MMA News Thread

[Shogun Locc]

Sources: ProElite working diligently towards completion of sale

FiveOuncesOfPain.com has learned through multiple sources - all speaking on the condition of anonymity - that ProElite’s current management team is hard at work towards completing the sale of the company. Indications are that ProElite believes it could have an agreement in place prior to the Christmas holiday.

According to sources, as many as three groups are believed to be vying for ProElite. Only the identity of one of the groups is certain, with multiple sources stating that a group led by King of the Cage promoter Terry Trebilcock has made a bid.

However, Trebilcock’s group is not considered the leading contender at this date. Sources will only go so far as to describe the top contender as a company with over a billion dollars in annual gross revenue that also is a recognizable name.

One group that is not considered to be a leading contender is the publicly traded Art of War promotional fight company. In response to a Nov. 26 report by this website, a source said that while the company was interested in submitting a bid on ProElite early in the sale process, that Art of War is no longer considered to a legitimate suitor at this time.

Whether there is a legitimate third contender for ProElite is not entirely certain, as only one source indicated the involvement of a third unnamed group in the bidding process.

It is believed that upon the completion of the sale, the leading contender hopes to inherit ProElite’s television contracts with both CBS and SHOWTIME. While it is believed that the two television partners have no desire to work with ProElite’s current ownership, Five Ounces of Pain has learned that they would be open to working with a new ProElite management team. Sources have indicated that both CBS and SHOWTIME have every intention of televising MMA events in 2009 and that they are looking for a group that can promote a large number of events.

The likelihood of a ProElite sale to a new owner raises the possibility that fighters under contract to EliteXC will not be granted free agency. While select fighters are being allowed to fight outside of their current deals on a one-off basis, the bulk of their fights could potentially come with a new version of EliteXC in 2009.

 

[Shogun Locc]

WEC 37 Weigh-In Results

Miguel Torres (134) vs. Manny Tapia (134)
Wagnney Fabiano (146) vs. Akitoshi Tamura (145)
Brian Bowles (135) vs. Will Ribeiro (136)
Joseph Benavidez (135) vs. Danny Martinez (136)
Justin Haskins (169) vs. Johny Hendricks (171)
Ricardo Barros (205) vs. Mark Munoz (205)
Diego Nunes (146) vs. Cole Province (146)
Alex Karalexis (156) vs. Bart Palaszewski (155)
Cub Swanson (145) vs. Hiroyuki Takaya (146)
Shane Roller (156) vs. Mike Budnik (155)

 

[Shogun Locc]

Nissen Osterneck headed to UFC's middleweight division

World Extreme Cagefighting rookie Nissen Osterneck (5-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), who suffered first career loss to Jake Rosholt at November's WEC 36 event, is headed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship as part of the WEC's elimination of its 185- and 205-pound weight classes.

Osterneck today confirmed with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that the UFC decided to "give me another shot" when the "WEC contract was carried over to the UFC," he said.

The UFC hasn't determined a date for his UFC debut, but Osterneck expects to fight next in early 2009.

Osterneck, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist who's work diligently on his striking with Maurice Travis during the past few years, was signed by HDNet Fights in late 2007 to take on Freddie Espiricueta at the organization's second (and final) event. Osterneck forced a verbal submission (via strikes) en route to Fight of the Night honors at the December 2007 event.

After the bout, Osterneck considered offers from a variety of organizations, including a potential spot on "The Ultimate Fighter." He signed with the WEC earlier this year, but his debut was delayed due to an injury. He then replaced an injured Danillo Villefort and fought the highly touted three-time NCAA wrestling champion Rosholt.

Both fighters had their moments in the sometimes-sloppy affair, and Osterneck dazed Rosholt on more than one occasion. However, Rosholt eventually scored the TKO stoppage late in the second round. As previously announced, it was the final event in which the WEC, the UFC's sister promotion, would put on middleweight and light-heavyweight fights.

Osterneck, who had been fighting out of Myrtle Beach, S.C., told MMAjunkie.com he recently relocated to San Diego so he'd have access to "more high-caliber training partners."

 

[Shogun Locc]

Adrenaline MMA releases full Dec. 11 fight card

Adrenaline MMA organization has put together a full card for its Dec. 11 event, which features a previously announced main event between former UFC champion Pat Miletich and King of the Cage and EliteXC veteran Thomas Denny.

CEO and veteran fight manager Monte Cox today released the full fight card in an email sent to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

Adrenaline MMA II takes place at the i wireless center in Moline, Ill. A seven-fight main card airs live on HDNet.

New additions to the main card include Derrick Mehmen, Dan Loman, Geno Roderick and Pat Curran. They'll take on notables such as Ben Rothwell, Gabe Lemley and Michael Russow, who were previously announced for the show.

Adrenaline MMA, which was born after a partnership with M-1 fizzled, produced its first event on June 14 with a Chicago-area event that was headlined by heavyweights Russow and Jason Guida.

The second show was originally slated for Sept. 6 but was then rescheduled for October -- and then December -- due to a series of scheduling conflicts with other MMA organizations and major sporting events. The card now comes one day after "UFC Fight Night 16: UFC Fights for the Troops" and two days before The Ultimate Fighter 8 Finale.

The full Adrenaline MMA II card now includes:

MAIN CARD (TELEVISED)

* Thomas Denny vs. Pat Miletich
* Chris Guillen vs. Ben Rothwell
* Braden Bice vs. Michael Russow
* Mike Ciesnolevicz vs. Derrick Mehmen
* Gabe Lemley vs. Dan Loman
* Ryan McGivern vs. Geno Roderick
* Pat Curran vs. Ramiro Hernandez

PRELIMINARY CARD (UN-TELEVISED)

* Jesse Lennox vs. Ryan Williams
* LC Davis vs. Billy Kidd
* Jacob Hey vs. Danny Rodriguez

 

[Shogun Locc]

SPIKE TV PRESENTS UFC PRIMETIME
link: http://www.fighthype.com/pages/content3912.html
In anticipation of one of the most prominent mixed martial events of all-time, "UFC 94" featuring welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre and lightweight champion BJ Penn, Spike TV presents "UFC Primetime," premiering Wednesday, January 14 10:30 – 11:00pm, ET/PT. "UFC Primetime," produced by the UFC, delivers an unprecedented portrait of the lives of two of mixed martial arts' biggest stars, Georges St. Pierre and BJ Penn, as they prepare for their epic clash of titans in late January.

 

[Shogun Locc]

K-1 ‘World Grand Prix 2008 Final’ preview

The card for K-1’s last event of the year ‘World Grand Prix 2008 Final’ has been finalized and is set to go down this Saturday, December 6 at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan.

The live broadcast will begin Saturday at 3:00 AM ET on HDNet.

The big fights are of course this year’s tournament finals, which will range from the quarterfinals all the way to the finals in the span of one night.

First up in the quarterfinal bouts we have the aging veteran and former 3-time K-1 World Grand Prix champion Peter Aerts. Now at 38 years old this could be one of his last outings and possible chances to win the Grand Prix for a fourth time.

He’ll have the unenviable task of taking on some of the new blood of K-1 in the form of Badr Hari, who is coming off a impressive display over everyone’s favorite giant Hong Man Choi back in September.

It should also be mentioned that Hari was the first and current K-1 Heavyweight Champion and Aerts certainly has his work cut out for him. Another factor is that all three of Aerts tournament wins came in the 90’s, with the last in 1998.

However he still managed to fight his way into the finals of the 2006 and 2007 Grand Prix, coming up short to Semmy Schilt both times. That said Aerts finally got revenge and knocked "Hightower" out of the tournament this year in the round of 16, which came as a shock considering Schilt had won the tournament an impressive three straight times before that.

Perhaps there’s still some gas left in Aerts tank.

Next up we see more young prospects break through in what could be regarded as somewhat of a styles clash, pitting karate against Muay Thai when undefeated Brazilian karate phenom Ewerton Teixeira collides with 3-time Dutch Muay Thai champion Errol Zimmerman.

This should be an exciting fight as both fighters have to lay it all on the line if they want to take the next step in their K-1 careers and claim the tournament crown.

The third quarterfinal bout will pit Ruslan Karaev versus Gokhan Saki. Some fans may remember Karaev from his epic battle with Azem Maksutaj back in 2005. Since then he’s been fighting with mixed results but managed to turn things around and win five straight including an appearance in the final eight of this year’s K-1 Grand Prix.

His road to the finals won’t be easy though as Karev’s winning streak in comparison to Saki’s isn’t nearly as impressive. Saki has won a staggering 15 in a row and is dead set on winning the whole thing and abruptly shattering the dreams of anyone in his way.

Watch out!

Last but not least in tournament action we have two fighters who are no strangers to K-1. Jerome Le Banner, who’s been competing professionally since 1995 will face former 2-time Grand Prix winner Remy Bonjasky. They’ll be facing off for a second time, with Le Banner getting the better of Bonjasky back in 2006.

Will this fight be any different?

Bonjasky certainly seems to think so and recently called for the retirement of Le Banner (half jokingly) who’s dropped four out of his last seven fights. To be fair, three of those losses were against the very formidable Semmy Schilt.

Hopefully Bonjasky won’t take Le Banner lightly because of those defeats. Despite his recent record, Le Banner is still a very dangerous fighter - even after the fight is over. Just ask Nicholas Pettas, who made the unfortunate mistake in post-fight confusion of raising his fist to Le Banner who then in one punch layed Pettas out cold.

It wasn’t a pretty sight.

Also in the very few mixed martial arts fights Le Banner has had, he still is the only person to beat Yoshihiro Akiyama, ending that fight with some deadly knees. I’m sure he’ll be looking for a similar result come December 6.

K-1 veteran and butt-kicking Hollander Melvin Manhoef returns to action after a brief retirement to face Paul Slowinsky in one of the two reserve fights. Many wondered if Manhoef’s retirement only applied to mixed martial arts and not K-1. Perhaps a win or a loss to Slowinsky will be the deciding factor.

So in the end we have the old school versus the new. Who will come out on top? Will it be the seasoned veterans who have carried the sport for so long or will the new generation finally emerge and continue the evolution of the sport to a higher level?

Or maybe an alternate will sneak in the back door and steal all the glory?

Here is the official fight card for K-1 ‘World Grand Prix 2008 Final’:

Main Card:

K-1 World Grand Prix Final
Winner of Semifinal 1 vs. Winner of Semifinal 2

K-1 World Grand Prix Semifinals
Winner of Aerts/Hari vs. Teixeira/Zimmerman
Winner of Karaev/Saki vs. Le Banner/Bonjasky

K-1 World Grand Prix Quarterfinals
Peter Aerts (93-26-1) vs. Badr Hari (75-7-1)
Ewerton Teixeira (7-0) vs. Errol Zimmerman (74-7-1, 1 NC)
Ruslan Karaev (18-6) vs. Gokhan Saki (74-9, 1 NC)
Jerome Le Banner (91-15-1, 1 NC) vs. Remy Bonjasky (79-14)

Preliminary Card
Mitsugu Noda (6-2) vs. Tsutomu Takahagi (1-5)
Takeru (5-12) vs. Taisei Ko (1-0)

Reserve Fights
Paul Slowinski (87-13-1) vs. Melvin Manhoef (38-4)
Hong Man-Choi (17-5) vs. Ray Sefo (74-20-1)

 

[Shogun Locc]

Silva Mulls Over Sengoku Offer, Faces License Revocation

Antonio Silva will have more than just his opponent to contend with if he decides to accept an offer from World Victory Road’s Sengoku to fight Yoshihiro Nakao on Jan. 4 in Saitama, Japan.

California State Athletic Commission Assistant Executive Officer Bill Douglas notified the American Top Team heavyweight by mail on Tuesday that Silva’s license could be revoked if he chooses to fight outside the state’s jurisdiction while under suspension for alleged steroid use.

If Silva fights, Douglas said he’d recommend that the commission vote to revoke the Brazilian’s license at a Feb. 10 hearing in accordance with California’s Business and Professions Code. The commission could agree to revoke Silva’s license for one-year increments until it votes to reinstatement him, not revoke the license, or alter his suspension.

A revocation will be filed with the National Suspension Registry recognized by the Association of Boxing Commissions, which is currently comprised of 82 commissions and regulatory bodies throughout North America.

Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer said a license revocation from another state would be honored in his jurisdiction.

In addition, any licensee that aids Silva in violating his suspension will be subject to disciplinary action from the CSAC, said Douglas.

Silva was reprimanded by the CSAC for one year after allegedly testing positive for Boldenone following his July 26 contest against Justin Eilers at an EliteXC event in Stockton, Calif.

The fighter has vehemently denied taking the banned substance.

Silva, his manager Alex Davis, and world-renowned doping attorney Howard Jacobs appealed the fighter’s sentence at a CSAC hearing on Oct. 22 in Los Angeles, but five commissioners unanimously upheld the suspension through July 27, 2009.

Davis said the 6-foot-4, 280-pound Brazilian has yet to sign a contract for the bout with Nakao, though the matchup is being considered. Davis said Silva’s lawyers are also not convinced the CSAC has the power to further penalize the fighter outside of the Golden State.

“If Antonio does fight in Japan, it will be for financial reasons,” Davis told Sherdog.com via email. “We should not forget, Antonio is innocent, and the CSAC has not given him a fair hearing, and also did not ask us to, or let us provide further evidence that could prove this.”

Douglas said he hopes Silva will sit out the remaining six months of his suspension, rather than risk a heftier punishment for fighting out of state.

“He truthfully needs to think about tomorrow and not today,” said Douglas. “He’s essentially halfway through his suspension.”

Silva’s manager Davis said his fighter might not be able to afford to wait.

“It’s easy to say ‘just six months,’ but that will mean a whole year without a paycheck, and having not done anything to deserve it,” said Davis.

In December 2006, the NSAC handed Vitor Belfort a nine-month suspension for his alleged use of the anabolic-based 4-Hyroxytestosterone following his loss to Dan Henderson at PRIDE 32 “The Real Deal” in Las Vegas.

Belfort fought two times for the UK promotion Cage Rage in 2007 before his suspension reached its completion, but was later allowed to apply for licensure in California to compete for Affliction “Banned” last July in Anaheim, Calif., after he resolved a $10,000 fine with the NSAC.

Kizer said the NSAC did not consider revoking Belfort’s license because it had expired at the end of 2006.

“By the time he fought in the UK it was a new calendar year, but that is an option we have as well, and we just haven’t faced it yet,” said Kizer.

If Belfort reapplied for licensure in the Nevada again, Kizer said the former UFC light heavyweight champion would be required to address the commission at a hearing first.

Silva’s manager Davis believes the real issue lies with the commission’s handling of the fighter’s case, including its testing procedures and appeals process.

“You know, the CSAC’s errors have become public, there is a whole list of things that were done wrong under this current administration, what has become obvious is that are many holes in the way they have been doing things, and it’s effecting honest peoples lives… it’s more like we are being forced to fight outside the U.S. for simple survival,” said Davis.

Douglas, who took the CSAC’s helm last week after executive director Armando Garcia resigned in early November, said an improved drug testing system will be rolled out on Dec. 11. The new testing will be handled exclusively in-state by the World Anti-Doping Association-certified UCLA laboratory used by the NFL, minor league baseball, NCAA sports, the Asian Games and Dept. of Defense.

“The process itself, the testing as well as the chain of custody, has been completely cleaned up,” said Douglas. “It’s gotten a lot stricter to the point where it’s going to be really difficult for people to successfully appeal.”

In Silva’s case, Douglas said he has to follow the letter of the law.

“Nobody [at the CSAC] wants to do this,” Douglas said. “It’s really going to depend on Antonio, and whatever action he chooses to do or not do on the 4th is absolutely going to determine what I have to do or not do on the morning of the 5th.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

Newton Plots Return

Perhaps no one in Canadian mixed martial arts history commands as much respect and induces as much nostalgia as Carlos Newton. By age 32, the Newmarket, Ontario resident had been everywhere and done it all. He has been the UFC welterweight champion, fought in Japan’s Vale Tudo, Shooto, and Pride, and was coach of the International Fight League’s Toronto Dragons.

Now, after a year layoff, Newton (13-13) will be returning to competition to face Nabil Khatib (8-4) at Warrior-1 MMA “Inception” on March 28 at the Robert Guertin Arena in Gatineau, Quebec.

Newton said that he took the year off to tie up some loose ends in his life so that he could return to the ring with less baggage.

“Now I can get a good start for what I figure is one of the final chapters in my career, and it’s a good opportunity to represent Canada once again,” he said.

Newton admitted that the huge spike in the sport’s popularity, as well as the paydays, helped sway him to fight again, but he wouldn’t be returning unless his life outside of MMA allowed him to.

“One of my motivators in the past was that I didn’t want to be left high and dry when my career was over,” said Newton. “You can be the best fighter out there but not get the opportunities or, in my case, have some really tough breaks. For me to bank just on that I said, ‘hell, no way.’ I’m going to have to have a very good back-up plan. People will tell you to finish high school, but they don’t tell you that won’t put food on the table when you’re older. You’ll have to go a little bit further than that, and I went plenty further I think.”

It’s this goal that has often kept Newton from fighting. At one point he purchased and ran a nursing home in Newmarket, Ontario, but a few years ago his passions changed.

“As far as my medical career I’ve actually switched things,” he said. “I’m now in my second year of architecture and have opened up my own company, which is a construction consulting business and engineering.”

Ever the intellectual, Newton has analyzed the current state of MMA and says that he is coming up with strategies to help him succeed.

“I didn’t want to jump back in there at the top, which I’ve done several times. In the past I’ve been rushed by people, and now know I need to shake the ring rust off and fight when I’m ready to fight,” he said. “I’ve always fought the top guys out there, but at the same time I know there are a lot of young up and comers out there and I’m going to take my time and get to know who these individuals are.”

Newton also realizes that his fighting methods need to evolve to meet the improved standard of today’s fighters.

“There’s not necessarily new strategies, but there are new trends emerging that are somewhat different from the time I used to fight, and some of these trends I’m going to sit down and map them out and come up with a game plan against them,” said Newton.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Gracie Legacy Lives on in Torres

The first time the late Carlson Gracie Sr. laid eyes on Miguel Torres at his Chicago academy, he asked, “Who’s the little Mexican kid?” Theirs was a union born out of pure coincidence.

“I didn’t even know who he was,” Torres says. “I got invited to his gym, but I didn’t go at first. When I started, I trained for about two or three weeks. Carlson wasn’t even there.”

Though separated by almost half a century in age, teacher and student formed a quick bond, as Torres developed and honed his Tasmanian Devil skills under Gracie’s nurturing wing. He was next in the long line of accomplished Gracie disciples, joining Murilo Bustamante, Mario Sperry, Andre Pederneiras and Ricardo Liborio.

“He was very important in my life,” Torres says. “Carlson built so many great fighters. I always believed I could do something big, and him believing in me had me believing it had to be true.”

Their time together was brief, however, as life threw a monkey wrench into their plans. Less than two years after they met, Gracie died of heart failure in a Chicago hospital at age 72. Met by the unexpected news that his mentor had passed, Torres mourned along with the rest of the martial arts community.

“It still affects me now,” he says. “He was more like a mentor to me than a coach. I was with him the day before he died. Carlson had asked me to make a CD for him. The next day, I came back, and he was gone.”

Torres bears his teacher’s legacy proudly, and everyone associated with mixed martial arts now knows the answer to Gracie’s question. Ranked number one in the world at 135 pounds, the little Mexican kid’s a superstar.

As reigning World Extreme Cagefighting bantamweight champion, Torres will carry confidence and momentum into his title defense against the unbeaten Manny Tapia in the WEC 37 main event on Wednesday at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. A former King of the Cage titleholder, Tapia presents a number of challenges inside the cage. Torres expects a dogfight.

“I’ve never really fought a guy like Manny,” Torres says. “He comes out with real heavy hands. I think he’s going to come out fast and look for a flash knockout. A lot of guys say they’re going to come out and bang with me. I think he’s one of the few who will, and that makes this an interesting fight for me.”

Torres’ path to self discovery was paved by years of competitive anonymity and seemingly insurmountable odds, as the 135-pound dynamo earned his stripes fighting for pennies in Indiana barrooms, sometimes against men who outweighed him by 70 pounds.

One night, more than any other, holds special significance for Torres. On Nov. 22, 2003, he made an unfamiliar and uncomfortable walk from the ring to his dressing room, the tears of fans trumpeting his departure from the Hammond Civic Center in Hammond, Ind.

In his first appearance since reconstructive knee surgery, the then 22-year-old Torres dropped a unanimous decision to Ryan Ackerman and knew, for the first time as a professional fighter, how it felt to fail. Torres sold 2,000 tickets to the Ironheart Crown VI show he was set to headline. In all, the crowd swelled to some 4,000, most of them there to see the East Chicago, Ind., native in action.

“I’d just come back from ACL surgery,” Torres says. “I was supposed to fight [Mustafa] Hussaini, but he pulled out, and when they couldn’t find a replacement, I agreed to fight Ackerman at a catchweight.”

He entered the ring as a heavy favorite, a perfect 19-0 record in tow, and threatened to dismiss Ackerman early, first with a guillotine choke and then with a triangle. As they returned to their feet eager to re-engage, Torres realized his 18-month, injury-induced layoff had taken a far greater toll on him than first thought.

“When I stood up, my legs were gone,” Torres says. “He took me down and mounted me. It’s still the only time in my career I’ve been mounted. I finished the fight, but I knew I had lost. Walking out and seeing all my fans crying had the biggest impact on my career. I vowed then that I’d never be outworked again.”

Five years later, Torres (34-1) stands atop the bantamweight world, WEC crown in hand, as he carves out a legacy likely to stand for generations. He has won 15 consecutive bouts -- including a submission victory over Ackerman in their 2005 rematch -- and has finished all but one of his opponents during a streak that spans 262 weeks and four days. Experience taught him to swallow his fears.

“I’m not scared of anybody in my weight class,” Torres says. “I’ve been in there with guys who were stronger than me. Those fights all built my game.”

Since he entered the WEC in 2007, Torres’ popularity has exploded. He claims the number of students who train at his home base -- Torres Martial Arts in Hammond, Ind. -- has nearly doubled. Daily e-mails flood his inbox from all across the globe.

“This past year, my fan base has grown worldwide,” Torres says. “I get e-mails from Japan, Mexico and Europe. Everything changed. I got onto some pound-for-pound lists, but people haven’t seen half of what I can do yet.”

His training sessions are the stuff of legend -- he was doing 1,000 crunches a day as a 7-year-old soccer player -- and does not have to dig deep for motivation. The first of three children born to blue-collar parents, Torres understands the benefit of hard work and remembers what it was like before the bright lights of the WEC shone upon him.

“There’s no way I want to go back,” he says. “I’ve seen guys do well and make it and then have to go back to the smaller shows. I’m going to fight hard to stay where I’m at. It makes me train so much harder.”

Inspiration comes from another source, his young daughter, not yet 2. Fatherhood has only hardened his resolve.

“Every time I train, I think about my daughter,” Torres says. “I want to do all I can to provide for her. When it’s below zero outside at seven in the morning, all I have to do is look over at her.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

Josh Barnett to face Gilbert Yvel at "Affliction: Day of Reckoning"

Former PRIDE fighter and 11-year mixed-martial-arts veteran Gilbert Yvel (35-12-1) has signed a three-fight deal with Affliction Entertainment and will debut against Josh Barnett (23-5) at the organization's Jan. 24 "Day of Reckoning" card.

The Yvel vs. Barnett fight is scheduled for the night's main card, which airs live on pay per view. A preliminary card airs on HDNet.

M-1, which has Yvel in its stable of fighters, today announced the fight.

Since a loss to Roman Zentsov at a May 2006 PRIDE event, Yvel has posted seven consecutive victories (all but one via knockout) while fighting throughout Europe and Asia. He most recently defeated Alexander Timonov (1-2) at a Nov. 21 M-1 event in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Yvel has fought some of the biggest names in the sport -- Wanderlei Silva (no-contest due to a groin kick), Dan Henderson (decision loss), Vitor Belfort (decision loss) and Cheick Kongo (TKO victory) -- but Barnett represents his biggest challenge in years.

Prior to "Day of Reckoning's" rescheduling from October to January, Barnett was expected to headline the event against Andrei Arlovski. However, with current WAMMA heavyweight title-holder Fedor Emelianenko able to fight at the January card with a healed hand injury, the Russian fighter instead got the main-event fight with Arlovski.

Barnett most recently fought at Affliction's debut event in July, and he defeated Pedro Rizzo with a second-round knockout. It was his third straight victory, and his fourth win in his past five fights.

Aleksander Emelianenko, the younger brother of Fedor Emelianenko, had been considered a possible opponent for Barnett. However, Aleksander Emelianenko was pulled from Affliction's July card for unspecified reasons, and it was never a given he'd be licensed for the January fight.

 

[Shogun Locc]

KOSCHECK ON TAP, YOSHIDA BREAKS DOWN 170'ERS

From day one, entering the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Japanese star Yoshiyuki Yoshida knew that he was entering deep waters of a very dangerous 170-pound weight class. From the champion in Georges St. Pierre to top contenders like Thiago Alves and Josh Koscheck, the welterweights are stacked from top to bottom with limitless potential.

While everyone is obviously tough, it's the champion who Yoshida believes is still the pinnacle of the division.

"Every fighter in this division is very strong," Yoshida explained to MMAWeekly.com recently. "However, I feel GSP is now a notch above everybody else in the welterweight division."

When talking about the champion's upcoming title defense against B.J. Penn, Yoshida is quick to refer back to their last fight, and believes it's the ground game that will make all the difference.

"I am really looking forward to see that fight," Yoshida commented on Georges St. Pierre vs. B.J. Penn 2 at UFC 94. "I think whoever controls the takedowns and ground would win this fight, just like their first encounter."

Beyond his own next match-up against Josh Koscheck at next Wednesday's UFC Fight for the Troops, the Japanese judoka welcomes any and all challenges, but says there is a fight that would intrigue him.

"I am not in a position to designate the opponent, so for now, I am going to fight anyone UFC puts in front of me," Yoshida stated. "But if I get to chose one, I would love to have an opportunity to fight Diego Sanchez."

If Yoshida can get past Josh Koscheck on Dec. 10, a fight against Sanchez could be all the more likely, as he was slated to be in a contender's match earlier this year until an injury forced him out of a fight with Thiago Alves.

Ultimately, Yoshida still has a set goal in his mind of where he wants to go as a part of the UFC's welterweight division. "In the future, I would like to fight the UFC welterweight champion."

Yoshiyuki Yoshida will face Josh Koscheck on Dec. 10 at UFC Fight for the Troops in North Carolina.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Kurt Pellegrino vs Rob Emerson UFC Fight Night 17 bout on tap

Another lightweight bout between Kurt Pellegrino (12-4) and Rob Emerson Record (8-6) is in the works for UFC Fight Night 17 at The Palms Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 7.

Already, the Spike TV special features two other 155-pound match ups between Mac Danzig and Josh Neer, as well as Joe Lauzon and Hermes Franca, respectively.

Pellegrino will look to string together consecutive wins for the first time in more than a year. “Batman” is coming off a solid unanimous decision win over Thiago Tavares at UFC 88: “Breakthrough” back in September.

He has flirted with being recognized as a top competitor in a very crowded division on numerous occasions throughout his career; however, he has been plagued by inconsistency in recent bouts. Pellegrino can get back in the thick of things in 2009 with an early win to start the year over a surging Emerson.

The former “Lords of South County” rich kid gang member is fresh off the most impressive performance of his career, blasting Manny Gamburyan at UFC 87: “Seek and Destroy” in August to record a 12-second knockout.

Prior to the win, the former contestant on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5 rebounded from a rare double knockout-tapout against Gray Maynard to defeat Keita Nakamura via split decision at UFC 81: “Breaking Point” in February.

Emerson is currently riding a six-fight win streak, which includes the “No Contest” against Maynard.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Shooto Brazil defines five champions

Big screen, vip area with free buffet, and big combats with a good public. Near to six thousands people crowded the Paulo Serasate gymnasium, in Fortaleza, Ceará, to watch the ninth edition of Shooto Brazil, that counted with five belt fights. If the public attended in big number, the fighters corresponded on the ring with a show of striking and Jiu-Jitsu.

Just in the first title fight, Juciê Formiga (Kimura/ Nova União) and Maicon Willian (Nocaute Fight) made one of the best fights of the night. Formiga dominated the first two rounds, applying a triangle and an arm-lock, both defended by Maicon, who still had gas to dominate the last round. Formiga’s victory in split decision gave to Jair Rodrigues’ pupil the 56kg belt of the event. ”I searched all the time the submission, but Maicon avoided all them. In the end I still felt a knee blow in the rib and I lost a little bit of the gas, but I imposed my game and captured the belt, that I pretend to keep by a long time in Natal”, guarantees Juciê.

In the second belt fight, Eduardo Dantas (Nova União) proved that he has no opponents in Brazil and presented his ground by submitting the tough Carlos Alberto (RFT). Carlos avoided the opposed hits of Dudu, but the Nova União athlete had the calm to hit a flying knee in the second round and, after of being put down, showed that he has a refined ground, getting Carlo’s arm and applying a beautiful arm-lock from the guard. “For those who have though that I had no ground game, I think that today I’ve showed that I’m with a complete game. I’m very happy of catching this belt and now I’ll continue to training hardly to continue with this belt”, told Dantas, 60kg champion.

Kimura’s second belt came with Renan Barão, who needed three rounds to defeat Alexandre Pinheiro (JT Caverna) and get the 65kg belt. Barão avoided Alexandre’s takedowns and kept the fight standing, but in the last round Barão fell over and in the ground n‘ pound opening a cut in Alexandre’s head, forcing the doctor to stop the combat.

Everything indicated that the night would be of Kimura and Nova União, but André Chatuba and Igor Chatubinha finished with the party. Disputing the 76kg belt, Chatubinha faced the tough Hernani Perpétuo (Nova União), and won after two judges giving him the victory and the third gives the draw, showing the equilibrium of the fight. Despite of obtain the riding just at the beginning of the fight, Hernani lost one point by an illegal kick in the first round and in the third still had to defend some submission attempts by Chatubinha. The takedowns applied by Chatubinha also made the difference in the final pointing of the combat, because of, in the rules of Shooto, the takedowns and submission attempts sum good points.

André Chatuba used his specialty, the hand triangle, to submit quickly the fight against Dinarte (Kimura/ Nova União) and catch 83kg title. “I get the position in which I’m specialist and I’m very happy of getting this belt. I want to dedicate this victory to Robson Relma, with who I train for 11 years”, declared Chatuba, who already conquered Max Fight’s and Top Fighters MMA’s tournament belts, and now has 14 victories and only one defeat in his cartel.

Brazil passes easily for Argentina
One more time Brazil overcame easily the Argentineans in MMA. The brown belt Guybson Sá (Sá Team/Nova União) debuted in MMA with a big victory against Diego Lopes. After hitting a punch that balanced the Argentinean, Guybson took him down and went away quickly in a katagatame, finishing the fight. In the other fight between Brazil and Argentina, Vítor Miranda (M-13) showed why he’s the biggest heavyweight striker in activity in Brazil. Miranda started the fight against Gustavo Moia hitting good low kicks and in clinch used the knee in the rib that knocked Moia’s out.

Léo Santos commands Brazilian show against USA
In the three combats between Brazil and USA, all Brazilian victory. Considered by a lot of years the number one between the BJJ lightweights, Leo Santos (Nova União) showed that he’s also prepared to strike. Just in the beginning, Léo Santos hit three low kicks, that were accused by Corey Edwards. Worried in defending the kicks, Corey was knocked out with a beautiful high kick. In the second confront, Danilo Cherman (Nova União) striked a little bit with Mike Bonnette and then just took the fight down and tried a katagatame, but only in the second round Cherman applied a beautiful takedown, passed the guard and found an arm-lock, going then to the triangle choke which defined the combat. With the support of the crowd, Willamy Chiquerim closed the event in great style, submitting Randy Steinke with a hand triangle. Check below the complete results of the event

COMPLETE RESULTS:

Shooto Brazil 9

Paulo Serasate Gymnasium, Fortaleza, Ceará

Saturday, November 29th of 2008

Title fights:

56kg: Juciê Formiga (Kimura/ Nova União) defeated Maicon Willian (Nocaute Fight) in split decision;

60kg: Dudu Dantas (Nova União) submitted Carlos Alberto Betão (RFT) with an arm-lock in the R2;

65kg: Renan Barão (Kimura/ Nova União) defeated Alexandre Pinheiro (JP Caverna) by TKO in the R3;

76kg: Igor Chatubinha (Minotauro Team) defeated Hernani Perpétuo (Nova União) in unanimous decision;

83kg: André Chatuba (Minotauro Team) submitted Dinarte (Kimura/ Nova União) with a hand triangle in the R1;

Brazil vs. Argentina:

- Vitor Miranda (M-13) defeated Gustavo Moia by KO in the R1;

- Guybson Sá (Sá Team/Nova União) submitted Diego Lopes with a katagatame in the R1;

Brazil vs. USA:

- Willamy Chiquerim (Nocaute Fight) submitted Randy Steinke with a hand triangle in the R1;

- Danilo Cherman (Nova União) submitted Mike Bonnette with a triangle in the R2;

- Léo Santos (Nova União) defeated Corey Edwards by KO in the R1;

Other fights:

- Jamil Silveira (Nocaute Fight) defeated Rivanildo Aranha (Hikari) in unanimous decision.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Garcia and CSAC hit with $500 million lawsuit

Armando Garcia, who recently and unexpectedly resigned as the head of the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC), is the subject of a $500 million lawsuit.

CSAC Staff Services Analyst Frank Munoz and the Commission itself are also named in the lawsuit, which was filed last year by New Era fighting (NEF).

NEF is a California-based MMA promotion which claims that it was disadvantaged and harassed by "improper" CSAC practices.

The group claims it was hit with a cease and desist order by CSAC just minutes before a scheduled event in July last year, forcing it to be cancelled.

CSAC allegedly claimed NEF president Ron Kort was not a licensed promoter - despite having approved his application, issued a promoter's license, and cashed a cheque for the renewal of that licence.

Commenting on the lawsuit, which is currently at investigatory stage, Kort said Garcia's recent resignation "is just one small victory in a larger puzzle".

"We are in the process of a much larger investigation dealing specifically with corruption in the industry and where that corruption stems from."

Kort said he "cannot believe how many people came forward with stories of abuse regarding Garcia and the CSAC - there were numerous complaints by promoters, as well as fighters and even the media".

Referring to a recent report that at one point, Garcia was found to have $350,000 in cash in his office, Kort said the former CSAC director is corrupt, but cannot have been acting alone.

"How does a guy have $350,000 in cash sitting in his locker on a state employee salary?" he asked. "After all, I wasn't aware that promoter can pay state paid employees in cash."

"The reality is one guy can't be that bad without some help."

 

[Shogun Locc]

Donald Trump Interview

DreamFighters.com: Donald, thanks for talking to me (Adam) at DreamFighters.com, and great speaking with you again.

Donald Trump: Great to speak with you again Adam.

DreamFighters.com: The 2nd and much anticipated Affliction “day of reckoning” show is only a few months away. What are your impressions of the card and HeavyWeight WAMMA title match with Fedor vs. Arlovski?

Donald Trump: I anticipate another great event by my Affliction Entertainment company. These two warriors will close what will be a fantastic card. The Last Emperor versus The Pitbull… just amazing!

DreamFighters.com: Can you tell me anything about if Affliction is planning a 3rd show anytime soon and any news on it?

Donald Trump: The answer is yes. We are planning the 3rd show. However, our goal is to promote the best fights for the benefit of the fans. We concentrate on one fight at a time. That’s why they are so successful.

DreamFighters.com: A common question, but how secure do you see Affliction being in 2009? Big things planned for 2009?

Donald Trump: Very secure. Affliction Entertainment is a well capitalized company with the best fighters. Expect really big things in 2009.

DreamFighters.com: Any word on your former “The Apprentice” contestant Tito Ortiz, and any news on if he will sign with Affliction?

Donald Trump: We still speak with Tito regularly. While nothing has been finalized, expect to see Tito with Affliction Entertainment in some capacity.

DreamFighters.com: You made it public that Affliction will be apart of the MMA reality show with M1, “Fighting Fedor” - can you tell us about it and what we can expect?

Donald Trump: As you know, my show The Apprentice is the number one rated show. I know reality shows and I believe this reality concept is great. Why anyone would want to fight Fedor, I still don’t know. But if you are brave enough to do it, it will make for great tv.

DreamFighters.com: It’s now well known you are a big MMA fan. Are you hoping New York will soon pass the proper bills allowing MMA, and will you try to get Affliction to have one of their shows there?

Donald Trump: I am a big sports fan and would love to see MMA in New York. As a businessman, I do not understand why it is not in NY when it is sanctioned in NJ. It is a terrible loss in revenue for the City of New York. If and when it is sanctioned, I expect to be the first to host an event.

DreamFighters.com: Donald, its always a pleasure speaking with you. We all look forward to Affliction 2.

Donald Trump: Tune in on January 24th. It will be a great night of action.

 

[WXS STOMP3R]

Donald Trump Interview

DreamFighters.com: Donald, thanks for talking to me (Adam) at DreamFighters.com, and great speaking with you again.

Donald Trump: Great to speak with you again Adam.

DreamFighters.com: The 2nd and much anticipated Affliction “day of reckoning” show is only a few months away. What are your impressions of the card and HeavyWeight WAMMA title match with Fedor vs. Arlovski?

Donald Trump: I anticipate another great event by my Affliction Entertainment company. These two warriors will close what will be a fantastic card. The Last Emperor versus The Pitbull… just amazing!

DreamFighters.com: Can you tell me anything about if Affliction is planning a 3rd show anytime soon and any news on it?

Donald Trump: The answer is yes. We are planning the 3rd show. However, our goal is to promote the best fights for the benefit of the fans. We concentrate on one fight at a time. That’s why they are so successful.

DreamFighters.com: A common question, but how secure do you see Affliction being in 2009? Big things planned for 2009?

Donald Trump: Very secure. Affliction Entertainment is a well capitalized company with the best fighters. Expect really big things in 2009.

DreamFighters.com: Any word on your former “The Apprentice” contestant Tito Ortiz, and any news on if he will sign with Affliction?

Donald Trump: We still speak with Tito regularly. While nothing has been finalized, expect to see Tito with Affliction Entertainment in some capacity.

DreamFighters.com: You made it public that Affliction will be apart of the MMA reality show with M1, “Fighting Fedor” - can you tell us about it and what we can expect?

Donald Trump: As you know, my show The Apprentice is the number one rated show. I know reality shows and I believe this reality concept is great. Why anyone would want to fight Fedor, I still don’t know. But if you are brave enough to do it, it will make for great tv.

DreamFighters.com: It’s now well known you are a big MMA fan. Are you hoping New York will soon pass the proper bills allowing MMA, and will you try to get Affliction to have one of their shows there?

Donald Trump: I am a big sports fan and would love to see MMA in New York. As a businessman, I do not understand why it is not in NY when it is sanctioned in NJ. It is a terrible loss in revenue for the City of New York. If and when it is sanctioned, I expect to be the first to host an event.

DreamFighters.com: Donald, its always a pleasure speaking with you. We all look forward to Affliction 2.

Donald Trump: Tune in on January 24th. It will be a great night of action.

DAMN IF TRUMP IS STILL BEHIND AFFLICTION, THEN WE SHOULD GET SOME GOOD FIGHTS IN 2009. I GIVE AFFLICTION PROPS THEY TRY TO STACK THEIR CARDS.

 

[Shogun Locc]

OSU Wrestlers Dominate WEC Undercard

A decorated wrestler who starred at Oklahoma State University, WEC light heavyweight contender Mark Munoz may have been surprised when he found himself under Ricardo Barros (2-2) early in the opening period Wednesday night at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Needless to say, Munoz did not panic.

After getting to his knees from side control, Munoz maneuvered to Barros’ back, where he teed off with punches to the side of the head until referee Steve Mazzagatti called a halt to the bout at the 2:26 mark of the opening frame.

“I just know when I take the back, [that] I have heavy hands,” explained Munoz (5-0), who showed excellent transition skill on the canvas. “I am [training] with the best guys, jiu-jitsu guys and boxing-wise.”

Munoz wasn’t the only OSU wrestler to make waves at WEC 37, as Johny Hendricks scored a technical knockout of Justin Haskins in a welterweight showdown.

Hendricks, now 4-1 with the win, sneaked in a crisp left uppercut that floored Haskins (4-2). With referee Josh Rosenthal watching closely, Hendricks unloaded with leather until intervention was needed at 0:52 of the second.

Bart Palaszewski made good on his WEC debut with an impressive second-round stoppage of UFC veteran Alex Karalexis. After a shaky first round left the IFL veteran battered, Palaszewski was determined to change the tide in the follow-up stanza.

“I know he was hitting me because at one point I saw a Ford commercial,” lamented Palaszewski (30-11).

Starting the second round with a wild exchange of punches, Palaszewski got the best of the affair. With his fallen lightweight opponent looking dazed from a right hand, “Bartimus” wasted no time in going for the finish with fast punches. Referee Kim Winslow had seen enough, as she stepped in to save Karalexis (9-4) at 1:11 of round two.

“I was flat footed in the first round. I wasn't getting off. My corner said answer his kicks,” said Palaszewski. “He's got hard kicks. I don't care who you are, those add up.”

In an entertaining featherweight duel, Cub Swanson outgunned Shooto veteran Hiroyuki Takaya (9-6-1) to claim a unanimous decision after three hard-fought rounds. After dropping the first frame on the Sherdog.com scorecard, Swanson rallied in the second and third rounds while finding an answer for the low kicks that gave him trouble throughout the first five minutes of action.

“I am usually good at taking kicks, but I was getting caught at an angle so they hurt a little more,” said Swanson, who raised his record to 13-2.

With solid striking and a wrestling-heavy strategy, Swanson dominated the remainder of the contest with relentless use of a fast double-leg takedown and control en route to taking the well-earned judges’ nod. Two judges saw the bout 30-27, while a third scored it 29-28.

Diego Nunes (11-0) took a unanimous decision over Cole Province (5-1) in a featherweight clash with scores of 30-27 (twice) and 29-28. Nunes displayed a varied skill set, as his path to victory included long stints of both standing and groundwork.

In the evening’s first bout, lightweight prospect Shane Roller upped his record to 5-1 with a first-round submission of Mike Budnik. The guillotine choke at the 1:01 mark was the first career defeat for Budnik (7-1).

 

[Shogun Locc]

Torres Throttles Tapia, Retains WEC Belt

Manny Tapia felt the wrath of Miguel Torres and lasted barely more than a round.

Torres, solidifying his place as one of the sport’s premier pound-for-pound fighters, measured Tapia early and then unleashed a punishing second-round barrage that brought a conclusive end to their WEC 37 main event Wednesday at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

A victor in 16 straight fights, Torres dropped his challenger twice in the second round before calling it a night. He followed the second knockdown with a wicked assault on the ground that left Tapia bleeding and bewildered and forced referee Josh Rosenthal to intervene on his behalf 3:04 into round two.

Torres (35-1), who dictated the action with a stinging jab, has finished his last 11 opponents and appears to have no equal at 135 pounds. This was a measured, tactical performance from the WEC champion.

“I wanted to fight a little bit calm this time,” he said. “Last time I fought, I got kind of emotional and got kind of crazy. If I calm myself down, I fight like this pretty much all the time. I knew Manny was gonna come with big punches. I wanted to keep my range, use my jab to measure him up and then throw a couple of feints and a big right hand.”

Once the right hand found its mark, the conclusion was a formality. Tapia (10-1-1) entered the bout undefeated in 11 professional fights and departed knowing there was a vast gap between himself and the reigning bantamweight king.

“The next step is to fight the next person in line, whoever that may be,” Torres said. “The WEC has a lot of great 135-pounders out there. To me, they got the best in the world. I’m here to fight the best in the world.”

Meanwhile, former International Fight League featherweight champion Wagnney Fabiano made a successful, albeit less than spectacular, WEC debut, as he submitted one-time Shooto titleholder Akitoshi Tamura.

Fabiano (11-1), a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Andre Pederneiras, dominated Tamura from start to finish with superior grappling and occasional ground-and-pound. Tamura defended well for much of the match but faded late and left an opening through which Fabiano capitalized.

Having opened a cut on Tamura’s forehead with elbows from the top, Fabiano hammered away at the Japanese standout in the closing seconds of their duel, passed his guard seamlessly and cinched a head-and-arm choke for the finish. The end came with only 12 seconds left on the clock in round three.

Tamura (12-7-2), who entered the match with wins in five of his last six fights, had never been submitted in 20 career bouts prior to his encounter with Fabiano.

In a pivotal showdown between two of the world’s top 135-pound fighters, Brian Bowles emerged as a clear No. 1 contender in the WEC’s bantamweight division with a submission win against Brazilian Will Ribeiro.

Bowles (7-0) -- who has finished all seven of his opponents -- caught Ribeiro in a guillotine choke, locked him down in full guard and coaxed the tapout 1:11 into round three. The 28-year-old Georgian threatened with the same hold in the first round, but Ribeiro (10-2) escaped. He was not as fortunate the second time.

“The guillotine’s my go-to move in the gym,” Bowles said. “I get a lot of people when they shoot on it.”

Bowles held his own standing and even won some of the exchanges with the Brazilian boxing and muay Thai champion. He got Ribeiro’s attention with an early combination and doled out as much punishment as he received throughout the fight. The victory likely cinches a title shot for Bowles, who trains out of the American Top Team-affiliated Hardcore Gym in Athens, Ga.

“I think I’ve earned a title shot,” Bowles said. “It’d be an honor.”

Finally, top bantamweight prospect Joseph Benavidez flashed his diverse skill set, as he remained unbeaten as a professional with a unanimous decision victory over the hard-nosed but overmatched Danny Martinez.

A protégé of former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber, Benavidez (9-0) controlled the bout with strikes, as he chipped away at Martinez with front kicks, knees and punches. The 24-year-old had never gone the distance previously; all three judges scored it 30-27 in his favor.

Benavidez set the tone early, as he stunned Martinez with a first-round flurry, capped by a stout front kick to the face. He later scored with a monster takedown in the final half minute of the round and worked hard for a submission until the horn sounded.

Rounds two and three provided more of the same, as Martinez (12-3) wilted under Benavidez’s relentless pace and seemed to grow increasingly discouraged as the fight unfolded. A former Rage in the Cage champion, Martinez surged late with short punches and knees, but by then, Benavidez was in total control and had no trouble weathering the storm.

“That’s always my game plan, to go out there as hard as I can and never stop,” Benavidez said. “I was expecting this to be my toughest fight, and it was. I’ve got a lot of improving to do.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

WEC 37 FIGHTER AWARDS NET $7,500 BONUSES

Brian Bowles – currently ranked as the No. 3 bantamweight fighter in the world – defeated No. 8 ranked Will Ribeiro at WEC 37 on Wednesday night. Not only did the undefeated fighter state his case to be next in line for Miguel Torres' WEC bantamweight championship, but he took home WEC 37 "Submission of the Night" honors. The distinction is accompanied with a bonus check for $7,500.

MMAWeekly.com learned of the WEC 37 awards and bonuses on Wednesday night from WEC officials.

Joining Bowles was Bart Palaszewski. The former International Fight League (IFL) athlete made his WEC debut by earning WEC 37 "Knockout of the Night." He scored a second round TKO of Ultimate Fighter alumnus Alex Karalexis, solidifying himself as a contender in the lightweight division.

WEC 37 "Fight of the Night" honors were awarded to returning featherweight Cub Swanson and Japanese fighter Hiroyuki Takaya. The two battled for the duration of their three-round bout before Swanson was awarded the unanimous decision, a solid return for the four-time WEC competitor.

WEC 37 AWARDS AND BONUSES

(All awards include a $7,500 bonus for each fighter.)

WEC 37 Submission of the Night

– Brian Bowles

WEC 37 Knockout of the Night

– Bart Palaszewski

WEC 37 Fight of the Night

– Cub Swanson and Hiroyuki Takaya

 

[Shogun Locc]

Lineup Announced for TUF 8 Finale

The finalists for “The Ultimate Fighter 8” were revealed Wednesday on Spike TV, and now the full lineup is set for the Dec. 13 finale at The Pearl in Las Vegas.

In the lightweight final, Phillipe Nover, whom Dana White described as “one of the most talented kids I’ve seen on ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ ever,” will meet Efrain Escudero.

A 24-year-old ER nurse from Brooklyn, New York, Nover defeated Joe Duarte, Dave Kaplan and George Roop to advance.

Escudero, 22, trains with Southwest MMA in Tucson, Ariz. He moved to the finals by submitting all three of his opponents: Ido Pariente, Shane Nelson and Junie Allen Browning.

In the light heavyweight final, Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Vinicius Magalhaes will meet Ryan Bader. The 24-year-old Magalhaes defeated Rashad Evans’ brother Lance, Jules Bruchez and Krzysztof Soszynski to earn his spot in the finals.

Bader, 24, was a two-time All-American wrestler at Arizona State University. He advanced with wins over Kyle Kingsbury, Tom Lawlor and Eliot Marshall.

In addition to a middleweight bout between UFC veterans Jason MacDonald and Wilson Gouveia and a welterweight rematch between Kevin Burns and Anthony Johnson, the UFC filled out the card with fighters from TUF 8. The event airs live on Spike TV at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on Dec. 13.

Lineup

Main Card:
Phillipe Nover vs. Efrain Escudero
Ryan Bader vs. Vinicius Magalhaes
Jason MacDonald vs. Wilson Gouveia
Kevin Burns vs. Anthony Johnson
Junie Allen Browning vs. Dave Kaplan

Prelims:
Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Shane Primm
Kyle Kingsbury vs. Tom Lawlor
Jules Bruchez vs. Eliot Marshall
Shane Nelson vs. George Roop
Roli Delgado vs. John Polakowski