MMA News Thread

[Shogun Locc]

Wanderlei Silva told to prepare for December return

After a brutal destruction of Keith Jardine in May, UFC light-heavyweight Wanderlei Silva (32-8-1 MMA, 2-3 UFC) has been told by UFC officials to prepare for a December return.

The win was Silva's first victory in almost two years, and the famed light heavyweight shared his thoughts on his next bout while a guest co-host on a recent edition TAGG Radio (www.taggradio.com), the official radio partner of MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

"I'm talking with (UFC co-owner) Lorenzo (Fertitta)," said Silva, who's English continues to improve since a move to Las Vegas. "They're talking about December because it is the best event of the year. (Antonio Rodrigo) Nogueira is going to fight (Frank) Mir for the belt for the heavyweights.

"This is the best event. It's much more promotion. They told me to be ready to fight in December."

Silva said he doesn't yet know who he will face on the card.

"They gave me 10 (possible) names," Silva said. "My division is the best division in the world. They have so many names. I think they're going to give a good opponent to me."

While several names have been rumored, a possible third bout between Silva and ex-champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson has been brought up repeatedly as of late. Perhaps unsurprisingly, in light of his two previous knockout victories over Jackson, Silva said he would be open to the match-up.

"I wanted to fight [Jackson] again," Silva said. "I think it's a very good match."

Despite recent troubles, including three straight losses to Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic, Dan Henderson and Chuck Liddell before the victory over Jardine, Silva still has his eyes focused on the UFC's light heavyweight title.

"For me, I have time to fight for the belt in the future, no problem," Silva said. "I'm going to wait for my opportunity. I'm going to give my best on every fight. After I win my fights, I'm going to have an opportunity to fight for the belt."

And regardless of whom the UFC brings forth in December, Silva knows he'll be ready.

"For me, no problem," Silva said. "I'll fight with everybody."

Silva also discussed the advantages of his relocation to the U.S., his relationship with his old Chute Boxe teammates and the opening of his own gym in Las Vegas. To hear the full episode, which Silva co-hosted, download Wednesday's edition of TAGG Radio, available for free in the TAGG Radio archives.

 

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Joey Villasenor slated for Sept. 20 EliteXC return; "Ninja" rematch possible

Top EliteXC middleweight contender Joey Villasenor (26-6) will return to action for the organization on Sept. 20, possibly in front of a hometown audience.

On Saturday MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) confirmed the upcoming EliteXC bout with Villasenor.

"It sounds like it's going to be in my hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico," Villasenor said. "We’re just waiting on confirmation of who it's going to be (against)."

Villasenor said EliteXC officials have shared a few names as possible opponents -- including Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos -- but that the organization appears determined to put together a rematch with Murilo "Ninja" Rua (16-8-1).

"They keep on bringing up Ninja's name," Villasenor said. "They're bringing up other names, but Ninja is the one that is sticking out right now."

Villasenor and Rua first met in June 2007 for the first-ever EliteXC middleweight title. Rua earned a second-round TKO (but would lose his title to current title-holder Lawler in his next bout). It's the only loss for Villasenor in his past five fights.

Now, a win over any opponent would be Villasenor's fourth straight for EliteXC and would leave the 33-year-old in prime position for a shot at Lawler.

Villasenor said after defeating Phil Baroni in May, EliteXC offered him the winner of the Lawler vs. Scott Smith bout that took place in May. When the bout ended as a no-contest, those plans were put on hold in lieu of last week's Lawler vs. Smith rematch.

Villasenor said he understands why the schedule had to be adjusted.

"I don't mind," Villasenor said. "As long as I'm busy and active, that's all I care about. I've got one more fight, then hopefully me and Robbie can get in there at the end of the year or the beginning of next year."

Fighting under the PRIDE banner in 2006, Lawler defeated Villasenor in just 22 seconds. Villasenor said the opportunity to face Lawler again is something he thinks about on a daily basis.

"Robbie Lawler's fight wasn't exactly a fight," Villasenor said. "I didn't even get a chance to throw a punch. In my opinion, he caught me early. Those things happen in your career.

"I think Robbie respects me and my abilities. I know that Robbie knows we're going to be in for a great war. I kind of let him down and I let myself down when that fight was ended so quickly.

"He caught me with his first right, he dazed me, and the rest is history. Ever since that night I think about it and him all the time. I'm really motivated to win my next bout, and I would really like the opportunity to compete against him again."

EliteXC has not officially announced a location for the Sept. 20 event. The evening's bouts are scheduled to air on premium-cable channel Showtime.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Michael Bisping plans to go "straight through" Chris Leben

UFC middleweight Michael Bisping (16-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) will get his second shot at headlining a card at October's UFC 89 event in his native England. And while Bisping's first headlining gig netted him his only career loss to date against Rashad Evans, "The Count" thinks this time will be different.

Bisping discussed his upcoming bout with Chris Leben while a guest on a special weekend edition of TAGG Radio (www.taggradio.com), the official radio partner of MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

"I've got respect for [Leben]," Bisping said. "But I'm going to go straight through him. That's what I'm made to do."

The fight will be Bisping's third in the middleweight division. The Liverpool native started his career at 205 pounds, but he made the decision to move down a weight class after suffering the lone loss of his career.

"I only had one loss at 205 (pounds)," Bisping said. "But in the UFC I wasn't beating my opponents like I would like to beat them.

"When I was in the U.K., the light heavyweights are a little smaller than what they are here in the States. I was running straight through guys. I only had one loss, but I wasn't beating [my opponents] as I would like to beat them. So I said to myself, 'When I get beat, I'll drop down.'

"I lost a split decision to Rashad (Evans), so I dropped down. I think that's one of the best things I ever did for my whole career. I feel faster, stronger."

After first-round TKO victories over Charles McCarthy and Jason Day, Bisping now looks to take another step forward in the division against the heavy-handed Leben. Bisping knows that Leben will present a stern challenge.

"Most people, when they talk about Chris Leben, they say he's a brawler and things like that," Bisping said. "Sure, he may like to brawl. But he's got legitimate skills. You can't fight in the UFC as long as he has and be around the MMA scene that long without picking up all the necessary skills.

"He's got a decent ground game, decent wrestling. He's got decent striking. He looks very unorthodox the way he fights, but obviously, it works for him. He's beaten a lot of fighters."

Both fighters are known for their brawling, aggressive stand-up styles. Bisping thinks the fight should be a treat for the fans.

"Everyone knows how hard he hits, and people talk about his iron chin," Bisping said. "I think he's going to come out swinging, and I'm going to do the same. I think it's going to be a great fight for the fans.

"I think if I go in there and bring my 'A' game I can beat him. I'm expecting a good fight."

The UFC's middleweight division has been dominated by current champion Anderson Silva for two years. Bisping says he's still learning, but he hopes for a shot at Silva with another few victories.

"I'm learning all the time," Bisping said. "I've still got things I want to work on. but I'm happy with the progress I've made. Every few months that go by, I'm getting better and better. Maybe if I keep winning two or three more fights, which would be a year, hopefully I'll get [a title shot]."

Before Bisping can look to take on the champion, he knows he must get through Leben. Bisping has a simple prediction for the fight.

"I predict I'm going to win," Bisping said of his bout with Leben. "On Oct. 18, he's just another opponent that's going to get his ass kicked."

 

[Shogun Locc]

Andrei Arlovski will face Josh Barnett at Affliction: Day of Reckoning

According to Afflictionclothing.com it appears that the main event will be Andrei "The Pitbull" Arlovski taking on Josh Barnett in the main event of the promotion's second event at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada October 11th and the event has been named Affliction: Day of Reckoning.

It must be a fact now that the newly crowned WAMMA Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko will not be competing at this event at any capacity thus; making any rumors about a lingering injury to his hand being certainty. A title fight between Vitor Belfort and Matt Lindland was also being said to be a part of the main card as well as Renato "Babalu" Sobral.

A press conference will be held by Affliction VP Tom Atencio on August 6th to make it official.

 

[Shogun Locc]

The Ultimate Fighter 8 Finale slated for Dec. 13

The eighth season of "The Ultimate Fighter," which features prospect light heavyweights and lightweights coached by interim UFC heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and former title-holder Frank Mir, debuts Sept. 17 on Spike TV, and the show's live finale is slated for Dec. 13.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) today confirmed the live finale's date with Spike TV officials.

Like past events, the Dec. 13 event is tentatively scheduled to take place at The Palms Las Vegas.

The show and live finale air live on Spike TV, and unlike recent seasons, "TUF: Team Nogueira vs. Team Mir" will showcase two weight classes rather than the usual one.

The show will borrow a concept introduced earlier this year with the seventh season of "TUF." Rather than the usual 16 cast members, 32 potential competitors will first have to win a fight to earn a spot on this season's cast; half the UFC hopefuls will be sent home during an elimination round.

The eighth season of "The Ultimate Fighter" debuts Sept. 17 -- right after a UFC Fight Night 15 event featuring co-main events of Nate Diaz vs. Josh Neer and Mac Danzig vs. Clay Guida.

 

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WEC 35 fighters salaries: Headliner Carlos Condit earns event-high $44,000

With his successful main-event title defense over Hiromitsu Miura, Carlos Condit earned an event-high base salary of $44,000 at Sunday's WEC 35 event.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) today obtained the list of salaries directly from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

The event took place at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and aired live on Versus.

With Condit, defending lightweight champ Jamie Varner ($30,000) and preliminary-card fighter Brock Larson ($30,000) leading the way, the total payroll for the event was $230,000.

The full payouts included:

Carlos Condit: $44,000 (includes $22,000 win bonus)
def. Hiromitsu Miura: $5,000

Steve Cantwell: $10,000 ($5,000 win bonus)
def. Brian Stann: $11,000

Jamie Varner: $30,000 ($15,000 win bonus)
def. Marcus Hicks: $16,000

Brian Bowles: $8,000 ($4,000 win bonus)
def. Damacio Page: $6,000

Josh Grispi: $8,000 ($4,000 win bonus)
def. Micah Miller: $5,000

Brock Larson: $30,000 ($15,000 win bonus)
def. Carlo Prater: $7,000

Blas Avena: $12,000 ($6,000 win bonus)
def. Dave Terrel: $3,000

Shane Roller: $12,00O ($6,000 win bonus)
def. Todd Moore: $4000

Mike Budnik: $6,000 ($3,000 win bonus)
def. Greg McIntyre: $2,000

Scott Jorgensen: $6,000 ($3,000 win bonus)
def. Kenji Osawa: $5,000

 

[Shogun Locc]

Maia Talks Growth and MacDonald Bout at UFC 87

Undefeated middleweight Demian Maia (Pictures) is a man on the move. The 2007 Abu Dhabi World Submission Grappling Championships winner and two-time Mundials (Worlds) champion recently completed a stint as an assistant coach on “The Ultimate Fighter 8” and steps back in to the Octagon Saturday at UFC 87 “Seek and Destroy” in Minneapolis, Minn. against regarded Canadian and six-time UFC veteran Jason MacDonald (Pictures) (20-9). Maia (7-0) spoke with Sherdog.com about the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt’s preparation for his third UFC appearance and his journey up the challenging middleweight ranks.

Sherdog.com: How did your training camp go for this upcoming bout?
Maia: Everything was good. Training in the gym went excellent. Rafael Alejarra went to Brazil to help me out with the physical preparation. Now I’m here in Las Vegas, at Wanderlei Silva (Pictures)’s house, training hard. I was very well received here.

Sherdog.com: What do you think about Alejarra’s training and how did you get to know each other?
Maia: His training is fantastic. I met Alejarra and Wanderlei through André Galvão, who trained Wanderlei for his fight against Chuck Liddell (Pictures). I was here to do the “The Ultimate Fighter” [Maia helped instruct Frank Mir (Pictures)’s team], so I asked Alejarra to train me and we are here working.

Sherdog.com: How has that helped you?
Maia: I’ve become better. It’s a very different kind of training that I’d never seen before. It’s very complex training, very detailed, which makes us become much better. You can notice that when watching Wanderlei because he is always in shape.

Sherdog.com: Jason MacDonald (Pictures) might not be a decorated on the ground as yourself, but he is a tough guy. What do you think about his game?
Maia: For sure, he is a guy to be respected. He doesn’t have the same level as I do in terms of competition, but he has a very good jiu-jitsu game for MMA. Nowadays you don’t have to be so good in all area -- being in the middle you are quite alright. If he is doing bad on the ground, he can stay alive and try to come back to his foot. Today, it’s no longer as before, when once on the ground, time limit did not count and then the jiu-jitsu used to make a great difference. Now, it still does, but the thing is that there are a lot of rules.

Sherdog.com: MacDonald has nearly 10 years of experience and 29 fights. Do you think that his experience in MMA will complicate things for you?
Maia: I don’t think so because if you check, I might have more than 200 jiu-jitsu fights and that counts too. I’ve fought against more experienced guys, like Gustavo Machado (Pictures) and Ed Herman (Pictures) for instance, so I think this doesn’t make such a difference for a guy like me.

Sherdog.com: Your opponent’s skill level in general seems higher this time around. Do you see this as a sign that the UFC is gaining more trust in your game?
Maia: For sure. And this is exactly what I want. It’s no use not to face the good opponents, otherwise I won’t be able to get where I want. I have to face hard opponents and this guy is highly regarded here in the U.S. The organizers know I’m ready to fight among the top guys. They won’t allow me to fight for the belt if they notice I’m not ready for that yet.

Sherdog.com: The middleweight division has had some great fights and the UFC is always recruiting promising new fighters. What do you think about the promotion?
Maia: It will always be like that -- good athletes will always come along. It’s the best event in the world, where everybody wants to be fighting. This is what I have to expect as well, to watch more and more good fighters coming. Because of this, I have to train harder and harder, to become better each day and to be prepared for what comes to me.

Sherdog.com: How has your standup and wrestling progressed since you’ve entered the UFC?
Maia: My striking is a lot better, especially since the last fight. It’s natural, to be training and evolving. I consider my wrestling a part of my jiu-jitsu because taking [opponents] down is a part of jiu-jitsu. I think I’ve improved a lot.

 

[Shogun Locc]

UFC COMMENTS ON TEXAS RULING IN COUTURE CASE

Depending upon whom you ask, Randy Couture resigned or retired from the Ultimate Fighting Championship on October 11, 2007. Since that time, he has been embroiled in a legal battle with the Zuffa owned promotion.

With billionaire Mark Cuban’s company HDNet being one of the main suitors for Couture's services when and if he is ever clear of his legal entanglements with the UFC, both HDNet and Couture were handed a clear blow to their legal efforts in the Texas Court of Appeals on Friday.

HDNet has pursued a declaration stating the finality of Couture’s fight contract with Zuffa and when he would be free to fight for another organization. Its efforts were denied on Friday, however, when the Texas Court of Appeals found that the lower court that was acting on the HDNet litigation had engaged in “a clear abuse of discretion” by permitting it, according to a statement released by Zuffa.

The Texas Court of Appeals granted Zuffa’s Motion to Compel Randy Couture to arbitrate in the District of Nevada, staying all further action by HDNet against Zuffa in the state of Texas.

“The practical effect of the Court’s decision is to allow Zuffa to continue its prosecution of claims against Mr. Couture in the Arbitration presently underway here in Nevada without any regard to the flaccid claims of HDNet and its management,” explained Zuffa’s Las Vegas counsel, Donald J. Campbell, Esq. “Based upon evidence uncovered during the interrogation of Mr. Couture during his deposition, we have every confidence that Mr. Couture will be held accountable for the serious and ongoing breaches of his contractual obligations to Zuffa.”

The arbitration process is currently in the “exploratory” phase of depositions, meaning there are more depositions to come before the actual arbitration begins, possibly within the next month or so.

The arbitration, which is taking place in Nevada, should determine the outcome of Couture’s fight contract with Zuffa and whether or not he will be held to it or if he will be free to go elsewhere.

The arbitration is administered by the American Arbitration Association, wherein the arbitrators were mutually agreed upon by Zuffa and Couture’s lawyers.

 

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FISHER VS GUILLARD AT UFC 90 IN CHICAGO

MMAWeekly.com on Monday confirmed that Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweights Spencer “The King” Fisher and Melvin “The Young Assassin” Guillard will face each other at UFC 90 in Chicago on Oct. 25.

Both fighters have received bout agreements and are in the process of signing them.

Fisher, 32, is coming off a tough decision victory over sometime training partner Jeremy Stephens at the Ultimate Fighter Finale on June 21. The durable Miletich Fighting Systems fighter has won seven out of 10 performances in the Octagon since debuting at Ultimate Fight Night 2 in 2005. Though he slid against contenders Frankie Edgar and Hermes Franca in 2007, Fisher has always been considered among the top-tier in the division.

Guillard, 25, has had mixed results in the UFC after debuting on the second season of “The Ultimate Fighter.” The New Orleans native has faced a variety of personal issues outside the cage, despite several impressive performances since debuting at The Ultimate Fighter 2 finale in 2005. Guillard’s recent dispatch of Dennis Siver at UFC 86 was quick and explosive, two words that are often attributed to him.

Fisher’s trainer, Pat Miletich, is none too happy about the match-up.

“Spencer has no reason to fight that guy,” Miletich said. “I don’t think Melvin’s earned the right to fight him yet. I think Spencer should be fighting somebody where he’s got something to gain.”

Still, Miletich is confident that his student will emerge victorious.

“Spencer obviously would be the favored guy,” he continued. “Melvin’s a dangerous kid, but I don’t think Melvin’s a polished fighter at Spencer’s level.”

Fisher and Guillard were unreachable for comment

 

[Shogun Locc]

Murilo Bustamante bets on Palhares

Leader of Brazilian Top Team, Murilo Bustamante commented to TATAME about Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares’ preparation for the biggest challenge of his career at UFC 88 against the former Pride champion, Dan Henderson. “He’s ready, man, we bet on his. We know Henderson is a top athlete and that it’ll be a tough fight, bus we believe in Toquinho”, said Bustamante, that told us that Palhares isn’t felling any pressure about this fight. “He’s loving it, impossible to be more motivated. He knows he’ll have a great chance to grown in the division and, if he wins, he’ll make a huge advance close to his dream: a title shot. We want that”, revealed Bustamante.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Operation Successful! Full Recovery In Six Months

“KID” Yamamoto who injured his right knee before his fight at DREAM.5 had an operation done to it on August 1st. It was reported today that the operation was successful and that it will take around six months for him to recover.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Lindland says UFC tried to undermine agreement with Quarry

In the book Title Shot: In to the Shark Tank of Mixed Martial Arts, former UFC middleweight competitor Matt Lindland accuses the UFC and President Dana White of attempting to circumvent his managerial relationship with then-Team Quest Oregon fighter Nate Quarry prior to his 2005 middleweight title fight vs. Rich Franklin.

While speaking with author Kelly Crigger, the book quotes Lindland as saying, “They [the UFC] went straight to Nate instead of coming through me, his manager. They thought they could make him an offer and promise a bunch of money on the back end, like I wouldn’t find out. It’s bad business. This sport isn’t big enough to get away with something like that. I mean, we all talk to each other, especially in the same camp, so what did the UFC think? That I wouldn’t find out?”

Quarry ended up losing to Franklin at UFC 56 when he was knocked out at 2:34 of round 1. During the fight, he suffered a severe neck injury that sidelined him until UFC Fight Night 11 last September.

This is not the first time such accusations have been levied against the UFC. Manager Mark Dion is currently embattled in a civil court case with former client Brandon Vera in which a chief complaint in Dion’s lawsuit is that the UFC allegedly interfered with Dion’s management contract with Vera.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Sean Sherk Vs. Tyson Griffin Could Happen In The Fall

Michael Moody was on location this weekend for MMANews.com at the International Mixed Martial Arts Expo that took could place in Long Beach, CA.

Rumors were circulating around the Expo that a possible lightweight matchup between Sean "The Muscle Shark" Sherk(32-3-1) and Tyson Griffin (12-1) could happen later this year. Multiple sources stated that the fight will take place in the fall, most likely either UFC 90 which takes place in October or UFC 91 which will be in November.

Sherk is coming off the loss to UFC Lightweight Champion BJ Penn at UFC 84 in May, his first back since being stripped of the belt for a positive steroid test, while Griffin is on a four fight win streak, beating Marcus Aurelio most recently at UFC 86 in July.

A win for either fighter could put them into the title picture in the talented UFC lightweight division. This week, Kenny Florian and Roger Huerta will fight too decide will be next for the champion Penn, although it should be noted that Penn has been rumored to be fighting Georges St. Pierre in December. If that does happen than it could be possible to see the winners of Florian/Huerta and Sherk/Griffin lock up down the road.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Exclusive: Roy Nelson To Fight Jay White At Affliction 2

With a main event already set for Affliction 2: Day of Reckoning between Heavyweight's Josh Barnett and Andrei Arlovski, another Heavyweight match up is slated for the card that will see IFL Heavyweight Champion Roy Nelson (13-2-0) bring his four fight win streak to the Affliction ring against up and comer Jay White (2-5-0).

White confirmed the fight with MMANews.com's Michael Moody during the International MMA Expo that was held in Long Beach, CA this past weekend.

"I just signed a three fight deal with Affliction" stated White to MMANews.com "The opponent they gave me was Roy Nelson"

White has had a lackluster career to date only winning two of seven fights. He last fought on HDNet Fights: Reckless Abandon in December of 2007, defeating Patrick Castillo by round one armbar. He has fought UFC vets Jeff Monson (twice, losing both times) as well as Jake O'Brien (losing by KO 14 seconds into the first round).

Nelson is the current IFL Champion and is riding a four fight win streak. He has notable wins over Brad Imes and Fabiano Scherner in 2008 and nine of his thirteen wins have come via TKO or Submission. Nelson has never been stopped and his only losses have come to by way of decision.

 

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Arlovski Confirms Barnett Showdown at Affliction

Andrei Arlovski (Pictures) will have to wait at least one more bout before he gets his crack at the world’s No. 1 heavyweight.

The Belarusian bomber’s camp confirmed Monday that their 29-year-old star has agreed to face Josh Barnett (Pictures) at Affliction 2 “Day of Reckoning” at the Thomas & Mack Center on Oct. 11 in Las Vegas. The headlining bout will determine a clear-cut challenger for Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures), who iced Tim Sylvia (Pictures) in a cool 36 seconds at the promotion’s inaugural July 19 “Banned” event at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Emelianenko, 31, earned the World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts (WAMMA) heavyweight championship title for his speedy decimation of the No. 5 ranked Sylvia.

Affliction reps approached Arlovski (13-5) late last week with the proposition to meet former UFC heavyweight champion Barnett (23-5), who also avenged a seven-year loss to Pedro Rizzo (Pictures) on July 19 with a dynamic second-round knockout. The promotion, which had looked to pair Arlovski and Emelianenko next after their stellar performances on July 19, said “The Last Emperor” had broken his hand and would not be able to participate.

The former Pride heavyweight champion complained of a dislocated thumb at a post-fight press conference following his explosive victory over Sylvia. The California State Athletic Commission has also medically suspended Emelianenko for a precautionary 180-day period pending a doctor’s evaluation, though Sherdog.com could not yet confirm the extent of Emelianenko’s injuries.

Arlovski's management also shot down recent speculation that Affliction has asked its fighters to take pay cuts following their well received, but expensive July 19 card. "Banned" featured a handful of the world's top heavyweights, though the promotion paid for it with a roster that cost them anywhere between 4-6 million dollars, well above the industry standard. Arlovski earned 0,000 for his July 19 victory against Ben Rothwell (Pictures).

Arlovski left the U.S. last Saturday to do his part in a USO tour traveling to Japan. The adopted Chicago native will visit troops stationed at U.S. Marine bases throughout the Land of the Rising Sun, and will return in two weeks to begin his training camp against the capable Barnett.

Arlovski’s new assignment will most likely squash the aspiring pugilist’s pro boxing debut, which was rumored to have taken place on the undercard of an Oscar DeLa Hoya-promoted Sept. 13 card. Arlovski’s management declined to comment on the potential boxing match, though the fluid striker has been under the tutelage of famed boxing instructor Freddie Roach for the last few months at his Wild Card gym in Los Angeles.

The extra-curricular studies paid off for Arlovski on July 19, as he unloaded an aggressive tirade of jabs, straights, and fatal uppercuts en route to his early third-round TKO over former IFL heavyweight champion Ben Rothwell (Pictures). The victory capped a four-fight win streak for former UFC heavyweight champion Arlovski, who rebounded from back-to-back losses to Sylvia in 2006. Unable to come to terms on a new contract with the promotion, Arlovski walked away from the famed Octagon in June after eight years of service and a whopping fourteen appearances inside of it.

Barnett, who captured the UFC heavyweight championship from legend Randy Couture (Pictures) with a second-round TKO at UFC 36 in March 2002, was stripped of the accolade after testing positive for steroids following the victory. Unable to prove his innocence to the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Barnett -- the UFC’s youngest champion ever at the age of 24 -- was suspended for a year and never returned to the organization.

The move has done little to slow down Barnett, who continued to face and beat notable talent in Japan’s Pride Fighting Championships, which has included K-1 champion Mark Hunt (Pictures), judo Olympians Hidehiko Yoshida (Pictures) and Pawel Nastula (Pictures), and Emelianenko’s younger brother Aleksander Emelianenko (Pictures). Barnett has dropped only two of his last ten bouts, succumbing to formidable striker Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic and current UFC interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures), who Barnett had previously bested in 2006.

A popular figure in Japan, the 30-year old Barnett also shares his time as a pro wrestler for various promotions.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Mike Pyle likely to return at Oct. 11 Affliction event

Xtreme Couture fighter and veteran welterweight Mike Pyle (17-5-1) will likely return to action at Affliction's second show, which takes place Oct. 11 at UNLV's Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

A source close to the event tells MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that Pyle could soon be announced for the card.

No opponent was revealed, but given Affliction's lack of depth in the division, an outside signing in almost mandatory.

Pyle, who's also under contract to the Japanese-based World Victory Road organization, has won three straight and five of his past six fights going back to February 2007. His only loss during that stretch was a first-round submission defeat to current EliteXC welterweight champ Jake Shields.

Pyle -- a veteran of the EliteXC, Strikeforce and WEC organizations -- most recently fought at Affliction's debut event on July 19. Although the event predominantly featured the heavier weight classes, Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio has continually raved about Pyle and featherweight Mark Hominick while discussing plans to fill out the organization's lighter weight classes.

With his first-round submission victory over JJ Ambrose (which snapped Ambrose's seven-fight win streak) at "Banned," Pyle was all but assured an invitation back for the organization's sophomore show.

 

[Shogun Locc]

NSAC issues few medical suspensions to WEC 35 fighters

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has issued only a handful of submissions stemming from Sunday's WEC 35 event at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

The NSAC today sent the list of suspensions to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) via email.

Aside from main-eventwinner Carlos Condit and his opponent, Hiromitsu Miura, all the suspensions were for precautionary reasons stemming from knockout losses.

Condit, who defended his welterweight title with a tough-fought fourth-round TKO, will be sidelined until next month with eyebrow and lip lacerations. Miura, meanwhile, received the longest suspension (six months) due to various facial fractures, though he can be cleared early by a doctor.

The full list of suspensions includes:

Carlos Condit (def. Hiromitsu Miura): Suspended until Sept. 3 with no contact until Aug. 25 due to left eyebrow and lip lacerations
Hiromitsu Miura (def. by Carlos Condit): Suspended until Jan. 31 due to nasal and left medial orbital blowout fractures (can be cleared by an Ophthalmologist); minimum suspension until Sept. 18 with no contact until Sept. 3 for precautionary reasons
Brian Stann (def. by Steve Cantwell): Suspended until Sept. 3 with no contact until Aug. 25 for precautionary reasons due to knockout
Marcus Hicks (def. by Jamie Varner): Suspended until Sept. 18 with no contact until Sept. 3 for precautionary reasons due to knockout
Micah Miller (def. by Josh Grispi): Suspended until Sept. 3 with no contact until Aug. 25 for precautionary reasons due to knockout
Carlo Prater (def. by Brock Larson): Suspended until Sept. 18 with no contact until Sept. 3 for precautionary reasons due to knockout
David Terrel (def. by Blas Avena): Suspended until Sept. 3 with no contact until Aug. 25 for precautionary reasons due to knockout

 

[Shogun Locc]

Matyushenko-Nogueira Rematch Likely at Oct. 11 Affliction

International Fight League light heavyweight champion Vladimir Matyushenko (Pictures) will likely meet Pride Fighting Championships veteran Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (Pictures) at Affliction “Day of Reckoning” on Oct. 11 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Sources close to the promotion confirmed the fight has been offered to both parties, though Matyushenko’s management declined to comment on the proposed matchup.

Matyushenko (21-3) defeated Nogueira (14-3) by unanimous decision at a Universal Fighting-Arts Organization event in Japan back in 2002. Having dominated competition inside the IFL, Matyushenko will carry an eight-fight winning streak into his next match. The 37-year-old Belarusian has not competed since he stopped Jamal Patterson (Pictures) on strikes in April. He has been finished only once -- by former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski (Pictures) at UFC 44 -- in his career and holds other notable victories against Yuki Kondo (Pictures), Pedro Rizzo (Pictures) and Travis Wiuff (Pictures).

Nogueira -- the twin brother of interim UFC heavyweight titleholder Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures) -- has won back-to-back bouts since his stunning knockout loss to Team Quest’s Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (Pictures) at Pride 33 in February 2007. The 32-year-old Brazilian counts wins over two-time Olympian Dan Henderson (Pictures), Japanese legend Kazushi Sakuraba (Pictures) and reigning Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem (Pictures) among his conquests. He last competed at Affliction “Banned” on July 19, when he stopped UFC veteran Edwin Dewees (Pictures) on strikes inside one round.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Franca Eyes UFC 90 Bout with Tibau

Former lightweight title challenger Hermes Franca (Pictures) confirmed to Sherdog.com Monday that he will lock horns with American Top Team’s Gleison Tibau (Pictures) at UFC 90 "Silva vs. Cote" on Oct. 25 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill.

The fight comes at a critical time for Franca, as he has lost consecutive bouts for the first time since 2005. The 33-year-old Brazilian dropped a unanimous decision to Frankie Edgar at UFC Fight Night 14 last month in his first match back after a year-long suspension for admitted steroid use.

“It was just great to be back in the UFC,” Franca said. “It was a crazy year. I fought against a tough opponent, and I thought I did well. I have no excuses.”

A monstrous lightweight who once fought at 170 pounds, Tibau, like Franca, will enter the bout on a two-fight losing streak, having submitted to a Joe Stevenson (Pictures) guillotine choke at UFC 86 in July. The 24-year-old Brazilian holds notable victories against Fabricio Camoes (Pictures), Jason Dent (Pictures) and Terry Etim (Pictures). Franca (18-7), a former member of ATT's Coconut Creek squad, knows Tibau (15-6) well.

“Gleison’s a friend of mine,” Franca said. “I just saw him last week. We shook hands, and I wished him luck.”

Franca, who turns 34 later this month, has been finished only once as a professional. He owns submission wins against reigning World Extreme Cagefighting lightweight champion Jamie Varner (Pictures) and rising UFC lightweight contender Nathan Diaz (Pictures), along with knockout victories over Pat Miletich (Pictures) protégé Spencer Fisher (Pictures) and International Fight League lightweight titleholder Ryan Schultz (Pictures).

A heavy handed Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt known for throwing wild haymakers inside the cage, Franca rode an eight-fight winning streak to a lightweight title shot against former champion Sean Sherk (Pictures) at UFC 73 in July 2007. Controlled by the superior wrestler, Franca dropped a unanimous decision to the supremely conditioned Minnesotan. Both men were later flagged for suspected steroid use by the California State Athletic Commission.

Back near the bottom of the pecking order in one of the UFC’s deepest divisions, he wants another shot at championship gold.

“Of course, that’s what I wish for,” Franca said. “There are a lot of fighters [in my division], and I got my chance. I have to go to the back of the line.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

WEC-UFC Talent Merger in the Works?

Talk of a potential migration of the WEC’s 205- and 185-pound divisions to the UFC could be more than just rumors, and the answer might play out in the coming months.

For months, rumors have been circulating -– and, occasionally reported in MMA media outlets -– that the WEC may disband those two divisions and send some of the top fighters competing there to the UFC.

Reed Harris, WEC president, declined to confirm or deny the status of a potential reshuffling of the rosters when contacted Monday by Sherdog.com. Harris did confirm that the concept has been acknowledged as a possibility by UFC president Dana White, and matchmakers Joe Silva and Scott Adams of the UFC and WEC, respectively.

“We have had some discussions about our weight divisions, but nothing has been set or finalized,” Harris said. “We’ve heard the same rumors. We’ve had those discussions since day one. About what weight classes (might be involved), I really have no official statement. I know people are talking about it. I’ve had reporters call me and ask the same questions for eight months about it.”

Indications, both informal and on the record, have been enough to draw attention to hardcore industry watchers. At a UFC 83 Q&A session with fans in April, White addressed the question.

"We're going to make the WEC the smaller weights and the UFC will be the heavier weights,” White told The Canadian Press. “We'll probably take some of the guys in the higher weights, the champions over there and bring them into UFC. We're still trying to figure that out."

Possibly foreshadowing the imminent shift, the WEC’s Sept. 3 show will headline featherweight champ Urijah Faber (Pictures) in his sixth title defense against Mike Brown, while 185-pound boss Paulo Filho (Pictures) rematches Team Quest’s Chael Sonnen (Pictures) to put to rest a controversial March meeting in the co-main event that night.

For the WEC, the move could make sense. While the 135-, 145- and 155-pound divisions have viable depth in their ranks, outside of Filho and Sonnen, the middleweights lack a top 10 fighter, as does the light heavyweight division.