and everybody is still on his dick.
 
Feb 7, 2006
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Hector Lombard under consideration for new MMA series on ESPN Deportes

Former Cuban Olympic Judo competitor and Cage Fighting Championship middleweight champion Hector Lombard is one of a handful of MMA competitors being considered for a new MMA series that will air on ESPN Deportes in the spring of 2009.

Sources close to the series, which is still in development, told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) of Lombard's possible inclusion in the program on Tuesday.

The show, which is expected to be a combination reality and event series, will likely debut in April or May of 2009 with a formal announcement of the show's launch likely to take place on Nov. 17.

In addition to ESPN Deportes, the series could also air on ESPN's broadband network ESPN360.com.

Bjorn Rebney, a former "Friday Night Nights" boxing executive, will head Bellator Fighting Championships, which will promote the series for ESPN.

Lombard (17-2-1), a highly touted prospect who was once on the UFC's radar before visa issues kept him from fighting Karo Parisyan at UFC 78, recently signed on with First Round Management.

When contacted for comment, a company spokesperson told MMAjunkie.com that the management company has been contacted by Bellator Fighting Championships about Lombard being on the show. However, the spokesperson said that no decision can be made about BFC, or any of the other organizations that have inquired about Lombard's services, until they can find resolution with the fighter's EliteXC contact.

Lombard signed with the now-all-but-defunct organization earlier this year but never fought for EliteXC, which informed the Nevada State Athletic Commission last month that it was ceasing operations. ProElite, Inc., EliteXC's parent company, recently revealed its intentions of promoting an event in early 2009, but the move is likely a last-ditch effort to protect its fighter contracts, which is about the only thing of value left with the company.

Many fighters, including Lombard, are now stuck in a state of limbo.

However, if cleared, he -- and a handful of Hispanic fighters -- are expected to compete in tournament and non-tournament bouts during the 12-week series. The show will reportedly focus on the 145-, 155-, 170- and 185-pound weight classes.

Lombard, who turned pro in 2004, has fought for organizations such as PRIDE and DEEP, but he's competed exclusively for the Australian-based CFC for his three bouts that took place in 2008. Lombard is 10-0-1 is his past 11 fights.

Highly ranked lightweight Eddie Alvarez (15-1) and World Victory Road/Strikeforce veteran Jorge Masvidal (13-5) are also under consideration for the show, Sherdog.com reported on Monday.

ESPN Deportes, which launched in 2004, reaches approximately 3.4 million Hispanic cable households, according to ESPN. ESPN360.com, which originally launched as ESPN Broadband in 2001, streams more than 2,500 live events per year.
 
Feb 7, 2006
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Despite title-shot snub, Kenny Florian "thankful" for bout with Joe Stevenson

UFC President Dana White giveth, and then he taketh away.

Such is the lesson learned by UFC lightweight Kenny Florian (10-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC), who was all but promised a second shot at the lightweight title in the months building up to his UFC 87 bout with Roger Huerta -- only to have the opportunity taken away.

But as Florian recently told TAGG Radio (www.taggradio.com), the official radio partner of MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com), the chance to improve his game is just as important as another chance at the belt.

"I really just feel that all the experience with a lot of the fights has really benefited me more than anything else," Florian said. "It's just going to get me that much more prepared when I do fight for the championship."

In May, White told members of the media on a pre-UFC 84 conference call that there was a better-than-average chance that the winner of Florian and Huerta would be next in line to challenge for the title.

"The fight between Roger Huerta and Kenny Florian, I think the winner of that fight will fight the winner of [Penn vs. Sherk]," White said.

But in the week preceding that bout, White told TAGG Radio that a fight between welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre and lightweight title-holder B.J. Penn may trump Florian's bid.

"There's no guarantees that Florian and Huerta are going to get a title shot after this fight," White said. "It definitely puts them in the mix ... but definitely, if St. Pierre beats Fitch, it's looking like it'll be GSP (vs.) B.J. Penn."

St. Pierre held up his end of the bargain, and Florian now finds himself matched up with fellow contender Joe Stevenson at "UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar." Despite the reversal in fortunes, Florian is comfortable with his current situation.

"The opportunity to fight great fighters -- tough fighters -- one after another is going to benefit me a lot when it does come down for the second shot at a title," Florian said. "I fought Sean Sherk (in my first bid for the lightweight title) after just a few UFC fights. I'm a completely different fighter, and it's going to be a completely different experience a second time around.

"And I'm thankful for these fights. I'm ready. I think some people have said, 'Why wouldn't he just wait? There's a lot at stake fighting Joe Stevenson right now.' But for me, every fight is a risk. And for me, it's just another opportunity for me to prove myself as a No. 1 contender."

A win at UFC 91 would be Florian's sixth in a row -- and ninth in his previous 10 bouts.

Compared with fellow UFC 91 competitor Brock Lesnar -- who will be gunning for the UFC heavyweight belt despite a mere 1-1 record in the organization -- Florian would seem to be far more qualified for a shot at the belt. While "KenFlo" is not thrilled at the UFC's decision to award Lesnar a chance at gold, he is understanding of the logic behind the decision.

"I'm not crazy about that idea (of Lesnar fighting for a belt)," Florian said. "I think that it's a real marketable fight, no doubt about it. There's a lot of benefits for the UFC in that regard. I think it's going to be a huge seller. It could be the biggest UFC pay-per-view ever. So for that, I'm thankful because I'm on the same card. I'll be fighting right before them.

"But I'm not crazy about the idea if a guy just coming to the UFC and getting a title shot right away. I know he lost his first fight against Frank Mir. And while he was doing great up until that point -- it was a quick fight, but he was doing great up until the point he got submitted -- I think it's just a little too soon."

Florian believes the precedent set by the decision could prove to be a mistake.

"It kind of sends a message that almost anyone can go in and in a couple of fights get a title shot," Florian said. "I don't know if it's the right message we want to send for the sport."

Despite his belief that Lesnar is being awarded the title opportunity a bit too soon, Florian does acknowledge the strengths that Lesnar brings to the table.

"There's no doubt about it, Brock Lesnar is the real deal," Florian said. "He is a real, mixed martial artist.

"People see him as a WWE guy. They don't realize that he's an all-American wrestler and that he's probably (been) training non-stop for the last few years with jiu-jitsu coaches, wrestling coaches, boxing coaches, kickboxing coaches. I think people just see him as some big dude from the WWE coming in and getting a title shot. That's kind of unfortunate."

Rather than focusing on what he no longer has, Florian will instead set his sights on the challenge that lies before him in Stevenson.

"I just want to beat [Stevenson] at everything," Florian said. "Whatever range, whatever situation we find ourselves in, I want to be the guy with the upper hand and doing the damage. That's what I plan on doing. I just want -- from start to finish -- beat him down at everything."

Florian also talked about the opening of his new gym, his plan for facing Stevenson and if he would be interested in retuning to "The Ultimate Fighter" as a coach. To hear the full interview, download Tuesday's edition of TAGG Radio, available for free in the TAGG Radio archives.
 
Feb 7, 2006
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ProElite assets, including fighters' contracts, headed to auction

What's left of ProElite, Inc. will head to the auction block later this month.

Showtime, which owns a 20 percent stake in the company, has authorized the sale of ProElite's assets. Showtime and CBS made the announcement Tuesday in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The filing outlined Showtime's intention to sell ProElite's "tangible and intangible assets" to the highest bidder at a public auction on Nov. 17.

ProElite Chairman Chuck Chairman did not return messages left by MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

The auction will take place in Los Angeles.

The sale will include contracts with a number of EliteXC fighters, including Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson, Gina Carano, Jake Shields, Robbie Lawler, Frank Shamrock and many others.

The filing officially quashes any rumor of EliteXC's possible resurrection in 2009.
 
Feb 7, 2006
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UFC Quick Quote: Brock Lesnar is sick and tired of the steroid allegations

“I’ve been accused of using steroids my entire life, probably since the tenth grade in high school… I’ve never failed a drug test. Now if I was a black guy and I looked the way I do would I get asked this question a 100 times? I just happen to be a white guy that has some great genetics, so I guess that puts a bullseye on me… I’m a white dude that’s shredded and you don’t see a lot of it — a guy that’s walking around that looks like me.”
 
Feb 7, 2006
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Martin Kampmann signs new four-fight contract with the UFC

FiveOuncesOfPain.com has learned that the UFC has signed Martin Kampmann to a new four-fight contract.

The news was confirmed with Kampmann’s agent, Ken Pavia.

Kampmann is 13-2 in his professional mixed martial arts career and is 4-1 lifetime inside of the Octagon. His most recent fight was a first round TKO loss to Nathan Marquardt at UFC 88 in September but prior to that he was 4-0 with victories over Crafton Wallace, Thales Leites, Drew McFedries, and Jorge Rivera.

A standout kickboxer prior to crossing over into MMA, Kampmann has become a respected grappler and had won nine consecutive fights prior to the loss to Marquardt.

According to Pavia, Kampmann is planning to drop to welterweight for his next bout and has also signed a sponsorship agreement with Hitman Fight Gear.
 
Feb 7, 2006
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Reported Paul Daley vs. John Alessio matchup not signed

In the past 24 hours word has spread across the Internet that a welterweight bout between Paul Daley and John Alessio was set to take place during Maximum Fighting Championship’s next event in Canada on Dec. 5.

After contacting Daley for comment, FiveOuncesOfPain.com has learned that those reports are premature. According to Daley, a bout vs. Alessio on that date is a fight that interests him but nothing has been signed.

Daley is an EliteXC contracted fighter but has competed outside of the organization in the past for promotions such as Cage Rage and Cage Warriors.

He most recently competed during EliteXC and CBS’ third-ever installment of Saturday Night Fights on Oct. 4. Matched against EliteXC welterweight champion Jake Shields, Daley submitted to an armbar at 3:47 of round 2 after a strong showing in the first round.

Alessio is also an EliteXC contracted fighter but has never competed for the promotion. A veteran of the UFC and WEC, Alessio is 24-11 and has just one loss in his last six fights. He last competed during “Night of Combat II” on Oct. 11 and recorded a TKO victory over Gideon Ray just 45 seconds into the fight.
 
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Jay Hieron vs. Jason High expected to take place at Affliction’s “Day of Reckoning”

While yet to be officially announced, a welterweight encounter between Jay Hieron vs. Jason High is believed to be finalized for Affliction’s second-ever event on Jan. 24 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com confirmed the news early Tuesday morning with a source close to one of the fighters.

Hieron is the former welterweight champion of the now-defunct IFL and is a former UFC veteran. He is 16-4 lifetime in an MMA career that began in 2003 and holds notable victories over Mark Miller, Delson Heleno, Pat Healy, and Jake Ellenberger.

Hieron last fought during SuperFights MMA’s “Night of Combat 2” on Oct. 11 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Originally scheduled to face Bryson Kamaka, Hieron ended up fighting Chris Kennedy on short notice after Kamaka was suspended for failing a drug test. The Xtreme Couture trainer was able to defeat Kennedy in a lop-sided unanimous decision.

Hieron had been scheduled to make his debut for Affliction against Drew Fickett on Oct. 11 prior to the promotion’s decision to postpone the event.

High is a a welterweight prospect with a perfect 6-0 record. Five of his six victories have taken place inside the distance and he holds notable victories over current UFC fighters Kevin Burns and James Giboo.

In addition to Hieron vs. High, Affliction’s re-scheduled “Day of Reckoning” event is set to be headlined by Fedor Emelianenko defending the WAMMA heavyweight title vs. former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski.
 
Feb 7, 2006
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CroCop on Ishii, Fedor, Kimbo and More

Cro Cop on Kimbo
Not the most technically advanced fighter but a tough guy with a lot of heart. Would be a difficult fight for many top MMA fighters.

The best fighter in the world currently
Fedor. Incredibly dedicated and humble. Admires his approach. He doesn't live the high life but focuses on MMA only. Regrets that he didn't do the same with his career. His fight with Tim Syliva was an anomaly, that sort of attack and aggression was a once off. His fight with Arlovski will be very close but he gives the slight edge to Fedor.

Cro Cop on Ishii

Q: We've just got news that Olympic gold medalist Satoshi Ishii may want to fight you? What do you think about that match-up?

"To be honest this is the first time I've heard of his name. This is the first thing I've heard of this. Well, its embarrassing to find out about my upcoming opponents via this online chat rather than my management team however yes its interesting. It's a major thing to fight any Olympic gold medalist. So why not, I'm interested."

Q: So who would you rather fight at NYE him or Overeem?

"It doesn't really matter to me. People have to realize that this is just a business and I'm happy to fight who ever people think is the more interesting match-up for me. I'll fight anyone they put in front of me but in the end its just a business and who ever is the more interesting match-up business wise is who I will end up fighting. Fighters really have no say as to who fights who, it's a business decision."

Werdum
Disappointed that Werdum lost. Hasn't seen the fight yet. He left team Cro Cop after two and half years because he wanted to live in Brazil. Rules out training with him at Chute Box. He is happy with his current team.

Training
He said his ground word is more than adequate. Lister can't submit him on the ground and neither can he submit Lister.

Early Idols
One of Cro Cop's idols was Tyson. At his prime he considers Tyson the greatest boxer of all time.

On Knee Pads & Trunks
He is going back to the classic cro cop shorts. He'll have to wear the knee pads/guards for at least another fight.

Does Lesnar Deserve a title shot?
It doesn't matter. Its not about who the best fighter is, its just a business decision. If the UFC can make money with this match-up than why not.

Surgery
He decided to postpone his surgery as a favor to Dream/K1 who have supported his entire career. He owes it to them to fight on NYE.

Other Notes:
Wants to return to K1 one day, listens to 80's music domestic and foreign and likes Duran Duran. Doesn't know when he'll retire maybe a year or two, maybe five even. Confirms NYE match with Overeem.
 
Feb 7, 2006
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Rani Yahya wants to be the best at WEC

The 2008 ADCC champion Rani Yahya will have a great chance to grow in WEC tonight, when the Brazilian faces the former Pancrase champion Yoshiro Maeda. From Florida United States, where the 36th edition of the event takes place, Ataíde Junior, Yahya’s coach, spoke to TATAME.com about the expectation for this fight. “I don’t see where Maeda can surprise him, because Rani is with a great gound game and developed a lot his stand up part, training at Thailand”, said the coach, who commented the problem at the weight-in. “In the past, Maeda had the same problem on an event and suffered a lot to make weight, and then he had nothing to eat. Rani was there and had some fruits and foods, and gave everything do Maeda. Now Rani failed by one pound, so he didn’t care about that and agreed with the fight”, revealed Junior. Ready to face one tough challenge in the MMA career, he believes the fighter will do a great show. “Rani never had easy fights, neither at Submission, where he build his name, nor at MMA. Maeda is another tough fight in his way. A victory can put him close to a title shot, because Maeda was the last one to face Miguel Torres, did a great fight and is well ranked”, believes the coach.
 
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Palhares wants go be back to the octagon

After a great debut in UFC, the Brazilian Top Team fighter Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares faced the toughest challenge in his career, against the former Pride champion Dan Henderson, and the loss came by unanimous decision. Besides the loss, Palhares only sees good experiences from the bout. “I think it was great, because I wasn’t 100% in my physical strength and even tough I could take the fight till the end. It was a good fight for me and I think they (UFC) liked the fight and my style”, commented. After showing an impressive ground game on the first match, the Brazilian couldn’t take Henderson to the ground like he was planning, but when he did that he went looking for a key-lock, and almost did it twice. “It wasn’t that lock… If I could lock him there, he wouldn’t get out for sure. On the first one the bell saved him, because when I locked the time ran out, and the second I was on the grate so I couldn’t flip, he’d get out anyway”, analyzes Palhares, who credits the lack of ground game to Henderson’s strategy. “I think he could have fight more, come fight me… It was like that all the time”, remembers Toquinho, who commented Anderson Silva’s last fight in UFC, against Patrick Cote. “I’ll tell you the truth: people keep saying that he did this or that, saying bad things about him, but I think he did the right thing. He won, it doesn’t matter what he did, he won and that’s the most important”, said the BTT athlete, predicting Paulo Filho’s WEC fight tonight at Florida. “He’ll win for sure. I’m sure he’ll win, and if he stays on top he’ll submit, if God wants”, bets.
 
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Satoshi Ishii may join in Red Devil

Sponichi Annex reported on Nov 5 that Satoshi Ishii was planning to train with Fedor Emelianenko in Russia. If the plan works out, he will fly out to St-Petersburg after graduating, and train at Red Devil Sports Club to prepare for his debut.
 
Feb 7, 2006
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M-1 strengthens its positions in MMA

Today, on November, 5-th, M-1 held the press-conference. Present were M-1 Global president Vadim Finkelstein, Fedor Emelianenko's trainers from Red Devil: Vladimir Voronov and Alexander Michkov.

Vadim Finkelstein started off with the following statement: "After some important negotiations several major agreements were reached, namely a strategic agreement with one of the major boxing promotion organizations of the North America Golden Boy Promotions, leading American clothing manufacturer in Affliction and with an American business magnate billioner Donald Trump. This alliance will have huge consequences for progress and evolution of MMA in the whole world."

Oscar de la Hoya will come to Russia to attend M-1 Challenge 9 in Saint Petersburg. Donald Trump has also expressed his wish to visit this event and moreover evenplay some role in the upcoming reality show "Fighting Fedor" set to hit TVin the future.

Also the details on the movie Fedor stars in were revealed. The project titled "The fifth execution" is directed by Alexander Yakimchuk. Such Hollywood veterans as Michael Madsen and Rutger Hauer will star alongside Fedor Emelianenko and some of the best Russian actors. At the moment Fedor is in Thailand on the set but he'll be back in Russia to participate in Combat Sambo World Championship scheduled for November, 16-th.