MMA News Thread

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EliteXC signs Jason Volpe and Nick Denis

FiveOuncesOfPain.com has confirmed through multiple sources that EliteXC has signed Jason Volpe and Nick Denis to contracts.

Denis, a native of Ottawa, Ontario, possesses an unblemished mixed martial arts record of 6-0. Denis currently trains at Ronin MMA and holds victories over the likes of Josh Kyrejto, Josh Gallant, and Chris Myra.

Jason “The Hitman” Volpe possesses a mixed martial arts record of 4-1. Volpe holds victories over the likes of Aaron Barnard, Dave Logan, Dustin Dickerson, and Lino Santoro. Volpe’s sole professional loss came to the hands of Jarid Bussemakers at KOTC: Brawl at the Mall 3.

 

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Aleks to fight on January Affliction card

Aleksander Emelianenko will be fighting at Affliction’s next mixed martial show in the New Year.

Speaking exclusively to Fighters Only earlier, the Russian heavyweight revealed that he will be heading to the USA soon to film promotional videos for the event.

“I am going back to the States next week to do interviews and make some film for the January event,” he said.

“But I don’t know about any opponent yet, all that is in the process of being sorted out.”

Aleks added that he may also “fight around Christmas-time in Japan”.

He was scheduled to appear on Affliction’s first show in June but was removed from the card at the last minute by the California State Athletic Commission.

CSAC never revealed a specific reason for the removal but rumours circulated that Emelianenko had been found to have Hepatitis B.

“That is not true, these rumours about medical problems are not true,” he stated. “I was removed from the card because of problems with my paperwork.”

“My visa came late for the USA, I arrived two days late and it meant that I could not complete necessary paperwork on time.

“But there will be no problem this time - everything is cool.”

 

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Exclusive: UFC May Bring David Loiseau Back To Big Show

After putting together three straight wins, former UFC Middleweight Title contender David "The Crow" Loiseau has found himself back in the sights of UFC match maker Joe Silva.

A source close to the UFC has informed MMANews.com that the company is interested in bringing Loiseau back to the Octagon, possibly in his next fight. There is a possibility that Loiseau may have to take one more fight outside of the UFC depending on schedules and potential match ups, but if all goes well "The Crow" could be back sometime over the next few months.

Loiseau made a quiet exit from the UFC in 2006 following a dismal performance against Mike Swick in which he lost a unanimous decision. Prior to that fight he lost to Rich Franklin in a UFC Middleweight title fight that many believe was a significant turning point in his career, for the worst.

Since his departure, Loiseau has won four of six fights, his last two fights being stoppages via (T)KO. His last loss came to UFC newcomer Jason Day, who was given a shot at the big show following the win over Loiseau.

Attempts to reach David were not immediately returned but we will have more on this story as it develops.

 

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Exclusive: Cut Forces Baroni Off Strikeforce In Denver

After winning his third straight fight last night at Palace Fighting Championships 8, a cut suffered during the first round of the bout with Olaf Alonso will now force Phil Baroni out of a scheduled October 3rd bout at Strikeforce: Payback that is set to take place in Denver, CO.

“In the first round during an exchange Olaf hit Phil with his only big punch of the fight and it cut Phil” Baroni’s Agent Ken Pavia told MMANews.com earlier today. “It was significant enough that it required six stitches right in his eye lid.. Between the first and second round he realized he was cut and was like “Aww Man, now I can’t fight next week”.

Although an opponent was not announced for the Strikeforce fight, likely due to the fact Baroni was fighting this week, the organization was confident that “The New York Bad Ass” would come out of the fight without an injuries.

“He had the PFC fight inked when Strikeforce came to use but they felt that Phil would come out unscathed so we took the fight even though it was going to be a tough cut for two consecutives weeks. There will always be intangibles and anything could happen.”

Baroni is now in the process of reinventing himself in the 170lb division after putting together a 10-10 record at middleweight and realizing he needed to make a change to continue to be considered a worthwhile fighter in the sport. With the Strikeforce bout now off, next up for Baroni will be his wedding.

“Phil is getting married on October 12th and then he will be on his honeymoon which usually means cheating on your diet,” joked the MMA super agent.

The cut will most likely take about 30-40 days to heal and Pavia figures that if all goes well they will get one more bout in before years end.

 

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Yves Edwards vs. Fabricio Camoes in works for EliteXC’s Nov. 8 show

American Top Team's Yves Edwards (34-14-1 MMA, 2-1 EliteXC), who fought for the EliteXC lightweight title in his most recent fight, expects to return to the EliteXC cage Nov. 8 against Brazilian Fabricio Camoes (9-4 MMA, 2-0 EliteXC).

Edwards spoke with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) Sunday from Florida, near the American Top Team training camp in Coconut Creek, and said the fight hasn't been signed yet, but he expects that it will be soon.

"I've agreed on it verbally, and I'm just waiting on the papers, and I should get those after this next weekend," said Edwards, who turns 32 years old on Tuesday and has three fights left on his current contract with EliteXC. "'I'm looking forward to that one, and looking forward to getting back on track."

Edwards won three in a row between November of 2007 and February of this year to set up a title shot on June 14 against KJ Noons -- EliteXC’s 160-pound champion at the time. Noons stopped Edwards by technical knockout just 48 seconds into the bout.

"I've been fighting for a long time and that particular thing has never really happened to me -- getting caught early," Edwards said. "It sucks. It's not pleasant, but it doesn't say that I'm doing the wrong thing or I'm not good enough to do this. I'm not changing gears or shifting anything. The ball's still rolling."

The proposed fight against Camoes gives Edwards an opportunity to match himself against a solid jiu-jitsu practitioner who has been on a roll. Camoes has won his last six fights, including a quick 47-second rear-naked choke submission of season two "The Ultimate Fighter" cast member Sam Morgan on Aug. 15.

 

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"EliteXC: Heat" weigh-ins set for Friday

Weigh-ins for "EliteXC: Heat" event takes place Friday at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla., which is the same venue that hosts Saturday's CBS Saturday Night Fights broadcast.

The event features a main event of Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson vs. Ken Shamrock, as well as an Affliction bout of Andrei Arlovski vs. Roy Nelson.

Weigh-ins for the event take place in the arena's Chairman's Club; doors open at 3 p.m. ET, and the first fighter hits the scale at approximately 4 p.m. ET.

The following day, EliteXC hosts its third CBS broadcast to date.

Saturday's televised card also includes EliteXC welterweight champion Jake Shields making a title defense against a tough Paul Daley, the popular Gina Carano meets 19-fight veteran Kelly Kobold-Gavin, and Benji Radach takes on fellow veteran Murilo "Ninja" Rua.

MMAjunkie.com will be on scene for Friday's weigh-ins, as well as Saturday's "EliteXC: Heat" event. (We'll also have coverage of Friday's "Strikeforce: Payback" show in Colorado). Join MMAjunkie.com for for full event coverage, including live results and full post-event fall-out.

 

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JOHN ALESSIO: "I'M GOING TO COME AND BRING THE PAIN"
link: http://www.fighthype.com/pages/content3511.html?PHPSESSID=91cd7c19b6ccef8e01c902b977c8c84c
"I'm ready to go man. They could just expect me to come out and bring it. I'm going to get in his face right away and I'm going to come and bring the pain man. No matter what, I want to keep him guessing. I don't want him to think I want to stand; I don't want him thinking I want to go to the ground or wrestle. He better expect it all," stated mixed martial artist John Alessio as he talked about his upcoming clash with Gideo Ray at the October 11th "Nicht of Combat II" card. Check out what else he had to say about the fight, his DQ loss to Brock Larson and his desire for a rematch, his future plans and much more.

 

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CRISTIANE SANTOS: "I DO WANT TO FIGHT GINA. I HOPE TO BE THE NEXT TO FACE HER"
link: http://www.fighthype.com/pages/content3509.html
"I do want to fight Gina. I hope to be the next to face her! She's a well-rounded fighter and, like me, likes standing up and exchanging punches, Muay Thai style. A fight between us would be something really great to see," stated female mixed martial artist Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos as she talked about her desire to fight Gina Carano. Check out what else she had to say about her upcoming clash this weekend with Yoko Takahashi, her future plans and much more.

 

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Shamrock eyes Lions Den hat-trick on CBS

Ken Shamrock and the Lion’s Den fight team are looking for a hat-trick at next weekend’s EliteXC/CBS event.

Shamrock faces former streetfighter Kimbo Slice in the headline bout, while two other Lion’s Den fighters feature on the undercard.

Ex-IFL heavyweight Roy Nelson (13-2) will be taking a big step up in class when he takes on former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski.

And UFC veteran Seth Petruzelli (9-4) will be fighting on the undercard against ShoXC graduate Aaron Rosa.

“This is a huge fight for me and I am ecstatic that other fighters from the Lion’s Den team will be competing on the same card,” Lion’s Den Founder Ken Shamrock.

“Having three fighters on a CBS Saturday Night Fight event solidifies the fact that the Lion’s Den continues to represent some of the best mixed martial arts fighters in the industry

He added that he has “no doubt that the Lion’s Den fight team will dominate” when fight night comes round on October 4th.

 

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Arlovski Has A Face Made For (Network) Television

It has surely been a rollercoaster couple of weeks for Andrei Arlovski.

First the cancellation of Affliction’s scheduled October show put his on-again, off-again fight with Josh Barnett in permanent jeopardy, only to have his name get kicked around as a possible opponent for Fedor Emelianenko come January. Then, just when you thought Arlovski was headed back to the gym for a few more months of training, he emerged with a bout against former IFL heavyweight champion Roy Nelson at “EliteXC: Heat” on CBS this Saturday.

Add to the mix that it’s only been six months since he was unceremoniously dropped from the UFC, and you have to figure it’s been a crazy year for the guy. But all’s well that ends with a big payday, and this scenario could be huge for the future of the charismatic and well-liked Belarusian fighter.

Frankly, I think “The Pitbull” is gonna look great on national TV.

Fanged mouthpiece and all, Arlovski is a natural fit for CBS in its bid to appeal to the 18-to-34-year-old male demographic which advertisers and sports promoters both covet. His athletic stand-up style - distinctive for a heavyweight - will play well too if he can use it to impose his will on the bigger, presumably slower Nelson.

With the possible exception of Kimbo Slice, Arlovski immediately becomes the most colorful character on the EliteXC broadcast. The only difference being, Arlovski can fight and beat the best guys in the world.

That Nelson doesn’t quite qualify as one of the best is no one’s fault – Affliction and EliteXC tried and failed to get Barnett on the card – but in what essentially amounts to a short-notice fight for both men, you have to give the edge to Arlovski.

At 13-2, most of Nelson’ experience has come against lesser competition. He has notable wins over Fabiano Scherner and Brad Imes, but didn’t manage to capture the IFL belt until after Ben Rothwell left. Rothwell defeated Nelson by split decision in April 2007, but most recently got outgunned by Arlovski during Affliction’s debut pay-per-view.

We don’t want to get too bogged down in who-fought-who, but when Rothwell beats Nelson and then Arlovski beats Rothwell, it’s not difficult to pick a favorite here.

A victory for Arlovski obviously exposes him to a whole new crop of fight fans who may well be tuning in to see Slice, only to be seduced by a better, ultimately more interesting fighter. In that regard, Arlovski probably has more breakout potential than any other athlete on this show.

If I had to guess, I’d say America is dying to see a heavyweight who moves like a middleweight, wears fangs on his mouthpiece and loves to knock people out.

Maybe America just doesn’t know it yet.

 

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Can Paul Daley Blow Up In EliteXC?

Never let it be said that Paul “Semtex” Daley doesn’t plan for the future. In fact, it seems like the British MMA phenom is getting a little ahead of himself in the run-up to his EliteXC welterweight title match against Jake Shields this Saturday on CBS.

As in, Daley is already talking like he’s the champion.

“I want to fight more great fights, defend the belt,” Daley said recently, when asked about his future after the Shields fight. “Maybe fight in the DREAM welterweight grand prix - if it happens - and then maybe go to the UFC.”

You know, no big deal. Daley’s just going to beat Shields on national TV (for the record, he’s predicting a knockout), go to Japan and take on the best guys they have over there, then – if he’s not bored or tired or something – probably go fight in the UFC.

After six consecutive stoppage victories dating back to 2006, the 25-year-old Cage Rage champ doesn’t lack for confidence, I guess.

At 18-6-2, Daley has long been one of the more intriguing figures in MMA. Just like Michael Bisping and other promising British fighters, he’s put together a nice resume for himself competing in the UK, but it’s hard to gauge exactly how good he is before he starts taking on top contenders in America.

In that regard, Shields represents a significant step-up in competition and “Semtex” better bring some takedown defense, coupled with some ground skills to match the bravado he’s been showing off.

Shields has been on tear as of late, submitting TUF 8 cast-off Ido Pariente in his EliteXC debut before picking up quality wins over the likes of Renato Verissimo, Mike Pyle and Nick Thompson. The Caesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu master has won 10 fights in a row and hasn’t been seen the second round in two years.

It’ll be a classic striker vs. grappler confrontation at the BankAtlantic Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and on a card that now looks solid after the recent addition of Andrei Arlovski, Shields and Daley have a chance to steal the show. First, though, Daley has to prove he belongs in the same cage with a guy who is arguably one of the top five best welterweights in the world.

Daley’s certainly no slouch, he proved that with a trio of victories over Duane Ludwig, Mark Weir and Sammy Morgan during the last year. He’s been training in the kickboxing hotbed of Holland to sharpen his stand-up skills for the Jiu-Jitsu black belt. He certainly has a chance to win. Let’s just hope he also found time to squeeze in some mat time with his striking, or else he’s going to come out looking pretty silly after all that talking.

 

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SENGOKU 5 POST-FIGHT VIDEO INTERVIEWS

link:http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=7228&zoneid=13

 

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HDNet to air Oct. 11 "Night of Combat II" on one-week delay

HDNet will air the Oct. 11 "Night of Combat II," an event co-promoted by Kim Couture's KC Concepts and Scott Kelp's Superfights MMA, on a one-week delay.

Sources from inside HDNet today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that the high-definition cable station has picked up the event, though its debut date and time have not yet been determined.

The event, which takes place at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, features Mike Pyle vs. Brian Gassaway, John Alessio vs. Gideon Ray, Jay Hieron vs. Bryson Kamaka, and many other notables.

Pyle, Gassaway and Alessio -- as well as "The Ultimate Fighter 3" runner-up Josh Haynes, who fights UFC veteran Steve Byrnes on the card -- will all represent the Xtreme Couture gym.

Couture, who serves as Vice President of the Las Vegas-based camp, recently told MMAjunkie.com she created the promotional company and "Night of Combat" event series to produce another outlet for the gym's numerous professional fighters.

"We have seven gyms going right now that are producing a lot of good fighters and good talent," Couture said. "They need some place to build their record so that one of the bigger [organizations] will pick them up. It's just an outlet for our guys to get in there."

"Night of Combat II" was originally scheduled for Oct. 18. However, after Affliction Entertainment recently decided to postpone its "Day of Reckoning" event, the Nevada State Athletic Commission asked Night of Combat organizers to move their event to the vacated Oct. 11 date, Couture said.

Tickets for the event, which range from $15 to $50, are currently on sale. (For the complete line-up of fights, check out the "Night of Combat II" fight card here at MMAjunkie.com.)

The event will be Couture's second as a co-promoter. The 32-year-old former casino executive was involved with June's original "Night of Combat" event, where Couture also made her professional fighting debut. The show, which featured a hybrid MMA/boxing card and free tickets, drew 10,000 spectators to the Thomas & Mack Center.

 

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Strikeforce champion Cung Le returning in 2009

Fanhouse is reporting that Strikeforce middleweight champion Cung Le will not return to the cage until sometime in 2009. According to Fanhouse, Strikeforce VP, Mike Afromowitz confirmed that Le will be back in 2009 but neither a date or opponent has been determined.
Le, 36, last competed back in March where he defeated former champion and MMA legend Frank Shamrock.

The reason behind Le’s extended break is because of a new movie that he’s filming in Berlin called Pandorum.

Already with six movies under his belt, Le has three more on the way. It’s clear that Le has his post-fight career mapped out but he still has some unfinished business in the cage.

 

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UFC Quick Quote: War Machine on the war path

“So the UFC decided to let me go because of my statements after the death of Evan Tanner. They tried to make it look like I was insensitive towards Evan and that that was the reason I was being cut. In all honesty my bulletin regarding Evan was bashing the UFC and the way they treat fighters and not negative to Evan in any way. if anything I was sticking up for Evan and the way he was mistreated by the UFC just like the vast majority of it fighters. Anyway, since my bulletins and all the bullshit being talked about on the underground several of Evan Tanner’s close friends and family members have been in contact with me. 99 percent of them were not mad at all and pretty much let me know that they knew where I was going with the whole bulletin and for me not to worry about hurting any of them directly. SO yeah one of his close friends just messaged me a few hours ago and let me know that the UFC sent NO ONE to speak at his funeral. He let me know how much this saddened the family and how very disappointed they were about it all. This is an EX CHAMPION of theirs, NOT some scrub that fought for them once and thats it. Are you trying to tell me he doesn’t deserve any of the UFC brass’ presence at his funeral? Doesn’t deserve a single kind word or statement of gratitude for the services that he provided their organization?”

 

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Contrary To Reports, Lutter Not Returning To The UFC

Earlier this month, former UFC fighter Travis Lutter told MMARated.com that he was still unsure as to where and when he would be fighting next.

"I might have to take a fight on a smaller show just to get my name out there and build up my career again," Lutter said. "It's a little frustrating that my career has stalled."

Lutter was released from the company following a loss to Rich Franklin at UFC 83.

A couple weeks later, Sherdog.com reported that Lutter was making his Octagon return at UFC 92 against Joe Doerksen.

Or not.

"That was never true," Lutter told us today. "I'm hoping to make it back to the UFC at some point, but right now I'm not under contract with the UFC.

"I talked to (UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva when the rumors came out and he knew nothing about it. I don't know how these things get started."

While Lutter didn't believe the rumor when he heard it, he did admit that, for a brief second, he got excited over the prospect of returning to the UFC.

"I don't know who started it," Lutter said. "I just know that I had nothing to do with. It's all just craziness.

"I'm no closer to returning to the UFC, but also no further away, so it's a good day."

The former TUF 4 middleweight winner still has his sights set on a January 2009 return to action. He expects to win a couple of fights outside of the UFC and then make his return later in the year.

"It's just a matter of time, the way I look at it," Lutter said confidently. "The 185-pound division needs me."

And what about UFC 90's main event between champion Anderson Silva and Patrick Cote? Of course, Lutter was the last man to defeat Cote and was probably Silva's most difficult test in the UFC.

"Cote is going to get murdered," Lutter predicted. "Anderson Silva is really, really good and Cote is basically a Leben a fight for Anderson."

 

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Luiz Cane Irked by Past History between Thiago Silva and Wanderlei Silva

Shortly after our coverage of Fight Night 15, we had the chance to sit down with Brazilian powerhouse and UFC Light Heavyweight, Luiz "Banha" Cane, along with his camp. Though Luiz Cane's UFC debut against James Irvin was controversial, Cane was certain that a victory would have been the outcome, in his favor. "If anybody saw that fight, I was clearly ahead. I was winning the exchanges on our feet and catching his every offense that I've trained for. I felt like he gave up and quit because of that... because I would beat him and he decided to take the easy way out." Six months later, Banha would face the tough veteran Jason Lambert, who was best known for his knockout win over Renato "Babalu" Sobral. Cane battered Lambert into a first round knockout and served notice to the division immediately. "It felt like a moral victory more than anything. I felt like that is how I should have beat James (Irvin) and felt good to have fought the fight that I've trained real hard for. I have a lot of respect for Jason (Lambert) and I even told him that. I don't think he understood me, because I spoke to him in Portuguese", he said with a laugh.

A month later, Banha's camp was offered a fight with top ranked Rameau Sokoudjou, in an intriguing clash. Luiz Cane was quick to give the African Assassin respect. "He is a great fighter. Me and my family were watching his pride fights and we were just so quiet when he knocked out Minotoro (Antonio Rogerio Nogueira) and Ricardo (Arona). That was the last thing we expected. He is a top fighter, for sure, but I know many of his weaknesses that I'm going to expose and I'm going to stand with him and knock him out."

Though, Cane seems focused and ready for Sokoudjou, he seemed more focused on old foes and comfortable to speak to us about them. "Of course. I'll fight anybody that the UFC puts in front of me. It doesen't matter to me if it is another Brazilian. This is a sport where we must fight to see who is the toughest. But I'm going to keep winning until I'm recognized enough to ask for a fight against Thiago Silva. We were supposed to fight in the Fury FC but it didn't work out because of injury problems he had and management problems." Banha wasn't hesitant to say that there is plently of bad blood between him and both Thiago Silva and Wanderlei Silva, as well. "Back when Thiago Silva won the Fury FC title, Wanderlei Silva was in his corner. And in his post comments, he has said many negative things about me and said that I was ducking him. Wanderlei Silva also made a comment about me ducking him (Thiago). Ever since then, I lost my admiration for Chute Box. Me and my family and friends worked real hard. I had to deal with a lot of my friends and family passing away. Now that I'm in the UFC, I will make them proud."

When asked Cane when he sees a fight with Thiago taking place, Cane was more hopeful rather than making predictions. "I wish it could be tomorrow", he said with a laugh. "But Thiago is a great fighter. He proved himself in the UFC. I still have to do that. Now that I get to fight in England in a month and on the main card, I will take full advantage of that and dominate Sokoudjou. Then I'll keep training hard and winning until I get a fight with Thiago Silva. I hope to fight both Thiago and Wanderlei because I know that I could beat both of them and show them I don't duck anyone. I'm going to make so much noise in the UFC and in this sport, that everyone will know who Banha is. I refuse to go unrecognized any longer."

 

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YUSHIN OKAMI VS DEAN LISTER AT UFC 92 ON DEC. 27

In a pivotal match-up between two top middleweights, MMAWeekly.com has confirmed that on Dec. 27 Yushin Okami will return from a lingering hand injury to face submission wizard Dean Lister, as confirmed by Lister’s management group at Haymaker’s Empire.

“It’s a really good fight,” Lister told MMAWeekly.com in an exclusive interview. “(He’s) really skilled, I heard he’s real strong, and I believe he’s a pretty tall guy, he’s a south paw. I’m going to have to have a great gameplan for this guy.”

Lister was originally slated to be a part of the UFC Fight Night 15 show against Thales Leites just last week in Omaha, but a slight knee injury kept him from training at full strength so it kept him off the card.

Now the Pride and King of the Cage veteran arguably gets a much bigger fight taking on Okami, who was tapped to face 185-pound champion Anderson Silva, before the aforementioned hand injury forced him out of the fight.

“I took down Jeremy Horn with an inside trip, and twisted my knee a little bit. Just to where I couldn’t really train with it, that’s all,” Lister commented on his recent injury. “I was hoping to make that fight happen this year, but they already rescheduled the fight with Goran Reljic.”

Okami is one of only a handful of fighters to hold a win over the middleweight champion, albeit from a disqualification after Silva landed an illegal blow that forced a stop to their 2006 fight in Rumble on the Rock.

Lister most recently competed in June, submitting veteran Jeremy Horn, and spent a couple of weeks working with Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic in Croatia to prepare him for his fight in Dream against Alistair Overeem.

“Really good cohesive team over there, they train really hard, training twice a day, every day,” Lister said about his training in Croatia. “I think I lost seven pounds just in those two weeks. The training environment is awesome.”

The middleweight fight will be featured on the main card of the pay-per-view currently headlined by heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira defending his belt against former titleholder Frank Mir.

 

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UFC 91 VIDEO: ULTIMATE FIGHTER AMIR SADOLLAH

Amir Sadollah is in preschool. At least that’s how he feels when he spars with the sharks of Xtreme Couture.

MMAWeekly.com recently caught up with the winner of the seventh season of “The Ultimate Fighter” to discuss his Octagon return against Nick Catone at UFC 91 on Nov. 15 in Las Vegas. He had just emerged from sparring and taken a few bombs to his cranium.

“It’s a test,” Sadollah says of the MMA mecca. “If you’re not going to get better here, you’re going to die or quit.”

He arrived at the gym shortly after winning the show, and found himself star struck by the array of talented fighters on the floor. Then they started punching him in the face.

“There’s days that I have good days, and days that I get frustrated, but I know that those are the days that I start to learn stuff,” he said.

Before the show, Sadollah was a part time fighter, like most who try their hand at UFC reality stardom. A surgical assistant in Richmond, Va., he would show up to work with limps and black eyes. He got a few stares, but almost no one asked him what had happened. Only after he won the show did his old co-workers put two and two together. By then, he was Vegas bound, ready to make fighting his full time career.

Sadollah knows little about Catone, relying mostly on scraps of tape and hearsay. Because there are many unknowns, he doesn’t want to premeditate what he’s going to do in the fight. He has a general idea of what he’ll do, but he wants to be open to improvisation.

“It’s kind of a slippery slope,” he said. “You think you know how the fight’s going to go, and guys work on different stuff. You can’t be a one trick pony. I wouldn’t want to watch too much tape and think I know exactly how the fight’s going to go, because that’s when you get into trouble.”

So far, Sadollah has done extremely well at improvising. His wins on the show have arisen out of his ability to take bad situations and make them good. Just when it looks like he’s in deep waters, he finds a way to capitalize. In his usual self-deprecating way, he attributes that to his preschool education.

“I’m not at the level yet where I can impose my will on every opponent, so I think you need that versatility and mental ability to change gears during a fight,” he said.

Sadollah isn’t ready to graduate yet, but is set to make a statement on how far he’s come on Nov. 15.

“I just want to perform to the best of my abilities and show all the improvements I’ve made,” he said.

link:http://videos.mmaweekly.com/view_player.php?id=2790

 

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M-1 Challenge. Now in association with Affliction

M-1 Global and Affliction keep stregthening the ties in MMA. Officially from now on all the M-1 Challenge events will be organized in association with Affliction.