MMA News Thread

[Shogun Locc]

Jason Miller vs. Frank Trigg II Likely Set for Feb. 15 HDNet Fights

DALLAS, Texas — The much-anticipated rematch between Jason “Mayhem” Miller (19-5) and Frank Trigg (16-6) — two fighters who recently signed long-term contracts with HDNet Fights — will likely take place Feb. 15 at the organization’s next event.

Both fighters won their respective matches at Saturday’s “HDNet Fights: Reckless Abandon” event, and in a post-event press conference, HDNet Fights matchmaker Guy Mezger all but guaranteed that the two middleweights would meet at the organization’s next show.

Miller avenged a loss to International Fight League middleweight Tim Kennedy on Saturday, but while some writers asked about a rubber match, Mezger had another bout on his mind.

“We might have another rematch fight here,” Mezger said. “What about Mayhem vs. Twinkle Toes? That sounds like a great fight for (Feb. 15).“

Miller and Trigg first met last December at an ICON Sport event. Trigg scored a second-round TKO of Miller to take the ICON Sport middleweight belt (though he’d lose it in his next title defense against Robbie Lawler).

Trigg scored a quick first-round submission (via kimura) over Dewees on Saturday, and with the win, also thinks the Miller fight makes sense.

“We actually get along when we’re not competing against each other,” Trigg said of the possible fight with Miller. “The problem is that.. the people in his camp, they know what I can do, so they train him accordingly… And the fact is that you can beat the crap out of him like Tim did in the first round. He really beat him up to the point that anyone else would have quit and the ref would have stop it. But Jason’s beating you up in the second and third round because you’re worn out. He’s never out of it.

“As for Jason, I should have someone take him out Nancy Kerrigan-style.“

The February show will be just the third in HDNet Fights history. However, on Saturday — in just the organization’s second show — the event drew 6,754 spectators at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

 

[Shogun Locc]

link to nick diaz interview: http://www.proelite.com/home

 

[BROWN GUERRERO]

Good looking on the Nick interview bro! My favorite fighter by far.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Rua Brothers Leave Chute Boxe

Brothers Murilo Rua (Pictures) and Mauricio Rua (Pictures) announced Tuesday that they have left Chute Boxe.

The brothers said their departure from the Brazilian team was friendly. They will form their own squad in Massachusetts.

"We regret the departure of Mauricio and Murilo Rua (Pictures)," said Chute Boxe trainer Rudimar Fedrigo in an official statement. "They are fighters born here at Chute Boxe and left the team to form their own in the United States. Remember that the doors of Chute Boxe will always be open to both, and I wish good luck and success in their new job."

Under the guidance of Fedrigo and other Chute Boxe trainers, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua rose to prominence as one of the best light heavyweight fighters in MMA. He sat atop most 205-pound and pound-for-pound rankings before Forrest Griffin (Pictures) submitted the Brazilian in September. Older brother "Ninja" recently relinquished the EliteXC middleweight belt to Robbie Lawler (Pictures).

 

[Shogun Locc]

Filho: Performance Suffered Due to Weight Issues


Paulo Filho (Pictures) defeated Chael Sonnen (Pictures) at WEC 31 to retain his middleweight championship. The fight was difficult, and Filho revealed to Sherdog.com why his performance was not what fans have come to expect from him.

"I am trying to find myself in that division," Filho said. "I am looking for the best way to lose weight and recover. I think this time was the worst of all. In the last fight, I was wrong because I had to fast because of the medications, but this time I tried to do another tactic, as the Americans do, but didn't adapt myself well."

Filho made a point to credit Sonnen, too.

"He came with a strong tactic, which confused me because I thought he came to take me down, but he started striking me -- used a good tactic," Filho said. "Thank God I could control myself in the fight, and it has its positive side because everyone sees me only on top controlling my opponent, and this time they saw me underneath, overcoming difficult situations."

Despite the difficulties he encountered, Filho said he was not surprised with the tough time Sonnen gave him. The Brazilian explained that he was well aware during the most challenging moments in the fight.

"I wasn't surprised with him, in fact," Filho said. "Before the fight, I spoke with my coaches, did enough drills being underneath, looking to adapt me to these situations. Because, unfortunately, some BJJ fighters, when they face tough wrestling guys who use ground and pound, they panic, give the back, and this is the last thing you can do in a fight. I always do these drills in the academy, to be underneath. It seemed that the punches were coming hard, but only a few -- three or four -- hit hard. The rest he slammed on my neck because I did not stay in the position he wanted."

Filho said he kept his head near Sonnen's body, which protected his face.

"I noted also in fights that he lost, he was always surprised by the opponent who was underneath, by a triangle or an armbar," Filho said. "I got some good positions from where I could try to put him down, but I feared getting exhausted, getting tired and jeopardizing the rest of the fight. I felt that he was already well out of gas and that at anytime he would leave something open. He was no longer a threat to knock me out or do anything."

A BJJ black belt under Carlson Gracie, Filho has made it clear that he prefers fighting as a light heavyweight. However, he accepted the conditions that the WEC suggested to him and he will continue fighting in the middleweight division.

"I have to do what the event wants," he said. "If they want to see me in the light heavy category, of course I would fight better. I had to lose eight kilos, and although I later recovered at the time of the fight, I felt very weak, lost performance. I was apathetic. It was very difficult to lose that weight -- the last kilo was too difficult. Andre Pederneiras even forced me. It was really hard."

Filho's return to the WEC is planned for June.

"In principle, I'll be back in June because they are having problems finding opponents for me in this category," he said. "But anything can happen. It's all a matter of negotiation."

 

[Shogun Locc]

Circumstances of Gracie's Death Questioned

Representatives from the State Council on the Rights of the Human Person (Condepe) have asked São Paulo's secretary of public security to investigate the death of Ryan Gracie (Pictures).

Gracie was arrested last Friday afternoon and charged with car theft and the attempted theft of a motorcycle. The same day he went through an examination of evidence in the Medical Legal Institute.

Called by the family, psychiatrist Sabino de Farias Ferreira Neto accompanied the fighter and took a urine sample, which indicated the presence of drugs in Gracie's body. The doctor said he provided at least six types of medication. Gracie, who was alone in his cell, was found dead Saturday around 8 a.m.

The Condepe questioned the procedure of the police to allow a doctor to monitor the fighter at the station. The Gracie family has said it will inquire about the doctor and the State over the death.

"Doctor Sabino is crazy, a murderer," Flávia Gracie, sister of the fighter, said in statements to the Brazilian press. "I told him to stop giving medicine to my brother. He said it was to prevent Ryan from being aggressive at the station. I argued that too much medicine would hurt, and the doctor replied that any remedy hurt, even aspirin."

"Ryan, although wrong, had to be arrested and charged for crimes," said Robson Gracie, Ryan's father. "But his death is another thing. I will inquire about that quack doctor."

Neto denied that the cocktail of drugs he gave Gracie is responsible for his death.

"As I told a colleague, the dose that was applied was so little," he said. "I have the greatest regret for what happened, but I fought against this with all I know."

Neto said he understands the pain of the family when they announced that they would inquire about him.

"It is a right of anyone," he said. "I understand and respect the emotional experience for them at this time."

The Condepe also wants to investigate the conduct of police and the Medical Legal Institute because Gracie was not taken to an emergency room, even though he had "suffered blows to the head and was under the influence of drugs."

Gracie was buried Sunday in Rio de Janeiro at the age of 33. He was wearing a gi and his black belt.

Several family members attended, including his parents, Robson and Vera; his brothers Renzo, Ralph and Flávia; his cousins Royler and Kyra; and Murilo Bustamante (Pictures), Vinicius Magalhaes and Roberto "Gordo" Correa.

"For those left behind is much worse than for those who go away," Royler Gracie (Pictures) told the Tatame Web site. "I am sure that Ryan, like Carlson, like all others who have died in the family, are well now, are resting, are reposing. Those who are here will suffer a bit more to continue this, our everyday war. It is the time of rest for the warrior."

A report on the cause of death should be ready in 30 days. One possibility doctors have suggested is cardio-respiratory failure due to a cocaine overdose.

The police will also investigate whether the use of drugs combined with medication may have caused the death.

 

[Shogun Locc]

PULVER AWAITING HIS SHOT AT FABER

At last week’s World Extreme Cagefighting event in Las Vegas, Jens Pulver was able to put himself in the mix of the growing featherweight division by dispatching of top contender Cub Swanson in under a minute by submission.

Focusing on his groundwork is something that Pulver did specifically for this fight, knowing what a quality opponent he was facing in Swanson.

“I’ve been working so much more on submissions and wrestling and trying to bring all that back in,” he said. “I heard a good piece of advice two days before the fight, ‘Relax, stay calm, you can still be exciting, but you don’t have to force anything.’ And of course Joe Silva had the funniest line ever, he goes, ‘You know, it’s okay if you duck a punch or two.”

There was much talk and hype going into this bout after an exchange of words between Pulver and Swanson, but the new WEC 145-pound division contender says that’s to be expected.

“Whatever it takes to get you motivated, to get you going,” Pulver stated about the emotional level of the bout. “Sometimes you need that motivation to get you up every morning.”

Most fans were expecting him to stand and bang with Swanson, but the former Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight titleholder was actually hoping for a ground fight.

“I was really looking forward to getting in there and going to the ground. I was looking forward to wrestling and working (to try) stopping shots and we drilled hard on that.”

After the fight was over, Pulver had an opportunity to speak to Swanson and put all the pre-fight hype behind them once and for all.

“I thanked him and just told him no hard feelings. I know you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do, and you’ve got to say what you’ve got to say to get ready for fights. To be able to bury that hatchet and leave it in the cage that’s a good thing, let’s me know it’s still a sport.”

He was also impressed with another featherweight on the same show, current WEC king Urijah Faber, who defeated top contender Jeff Curran by submission.

“I think he did great. I think he showed great poise, great confidence,” said Pulver about Faber’s title fight with Curran. “He looked as dominating as always. I think he’s a great fighter and a great champion.”

It now appears that Pulver will take a brief amount of time off before preparing for his next bout. His next opponent will likely be the aforementioned Faber.

“That’s definitely the fight I want to go after,” he said about a potential title fight. “I think Faber knows it’s right there. I think we’re both ready for it. I’m definitely up for it, now it’s just an option of making it happen.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

SPORTFIGHT TEAMS UP WITH HDNET FIGHTS

Sportfight – the mixed martial arts promotion founded by Ultimate Fighting Championship veterans Matt Lindland and Randy Couture – has partnered with Mark Cuban’s HDNet Fights for its event at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, Dec. 22.

“I am excited to be working with Mark Cuban and HDNet Fights as they are doing huge things,” said Lindland, president of SportFight, LLC. “They are a first-class organization and all of us at Sportfight are thrilled they are on board for what promises to be a fantastic event.”

“We are excited to partner with Matt Lindland and Sportfight,” said Mark Cuban, president and co-founder of HDNet. “This is a significant step forward for HDNet Fights.”

Sportfight XXI: Seasons Beatings features a collection of Oregon’s top mixed martial arts athletes and veterans of some of the world’s premiere combat sports organizations, including the UFC, BodogFight, the International Fight League and now HDNet Fights.

The main event features Sportfight welterweight champion Ed Nuno, who attempts to defend his title against Michael Pierce (4-0). Pierce is coming off a four-second knockout in his last appearance at the Rose Garden. Nuno represents the Gresham-based Team Quest Fight Club and holds a perfect (3-0) professional record.

The co-main event features a bout for the vacant heavyweight title once held by UFC veteran Jeff Monson as Jeremiah Constant (6-2) of Team Quest takes on Lion’s Den fighter Josh Queen (9-0).

Other featured fights include International Fighting Organization champion Zac George (12-1) taking on Mike Joy (16-3) and former SportFight lightweight champion Dennis Davis (16-8) moving down to the featherweight division to take on Brian Caraway (15-3).

MAIN EVENT
Ed Nuno vs. Michael Pierce

CO-MAIN EVENT
Jeremiah Constant vs. Josh Queen

Zac George vs. Mike Joy
Cory Devela vs. Lodune Sincaid
Dave Coachran vs. Brian Caraway
Aaron Stark vs. Dalla Browning
Tommy Truex vs. Ferrid Kheder
Nathan Coy vs. Ricky Story
Damon McPhearson vs. Tommy Anderson
Tyson Jefferies vs. Cody Lutter
Marc Forsyth vs. Brian Green

 

[Shogun Locc]

ART OF WAR 10 IN CHINA ON SUNDAY

Art of War Fighting Championship, the premiere mixed martial arts event in China, returns to Beijing on Dec. 23 with its ninth installment entitled ‘Final Conflict.’

The upcoming event is billed as “China vs. the World” and will include the largest international lineup in Art of War history. Twelve fights are set and each will feature an international fighter facing off against a top Chinese athlete.

Undefeated Art of War veteran Zhang Tie Quan of China takes on Scandinavian Shooto Champion Malik Arash Malawyi of Sweden. The two fighters were previously scheduled to fight at the last Art of War, but Malawyi suffered an injury during training.

Also returning on the card will be Sanda Champions Bao Li Gao and Aotegen Bateer.

Art of War FC 10 – Final Conflict will air live via Internet broadcast courtesy of SOHU.com. More details of the live broadcast are available at http://www.mmachina.com


Fight Card:

Filippo Cinti (Italy) vs. Fan Zhong Jie (China)
Kim Nam (Korea) vs. Wang Guan (China)
Darren Daniel (South Africa) vs. Liu Jing Wen (China)
Vaughn Anderson (Canada) vs. Zhou Xiao Tong (China)
Alan Harvey (Canada) vs. Dai Shuang Hai (China)
Yakub Ahrorkhodja (Uzbekistan) vs. Li Ji Xiang (China)
Egon Racz (Slovakia) vs. Yang Jian Ping (China)
Hur Sun Jin (Korea) vs. Jiang Ji Ming (China)
Gulamov Bohodir (Uzbekistan) vs. Aotegen Ba Te Er (China)
Vishal Balkawde (India) vs. Bao Li Gao (China)
Kelvin Fitial (United States) vs. Li Zhi Feng (China)
Malik Mawlayi (Sweden) vs. Zhang Tie Quan (China)

 

[Shogun Locc]

NINJA & SHOGUN COMMENT ON CHUTE BOXE EXIT

It was announced via the official Chute Boxe website on Tuesday that Murilo “Ninja” Rua and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua have decided to leave the famed Brazilian fight team.

Wanderlei Silva and Andre Dida recently left the team and now it is apparently time for the Rua brothers to follow suit.

Chute Boxe has developed some of the greatest fighters in mixed martial arts, and this is not the first time that fighters have left the camp. Some years ago, fighters such as Jose Pele Landi-Jons, Assuerio Silva and current Ultimate Fighting Championship titleholder Anderson Silva left Chute Boxe to build a new camp of their own, which some months later didn’t work out and each fighter went his separate way.

Ninja started his career years ago with Master Rafael Cordeiro and was responsible for bringing Shogun to the sport.

"I am leaving Chute Boxe to build my own team,” said Ninja. “I don't have a name yet, but it will be decided soon.

“The fact is that an MMA fighter’s career is short and we don't have huge purses and I have to look for the best for me and my family. I had a good proposal from a businessman to open a facility in Massachusetts, and that will be my destiny soon. I have talked to Master Rudimar Fedrigo and it is sad to leave the camp where I was born, but life goes on."

Shogun told MMAWeekly.com, "I am leaving Chute Boxe because of my brother. I cannot be part of a team that sometime could face my brother. I love Chute Boxe and all my training partners, but I need to be next to my brother on that.”

About the plans of the Rua brothers, things are not clear yet according to Shogun.

"I definitely don't want to move to the U.S. I want to stay, live and train in Brazil. I will try to convince (Ninja) to stay in Brazil. We will build a new camp, but I’ll try my best to not go to U.S. I have family here, my wife has family here and its complicated to leave all this behind and move to another place.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

BURKMAN TALKS TRAINING WITH TANNER

It was recently reported that Evan Tanner signed a new contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and would soon return to the Octagon following more than a one-and-a-half year hiatus.

The former middleweight champion has now started to mix up his training routines and begun working once again with his old friend Josh Burkman, who trained alongside Tanner at Team Quest in Oregon.

“When he left (Team) Quest and I left Quest, I would train with him a little bit out there in Vegas … whenever he decides he wants to get serious and start training he gets a hold of me and comes out to Utah,” Burkman said of Tanner’s return to his training camp.

Burkman spoke highly about Tanner’s commitment to training and what it’s like to work with him in camp.

“When he’s training, there’s nobody better to train with.”

The atmosphere at the training camp in Utah has been healthy for Burkman, and Tanner will surely benefit from the work there as well.

“The thing about Utah is that it’s just a good environment,” Burkman said. “The place is really easy to get around, the altitude’s high, and there’s not a lot of distractions.”

While no date has been named for Tanner’s official return to the Octagon, Burkman feels that he will be a force in the UFC’s middleweight division the day he fights again.

“He so intelligent, he’s so smart and he’s a gifted athlete,” said Burkman. “If Evan Tanner focuses, I think everybody in the 185-pound division, they’re in trouble.”

Tanner continues to work and train in Las Vegas as well and has not announced any plans to permanently join any specific team.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Chute Boxe releases statement about Rua Brothers' departure

Rudimar Fedrigo, one of the top guns at Chute Boxe with Rafael Cordeiro, has released a statement confirming the departure of Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Murilo "Ninja" Rua from the Curitiba-based fight camp:

We regret very much the departure of Murilo and Mauricio Rua, they are fighters brought up in the team and left to start their own team in the USA. We’d like to remind them that the doors to Chute Boxe shall always be open for both of them and we wish them luck and success in their new endeavors.

While I understand that the fight promotion aspect of MMA in Brazil is doing quite well, it's still sad to see that the landscape regarding some of its top fight camps has been completely altered.


There was a time that Chute Boxe and Brazilian Top Team were two of the most respected fight camps in MMA and while they are still in existence, they've lost some of their identities due to major departures.
I'll always remember watching PRIDE shows and how intimidating the corner was for the Chute Boxe fighters. If a guy won, they'd celebrate like they had just won the World Series. And if they lost, often they would enter the ring with menacing looks as if they were about to throw down with opposing corner.

It's just strange to hear that the Ruas and Wanderlei Silva are no longer training in Brazil with Chute Boxe and are all now in the States. Chute Boxe was more than a fight camp, it was a family. And now that family is basically no more.

I'm not sure what happened with BTT and CB but I wouldn't be surprised if money played a factor. It also seems more than a coincidence that the fall of both camps happened around the same time PRIDE started having problems. Once PRIDE stopped running shows it seemed like a lot of top Brazilian fighters wanted to move and set up shop in the U.S. to pursue opportunities with the UFC and other North American-based promotions.

 

[PsyDaL]

^^^^ the Ruas bro's need to be at xtreme couture and learn a few things about conditioning to go the long distance....

 

[Shogun Locc]

^^^^ the Ruas bro's need to be at xtreme couture and learn a few things about conditioning to go the long distance....

I doubt conditioning is their problem I think they need to create a team that is strong and Has a similar training vibe as chute boxe.

 

[Shogun Locc]

WEC 31 FIGHTER SALARIES BREAKDOWN

MMAWeekly has obtained the fighter salary information for World Extreme Cagefighting 31, which took place on Dec. 12 in Las Vegas, from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

The event was the WEC's seventh since being purchased by Ultimate Fighting Championship parent company Zuffa, LLC and it was also the its fourth live event on cable television channel Versus.

The following figures are based on the fighter salary information that Zuffa and the WEC are required by law to submit to the state athletic commissions, including the winners' bonuses.

Although MMA fighters do not have collective bargaining or a union, the fighters' salaries are still public record, just as with every other major sport in the United States. Any bonuses that Zuffa and the WEC also pay its fighters, but do not disclose to the athletic commissions (specifically, pay-per-view bonuses for the top pay-per-view main event fighters, which would not apply since this event was not on pay-per-view), are not included in the figures below.

In the listings below, "Title Match & Main Event Fighters" are defined as fighters who compete in the main event of a show and/or compete in a title fight on a show. "Main Card Fighters" are defined as fighters whose fights appear on the main card, but not in title fights or in the main event. "Preliminary Match Fighters" are defined as fighters whose matches take place before the live broadcast goes on the air, regardless of whether or not those matches end up airing on the TV broadcast.


MAIN EVENT & TITLE MATCH FIGHTERS

-Jens Pulver: $60,000 (1st fight in WEC; defeated Cub Swanson; includes win bonus of $30,000)

-Paulo Filho: $56,000 (2nd fight in WEC; defeated Chael Sonnen; includes win bonus of $18,000)

-Urijah Faber: $40,000 (5th fight in WEC; defeated Jeff Curran; includes win bonus of $20,000)

-Chael Sonnen: $25,000 (2nd fight in WEC; lost to Paulo Filho; win bonus would have been $5,000)

-Jeff Curran: $10,000 (3rd fight in WEC; lost to Urijah Faber; win bonus would have been $4,000)

-Doug Marshall: $10,000 (9th fight in WEC; defeated Ariel Gandulla; includes win bonus of $5,000)

-Cub Swanson: $5,000 (3rd fight in WEC; lost to Jens Pulver; win bonus would have been $5,000)

-Ariel Gandulla: $4,000 (2nd fight in WEC; lost to Doug Marshall; win bonus would have been $4,000)


PRELIMINARY MATCH FIGHTERS

-John Alessio: $26,000 (6th fight in WEC; defeated Todd Moore; includes win bonus of $13,000)

-Charles Valencia: $12,000 (3rd fight in WEC; defeated Ian McCall; includes win bonus of $6,000)

-Bryan Baker: $8,000 (2nd fight in WEC; defeated Eric Schambari; includes win bonus of $4,000)

-Alex Karalexis: $8,000 (4th fight in WEC; lost to Ed Ratcliff; win bonus would have been $8,000)

-Ed Ratcliff: $8,000 (2nd fight in WEC; defeated Alex Karalexis; includes win bonus of $4,000)

-Brian Bowles: $6,000 (2nd fight in WEC; defeated Marcos Galvao; includes win bonus of $3,000)

-Marcos Galvao: $5,000 (1st fight in WEC; lost to Brian Bowles; win bonus would have been $5,000)

-Eric Schambari: $5,000 (3rd fight in WEC; lost to Bryan Baker; win bonus would have been $5,000)

-Todd Moore: $4,000 (1st fight in WEC; lost to John Alessio; win bonus would have been $4,000)

-Ian McCall: $3,000 (2nd fight in WEC; lost to Charles Valencia; win bonus would have been $3,000)


DISCLOSED FIGHTER PAYROLL: $295,000

 

[Shogun Locc]

IFL OPENS ITS DOORS TO OUTSIDERS IN 2008

The International Fight League recently announced many changes to its upcoming season including format differences with the teams, coaches and title bouts. Among the new ideas for this year will be the inclusion of the organization’s willingness to welcome in fighters from other promotions to guarantee the best match-ups possible.

With the new format, the IFL is moving to a camp versus camp team match-up. Gone will be the days of the Silverbacks, Anacondas and Pitbulls. Now fans can expect Miletich Fighting Systems, Bas Rutten Martial Arts, and Renzo Gracie’s Jiu-Jitsu Academy.

In a statement issued by the IFL, the promotion stated the open door policy for fighters and camps to come in and challenge to prove they belong among the best in the world.

“We are also open to working with any and all organizations to put the best match-ups together for the fans. That is the beauty of the system and the schedule that we have now set up and revealed here today,” read the statement. “If there is a camp that is comprised of athletes from another organization anywhere around the globe and the match-ups make sense, we would welcome them into the IFL for a one-off event. We shall see how that plays out, but the response from many camps has been very positive.

“Our goal is to ultimately show which fighting style and which camp is the best. We realize that coaches, trainers and athletes have commitments in other organizations, but holes do exist for challenges, especially with up-and-coming fighters.

“We provide an open platform for all camps to come forward and expose their rising stars on television and in front of a large live audience against the most established camps in the business (our name fighters and coaches), and give that camp name exposure on every platform. Those are opportunities these camps cannot get with any other organization or on their own.”

One question that has come up time and again from many fans is the availability for IFL fighters to go outside the organization and possibly fight for another promotion. While Otto doesn’t rule out the possibility, it doesn’t sound as if many fighters under long-term contracts are likely to be seen outside of the league.

“We just did it with Tim Kennedy with HDNet Fights,” Otto said about the decision to allow the fighter to work with another promotion. “In this situation we would be open to it, but it would have to be a case-by-case situation.

“With the multi-fight deals for our top guys, obviously we want to ensure that they’re fighting under our umbrella and that they’re not injured in another organization that might have elbows and then throw a monkey wrench to them being successful in our organization, or being suspended or so on if there’s an up-and-coming fight. So we have to be very, very careful about our guys that are under exclusive multi-fight deals.”

There was no announcement of any other camps that could be seen in the IFL this season, but Otto didn’t rule out the possibility of any team coming and challenging the league this year.

 

[Shogun Locc]

IFL COMMISSIONER ADDRESSES ROTHWELL'S FUTURE

Despite his exit from the International Fight League’s Grand Prix, Ben Rothwell is still a very hot subject for the league after a dispute between the promotion and Rothwell’s management went public.

Even though both sides have had differing opinions on the situation, IFL commissioner Kurt Otto holds no ill will towards Rothwell and doesn’t close the door on the chance he could return to the organization next year.

“Ben (Rothwell) will show up somewhere. He’ll be with some organization. We’ll see who it is, but that’s his prerogative,” said Otto during a media conference call on Wednesday. “In my opinion, I think the IFL’s the best opportunity out there bar none in the MMA world period. That doesn’t mean it’s for everybody, different strokes for different folks.

“We’re working with Monte (Cox). I’m back on talking terms with him. We have a good relationship. We know where each other stands, and look, we’ll see.”

Rothwell originally signed a one-year deal with the IFL and as of now has not opted to re-sign for next season.

“This is what Ben wants. That’s what Ben is going to get,” said Otto about Rothwell’s decision. “He just has a different outlook and I think wanted to test himself, so we’ll see how that works out for him. Because Monte managed him, he had a short-term deal. We weren’t able to get Ben without that short-term deal.”

Speculation abounded after Cox, Rothwell’s manager, signed on as CEO of M-1 Global recently that the heavyweight would end up with that promotion.

“Let’s say Ben goes to M-1,” Otto speculated. “I would love to work with M-1. I think it would be great. I think they have some good ideas.”

No word will come until 2008, although exact timing is not known, where Rothwell will end up, which could mark the end of his run with the IFL.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Bisping to fight McCarthy on March 8 in London

Sherdog.com's Greg Savage is quoting sources within American Top Team as indicating that "Chainsaw" Charles McCarthy is slated to fight Michael Bisping on March 8 in London.

The bout, if made official, will be Bisping's first since announcing a move from light heavyweight to middleweight.

McCarthy, an alumnus of the fourth season of The Ultimate Fighter reality TV show, has not fought since the show's live season finale on November 11 of 2006. He was victorious in that bout, defeating Gideon Ray via an armbar submission in the first round.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Exclusive: EliteXC's Shaw talks Kimbo vs. Tito; Carano's next fight; and Shamrock vs. Shamrock

With EliteXC's next show not planned until January 25's ShoXC event in Atlantic City, news pertaining to the promotion has been very limited. However, EliteXC live events president Gary Shaw drew a few headlines after he issued a challenge to Tito Ortiz for a match against Kimbo Slice following Ortiz's comments during an E:60 story on ESPN last week in which Ortiz was less than complementary towards Slice.

I recently had the opportunity to ask Shaw about his thoughts on a Slice vs. Ortiz matchup, Gina Carano's involvement on American Gladiators, whether EliteXC is in talks to promote a match between Ken Shamrock vs. Frank Shamrock, and much more.

Sam Caplan: Tito Ortiz made some interesting comments regarding Kimbo Slice during last week's ESPN feature. Since then you've been quoted about expressing an interest in making a match between Tito and Kimbo. Is that correct?


Gary Shaw: Yes, absolutely. Any time someone talks either on TV or to a reporter and either demeans a fighter or says "let's bring it on," I'm willing to do the fight. And Kimbo Slice would get into the cage with Tito Ortiz any day.

Sam Caplan: How do you think that fight would play out?

Gary Shaw: I think Kimbo Slice would probably knock him out. I think Tito would try to submit him, try to bring him down. I believe he'd get knocked out; he's got a suspect chin. But I'm confident with Bas behind Kimbo that he's fine on the ground.

Sam Caplan: There's been a lot of talk that Kimbo's next fight for EliteXC will be in February. Is that true? And if so, has an opponent been signed for that bout?

Gary Shaw: Yes. February 16. And we're working right now (on an opponent).

Sam Caplan: There was a report in the print edition of The Wrestling Observer last week and another report on 411Mania.com that EliteXC is considering a super heavyweight/heavyweight four-man eliminator that would feature Kimbo, Tank Abbott, Bob Sapp, and Butterbean. Is there any truth to those rumors?

Gary Shaw: No, but I like the rumor. I'll start thinking about it. It's just a rumor. It's nothing that we've discussed in the office or anywhere else.

Sam Caplan: Gina Carano is going to appear in the upcoming revival of American Gladiators on NBC under the name "Crush." Did she consult with EliteXC before signing on to do the show?

Gary Shaw: Well, that's a legal question. I don't want to discuss that specific question. But if we can work out everything then I think it could be great for Gina. I'm a big, big fan of hers; a big fan of her family's. I think it would help in her career both on television and in mixed martial arts. I know she wants to get back into the cage, she's told me that on several occasions. It will just give her a lot more visibility (and) I hope we can work out everything in front of us.

Sam Caplan: What things need to be worked out?

Gary Shaw: I never discuss legal issues or money issues in the press.

Sam Caplan: You mentioned that Gina has told you she wants to get back in the cage. Is there a specific date where you think she might appear again?

Gary Shaw: I think somewhere between February and April.

Sam Caplan: Is EliteXC doing anything right now to bring in additional female fighters?

Gary Shaw: Yes, absolutely. January 25 in Atlantic City we're going to (promote) Tonya Evinger again. We have Shayna Baszler and we're looking for more great female fighters.

Sam Caplan: A fighter I believe you might be speaking with is Tara LaRosa. I spoke to a representative of hers who confirmed that she had received an offer from EliteXC. Is that correct?

Gary Shaw: Yeah, I did want to sign her but I think there were some problems and that she was not ready to fight at this time. Or, so I was told.

Sam Caplan: If LaRosa did sign with EliteXC, what weight class do you have in mind?

Gary Shaw: I never have a weight class in mind for a fighter. The fighter tells me where they're comfortable. I don't force anyone into a specific weight class.

Sam Caplan: In regard to next ShoXC event on January 25, has a main event been determined?

Gary Shaw: I'm working right now on Mike Aina vs. Paul Daley.

Sam Caplan: Ken Shamrock was at an HDNet Fights card in Dallas, Texas over the weekend and was quoted as saying a match between him and his brother Frank Shamrock is in the works. Does EliteXC have any involvement in a potential Shamrock vs. Shamrock fight?

Gary Shaw: Absolutely.

Sam Caplan: Are talks ongoing right now involving EliteXC?

Gary Shaw: Talks are always ongoing with big fights.

Sam Caplan: But specifically that one, can you comment on that?

Gary Shaw: I've been looking at that fight since I met Frank Shamrock and I'm continuing to look at it and trying to get it done.

Sam Caplan: Is there any concern that the brother vs. brother nature of the fight could create a negative image for the sport?

Gary Shaw: I don't think it's a negative image. I think that what's great about mixed martial arts is the different disciplines. So to me, this is a fight that I think both Shamrocks would like and I think it's a fight that would serve the public. You're not asking a man to go in against his mother. This is two brothers, both professionals. It's not an amateur against a professional. To me, blood brothers -- nothing better.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Catching Up With ‘JZ' Calvancante
here is link: http://www.sherdog.com/videos/videos.asp?v_id=1368
Sherdog.com's Denis Martins recently spoke with Gesias Calvancante (Pictures) in Brazil, where the lightweight prepared to face Shinya Aoki (Pictures) on Dec. 31 at "Yarennoka!"

How does "JZ" feel he matches up with the Japanese grappler?