MMA News Thread

[Shogun Locc]

Kimbo Slice Set To Face James Thompson In Historic CBS Event

A report from NBCSports.com is stating that Kimbo Slice will face James "Megapunk" Thompson on May 31 in an EliteXC show to be televised live in a prime time slot on CBS. The fight card will be historic as it represents the very first MMA card to be shown live on primetime network television. The fight is expected to be officially announced next week.
Thompson (14-8) is a former PRIDE veteran who has lost six of his past eight fights, recently suffering a KO defeat to Brett Rogers in February. The 6'5" 264 pounder is known for his slugging, aggressive style which should play perfectly into the hands of Kimbo Slice who is known for his extraordinary punching power and quickness.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Randy Couture Comments On Fedor/Sylvia Match Up

Randy Couture sat down with FightHype.com to discuss his thoughts on potential the Fedor Emelianenko - Tim Sylvia fight. His thoughts below:
“… we’ll see what happens. I think it’s going to be an interesting fight. Fedor just fought a pretty tall opponent in Hong Man Choi, so obviously he’s been in that mode of dealing with a guy that size, but I think Tim is a little more seasoned fighter than Hong Man has proved to be. But Hong Man wasn’t easy so it will be interesting to see how Emelianenko deals with him and a pretty good indicator for me, having just fought Tim this last year, as to where I stand and how things might go if I finally get the chance to fight Fedor.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

Thiago Alves gets title shot after Jon Fitch

After earning his fifth straight victory in the UFC's welterweight division, American Top Team's Thiago "Pitbull" Alves (14-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) is now directly behind No. 1 contender Jon Fitch (17-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) for a shot at the title.

Alves was informed of his positioning by UFC matchmaker Joe Silva immediately following the 24-year-old Brazilian's TKO victory over Karo Parisyan (18-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC) at Ultimate Fight Night 13.

Alves discussed his possible title contention, as well as the hotly debated ending of the Parisyan bout, while a guest on Monay's edition of TAGG Radio (www.taggradio.com), a content partner of MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

"Right now I heard I'm right behind Jon Fitch," Alves said. "That's what Joe Silva told me."

With Fitch expected to take on the winner of next weekend's Matt Serra-Georges St. Pierre UFC 83 main event, Alves could potentially sit out briefly and wait on the results of these fights and his pending title shot. Alves, however, would prefer to stay active.

"I know I want to fight," Alves said. "My manager asked me if I want to wait to see what's up, and I said, 'I don't want to wait, I want to fight.' Probably I'll be fighting by June or July."

By most counts, Alves lost the first round of his bout with Parisyan. But Alves contends that was due, at least partially, to his always-patient strategy.

"I was feeling great," Alves said. "In the beginning, I always start slow. I don't start 100 percent. I start to pick up the pace while the fight is going."

That slow start also had much to due with Alves' respect for Parisyan.

"I was feeling him out a little bit because he's a big name," Alves said. "He's the biggest name I've fought. When I got to the USA, I saw him crushing people in the UFC, so I had a little mental thing. I said 'Let me feel him out, let me see what he's got. Let me see how strong he is and everything.'

"And after the first round, when I went back to my corner, in my corner is Jorge Santiago, and he says 'You see everything? You saw it? That's it. Now go fight him. Go kick his ass.' And in the second round we went and just took over the fight."

He needed just 34 seconds to force the stoppage in that round. Alves dropped his opponent with a knee to the head and then followed with a series of unanswered blows. Parisyan immediately protested the stoppage to referee Steve Mazzagatti, and some fans followed with a series of boos. However, Alves said that Parisyan himself has since apologized for doubting the validity of Alves' victory.

"You can look at the replay," Alves said. "Even I looked at it after the fight. He was out. He fell. He had no reaction at all. I kept punching and punching, and sometimes when you're out, when you get punched again you wake up. You don't know what just happened.

"That was [Parisyan's] concern. He thought that nothing happened. 'Why'd you stop the fight?' you know? When he saw the replay, even (Parisyan's coach Randy) Couture was like, 'You got knocked out.' After a while, [Parisyan] texted my coach and apologized and everything. Karo's a great guy."

With a title shot looming in the background, Alves is unsure who his next opponent will be. But regardless of the opponent the UFC chooses, the "Pitbull" can't wait to get back in the octagon.

"We'll see; you never know," Alves said. "I'm down for whatever. I just want to fight."

 

[Shogun Locc]

"Strikeforce on NBC" debuts Saturday

The first-ever weekly mixed-martial-arts program on major U.S. network television airs this coming Saturday, April 12, with the debut of "Strikeforce on NBC."

Newly crowned Strikeforce world middleweight champion Cung Le (6-0), who defeated former title-holder Frank Shamrock in the main event of March's 29 Strikeforce/EliteXC show, is the feature of the first half-hour episode.

The show airs at 2 a.m. on Saturday night/Sunday morning immediately following the hit late-night NBC show, "Poker After Dark."

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) first broke news of the Strikeforce-NBC deal in March. The 52-week partnership will give the San Jose, Calif.-based Strikeforce organization, one of the world's top-drawing promotions, a weekly presence on network TV.

Le, a Vietnamese-born fighter and former champion San Shou kickboxer, is now 6-0 in his professional MMA career, which has been spent entirely with Strikeforce. Saturday's debut show will include his June 2006 fight with Brian Warren, as well as a legendary Strikeforce battle between Duane Ludwig and Tony Fryklund.

The show will also focus on Le's out-of-the-cage career, which include a role in the forthcoming silver-screen adaptation of the smash-hit video game franchise, "Tekken." Le will also be seen in the soon-to-be-released feature film, "Fighting," and he was featured in The History Channel's "The Human Weapon" series and MSNBC's popular MMA documentary series, "Warrior Nation."

 

[Shogun Locc]

Urijah Faber on Jens Pulver WEC fight in June and more (Video)
videolink: http://mmamania.com/2008/04/09/urijah-faber-on-jens-pulver-wec-fight-in-june-and-more-video/

 

[Shogun Locc]

Gray Maynard broken hand, out 4 to 6 weeks

Gray Maynard is on the shelf for four to six weeks because of a broken hand sustained during his lightweight bout against Frank Edgar at UFC Fight Night 13 at the Broomfield Event Center in Broomfield, Colo., on April 2.

“The Bully” used a distinct size advantage to dominate the undefeated New Jersey native en route to an impressive unanimous decision win.

It’s an achievement that raised the stock significantly for the former contestant on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5 in the deep 155-pound class. In fact, it’s possible that he will next lock horns with Nate Diaz sometime in 2008.

Diaz submitted Maynard in the semifinals of the 16-man tournament, going on to claim the championship with a technical knockout win over Manny Gamburyan in the finals. Both fighters have shined since their stints in the mixed martial arts reality series.

Let’s hope Gray gets well soon and we see the rematch. If not, Tyson Griffin has been discussed as possible next opponent for Diaz.

Either way … win-win. Both are solid match ups.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Kang vs. Mousasi set for DREAM 2 on April 29

Denis Kang is set to return to the ring at DREAM 2 during the first round of promotion’s middleweight Grand Prix on April 29, according to Mike Russell of The Fight Network.

Russell is reporting that Kang’s opponent will be Armenian striking specialist Gegard Mousasi.

Kang has not fought since suffering an upset loss to Yoshihiro Akiyama last October during a K-1 HERO’s card in South Korea.

Mousasi has a lifetime MMA record of 20-2-1, according to Sherdog.com. He has won his last seven consecutive fights with notable victories over Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos and Hector Lombard.

DREAM 2 is set to take place in Saitama, Japan at the Saitama Super Arena and will feature a rematch between Gesias “JZ Calvan” Calvancante and Shinya Aoki stemming from their no contest during the first round of the lightweight Grand Prix. Additional middleweight Grand Prix matchups include Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Andrews Nakahara and Masakatsu Funaki vs. Kiyoshi Tamura.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Paul Daley vacates Cage Rage British welterweight title

Paul “Semtex” Daley has vacated the Cage Rage British welterweight title, according to an official announcement on the Cage Rage website.

Marius Zaromskis and Che Mills are slated to fight for the now vacant title.

The announcement added that Daley will remain the Cage Rage World welterweight champion and could defend the title during the latter portion of the 2008 calendar year or in early 2009.

Daley had been scheduled to fight next on May 10 at Cage Rage 26 at the NEC Arena in Birmingham, England. While the Cage Rage announcement did not say that fight had been canceled, it would appear that the fight is off.

Prior to the report that he would be fighting May 10, plans had been made for Daley to compete on the undercard of the Frank Shamrock vs. Cung Le show that took place in San Jose, Calif. on March 29.

It is believed that EliteXC pulled Daley from the San Jose show in response to a forum post he made in which he announced his intentions to retire.

“As of now I will be stepping down as Cage Rage Champion (British and World), FX-3 Champion and KOTR champion,” Daley wrote in February in a message posted on the Cage Warriors message forum. “I vacate all these titles. Furthermore I consider myself retired (from all MMA/Thai boxing) as of March 29th. March 29th I will fulfill my contracted commitment for Pro Elite, against a yet unnamed opponent

“No speculation. No further announcements. Once I’ve found the path I originally set out on in the martial arts, I may return to this SPORT. Maybe six months, maybe six years, who knows.”

Daley, considered one of the best mixed martial arts prospects to come out of England, last competed on Jan. 25 in Atlantic City on a ShoXC card where he recorded a first round TKO over Sammy Morgan. The win marked Daley’s fifth consecutive victory.

 

[Shogun Locc]

British Boxing Champ Talking MMA

British cruiserweight champ David Haye is talking about retiring from boxing at age 30 in 2010 and taking up MMA. Haye is no joke (I'm counting on Brent to correct me if I'm wrong here). He holds the WBA, WBC and WBO world cruiserweight titles.

Sounds like he's got the right attitude about approaching MMA:

I'd probably have to train for a year and try and make that fight because I definitely feel that my reactions are good enough - and if I can get my ground game to a reasonable level... Obviously, I'm not going to be able to catch up with these guys who have been doing jiu-jitsu their whole lives.
Believe it or not, I come from a martial arts background, my father was a karate teacher, so I've got good legs. I've done judo, so I know what I'm doing. I train at a gym called the Third Space in Piccadilly which has a jiu-jitsu dojo and I get in there from time to time and have a roll around with the guys. They tell me I'm at a decent level, if I put some focus into it and put some time and effort into it... I'm a natural athlete, I can do anything that I want to do and I think that it would be definitely worth my while getting in to do it.

It's just another challenge, I like to set myself goals and tasks and definitely fighting for the UFC heavyweight championship would be a real big thing for me and I'd do whatever was required to get that win. I'm a fighter, through and through - any kind of competition. I'd be a big underdog, and I'd actually like that. I like people writing me off.

I used to fight in the street, I used to be a street fighter, so I'm not a traditional boxer, I've done martial arts since the age of three. I might surprise a few people with my ground game.

Presumably by 2011 or whenever, MMA paydays would be more competitive with what he can make boxing. Plus Haye would be a big draw in England -- maybe he could make the sport mainstream in the UK.

 

[Shogun Locc]

BURKMAN SAYS "NO DECISIONS" AGAINST HAZELETT

Josh Burkman will return to action on June 21 as a part of the season seven “Ultimate Fighter” finale against Jorge Gurgel student Dustin Hazelett. Burkman confirmed that he signed a bout agreement for fight to MMAWeekly.com.

Burkman has been itching to get back into competition after he lost a controversial decision to Mike Swick in January, and now he’s more than ready to face Hazelett in June.

“I get excited every time they call me and say ‘hey do you want to fight?’” said Burkman. “I would fight every month if it was possible. Every time they call me I get stoked no matter who I’m fighting.”

The bout with Hazelett should be a good test for Burkman, who is currently 5-3 in his Ultimate Fighting Championship tenure, and he’s expecting nothing less than the best from his opponent.

“I saw him knockout Chad Reiner real quick and I was in the front row watching him fight Josh Koscheck. He’s definitely a tough kid,” he stated.

As previously mentioned, Burkman lost a decision to new welterweight fighter Mike Swick, and after that experience the Utah-based fighter is determined to keep the result of his fights out of the judges’ hands.

“No more decisions,” he said adamantly. “I’m going to do everything I possibly can to make sure this fight doesn’t go to a decision. I’ll even retire if it does go to a decision. I can’t have them anymore.”

Burkman has been running his own camp lately out of his home area in Utah, but he is changing things up for this fight and train at one of the top MMA camps in the world.

“I’m going to head down to Las Vegas and I’m going to train at Xtreme Couture,” he commented. “That’s the one thing that’s really going to benefit me is training with those guys that are where I’m at, they’re in the UFC. So I’m going to head down there see if I can pick some stuff up.”

Keeping no secrets from his opponent, Burkman says there is only one way this fight is ending.

“After this fight nobody will talk about my wrestling background anymore, because I’m not even going to try to clinch. I’m not even going to try to go to the ground. I’m going to try and knock this dude out,” said Burkman. “So much for not giving away a gameplan… there’s my gameplan.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

EXCLUSIVE: AN INSIDE LOOK AT SHAMROCK'S INJURY

Frank Shamrock suffered a broken ulna in his right forearm in his Strikeforce middleweight title bout against Cung Le on March 29. He has provided photos of the X-rays and the cast exclusively to MMAWeekly.com.

Shamrock had to have six pins and a plate put in his arm to repair the damage and the X-rays show just how severe of an injury it was. The bone was snapped in two forcing the former champion to verbally submit following the third round in the co-promoted Strikeforce/EliteXC main event.

"When he kicked me, I could feel the bones separate from each other," said Shamrock. "That was really, really painful. Then I hit him with the bones separated, and that was really, really painful."

The injury could sideline Shamrock for up to eight months. He has a temporary cast immobilizing the arm, but expects to be put in a hard-cast next week when the arm is re-evaluated by his orthopedic surgeon.

"I've got one of those weird soft-cast things on," explained Shamrock. "I think they're going to give me a new cast next week, a shorter cast."

Never one to miss out on a marketing opportunity, Shamrock joked, "What I was going to do, and I talked to my operations manager, I was going to sell some sponsorship on it. Think about it. It's permanent. It's not going to come off for at least a month."

Despite the broken arm, Shamrock is hopeful to get another fight in late this year.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Arona prepares his back to MMA

Away from fights since his loss at Pride 34 at 2007, when was knocked out by Thierry Sokoudjou, the athlete from Brazilian Top Team, Ricardo Arona, told in exclusive interview to TATAME about his life, the time away from rings and his training to come back to the MMA. “I’m mixing the physical and mental part to come back stronger and everything goes on the better way. I’m pretty optimist and I think this time will be important to mee too, because I’m training since I was 14 years old”, said Arona, that commented Rodrigo Minotauro’s and Wanderlei Sivla’s fight at UFC.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Ricardo Arona interview

You’re away from fights… What have you been doing? Are you training, have any contract?

I have some options to fight, but this time away was very important to me, getting some things right on my life too, but the important is that I really wanna fight and come back ready to the ring.

What’s your focus? USA, Japan?

I was invited from events of both countries, but I’ll fight where comes the better proposal. I’ll think what’s the best to me. Actually, I don’t have anything in mind for now, some Japanese come, but there’s nothing right yet.

How is Paulão? You’re close friends...

Paulão had this moment that everybody knew, went to the internet too… Everybody can pass from what he’s passing, it’s natural, but now he’s coming back, getting ready to come back and everybody knows how he is, he’ll come back to do his job. There’s no mistake, on the right time he’ll get into there and do his job.

Did you see Minotauro’s fight at UFC?

Rodrigo always fights this way. Always pass trough problems, but he always faces the difficulties and reverts it… I wasn’t worried about it, I knew it was a matter of time, I saw where Tim Sylvia could go and saw it was just a matter of time Minotauro pass over him. He got a lot of fighters on this kind of combat. I knew it was just a matter of time, he got everything ready, I was pretty sure of it.

And the athletes going to United States… Do you think about going too?

I’ll try to do everything I have to do always here. Niteroi , Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, I like to fight here, that’s other energy, it’s our home. I won’t say that I’ll never move there, but I’ll stay here the most I can.

You’re fans keep saying that you’ve disappeared, that don’t fight anymore… Do you think you can lose the competition timing?

Undoubtedly, if you compete all the time you’ll get always better at the ring, but I’m not worried with this kind of challenge. Although I don’t get into the rings, I’ve faced challenges all day in my life, in everything I do. Being well prepared, the mind will be ready too and I’m not worried about that, I’m worried of being 100%.

What kind of training are you doing now?

I keep doing my physical training, training that I like, but I’m mixing a lot with the mental part, to come back strongly to everything go right. I’m pretty optimist and this time will be important to me too, because since I’m 14 years old I’m competing.

Wanderlei faced Liddell and now will face Keith Jardine… What do you think about this fight?

Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei I knew pretty well, I knew every movement of each one and it was easy to describe how the fight would be, I almost predicted it. On his next fight, I don’t know his next opponent well, I only saw one quick fight and it’s hard to say. I keep saying, until Wanderlei keeps his predictable game, it’s easier to beat him. It’s a good fight for Wanderlei, standing up, but I think the better way for him is to keep change the game. Until he shows the same thing, he’s predictable and easier.

You continue at Brazilian Top Team just waiting to close come contract, right?

I continue the same way.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Randy Couture signs exclusive deal with Everlast

UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture has inked a long term deal with Everlast, the sporting goods manufacturer announced Wednesday.

Under the partnership, Couture will exclusively sport Everlast fight shorts, gloves, training equipment and training apparel. Everlast will also be the exclusive equipment and apparel sponsor of Couture's Xtreme Couture Gyms across America.

In addition, Couture will collaborate with Everlast on a new line of MMA equipment, which is scheduled to hit stores in September.

"Our goal is to become the number one performance equipment and apparel brand within the Mixed Martial Arts space, and Randy Couture is the perfect partner for this mission. He is a living legend within the sport, and his dedication to fitness and the overall fighting community aligns perfectly with our brand ethos," Everlast CEO Neil Morton said in a statement. "Together with Randy, we will be able to bring this tremendous sport to new levels with authenticity and dedication to making the best product the sport has to offer."

"Xtreme Couture Gyms have quickly become the Mecca for training fighters," Couture said. "By entering into a partnership with Everlast, we join a proud heritage of fighting champions, and further surround our members with product to elevate their training and competition experience."

 

[Shogun Locc]

MMAWEEKLY WORLD MMA RANKINGS UPDATED

The latest MMAWeekly World MMA Rankings were released on Wednesday, April 9. This system ranks the Top 10 MMA fighters from all across the world in each of the six most widely accepted weight classes, as voted on by MMAWeekly.

We take into consideration a fighter's performance in addition to his win-loss record, head-to-head and common opponents, difficulty of opponents, and numerous other factors in what is the most comprehensive rankings system in the sport.

Fighters who are currently serving drug-related suspensions are not eligible for Top 10 consideration until they have fought one time after the completion of their suspension.

Fighters must also have competed within the past 12 months in order to be eligible for Top 10 consideration.

NOTE: It has been 12-months since Ricardo Arona last competed. He is currently ineligible for Top 10 consideration until he competes.

Below are the current MMAWeekly World MMA Rankings, which are up-to-date as of April 9.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION (over 205 pounds)

#1 Heavyweight Fighter in the World: Fedor Emelianenko

2. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

3. Randy Couture

4. Josh Barnett

5. Tim Sylvia

6. Andrei Arlovski

7. Fabricio Werdum

8. Gabriel Gonzaga

9. Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic

10. Aleksander Emelianenko

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION (205-pound limit)

#1 Light Heavyweight Fighter in the World: Quinton Jackson

2. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua

3. Chuck Liddell

4. Lyoto Machida

5. Keith Jardine

6. Forrest Griffin

7. Wanderlei Silva

8. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou

9. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira

10. Tito Ortiz

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION (185-pound limit)

#1 Middleweight Fighter in the World: Anderson Silva

2. Paulo Filho

3. Rich Franklin

4. Denis Kang

5. Robbie Lawler

6. Nathan Marquardt

7. Kazuo Misaki

8. Yushin Okami

9. Dan Henderson

10. Frank Trigg

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION (170-pound limit)

#1 Welterweight Fighter in the World: Georges St. Pierre

2. Matt Serra

3. Jon Fitch

4. Matt Hughes

5. Josh Koscheck

6. Jake Shields

7. Diego Sanchez

8. Carlos Condit

9. Thiago Alves

10. Karo Parisyan

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION (160-pound limit)

#1 Lightweight Fighter in the World: Takanori Gomi

2. Tatsuya Kawajiri

3. Shinya Aoki

4. Gesias "JZ" Calvancante

5. Mitsuhiro Ishida

6. Gilbert Melendez

7. B.J. Penn

8. Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro

9. Joe Stevenson

10. Joachim Hansen

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION (145 pounds and under)

#1 Featherweight Fighter in the World: Urijah Faber

2. "Lion" Takeshi Inoue

3. Akitoshi Tamura

4. Antonio Carvalho

5. Hideki Kadowaki

6. Masakazu Imanari

7. Hatsu Hioki

8. Jeff Curran

9. Rafael Assuncao

10. Wagnney Fabiano

 

[BROWN GUERRERO]

Shogun at #2 is a damn shame. Until he comes back and beat up someone in the UFC I don't see how he's even in the top 5.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Tatsuya Kawajiri Interview (4.9.08)

Tatsuya Kawajiri is fighting Luis Buscape in the 2nd Round of the DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix on 5.11.08. Here is my translation of an interview from the DREAM website:

--- Your opponent in the 2nd Round of the Lightweight Grand Prix is Luis Buscape. What are your thoughts?
We&#8217;ve fought once before so we both know each other&#8217;s skill level. The fight will be determined by who has improved since then, so I feel I can&#8217;t be defeated.

--- Yes, your previous fight with him was in July 2005 at PRIDE Bushido 8, where you won by decision. What did you think then?
My impression of him then was that he&#8217;s got good wrestling, is powerful, and terribly persistent. In that fight he wanted to clinch and take me to the ground, while I wanted to keep the fight standing up. He came to tackle me many times and never gave up. He can also take some shots so he was a very tough opponent.

--- Were you satisfied with how the fight with Buscape went?
No I wasn&#8217;t. Whenever it goes to a decision, you can&#8217;t be satisfied. I always want to settle the fight in the ring and not leave it to the judges. I wasn&#8217;t satisfied with the Black Mamba fight either. This fight I want to do whatever it takes to win by KO or ippon.


--- Did you see Buscape&#8217;s first-round fight with Kazuyuki Miyata?
I saw some of it. He looked powerful as usual. I thought he was basically the same fighter that I fought, but he has improved overall.

--- It seems like Buscape will use the loss against you last time as motivation for the upcoming fight.
I&#8217;m sure. In that sense, I think revenge is on his mind so I need to go at him with even more drive. As the one who won the last fight, it puts extra pressure on me to not lose this one.

--- What kind of fight would you like it to be?
As we&#8217;ve fought before I can envision the fight, but once more I want to trust my fists and go at him with full force. I know people are critical of my fight with Mamba, so this time I want to fight to go my way where I can say &#8220;How&#8217;s that!?&#8221; In any case I want to become the core of DREAM. There&#8217;s a sense of looking back, but I also know it can&#8217;t end this way. Not just for this fight, but I want to put on a good performance.

--- This will be your first fight since you hit your 30&#8217;s.
It is, isn&#8217;t it (laughter). I want to leave the ring with a smile.

--- At the press conference on April 4, you mentioned that you have &#8220;ten pages worth of things you&#8217;d like to say&#8221; to the promoters.
I&#8217;m not happy, but it&#8217;s what the promoters decided. I have many things I&#8217;d like to say, but I would like to leave that to Ishida-kun. I would have liked to voice my opinions on my own, but I&#8217;ve entrusted Ishida-kun to speak for the both of us.


--- At that same press conference, the Aoki vs. Calvancante fight was announced.
As a fan, I look forward to that fight. But from a fighter&#8217;s perspective, you have to think about injuries and such, so I wonder.. The best thing would be for the winner of that fight to go on to the 2nd round, but 10 days is a bit.. But for me, I want to win a tournament where one of those guys still remains. It has a lot of meaning to me.

--- Please give me some words of enthusiasm heading into the May and July events.
I have some half-hearted feelings, so in order to sweep away those feelings I have no choice but to win this tournament. No matter who my opponent is, I want to give it everything I&#8217;ve got and wrap that belt around my waist. As this tournament is the first-ever for DREAM, it would mean a lot to become the first one to get a belt.

 

[Shogun Locc]

HDNet v. Zuffa Remanded to State Court

MMAPayout.com has learned that the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas has granted HDNet's emergency motion seeking remand of its lawsuit against Zuffa to Texas State court. Zuffa removed the declaratory judgment action concerning Randy Couture's promotional contract to Federal Court last month. The ruling represents a procedural victory for HDNet and Couture.

Senior Judge A. Joe Fish issued the ruling this afternoon. The central issue was whether or not HDNet's choice to enter into its contract with Couture through a specially established Nevada entity was proper, thus defeating the court's diversity jurisdiction, or whether it represented collusive manipulation, as claimed by Zuffa. From the order:


However, the court recognizes the danger inherent in second-guessing the motivation behind business decisions. As much as the defendant wishes this case to be an assignment case, there is no assignment here to scrutinize. The burden on the party claiming that it has been improperly denied its statutory right to removal is a heavy one (citations omitted). The timing and circumstances surrounding the formation of the HDNet Nevada entities presents circumstantial evidence of collusive manipulation, but without more the defendant has not discharged this heavy burden.

The cases that Zuffa relies on involve situations where the assignee entity could not demonstrate a legitimate raison d&#8217;etre other than for the destruction of diversity. Here, though the circumstantial evidence suggests the plaintiff might have been motivated in part by the underlying lawsuit, as with Ivanhoe Leasing, the court also finds the plaintiff &#8220;was also influenced by other factors unrelated to jurisdiction&#8221; (citation omitted). This court is confident that the issues between the plaintiff and the defendant can be adequately addressed in state court.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Roy Jones, Jr. Slams Dana White

If you haven't heard the most recent episode of Sherdog's Beatdown, RJJ makes an appearance and pleads his case for allowing a boxing match between the legendary boxer and UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva. What's interesting is how Jones views White's decision not to allow the fight to take place. Jones uses words like "selfish" and "cheat" to describe the decision of White and the UFC brass to prevent the world from "seeing an event."

Clearly Jones knows which side his bread is buttered on. He's the odds on favorite to win, make a ton of cash and add a new wrinkle to his legacy. But Jones is deeply respectful of Silva, the sport of mixed martial arts and the idea that MMA wouldn't take a hit were Silva to lose. Jones argues if Silva lost, he'd lose in a boxing match, not a MMA fight. Thus, what's the harm? Jones is short sighted, but has the MMA fan mentality: if you won't lose respect for Silva for trying, what's the harm?

Jones comes from a world where the fighters are much more the centers of power and that, in some part, enables him to speak his mind much more freely. And that freedom, even if tainted with blatant opportunism, is still interesting to hear.

 

[naner12]

Shogun at #2 is a damn shame. Until he comes back and beat up someone in the UFC I don't see how he's even in the top 5.

Their whole list is a joke. Griffin and Jardine under Shogun and Chuck is a joke. Denis Kang at #4 and the man that left him unconscious his last fight is nowhere to be found on the list. Kadowaki is ranked under Tamura who he just beat and has beat before. Hansen ranked in the top 10 at lightweight considering his last couple of fights and how stacked the division is. Etc. etc.

Their whole list is nothing but biased towards certain fighters.