MMA News Thread

[Shogun Locc]

CHRIS LYTLE: "I THINK IT WILL BE A GREAT FIGHT"
link: http://www.fighthype.com/pages/content3737.html?PHPSESSID=a8dae56053bfb6d5a4f6c74da68a1a41
"I like that fight. He used to be a pro boxer and so was I. I think the fight makes sense and that has "great fight" written all over it. These are the type of fights I want to be in. I like fights like that and on paper, it makes perfect sense. I think it will be a great fight and people are going to love it. It has all of the ingredients for a fight that I would like to be in and I've always wanted to go to Ireland," stated UFC welterweight contender Chris Lytle as he talked about his anticipated clash with Marcus Davis. Check out what else he had to say about the fight, his recent win over Paul Taylor at UFC 89 and much more.

 

[MrPeete]

it is weak, how people act like somebody is garbage after one k.o, rampage has been stopped WAY worse, and everybody is still on his dick.

Sucks to be the face of a franchise doesn't it?

 

[Shogun Locc]

Shamrock Inc: Frank Talks Business and Brand Building

Despite having only six fights in the past nine years – all of them outside the UFC - Frank Shamrock has kept his name recognition high and built a multi-faceted business with almost 30 full-time employees. In a recent interview with MMAPayout.com, Shamrock described his keys to success, while offering some advice to anyone hoping to follow in his footsteps.

“I’m no closet genius,” said Shamrock. “I learned through trial and error. It took me 7-8 years to build my business and it was a good time for me because the sport was small then. I was blessed in that way.”
But times have obviously changed. “The days of gun slinging and hanging out in this business are gone,” he says. “The dollars are bigger and the sport of MMA keeps moving closer to the mainstream. Everyone’s rushing to the sport because it’s very popular and cool, but your brand needs to be consistent.”

Shamrock business model in recent years includes 70% of revenue from fighting, 15-18% from licensing, and 12% from consulting. The latter consists of fees Shamrock earns from promotions like Elite XC, and in the past, UFC, offering advice and support. He takes cash and/or equity as payment, and sometimes will invest his own capital.

He believes in taking risks, but only calculated ones. “I’ve taken some risks with my brand, but they were only risks where the payoff was way beyond the risk.” Over time, he’s changed his approach. “I’ve got a life and longevity plan,” he said. “I want to be healthy and happy, but I have to be in really good shape and stay at the highest level. Otherwise my brand will suffer and people will be kicking my ass.” As a result, Shamrock has been much more deliberate about how he plans and promotes his fights. “My plan is to fight for 10 more years, until I’m 45, but the risks get higher every year as I get older, so I work to raise the value of each fight each time,” by amping up the promotion and buildup, and commanding higher revenues.

At the same time, he continues to diversify his business outside the ring, landing some national, mainstream projects like “MMA for Dummies” with Wiley Publishing and one of the crown jewels of sports licensing deals, an MMA videogame by EA Sports that hits stores in 2010.

When he talks business, Shamrock peppers the conversation with phrases like “revenue targets” and “performance goals” which are more typical of an MBA than an MMA legend. He credits “good mentors and partners” like his attorney Henry Holmes and Strikeforce co-CEO Scott Coker. He has also worked hard to build a strong team. “We train, develop and manage people from the MMA and business community. I have good people. Some are from the MMA community, some from other professions.”

Shamrock also believes personal integrity has been a strong contributor to his success. “When you’re the type of business person that looks you in the eye, shakes hands and says, ‘You’ve got a deal,’ and you stick to it, you attract hungry, focused people.”

It’s a lack of integrity that he says contributed to the downfall of Elite XC, of which he was a “major shareholder.” “You should treat people like athletes and artists,” he says, “they didn’t do either.” The lesson from their failure, Shamrock said, is that experience, not capital, is the most important contributor to success in MMA. “In a way they [Elite XC] were leaders because they lined up CBS and Showtime and no one had ever done that before. But they burned through $60 million because no one modeled the business and industry. It was inevitable.” He also says the management team lacked any kind of focus, hiring people indiscriminately to work on various projects, none of which contributed to the bottom line. “I can run out and hire 50 people, but I could also hire one person who knows what they’re doing.”

But can a viable competitor to UFC really emerge? Shamrock thinks so, but “That person needs to be MMA 3.0. He needs to understand the business, bring together disillusioned stars, bring them together and get ‘em functioning.” In all likelihood, however, he believes a “joint venture” approach, ala Affliction and Elite XC, is more likely in the near term.

In the meantime, Shamrock will continue building “Shamrock, Inc.” regardless. He offers some friendly advice to anyone entering the game. “These days it doesn’t matter if you’re any good or not. But you need to pick who you are and run with it. If your radio call is at 5:30 in the morning, be there, because that’s what the pros do.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

ESPN-backed BFC, World Victory Road interested in heavyweight Dave Herman

Despite being stuck in a state of limbo following the collapse of EliteXC, undefeated heavyweight prospect Dave Herman (12-0) should have no trouble finding work -- when he's able to accept it.

A source close to the fighter tells MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that the Japanese-based World Victory Road organization wants to put the 24-year-old fighter on its January "Sengoku 7" card.

Bellator Fighting Championships, which will produce shows for ESPN Deportes (and possibly ESPN360.com) beginning in April or May of 2009, is also interested in the heavyweight, the source said.

No potential opponent has been determined for the Sengoku event, which would be Herman's first overseas fight.

The talks with BFC remain in the preliminary stages, but the organization -- which was believed to be interested in only the smaller weight classes -- is considering the inclusion of heavyweights and may even host a heavyweight tournament, depending on the talent available.

BFC will be a combination reality show/competition series geared primarily around Hispanic fighters, though other potential competitors currently include Hector Lombard, Eddie Alvarez and Jorge Masvidal.

Herman, a 6-foot-5 250-pounder, turned pro in late 2006 and spent much of his early career with the Indianapolis-based Legends of Fighting organization. The former Indiana University wrestler has posted stoppages in all 12 of his professional victories -- all but one in the first round. He went 3-0 for EliteXC with wins over Mario Rinaldi, Ron Waterman and Kerry Schall (in an Oct. 10 ShoXC main event).

Like other EliteXC fighters, Herman is currently awaiting the outcome of ProElite, Inc/EliteXC's public auction. The company's assets, including its fighters' contracts, will be auctioned off on Nov. 17, the organization informed the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday.

 

[Shogun Locc]

"UFC 93: Dublin" sells out in just two weeks

January's "UFC 93: Dublin" event, which is the first-ever UFC show to take place in Ireland, sold out in just two weeks, the organization today announced.

More than 6,000 of the available 10,000 tickets were purchased in the first week of sales, and the remaining seats were sold in week No. 2.

UFC 93, which is expected to air on pay per view, takes place Jan. 17 at The 02 and features former champions Rich Franklin vs. Dan Henderson, as well as Mauricio "Shogun" Rua vs. UFC hall-of-famer Mark Coleman.

"The UFC brand of mixed martial arts is the already biggest indoor sport in the UK, and we are ecstatic that the popularity and passion for the UFC is matched across the Irish Sea," UFC UK Division President Marshall Zelaznik stated in today's press release. "This is our seventh successive sell-out in the British Isles since April of 2007, and we now hold records in six of the biggest arenas in all of Europe. We have the most dedicated and passionate fans in sport and we are thrilled to be bringing some of the biggest names in the sport to the Emerald Isle early in the New Year."

UFC 93 tickets went on sale to the general public on Oct. 25. A pre-sale began on Oct. 22.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal making immediate impact in Sengoku

It takes a certain type of individual to take on the persona of a king -- complete with crown, robe and female escorts -- while maintaining a serious focus on mixed martial arts success.

It took Muhammed Lawal (2-0) to do it in his professional debut at World Victory Road's Sengoku 5.

"I know the Japanese love the show, and that's my personality," Lawal recently told TAGG Radio (www.taggradio.com), the official radio partner of MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "The whole 'King Mo' persona was my idea. The name my boy gave to me, but the persona -- like getting the four girls, getting the umbrella girl and getting the rose girl -- that was all me."

Lawal was a highly touted 27-year-old prospect when he made his way to the ring in royal garb for his September debut in World Victory Road. When he destroyed Travis Wiuff -- a veteran of 66 professional contests on a nine-fight winning streak -- in just over two minutes, many took note.

After the former collegiate wrestling champion earned his second career knockout in just as many fights at Sengoku 6 over Chute Boxe's Fabio Silva, many more seem primed to join the "King Mo" bandwagon.

"When I first started wrestling, my goal was to be an Olympic champion and -- I said a UFC champion because that's all there really was back then -- but a mixed martial arts champion," Lawal said. "In the Olympics I fell short, but I always wanted to be a fighter. Now you can fight and get paid and not get fined or arrested? Let's do that. That's where it's at."

Lawal was a hopeful for the 2008 U.S. Olympic wrestling team. Eliminated in the final round of qualifying, Lawal then made the transition to MMA. The Texan said the change has been a pleasant one.

"When you're a wrestler, we wrestle for nothing," Lawal said. "We're struggling to make ends meet. And now fighting, they treat you better. You get paid to fight. It's more professional.

"So I'm just taking the same attitude of, 'I've got to go to work, put in these hours, (and) take care of my body.'"

Lawal's athleticism has already been exhibited at heavyweight in his bout with Wiuff, as well as light heavyweight when fighting Silva. Lawal said he's comfortable in both of those weight classes -- and more.

"I can make 185 (pounds)," Lawal said. "I can make 205 (pounds). I can make heavyweight. Let's put it like this: I'm trying to fight where I can get the most cash."

And while "King Mo" has enjoyed the flashy style of Japanese MMA, he would also enjoy fighting in front of his native country when the time is right.

"I'd fight in the UFC if I was ready to go," Lawal said. "I could probably go there (now) and beat some people there, but I just feel like I need to hone my skills. When I'm ready to make a run for a title, I'll go to the UFC or go to Affliction. Go to whatever big organization is around.

"I'm not trying to be the wrestler that just shows up and takes people down and not throw no punches. I'm trying to learn stuff."

The charismatic young fighter has made an immediate splash with two wins in just five weeks. But Lawal insists he will not let the immediate success deter his desire to improve.

"I'm staying level-headed," Lawal said. "I'm still a beginner. So I still have to improve. To me, I might be the favorite in a fight -- because I was the favorite this last fight -- but realistically, I'm not the favorite because I have little ring experience.

"I'm just fighting, and I still have a lot of room to grow. So I'm just going to keep on trying to improve on all aspects of my fight game."

Lawal shared his history with TAGG Radio host Frank Trigg, how a Japanese fan willed him on to victory, and his thoughts on the main event of "UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar." To hear the full interview, download Wednesday's edition of TAGG Radio, available for free in the TAGG Radio archives.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Donald Cerrone expected to fight champ Jamie Varner at WEC 38

Following his Fight of the Night victory over former champion Rob McCullough at Wednesday's WEC 36 event, Donald Cerrone (9-0) will now get a shot at the reigning champion's title.

Jason Genet from LG Sports Marketing, which represents WEC lightweight champion Jamie Varner (15-2), today told MMAjunkie.com that WEC officials are moving forward with plans for a Varner-Cerrone fight that will take place at WEC 38.

The fight event is tentatively scheduled to take place Jan. 25 -- possibly in San Diego.

Cerrone, a ground specialist who began his career with nine consecutive submission victories, had McCullough in trouble early. McCullough hung tough, though, and ultimately hung on for the unanimous-decision loss. Both fighters picked up $7,5000 Fight of the Night bonuses for the un-televised effort.

The Ring of Fire veteran is now 2-0 in the WEC with victories over Danny Castillo and McCullough. (His WEC 30 submission victory over Kenneth Alexander was overturned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after Cerrone tested positive for a banned diuretic.)

The 25-year-old "Cowboy" was all but guaranteed a title shot with a victory over McCullough.

Varner, who transitioned from the UFC to the WEC in 2007, defeated McCullough for the title in just his second WEC fight. Since that February victory, Varner has made a successful title defense over Marcus Hicks for his fourth straight victory. In fact, Varner has lost just once -- to notable Hermes Franca -- in his past 17 fights.

 

[Shogun Locc]

UFC lightweight Hermes Franca arrested in Florida on DUI offense

UFC lightweight Hermes Franca, an attendee at Wednesday's WEC 36 event in Hollywood, Fla., was arrested early Thursday morning in Jupiter, Fla., on a traffic offense for DUI.

Franca was taken into custody at 2:38 a.m., according to an online arrest record on the Palm Beach Country Sheriff's Office website.

He was released later in the morning under his own recognizance, a PCSFO spokesperson told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

The spokesperson could not release additional details of the arrest other than to say Franca had been arrested and subsequently released.

Franca, 34, is a five-year UFC veteran and former top lightweight contender. He most recently defeated Marcus Aurelio via unanimous decision at Chicago's UFC 90 event on Oct. 25.

 

[Shogun Locc]

WEC 36 AWARDS NET FIGHTERS $7,500 BONUSES

After World Extreme Cagefighting invaded Florida for the first time, the promotion handed down fight bonuses that have become common place for the best performances of the night.

Each fighter receiving a bonus award was given $7,500 on top of their regular fight purse. MMAWeekly.com confirmed the bonuses with a WEC official late Wednesday night in Hollywood, Fla.

The WEC 36 Knockout of the Night seemed like a no brainer as Mike Brown was able to unseat Urijah Faber as the top featherweight in the world with a devastating punch in the first round of their championship matchup.

The WEC 36 Submission of the Night went to bantamweight fighter Rani Yahya, who got out of a tough spot of his own early in the fight to eventually finish Yoshiro Maeda with a guillotine choke at 3:30 in the first round of their bout.

The WEC 36 Fight of the Night on Wednesday night could end up as a fight of the year candidate after Donald Cerrone and Rob McCullough went to war in a pivotal lightweight showdown. In the end, Cerrone got the nod with a unanimous decision, but both fighters were able to benefit from the bonus after a phenomenal showing for the fans.

Although not one of the "of the Night" award bonuses, featherweight Leonard Garcia was handed a separate $7,500 bonus for his performance against former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver. He TKO'd Pulver slightly more than a minute into their televised bout.

WEC 36 Fight of the Night
Donald Cerrone and Rob McCullough

WEC 36 Knockout of the Night
Mike Brown

WEC 36 Submission of the Night
Rani Yahya

 

[Shogun Locc]

WEC 36 "FABER VS. BROWN" A SUCCESS AT THE GATE

It was a roller coaster ride of emotion at Wednesday night's WEC 36 in Hollywood, Fla., but when all was said and done, the numbers added up in the promotion's favor.

WEC 36 drew 5,227 fans accounting for $563,578 in revenue at the gate, according to World Extreme Cagefighting vice president Peter Dropick, who said they were "just shy of a sellout."

The promotion's centerpiece, Urijah Faber, was upset in a featherweight title bout by American Top Team's Mike Brown; Chael Sonnen also knocked off middleweight champ Paulo Filho in a lackluster non-title affair; while Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone and "Razor" Rob McCullough put on the Fight of the Night, which may also end up a "Fight of the Year" candidate.

The attendance pales in comparison to the promotion's draw at WEC 34 earlier this year in Sacramento, Calif., which drew 12,682 and also featured Faber in the main event. The dollar amount at the gate, however, isn't that far off considering the difference in attendance. WEC 34 garnered $738,855 at the gate.

 

[Shogun Locc]

More on the Bud-UFC Pairing

MSNBC has a piece detailing the business prowess of the folks over at the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The article gives further details on why Bud and the UFC are such a great fit:

The key is UFC’s popularity among young males, a desirable demographic for advertisers. According to Tony Ponturo, Anheuser-Busch vice president of global media and sports marketing, its research shows 76 percent of male beer drinkers between the ages of 21-27 are fans of the UFC. Within that group, UFC is second in popularity among pro sports only to the NFL. Result? A-B struck a three-year sponsorship agreement with the mixed martial arts association earlier this year.

The pairing of the companies seems so perfect you wonder what took so long for Bud to come to their senses.

 

[Shogun Locc]

A Closer Look At Bellator and ESPN Ties

The Bellator Fighting Championship has made news this week with the announcement of their pending deal with ESPN and their moves to acquire fighters. The braintrust for the Bellator fighting group have their roots in both the boxing field as well as the entertainment industry, indicating that the reality portion of the equation will play almost as important a part as the fighting part. All have deep ties to ESPN/Disney, which should lead to a greater than usual commitment to the project. A look at the executive level:

FOUNDERS
Bjorn Rebney,Founder/Owner/CEO:
Founder and former owner/CEO of Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing.Produced/promoted highest average rated fight programming on ESPN for 4 years. As an attorney and sports marketing agent represented the San Francisco 49ers, Steve Young, Oscar De La Hoya and many others.

Brad Epstein ,
Founder/Owner/Overall Producer:
Top entertainment executive/producer and sports programming visionary. Former Executive Vice President of Production at Disney. Former President of Tribecca Productions. Producer and Studio Executive responsible for films including, Invincible, Ladder 49, About a Boy, Dan in Real Life, Meet the Parents and numerous others.

EXECUTIVE TEAM:
Rob Beiner , Executive Event Producer: Winner of 12 SportsEmmy awards. Producer/Director of ESPN’s Friday NightFights from 1998 to present. Producer/Director of USA’s Tuesday Night Fights from 1990 to 1997. Producer/Director for numerous Pay Per View Fighting Events.

Teri Wagner , Producer: Former Executive Vice President of Programming and Development ABC Sports. Was responsible for creation, development, acquisition and scheduling of network sports programming. Lead Programming Executive on ABC’s marquee sports properties.

As with any start up, Bellator forecasts a loss in the first year, with start up costs and first year losses being significant. The company looks to quickly leverage their ESPN platform, with profit in the near eight figure range for year two. PPV will be a key component for the group, with 1 PPV planned during the first year, and 3 in the second year, according to documents attained by MMAPayout.com.

The main selling point for the company and what they are banking on is the ESPN platform. The company will start off on ESPN Deportes but hope to move up to either ESPN or ESPN2 by the show’s second season. The company touts the reach of ESPN as key to success, noting “On an average week, more than 100 million persons are reached by ESPN. This number represents the actual number of persons reached by ESPN and not simply their available universe,” and hailing the platform as superior to Spike. The company has had a deal in hand since the Spring and had hoped to be on the air this Fall, but the roll-out has been delayed to most likely the first half of 09.

 

[Shogun Locc]

José Aldo eyes Leonard Garcia at WEC

Five months after a great WEC debut against Alexandre Nogueira, the Nova União athlete José Aldo went back to the octagon against a tough fighter, and won again my knockout on the third round, this time against Jonathan Brookins. “Everything was great. The fight was very tough, but I’m a warrior and defeated him. I wasn’t expecting a whole stand up fight, I thought he’d try to put me down, but that was ok. Now it only depends on them (WEC), I’m doing my job and I’ll train even more for what they put me to do, I can fight anyone”, guarantees the Brazilian, who already knows who would he face if he could choose. “I think it’d be a great fight (against Leonard Garcia) to define the next challenger to face Miguel Torres for the belt”, said Aldo, who commented Garcia’s fight at WEC 36. I knew that a knockout was coming, but I didn’t knew was going to win it. Both have a good boxing and he’s a warrior, anyone could fall there and I believe he was the best that night”, told the fighter, who commented Urijah Faber’s fight against Mike Brown: “I think Faber underestimated him, I don’t know, it seemed like, and now he has to start all over again. I was with Mike before the fight and he was very focused, I believe Faber started playing a little and that happened”, finished the tough fighter.

 

[Shogun Locc]

KENNY FLORIAN: "HOPEFULLY JOE IS THE GUY THAT WILL PUSH ME"
link:http://www.fighthype.com/pages/content3745.html?PHPSESSID=05338d24fbffd0cfb176324eede4c97d
"It doesn't matter to me where this fight goes. I believe that the fight is going to stay standing for the majority of it, but I'm ready to fight him on the ground. I'm even ready to fight him off of my back. I know I can hurt him from my back and beat him up from my back and submit him from my back. I'm ready for anything that this fight may bring and I can't wait…Hopefully Joe is the guy that will push me and make me pull the tricks out of the bag," stated UFC lightweight contender Kenny Florian as he talked about his upcoming clash with Joe Stevenson. Check out what else he had to say about the fight and much more.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Advertising Spotlight: Mickey's releasing B.J. Penn cans next week

UFC lightweight champion B.J. Penn will be the newest MMA fighter to appear on a 24-ounce Mickey's MMA Collector Can.

The cans will be rolled out and available for purchase at stores coast to coast beginning next week.

Penn joins other fighters such as Rich Franklin, Georges St. Pierre, Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Kendall Grove and other notables who have adorned Mickey's cans.

Penn (13-4-1), who next meets Georges St. Pierre for his UFC welterweight title on Jan. 31, is one of the most popular and accomplished fighters in MMA history. He won the UFC's welterweight title at UFC 46 in 2004, and after leaving the organization to compete overseas, eventually returned to the UFC in 2006. After serving as a coach on "The Ultimate Fighter 5," he defeated Joe Stevenson for the UFC's vacant lightweight earlier this year.

Mickey's, a longtime MMA sponsor and supporter, has also been a longtime MMAjunkie.com advertiser. For more on the collector cans and exclusive video interviews with Mickey's sponsored fighters, go to www.mickeys.com.

 

[Shogun Locc]

GARCIA READY TO FIGHT BROWN

Garcia Ready To Fight Brown by Tom Hamlin

Leonard Garcia’s win against Jens Pulver at this Wednesday’s WEC 36 brought an end of sorts to a long period of struggling in his life. Seven months ago, the Lubbock, Texas native was looking at jail time as part of a federal drug trafficking indictment. A promising young featherweight in a rising organization, the charges threatened to put a halt to Garcia's career before it blossomed. Eventually, he was cleared of the charges, but still may have to do a year of probation for refusing to assist the authorities’ investigation.

Garcia knew a victory could be a benchmark in his career. He knew that in life, as in fighting, anything could happen at any moment; the opportunity could not be wasted.

“Fighting Jens, I knew it was going to be a good fight,” he said. “I thought it was going to be a little more drug out, but I trained really hard for this, and I think it’s a life changing fight. That’s kind of the approach I took for it, and it worked out for me.”

Their encounter was surprisingly short. Pulver, lining up for a KO with his straight left, walked right into a pair of hooks from Garcia. The shots visibly wobbled Pulver, and Garcia charged in to finish. It was over in 72 seconds.

“You pray for these kind of fights,” said Garcia. “These kind of fights are the ones you want. You want to be able to show all your artillery and not take any shots, so it works out.”

Garcia had many to thank for the victory, not the least of which was the WEC for sticking by him during his legal troubles.

“Those guys stuck by me,” he said. “My manager made sure everything went my way, he put this fight together for me, and I dedicate this fight to all those guys. They did it for me. Me coming out here and doing what I did for them made me happy.”

Mike Brown is now the man on Garcia’s horizon, another potentially huge benchmark in his career should he defeat the new champion. Garcia is ready.

“For sure,” he said. “Mike’s a great champion, man. He’s holding on to that belt real tight right now; he’s probably loving life. The fact of the matter is, just like Urijah, anything can happen at any moment. I think right now is my time, I’m at my peak, and I’m ready to perform, so I say Mike, let’s get it on.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

KJ Noons the boxer next fight set for Nov. 13

The first and only man to hold the Elite XC lightweight title, KJ Noons, will officially make his return to boxing one week from today when he faces Alejandro Bogarin (8-6-3, 2 knockouts) at the Expo Center in El Monte, Calif., on Thursday, November 13.

Bogarin is a 29-year-old Mexican fighter who is coming off a knockout loss in July to Fransisco Santana. He was eventually knocked out by a body shot in the fight, but Santana worked him over pretty good throughout the bout.

Based on his record and his six career losses by knockout this looks like a winnable fight for KJ.

KJ sports an impressive professional boxing record of (7-1, 5 knockouts), but has not competed in a licensed match in well over a year. He’ll come in riding a three-fight win streak in the sport. His one loss came on a razor close decision to Daniel Stanislavjevic almost three years ago.

He signed on with Pro Elite under the circumstances that he could pursue both his mixed martial arts and boxing careers. When he won the 160-pound title last November over Nick Diaz his focus obviously began to turn more toward MMA.

But the Hawaiian native never lost his desire to box.

When he and Elite XC could not agree to terms on a rematch with Diaz, he was stripped of his title. Because of that, Noons decided to switch back to boxing for the time being or until the two sides could work out their differences.

Now that Pro Elite has filed for bankruptcy a return to mixed martial arts is more likely for Noons in the future. The issue now is who the apparent free agent will sign with and just how far he actually chooses to pursue this boxing thing.

Time will tell.

 

[Shogun Locc]

New WEC featherweight champion Mike Thomas Brown to be sidelined 4-to-6 weeks with torn rib cartilage

Viewers of last night’s WEC 36 telecast on VS. may have noticed that new WEC featherweight champion Mike Thomas Brown was in visible pain following his upset first round TKO over Urijah Faber at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.

Due to the telecast running long, Brown’s condition was never addressed by announcers Todd Harris or Frank Mir, but FiveOuncesOfPain.com has learned from his manager, Dan Lambert, that Brown in fact suffered torn cartilage in his ribs and had to be transported to a local hospital via ambulance immediately after returning to the backstage area.

Lambert indicated that while the injury is expected to sideline Brown for four-to-six weeks, he’s doing well under the circumstances and that he’s looking forward to defending his newly-won crown.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Filho: “It was good to give me new spirit”

The result at WEC 36 wasn’t the expected from the Brazilian fans. Facing Chael Sonnen for the second time, Paulo Filho knew is first loss ever after 17 fights, yesterday. With a bad performance, Filho was defeated by unanimous decision, and did an exclusive interview to TATAME.com at his hotel room, at Florida. “What can I do, it’s sad… The fact is that I have no excuses, he (Sonnen) went there and did his job to neutralize me and that’s what happened, he did the right job and he has all merits… It was good to give me a new spirit”, said Filho, who revealed he’s moving to Los Angeles after new training. “(Train) Here will be good, everybody is coming here and that’s because it works. At Brazil we hadn’t a good training camp, and here I believe we’ll have a high level training”, spoke Filho, supported by his coach Josuel Distak. “The loss isn’t good, but that’s good to learn. We need more focus, responsibility, and the weight is a problem… What happened yesterday we’ll forget and start all over again. We’ll train here and get our rematch with Sonnen, and then go to light-heavyweight division”, revealed Distak.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Filho: “It was good to give me new spirit”

The result at WEC 36 wasn’t the expected from the Brazilian fans. Facing Chael Sonnen for the second time, Paulo Filho knew is first loss ever after 17 fights, yesterday. With a bad performance, Filho was defeated by unanimous decision, and did an exclusive interview to TATAME.com at his hotel room, at Florida. “What can I do, it’s sad… The fact is that I have no excuses, he (Sonnen) went there and did his job to neutralize me and that’s what happened, he did the right job and he has all merits… It was good to give me a new spirit”, said Filho, who revealed he’s moving to Los Angeles after new training. “(Train) Here will be good, everybody is coming here and that’s because it works. At Brazil we hadn’t a good training camp, and here I believe we’ll have a high level training”, spoke Filho, supported by his coach Josuel Distak. “The loss isn’t good, but that’s good to learn. We need more focus, responsibility, and the weight is a problem… What happened yesterday we’ll forget and start all over again. We’ll train here and get our rematch with Sonnen, and then go to light-heavyweight division”, revealed Distak.