MMA News Thread

[Shogun Locc]

NICK THOMPSON SIGNS WITH STRIKEFORCE

The list of fighters moving from EliteXC to Strikeforce continues to grow. MMAWeekly Radio on Tuesday night confirmed that Top 10 welterweight Nick Thompson has signed on with the promotion and could fight as early as their April 11 event on Showtime.

"They just called me today and they're going to pick me up," Thompson said about Strikeforce. "So I am now with Sengoku and Strikeforce."

The San Jose, Calif., based promotion is filling up the April card quickly for its Showtime debut, but they are also expected to field a show in May in Washington that could feature names like Robbie Lawler and Phil Baroni. Thompson said following a recent win over Paul Daley, he's ready for whatever.

"They asked me how soon I would want to fight, and I said throw me in the frying pan, let's go," he commented.

Since the purchase of many of EliteXC's fighter contracts and video library, numerous fighters have gone on record speaking about working with Strikeforce, an organization that has held the esteem of just about everyone involved in the industry, including UFC president Dana White.

"I think Strikeforce is a really good promotion, I've heard good things about them," stated Thompson. "The guys who I've spoke to in the organization seem to treat it like a business, and that's really the type of guys I enjoy working with."

Not to forget his other contractual obligation, Thompson is also hoping for a return to Japan's Sengoku organization later this year, but as he's found out in the past, he may not get an opponent until it's almost fight time. Still, the Minnesota native has heard about a tournament the promotion will put on and has every intention of participating.

"I know they're planning on doing a welterweight tournament sometime this year and I'm planning on winning it," he said about Sengoku.

For now, Thompson will wait for Strikeforce to give him a call for a fight date and opponent, while he waits on the birth of his child, due in July.

 

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HERRING VS VELASQUEZ AGREED TO FOR UFC 99

American Kickboxing Academy heavyweight Cain Velasquez will move up another rung on the UFC heavyweight division ladder when he faces longtime veteran Heath Herring at UFC 99.

Sources close to the fight told MMAWeekly.com that the fighters had agreed to face each other at the UFC’s German debut on June 13, though bout agreements have yet to be signed.

Herring, 30, was last seen at UFC 87, where he suffered a unanimous decision loss to now-heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar. In the first punch of the fight, Lesnar floored Herring with a right hand that sent him end over end, and proceeded to dominate the veteran over three rounds.

In a post on his official Facebook profile, Herring said the punch fractured his left orbital and he needed six months to recover. In recent months, he has returned to training at the Warrior Training Center in Las Vegas.

In five UFC appearances, Herring has alternated between losses and wins since making his debut at UFC Fight Night 8, where he dropped a unanimous decision to wrestling-based heavyweight Jake O’Brien. Prior to Lesnar, Herring dispatched prospect Cheick Kongo at UFC 82 by unanimous decision.

A standout in the early days of Pride Fighting Championships, Herring carries an overall professional record of 28-14-1.

Velasquez, 26, is widely considered to be one of the top prospects amongst UFC heavyweights. With the exception of his most recent performance, a TKO win over Denis Stojnic at UFC Fight Night: Lauzon vs. Stephens, he has finished all of his fights within the first round. He is undefeated in five professional appearances.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Former Boxing Champ Rahman Headed to MMA

Former boxing heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman is coming to MMA sometime this year, according to the fighter’s agent.

Rahman, who knocked out Lennox Lewis in 2001 to win the linear heavyweight title, has his heart set on a mixed marital arts career, said Sondro Gelke, who represents him. Now living in Las Vegas, Rahman, 45-7 (36 KO), is coming off a one-sided, Dec. 13 seventh-round stoppage at the hands of IBF/WBO champ Wladimir Klitschko.

In news sure to perk up the ears of both boxing and MMA fans alike, “The Rock,” whose boxing career was defined by some of the strangest twists of fate this side of Riddick Bowe, wants to step into the new sport. And fast.

Gelke said that the 36-year-old Rahman is “quite serious about fighting in MMA” and they are currently in negotiations with several promotions, hoping to line up a debut fight sometime in the next 2-3 months. The ex-champ -- whose boxing career went south after losing a rematch to Lennox Lewis -- built a reputation on a big right hand in the sweet science, though he was also inconsistent and at times seemed to lack the impetus to get in shape.

“He thought it would be an interesting thing. He’s seen Kimbo Slice fight on TV, and he’s like, ‘I’d like to fight some of these guys,’” said Gelke.

Rahman was not initially available for comment.

Rahman, who has zero grappling background, last scored a takedown while scuffling with Lewis on the ESPN set while promoting their November 2001 rematch. Gelke said that his client plans to keep his boxing career going as well, but has yet to locate an MMA-based gym. But they’re looking around, he added.

“He hasn’t wrestled. He was actually quite a streetfighter (in Baltimore) so people said he should box,” Gelke said of Rahman, who took up boxing at the relatively late age of 20. “He’s like Quinton (Jackson) and Kimbo in that sense. We’re talking to quite a few different organizations, from small promotions up to the big ones. We’re looking to fight name fighters like Kimbo, Butterbean [Eric Esch], James Thompson, someone to bring a name to the table.”

There’s no long-term plan in place, Gelke added, as Rahman gets his feet wet in MMA -- they’re not making noise about challenging the top dogs just yet.

“We’re just taking it one fight at a time and see what comes to us,” he said. “We want to get a few smaller fights under our belts before we take on a Lesnar or Fedor or someone like that. There’s nothing solid right now. But we’re already talking with promoters about shows in April or May.”

Gelke said that he knows how vexing the transition will be given the added combative aspects of MMA. Other boxers such as Butterbean and Ray Mercer found out the hard way, along with a spate of early-day MMA competitors; but those were far less accomplished boxers than Rahman. The question long-asked by fans of both sports could get at least a quasi-relevant answer with Rahman’s journey that those other entries never really supplied -- what would happen if a world-class boxer with MMA training entered the sport? Shannon Briggs’ flirtation with it never materialized, but the reports out of American Top Team were certainly encouraging. It’s still a question that elicits heated debate from virtually any combat sports fan you ask.

“I understand how difficult it is,” Gelke said. “That’s why I’m looking to not put him in with any big grapplers at first. I don’t think Rock really understands how hard it will be to fight these guys with a grappling and wrestling background. So I’m looking to put him in with someone like Tank Abbott, or James Thompson.”

Rahman’s weight fluctuated greatly during the latter half of his boxing career. Best suited in the mid 230-pound range, he ballooned up in the 250s during a tour of tune-ups in recent years, and was a lackluster 253.5 prior to being dismantled by Klitschko in December.

“I’m talking to a Strikeforce, [a] lot of big promotions,” he said. “Some in Japan, like Sengoku and Dream. Hasim would love to fight over in Japan. Also some smaller promotions, like Wargods. I’m trying to get him into an MMA gym, work with some top trainers, there are some great gyms out here in Vegas. So that’s still kind of a work in progress. I think he’s waiting to see that I have a fight set. Then he can focus on training.”

Along with Marcus Davis, Chris Lytle is one of the most accomplished MMA fighters with a pro boxing career under his belt, going 13-7-1 (7 KO) in the squared circle. Better known in MMA as a UFC regular, Lytle gave his take on what Rahman will face.

“Even though he’s an older boxer, with his hands, he’ll be head and shoulders above everybody in that division,” Lytle said. “If he can keep it on his feet. If he hasn’t been doing extensive work on takedown defense, he’ll struggle. In my honest opinion, he’ll beat up some guys and knock some people out, and when they try and step him up against a guy with a good game plan, he’ll get taken down and lose.”

The ranges in boxing are deceptive realms that don’t easily translate into MMA, explained Lytle.

“It’s way different. He isn’t gonna be used to a boxing range where the jab is there, because you can’t stand there and just jab. Just out of jab range, where you’re safe in boxing, is kick range,” Lytle said. “Luckily for him he’s not gonna try and out-jab a guy, he’s gonna try and land a big right hand. But he’s gonna have to do more than just lunging in. You can’t set things up as much with your hands in MMA.”

Eddie Alvarez feels that Rahman will need a serious regimen of grappling training to have a shot at winning more than a few set-up type fights.

“It takes a lot of years to get your muscle memory and body movements used to jiu-jitsu,” said Alvarez, whose battle with Tatsuya Kawajiri was Sherdog.com’s 2008 Fight of the Year. “I think what’s more important for him is to force guys and keep them standing up. Where he’s potent and powerful. He’ll need to learn how to throw punches, sprawl and keep things standing up. He don’t have to learn jiu-jitsu if he becomes dominant at that. If he can keep a guy standing up and trade, he’s got a shot.

“If you ever watched his fights, the guy’s got a chin,” added Alvarez. “Not a lot of guys in MMA are gonna want to trade with him. But what’s different is anybody can get knocked out at any time. A very technical striker gets beat by a less technical striker. You can’t come in and just say ‘I got superior striking.’”

And if Rahman thinks a streetfighting background is enough to deal with grappling?

“In that case this might be a disaster for him. He might be committing career suicide,” Alvarez said. “In MMA, it ain’t long before a one-dimensional fighter gets found out. You have to have all aspects of it.”

Heavyweight veteran Heath Herring concurred with Lytle in that Rahman’s first opponents should be chosen wisely while he gets up to speed.

“I would love to fight a guy like that. Just because I think guys like that are a little bit overconfident. And I like fights people would want to watch,” Herring said.

The big question marks for Rahman –- how he deals with grappling, the muay Thai clinch, timing the leg-check on an 80 mph kick, and the rest of the MMA bag of tricks, is largely dependent on who’s in there with him and what they’re bringing.

“You’re gonna want guys that want to stand,” Herring said. “If they choose his opponents wisely, he can win. But to just expect he’s gonna run in and dominate with boxing alone is foolish. Saying his streetfighting is enough for wrestling? That might just be a marketing ploy. If you take a straight wrestler, I think he’s much more equipped to do this sport than a boxer.”

Manager Mike Roberts concurs. His firm, MMA Incorporated, manages about 30 fighters, including Urijah Faber, Dan Henderson, James Irvin, and others. After signing NCAA 2001 champ Mark Munoz (who fights Matt Hamill March 7 in the UFC), Roberts had Munoz train for a full year in MMA before making his debut.

“Rahman’s not gonna learn wrestling or jiu-jitsu in two or three months. If I were him, I’d start working on basic takedown defense, and scrambling to get back up. He’s going to learn nothing in jiu-jitsu in three months,” Roberts said. “He could learn takedown defense and scrambling to stay up. If I were his manager I’d make sure he got a fighter that was a striker. I think three months is a little fast if he’s gonna take MMA serious. I definitely would be very selective on his opponents, and have him take his time. Without serious grappling training, he’s going into it with the wrong mental attitude. And the first guy that fights him and takes him down, he’s gonna be lost.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

JOSH KOSCHECK RETURNS AT UFC 98

Never one to sit back and miss an opportunity, UFC welterweight Josh Koscheck will return to action on May 23 as a part of the upcoming UFC 98 card in Las Vegas against an as of yet unnamed opponent.

Koscheck's involvement with the card was confirmed to MMAWeekly.com by sources close to the fighter on Wednesday.

After stepping up on short notice to take on top five ranked welterweight, Thiago Alves, Koscheck had no misgivings about a quick turn around to fight Yoshiyuki Yoshida just weeks later at the UFC's Fight for the Troops show last December.

The former NCAA champion returned to action just last weekend against UFC newcomer, Paulo Thiago, and after controlling the biggest part of the fight, Koscheck was caught by an uppercut and another clubbing blow that put him down on the mat, forcing the referee to stop the fight.

Disappointed with the stoppage, Koscheck is itching to get back into the cage and compete again and he will get the chance in May as a part of the UFC 98 card. Originally, Koscheck was already prematurely set to face Karo Parisyan on the show, but since that time the Armenian born fighter tested positive for illegal substances and has been suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Koscheck will look to bounce back after only the 4th loss of his professional career when he competes on the card.

 

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BROWN SAYS THE TITLE MAKES IT ALL WORTH WHILE

Becoming a world champion is the goal of every mixed martial arts fighter and reaching the pinnacle of the sport was no different for WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown, who makes the first defense of his title on Sunday night against Leonard Garcia. The two meet in the main event of WEC 39 in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Traveling all over the world and fighting in different weight classes, Brown was always working for the best opportunity to prove himself. When he knocked down former champion Urijah Faber and followed up with a few more punches that caused the referee to stop the fight, giving him the 145-pound title, he knew his life had changed.

"It's been hard. I've trained for a long time, had a lot of injuries, and sometimes you wonder what the hell you're doing this for, 'cause you know I haven't really made any money in this sport, and it makes it all worth it," Brown explained to MMAWeekly Radio recently what it meant to win the title.

Now instead of being the hunter, he becomes the hunted.

After the fight against Faber, the new champion had to take some medically imposed time off for a rib injury, but he's back and ready to go for Sunday night.

"I've been back for an eight week camp and training really hard. I'm 100%," Brown assured the fans.

The championship also brings out the best in potential opponents, as just about everyone in the division seems to be gunning for what Brown has around his waist now, but the king of the 145-pound division says it just drives him that much more.

"A little more pressure, I think, but I'm training harder now than I ever have before," Brown commented about being the champion. "I'm peaking really well. I'm trying to think of it as you're the best in the world, you've got to (expletive) train like it."

Working with his home camp of American Top Team, he trains daily with some of the best fighters in the world. He acknowledges that one of his best training partners is someone he's actually done battle with in the past.

"My main training partner, a guy I train a lot with is Yves Edwards," said Brown. "He's got a lot of good stuff for me, and I like his game a lot, and he's really good. He can fight southpaw or right handed, so whoever you've got coming up, he can adapt and mimic that style. He's got good stand-up, he's got good ground, so I've been working a lot with him."

Beyond Edwards, American Top Team boasts a who's who list of top fighters, but Brown knows that his opponent, Leonard Garcia, also has a great camp at Team Greg Jackson. That doesn't add to Brown's motivation, but the thought of defeat definitely does.

"I hate to lose to anybody, and it wouldn't matter if he was from a small camp or a big camp, it's not really going to change my intensity level of training," he stated.

Garcia comes into the fight winning his last two bouts against top ranked featherweights and a style that that could only be described as "blitzing." Despite dealing with an opponent who never seems to slow down, Brown says it's his style that will be the difference come fight time.

"I take my time, I'm a methodical fighter," said Brown. "I take my time, try to analyze things, and I try to put steady pressure forward, but not out of control. I try to stay in control – stalk, stalk, stalk – until I get my moment."

The moment will come on Sunday night as Brown travels to Texas to defend against the No. 1 contender in the WEC featherweight division.

 

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Rob McCullough expecting different results at WEC 39

Things have changed for Rob McCullough (16-5 MMA, 7-3 WEC) since September 2007.

A first-round TKO win that month over Rich Crunkilton was McCullough's ninth-straight win and he was 13-1 in his past 14 bouts.

"When you have the belt and you know you're the top dog in the game at that point, you think to yourself, 'What I'm going to learn from anybody?'" McCullough recently told TAGG Radio (www.tagradio.com), the official radio partner of MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

McCullough readily admits that he had grown complacent, and that it was that attitude that led to a 1-2 record in his next three fights.

"Sure you're going to have a trainer to help you keep sharp at stuff, but at that point I had the belt and I was doing my thing," McCullough said. "I wasn't doing it because I wanted to be the champ. I was doing it because I wanted to make enough money to buy a house. Along the way I got a belt and I was like, 'Cool.'"

When he lost that belt to Jamie Varner in February 2008, then lost to Donald Cerrone in November 2008, McCullough decided it was time for a change. The California resident changed things up by preparing for Sunday night's "WEC 39: Brown vs. Garcia" bout with Marcus Hicks at Las Vegas' Xtreme Couture.

"I sat back and I realized, 'Hey, you know what? I should change up my training,'" McCullough said. "'Maybe I'll get a different result.' The training out at Couture's is super-structured and it's high-caliber guys. It's pretty intense. It's fun."

McCullough said his "WEC 2008 Fight of the Year" nominated bout with Cerrone proved to him the time was right to make the adjustment.

"After my last fight with Cerrone I sat back and I said, 'You know what? I left it all in the cage that night,'" McCullough said. "'I did the best I could have done for my camp with the guys that I had with me.

"'The money's there right now. I don't have to worry about teaching class and stuff. Why don't I get out on the road and get a good trainer and take the responsibilities of me putting together my own camp and put it in someone else's hands if I have the money to pay for it?' So that's what I did.

"And I thought to myself, 'Who would be a good guy for that?' (Xtreme Couture striking coach) Shawn Tompkins, he's got (Mark) Hominick, he's got (Chris) Horodecki, he's got all these good [lightweights] that are all good at punching and kicking. That's my forte, and Las Vegas isn't that bad."

McCullough said his time at Xtreme Couture has been fruitful.

"Seven weeks," McCullough said. "It's been a rough camp. It's fun. It's like when I first started.

"There's good guys, and they're in there every day. At 155 (pounds) there's good guys. Martin Kampmann is in there. John Alessio. They're such good guys, and they're high-caliber guys that every day you're learning something and you're pushing it. I've gotten into such crazy shape I can keep pushing myself, and I'm like 'Wow. I'm not getting tired.'"

McCullough believes he will need that explosiveness when he takes on Hicks -- though if the 31-year-old's prediction holds true the stamina might not play a factor.

"I'm looking for a high-paced, action-packed fight," McCullough said. "He's tough. He definitely has a chin. He's left-handed. He's a short wrestler. He's explosive.

"I trained my butt off for this one. My prediction is something vicious, in the first-round probably. That's the way I'm looking at it."

And should McCullough make it through Hicks, he'd like a shot at avenging his recent losses -- though one target looms larger than the other.

"I'd like to fight both those guys again," McCullough said. "It was fun. And Varner, he's just got a mouth on him, so for sure him."

 

[Shogun Locc]

UFC Fight Night 18 tickets start at just $20; largest UFN attendance likely

As the UFC prepares to make its first trip to Tennessee, the organization has great news for those considering attending "UFC Fight Night 18: Condit vs. Kampmann" at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn.

Tickets for the event start at just $20, and they top out at just $200 for floor seats.

Featuring a main-event between former WEC welterweight champ Carlos Condit and former middleweight Martin Kampmann, UFC Fight Night 18 takes place April 1.

By comparison, tickets for "UFC 96: Jackson vs. Jardine" on March 7 range from $37 to $352.

While difficult economic conditions make ticket sales for any event an uncertainty, UFC Fight Night 18 stands to set a company record for attendance at a Fight Night event.

The Sommet Center, which plays host to the NHL's Nashville Predators, seats up to 20,000 spectators for both end-stage and center-stage concerts. Formerly known as both the Nashville Arena and Gaylord Entertainment Center, the arena underwent a multi-million dollar renovation in 2007.

Early editions of the UFC's "Fight Night" events were held in smaller Las Vegas venues such as the Cox Pavilion, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and the Palms Casino Resort, limiting attendance to sometimes less than 1,000 spectators. In recent years the UFC has elected to bring the Fight Night shows on the road -- and to bigger venues.

UFN 17 in February had 7,596 fans in Tampa, Fla., while UFN 15 attracted 9,103 attendees to the September 2008 event in Omaha, Neb.

 

[Shogun Locc]

UFC's Paul Kelly moving from welterweight to lightweight

Following a 2-1 run in the UFC's welterweight division, British fighter Paul Kelly (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) plans a move to the lightweight division.

Kelly, who defeated Troy Mandaloniz via unanimous decision this past weekend at UFC 95, recently informed Setanta Sports of the decision.

The 24-year-old , who had previously suffered a second-round submission loss to Marcus Davis at UFC 89, said he wanted to make the drop after leaving the division on a winning note.

He got it on Feb. 21 when he defeated Troy Mandaloniz, a cast member from "The Ultimate Fighter 6," at UFC 85, which took place in London, England. In fact, all three of Kelly's UFC fights have come in England-based events.

Including a unanimous-decision victory over Paul Taylor in his octagon debut, Kelly is now 2-1 in the UFC. The Wolfslair member began his career in 2005 with a variety of European organizations, with whom he fought as a middleweight.

Now at 155 pounds, Kelly enters a crowded lightweight division currently ruled by champion B.J. Penn.

Kelly plans to sign a new deal with the UFC before his next fight.

 

[Shogun Locc]

ESPN-backed Bellator bolsters lineup with five exclusive signings

Just five weeks away from its debut on ESPN Deportes, Bellator Fighting Championships has confirmed with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) five additional exclusive signings for its eight-man tournaments.

Bellator, an upstart organization that will become the first-ever MMA promotion to air on an ESPN channel, will run eight-man tournaments in four different weight classes over a 12-week span.

Joining their respective divisions' tourneys are lightweight Daniel Morales, welterweights Omar De La Cruz and Jorge Ortiz, and featherweights Estevan Payan and Luis Palomino.

Morales (5-1), a former Cage of Fire lightweight champion, turned pro in 2006. The former Lion's Den fighter is now based out of Mexico with the Pitbull Gym. Four of his five career victories have come via stoppage.

De La Cruz (3-1), a former middleweight dropping to welterweight with Bellator, is a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a purple belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu. The medical student is widely regarded as the Domincan Republic's top fighter, and his only career loss came via split decision.

Ortiz (15-4), a top Mexican fighter who will drop from middleweight to welterweight, is 7-1 since a loss to Eugene Jackson in his lone Strikeforce appearance. "The Naked Man" has posted stoppages in 12 of his 15 career victories. Not one to shy away from tough competition, he's previously defeated "The Ultimate Fighter" alumns Price Mclean and Jason Guida, and his few losses have to the likes of Jon Fitch, Joey Villasenor and Jesse Taylor.

Payan (6-1), a former staff sergeant in the U.S. military with three tours of duty in Iraq, recently won the Rage in the Cage welterweight title. The Arizona Combat Sports fighter turned pro in October 2007 and drops to featherweight after previously competing as a welterweight and lightweight.

Palomino (9-4), born in Peru, is a former boxer praised for his punching power and solid jiu-jitsu skills. A protege of former UFC heavyweight champ Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Palomino captured the U.S. Fight League lightweight title in 2008, a year in which he went 3-1. He'll fight at 145 pounds with Bellator.

The latest additions join other Bellator signees such as Eddie Alvarez, Jorge Masvidal, Wilson Reis, Hector Lombard and Lyman Good.

Bellator will air in two-hour timeslots on each Saturday night on ESPN Deportes. The shows air on a one-day tape delay; the actual events will take place in casinos and arenas around the U.S. in front of live crowds on Friday nights.

The organization is expected to release its full fight calendar in the coming weeks.

 

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Bellator debuts April 3 in Florida with Alvarez vs. Morales, Masvidal vs. Garijo

Bellator Fighting Championships' April 3 debut now has a location.

The ESPN Deportes-backed organization today announced its premiere event will take place at the Hard Rock Live arena at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.

The organization will launch three of its four eight-man tournaments at the event, and featured opening-round matchups include lightweights Eddie Alvarez (16-2) vs. Daniel Morales (5-1) and Jorge Masvidal (16-3) vs. Diego Garijo (3-1).

Beginning with the April 3 event and running for 12 weeks, the Bellator shows will be held in the venues across the country on Friday nights. The events will then air on a one-day delay on ESPN Deportes in two-hour Saturday-night timeslots.

The organization is hosting eight-man tournaments in the featherweight, lightweight, welterweight and middleweight divisions, though the initial show won't include any welterweight opening-round fights.

In addition to Alvarez vs. Morales and Masvidal vs. Garijo, three featherweight bouts are official: Nick Gonzalez (14-6) vs. Yahir Reyes (12-5), Joe Soto (4-0) vs. Ben Greer (11-4), and Estevan Payan (6-1) vs. Luis Palomino (9-4)

Additionally, a source close to the fighter told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reigning EliteXC bantamweight champ Wilson Reis (6-0) is expected to meet Henry Martinez (2-0) in a tournament bout. However, Bellator officials could not confirm the fight.

The latest card now includes:

155 tourney: Eddie Alvarez (16-2) vs. Daniel Morales (5-1)
155 tourney: Jorge Masvidal (16-3) vs. Diego Garijo (3-1)
145 tourney: Wilson Reis (6-0) vs. Henry Martinez (2-0)*
145 tourney: Nick Gonzalez (14-6) vs. Yahir Reyes (12-5)
145 tourney: Joe Soto (4-0) vs. Ben Greer (11-4)
145 tourney: Estevan Payan (6-1) vs. Luis Palomino (9-4)
Non-tourney: Jessica Aguilar (5-2) vs. TBA
* - Not officially announced
Tickets for the event, which range from $25 to $150, go on sale March 3 at Ticketmaster outlets.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Site News: UFC 96 get-together with American Fighter and Rich Franklin

MMAjunkie.com is partnering with American Fighter for a pre-UFC 96 get-together in Columbus, Ohio.

On the eve of the March 7 "UFC 96: Jackson vs. Jardine" event, American Fighter will host a pre-fight VIP party at Club Mynt in Columbus.

The party is open to MMAjunkie.com readers. UFC veteran Rich Franklin and UFC announcer Bruce Buffer are confirmed guests, and others are in the process of being booked for the March 6 party.

Last year's pre-UFC 82 party at Club Mynt featured Franklin, Buffer, UFC welterweight Marcus Davis, former champ Tim Sylvia and other special guests.

The American Fighter VIP party, sponsored by Ringstar, benefits the Keep it in the Ring Foundation, which Franklin and American Fighter President Jeff Adler founded to advocate anti-violence and build character in youths.

Club Mynt is located at 445 N. High St. near the Greater Columbus Convention Center. To reserve a table or for more information, call Josh at (614) 989-8258.

 

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COUTURE AGREES TO FIGHT WITH NOGUEIRA

Couture Accepts UFC 101 Bout with Nogueira by Tom Hamlin

A long-rumored bout between former UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture and former UFC interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira appears set to take place.

According to multiple sources from Couture’s camp, he has agreed to face Nogueira at the yet-unannounced UFC 101 sometime in August. The event may take place in Portland, Ore.

The UFC is now awaiting a response from Nogueira’s camp.

Previously, Couture was offered a fight with Nogueira in the first half of 2009, but his role in Sylvester Stallone’s “The Expendables,” set to film in late March, got in the way.

Couture was also rumored to be under consideration for UFC 99 in Cologne, Germany on June 13, but a source indicated he would be unable to complete a proper 8-week training camp and would not take the fight.

Nogueira was last seen at UFC 92, where he lost his interim heavyweight title in a TKO loss to current interim champ Frank Mir.

Couture – who has fought for or defended a title in 15 of his 19 UFC fights – lost the undisputed heavyweight title when he succumbed to strikes against Brock Lesnar at UFC 91.

 

[Shogun Locc]

WEC CHAMP VARNER'S INJURIES NOT CAREER ENDING

Though he got pretty banged up in his second title defense, WEC lightweight champion Jamie Varner will fight again.

On Thursday, the 24-year-old Arizona Combat Sports fighter passed an eye exam that will clear the way for him to be re-licensed by the California State Athletic Commission, who suspended him indefinitely following his winning effort against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at WEC 38.

The fight was stopped just under two minutes into the fifth round when Cerrone threw an inadvertent illegal knee that raked Varner’s eye, prompting an automatic tally of judges’ scorecards. All three judges saw the bout in favor of Varner.

Varner also broke his right hand and fractured his left foot during the bout.

Initially, cage-side doctors feared his eye injury might be severe.

“Ultimately when the doctor came in, I'm like, 'I can't see out of my right eye, can't see out of my right eye,' and it was making me nauseous,” he told MMAWeekly Radio three days after the fight. “Then he closed my left eye and was like shining the light in my right eye and my pupil wasn't responding. That's ultimately why he stopped the fight. I showed all the signs and symptoms for a detached retina. If that's the case, my career is over."

Varner sought a second doctor’s opinion after the first thought his retina might be torn.

“(The second doctor) told me it was more like my retina was strained,” he said.

There are slight tears in his retina, says Varner, though the injury will not necessitate surgery. “Technically, I could fight whenever,” he said.

His vision, however, continues to suffer.

“I’m not going to be able to fight for a while,” he said. “My vision isn’t as good in my right eye as it used to be. I used to have like 20/15.”

Still, Varner said his eyes were certified 20/20 by the ophthalmologist – good enough to fight.

On Monday, Varner will get the pins removed from his right hand, after which he will undergo four weeks of physical therapy. For his foot, he alternates between limping and a single crutch, and says he will be able to run and kick when the swelling comes down.

Though he was prescribed Vicodin for his injuries, he opted not to take the strong pain medication.

“I don’t take pills,” he said. “I don’t take any meds. When they set my finger after the fight, they wanted to put me under. I come from a long history of drug addicts. My parents are both recovering addicts and alcoholics, so I just try to stay away from everything.”

Though the WEC offered him a fight in June, Varner says he will not be ready until late summer or early fall. He would welcome the winner of Lamas vs. Palaszewski at WEC 40, or a rematch with Cerrone.

“I watched the fight three times,” he said. “I dominated every round of that fight. I beat him up pretty good. The only thing he did was – his face beat the (expletive) out of my foot and hand.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

UFC Quick Quote: Shane Carwin not even close to reaching full potential … yet

“I think I’m getting there. I don’t think I’ve come close to reaching my potential. Athleticism can take you quite a ways, but I’m still learning a lot of techniques, working on my boxing, kickboxing and jiu jitsu. Even in wrestling, MMA wrestling is different from regular wrestling, so I’m working on that as well…. I’m at 6,000 feet where I train and we go five five-minute rounds, and I feel pretty good at the end of five fives. In fact, I feel like I get stronger in rounds two and three…. It’s a lot of different things. Sparring, going live, those types of sessions are the hardest and those workouts resemble the fight the closest. There are also explosive drills that I do continuously for five minutes…. Usually I walk around at about 275 to 280, but about three months out I clean up my diet and eat healthy, and I tend to get down pretty lean. Usually by fight time I shouldn’t have to cut weight.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

Wilson Reis ready for Bellator and Strikeforce

Training three times a day, Wilson Reis is getting ready for his debut at Bellator Fighting Championships, new MMA organization that happens at April 4th and will show live at ESPN. At the 65kg GP, the EliteXC champion faces Henry Marrtinez, who has six wins and only one loss in the MMA career. “The training is great and I’m working all MMA aspects: boxing, muay thai, wrestling, the physical part and a lot of Jiu-Jitsu for the GP. I’m train even more now and try to find something about my opponent to set a strategy”, said the black belt, who lives in Philadelphia for five years.

“I’ve been in Brazil by the end of the year and trained with (Roberto) Godói, but I came back here in January and I’m keeping the preparation for my first fight. Godói will with the Jiu-Jitsu Pan-American Championship and then he meets me at Florida, when the event will take place”, commented Wilson, excited for the first GP of his career: “I’m very excited with Bellator, because it’ll be my first GP and I have one month between the fights. I think it’ll be great, because the show will broadcast at ESPN Spots, a channel that everybody watches here in US”.

EliteXC featherweight champion, the Brazilian saw the event shut down just after he conquered the title, last September. After signing with Bellator, the EliteXC made a deal with Strikeforce, and Wilson Reis can also fight in the event. “I’ll start this year with Bellator and my old contract with EliteXC has been sold to Strikeforce. Maybe I’ll fight for them too, after Bellator”, revealed Wilson, who also has plans to the Jiu-Jitsu and Submission competitions. “I really wanna fight the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship and no-gi events. I’ll have a busy year and I’m getting ready to win all my challenges”.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Takanori Gomi: 'I haven't proven myself the last few fights'

An excerpt of an interview Takanori Gomi had with Japanese MMA magazine Kakutogitsushin on February 21.
How have you been since your last fight with Satoru Kitaoka?
I though you wanted to asked me about that fight. Of course, it would be nice if you tell me about that. As you saw, I couldn't do anything. I suppose fans who knew me since PRIDE considered that I looked like a totally different person. I don't even know why. I didn't feel any energy in the ring. After the fight, I felt like I was free. I thought I fulfilled my duty.

Do you mean that you resigned from a representer of the top lightweight fighter?
I suppose so. I haven't proven myself the last few fights. I was training, yet everything has fallen apart. I couldn't put together because my training wasn't enough. My skills went down in the last 2 years. I experienced a lot in the last 2 years. I quit Kiguchi dojo without thinking well, and started my gym. I felt responsibility to take care of my students, and I was passive about my fight. I was just waiting and see who I fought with.

That tournament was “road to Gomi”
I have no excuse about my performance and my loss. Kitaoka was entirely better than me. I I hope he becomes a great champion and defends his title.

Kitaoka asked you a rematch in the ring.
I wonder if he still wants the rematch. He completely dominated me. I want him to move forward to bring more fans to Sengoku.

Did you feel that you got weaker that before?
I admit that I hadn't had enough training. I didn't feel any energy and power. After Misaki's fight, I tried to concentrate and motivate myself. When arriving at the ring, I noticed that I wasn't even sweating and my intensity was getting lower. Right after the fight started, I responded to him well and cut his tackles. Though I was concerned about something, I though I should be fine if I took my time. I appreciated my fans support in that event. However, I was already exhausted mentally when I got there. “Road to Gomi” started half a year ago, but I felt like I was waiting for 10 years. It was extremely long and exhausting.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Jamie Varner vs. Donald Cerrone II possible for late-summer WEC event

After a less-than-popular and anticlimactic ending to their first meeting in January, WEC lightweight champion Jamie Varner (16-2) and contender Donald Cerrone (9-1) could rematch at a WEC event in late summer.

Sources close to each fighter have told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that both Varner and Cerrone have been approached about a late-summer rematch, though an exact date has not been determined.

That timetable could depend on Varner, who suffered a handful of injuries in their first bout at WEC 38 on Jan. 25.

That fight, which headlined WEC 38, ended in the fifth round when Cerrone caught Varner with a glancing but illegal knee to the head one minute and 50 seconds into the round. Varner was unable to continue, and the fight went to the judges' scorecards.

With a technical split-decision win (49-46, 47-48, 49-46), Varner retained his title.

Although initially booed because he was unable to continue, Varner ultimately learned he suffered a broken foot and hand, as well as what was initially thought to be a potentially career-ending eye injury, in the fight. However, now expected to heal completely, Varner will likely return later this summer, possibly in July or August, for the possible rematch with Cerrone.

A source close to Cerrone, who suffered his first career loss at WEC 38, said he will likely be next in line for the title shot now that Rich Crunkilton (16-2) has pulled out of a March 1 bout with Bart Palaszewski (30-11). While once considered a possible top contender's bout, the WEC 39 fight now features the lesser known Ricardo Lamas (5-0), an undefeated and promising prospect – but one that will likely need some additional seasoning before earning a title shot. Palaszewski is also unlikely to earn a title shot with a win over the WEC newcomer and will likely need to string together an additional win or two before he enters the title picture.

That will likely open the door for Varner vs. Cerrone II.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Exclusive Frank Shamrock Interview: “I think Ken cut himself”

When you look at the collective history of mixed martial arts not only in the U.S. but around the world, Frank Shamrock has to be considered as one of the greatest fighters in the sport’s young history.

It also just happens that he is one of MMA’s best interviews. During a recent exclusive chat with FiveOuncesOfPain.com, Shamrock once again gave a candid interview in which he responded to a lot of direct questions with direct answers.

During the interview, Frank didn’t hide his angst and his belief in the fact that he believes estranged adoptive brother Ken Shamrock’s actions prior to his scheduled Oct. 4 main event bout vs. Kimbo Slice on CBS ruined a potential huge money making opportunity. For over a year now Frank Shamrock had been working on a deal that would have pitted the two estranged siblings in a PPV match against each other.

According to Frank, Ken burned some major bridges when he showed up to the BankAtlantic Center in South Florida the afternoon of the fight with stitches above his eye to repair a laceration. According to Ken, he sustained the injury during an early morning workout of the fight.

At the time, many were skeptical of the scenario in which Ken alleged he sustained the injury and during our exclusive interview, Frank stated on the record that he believes the injury was self-inflicted.

Below is a transcript of our conversation.

FiveOuncesOfPain: When trying to determine the identity of your opponent for April 11, I asked a source if it might be Robbie Lawler. The source replied, “No way. Frank Shamrock wants no part of Robbie Lawler.” I wanted to see if I could get you to respond to that.

Frank Shamrock: Well, whoever told you that was probably smoking crack with Ken Shamrock.

FiveOuncesOfPain: Speaking of Ken, it would appear you’re once again having a war of words with him. Howeber, after your father, Bob Shamrock, became ill and was hospitalized this past September, I was under the impression that you and Ken had made amends. But it appears the relationship between the two of you has become strained again. What happened?

Frank Shamrock: My father is ill and is in the hospital now. I went to see him because I didn’t want to live in the past. I never reconciled with Ken. I’m just disappointed that I spent a lot of time and money on this possible fight between us and he’s pretty much thrown the opportunity by the wayside. It’s just frustrating to me and then he has the nerve to go out and say that I wouldn’t sign a contract and “blah, blah, blah.” Whatever. I just think it’s a big joke.

FiveOuncesOfPain: So Ken is claiming you never signed a contract to fight him?

Frank Shamrock: Yeah. He’s a liar. Because it was my idea and my money. I brought the investors and I made the contract for him. Once again, he’s probably smoking crack because he’s really out there now.

FiveOuncesOfPain: What did you think of his recent decision to fight on a smaller show against Ross Clifton, a 360 pound fighter with a 6-8 record? What do you think of Ken resorting to that level of a fight?

Frank Shamrock: Well, it’s obvious that he’s at the end of his rope and grasping for straws at this point. He gets set up with a multi-million dollar deal to fight some chump. I don’t know what he’s doing with his brand or his business but he’s definitely self-destructing.

FiveOuncesOfPain: During the Strikeforce conference call several weeks back you discussed how the deal to fight Ken was never finalized and that he’s having some personal issues and problems. Is that something you can discuss publicly or does it have to remain private?

Frank Shamrock: It wouldn’t be fair for me to tell those things about Ken. Ken and I have some major issues but I think it’s his own private business. I think I’d be a bad person if I spoke about them. But what I can say is that he’s making business decisions that are going to affect his brand on a global basis and those business decisions have killed this fight. I wish it was something more intriguing like I was ducking him or whatever story he is spinning. The truth is no one trusts him, especially on a network television level. No one trusts him to be the other half of a major fight.

FiveOuncesOfPain: You just alluded to some of the trust that Ken has burned. When Ken showed up to the arena with that cut there was a lot of speculation as to how he truly sustained the laceration. Do you believe that Ken truly injured himself rolling that morning?

Frank Shamrock: No. I think Ken cut himself.

FiveOuncesOfPain: What would Ken’s potential motive be for allegedly cutting himself?

Frank Shamrock: It goes back to his giant ego and not being smart enough to understand the rest of the business. I think he got upset because Kimbo was making twice as much as he was and I don’t think his ego could take it. I know for a fact that he tried to hold the network up for more money the day before the show and unfortunately his parting words were, “Well, then you never know what will happen because anything can happen.” Then when he showed up with the cut we all thought he juiced himself. You know, he’s not to be trusted.

FiveOuncesOfPain: For Ken to go right to the emergency room and have it stitched up, is that normally how a fighter would handle the situation? Especially with a six-figure pay day at stake?

Frank Shamrock: No. No, a real fighter would have superglued it and put makeup on it and been and would have been out there fighting. Which (is something) I have done and many fighters have done many times.

FiveOuncesOfPain: You obviously know Ken better than most people. Just the theory that Ken might have cut himself — how is he in a position to walk away from a potential six-figure payoff? How could he have done that?

Frank Shamrock: I have no idea (laughs). It’s a mystery to me. I don’t know Ken very well. I was to assume he would have went out and fought but I have no idea what he’s doing. I just hope when he’s finished destroying himself that he has something left to live by.

FiveOuncesOfPain: I’ve talked to sources in the past who were close to the MMA wars in Japan and was told an unconfirmed story about how a major MMA promotion paid a fighter scheduled to compete on a rival show promoted by Antonio Inoki to not compete as scheduled. Do you think a scenario like that could ever happen in the U.S. where a fighter might be approached by someone on the eve of a major fight and told he could be compensated not to fight?

Frank Shamrock: Sadly, in a country of capitalism I think people will do anything for money. As a martial artist, I can’t say that I could ever imagine doing that. It’s beyond me but unfortunately in this country money comes first. So who knows?

FiveOuncesOfPain: Have you or anyone that you know ever been approached with an offer not to fight?

Frank Shamrock: I have not nor have any of my team members that I have managed or trained.

FiveOuncesOfPain: There was a lot of talk that you were willing to step in for Ken Shamrock on Oct. 4 and face Kimbo Slice. How close was that to being a reality?

Frank Shamrock: I raised my hand and I got myself ready. We were in a do or die situation and someone had to step up. I’m a fighter and I’m a martial artist and I’m a businessman, so I jumped at the opportunity. But I don’t know, it just didn’t happen. I felt for sure that I was going to be that guy but and it didn’t happen.

FiveOuncesOfPain: Can you talk about why it didn’t happen in the end?

Frank Shamrock: First of all, I think a lot of people felt it was crazy. I also think from a broadcast standpoint that it would have been odd that your color commentator comes out of the booth and does fighting. I think it might just have been too much of a stretch for people to even imagine. Though it’s a sport, it’s still a heavy concept for people. But for me, it was just another day at work so it wouldn’t have stressed me out. At the end of the day, I was down.

FiveOuncesOfPain: What about your arm? How would you have been able to get medically cleared so quickly?

Frank Shamrock: I called Armando Garcia and he said if I could get my doctor to clear my arm and that if all of my medicals were current and up-to-date, I could go and fight. So I made the call and made sure the doctor cleared my arm and I just waited for CBS, Showtime, and ProElite to give me the blessing. And they didn’t.

FiveOuncesOfPain: So let me back track a bit. You got the medicals in but CBS, Showtime, and ProElite didn’t want to make the fight?

Frank Shamrock: Yeah, nobody said I could do it. But I was on the list but I kept asking because it was very hard for me to switch gears from being a commentator to being a fighter, mentally. I needed some time for that so I kept pressing and I pressed them until about 30 minutes before we went on the air and we went on the air and I made one final plea that, “Look, I’m still ready.” And then I had to let it go and I had to do my job.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: You’ve said in past interviews that you essentially toyed with Cung Le in an effort to be an entertainer. On April 11, are you going to look to take the fight a few rounds or will you come out looking to knock Nick Diaz out right away?

Frank Shamrock: Naw, my days of sacrificing my body — from at least an entertainment standpoint — are pretty much done. I’m just going to go out and very seriously smash people. I think the sport is where it needs to be and my brand is certainly strong enough that I really don’t need to go outside of doing my job.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: How do you think your catch wrestling/submission wrestling style matches up against Diaz’s more traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu style? Can you hang with him if he gets you to the floor?

Frank Shamrock: Ah, I think so. I’ve never had any problems jiu-jitsu guys. Their style kind of flows methodical and it’s very effective but explosiveness, speed, and athleticism has always defeated their style and I think I’m still young enough to play that game.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: About a year to year and a half ago, Nick Diaz’s name surfaced as a potential opponent for you and you weren’t a fan of the matchup. Why do you feel Nick is a great opponent for you at this time?

Frank Shamrock: I think we’re moving into a new era of MMA. I call it MMA 2.0. The fans that were running the companies are gone. The real professional business people are in charge. The networks are supporting us. Besides Nick having a great game, he’s also that personality that I think represents MMA wrong. I don’t want my daughter to grow up and like Nick Diaz. That’s not my goal and that’s not why I am in this sport. So I look at this fight as the blue opportunity. It’s my chance to put on a good show vs. a well matched opponent. It’s also my chance to clean up the sport a little more in my opinion.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: If you rematch Cung Le and decide to take the fight to the floor, will your knee allow you to go for leg attacks?

Frank Shamrock: Oh yeah. My knee is fine. Everything is fine. I look forward to fighting Cung again. Everyone has their opportunity and Cung had his. Yeah, I’m in pain because I am older but my body is still healthy and I’m strong.

FiveOuncesOfPain: When was the last time the UFC attempted to bring you in?

Frank Shamrock: It’s been a few years now.

FiveOuncesOfPain: So the last time you had formal contact with them was after the Cesar Gracie fight and you haven’t been contacted since?

Frank Shamrock: No. I went and met with them and (it was) the same story. Same B.S. I haven’t talked to them since then.

FiveOuncesOfPain: ProElite was in limbo for so long and you had a contract with them and Strikeforce acquired a lot of their assets and now they are involved with Showtime and CBS. What do you think this means to have two strong companies in CBS and Showtime working with such a strong promoter in Scott Coker?

Frank Shamrock: I think it’s a new birth for MMA. Scott Coker is a martial artist, for one. And for two, he’s a good promoter. He’s been promoting martial arts for a long, long time. He’s a reliable businessman and a good partner. I just think this is a huge opportunity for mixed martial arts. I hope the fans and the fighters embrace it as much as I have. I hope it’s hugely successful because the fact is there’s one giant monopoly out there and then there’s a bunch of other guys just trying to work these industry. And now there’s a number two and they’re powerful.

 

[rylor206]

Responding to Dan Hardy's challenge, Marcus Davis asks for UFC 99 matchup

Fresh off of a devastating knockout of Rory Markham at UFC 95, English welterweight Dan Hardy (21-6 MMA, 2-0 UFC) has made it clear he'd like to step into the cage with Marcus Davis (16-4 MMA, 8-1 UFC).

Today, "The Irish Hand Grenade" told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that he's told the UFC to make it happen.

"I went up to (UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva and I said, 'Joe, make this fight,'" Davis said. "I want this fight. This kid's running his mouth."

Davis said the budding rivalry began during this past Friday's weigh-ins for "UFC 95: Sanchez vs. Stevenson."

"I had the Q&A at the weigh-in," Davis said. "I was doing the Q&A, and this little guy came up to the mic and said that he was there with Dan Hardy's manager, and that Dan Hardy had called me out and was wondering if I had accepted the challenge.

"I said, 'When did Dan Hardy call me out?' He said, 'He called you out when he first got into the UFC.' I said, 'Well this is the first time I ever heard of it.' He goes, 'Yeah, well he did. His manager's right back there,' and he pointed back to a guy that was waving at me. And I said, 'Yeah, go back and bring him out here and I'll pound his face in to dust.'"

Just as in his January 2008 bout with Frenchman Jess Liaudin, Davis said Hardy made the potential meeting personal when he questioned the Team Sityodtong fighter's connection to the U.K. At the UFC 95 post-event press conference, Hardy said he would enjoy fighting Davis and "showing him that [the U.K.] is my home and not his."

"Then I heard [Hardy] is running his mouth, saying the same stuff like (Jess) Liaudin did," Davis said.

"I'm getting sick and tired of everyone saying I'm a fake Irishman or a fake this and fake that. I never told anybody I was an Irishman. What I am is proud of my heritage, which is Irish, Welsh and Scottish.

"It's OK for Oscar De La Hoya, who wasn't born in Mexico, to embrace his Mexican heritage. Or it's OK for all the African-Americans here in America to embrace their African heritage. But if you're a white guy and you embrace any of your European heritage, you're an idiot."

Davis had already been rumored for the as-yet-unannounced UFC 99 card on June 13 in Cologne, Germany. The 35-year-old said he would be happy to book that date with Hardy.

"June would be the best time for me, and the reason why is because it's on neutral ground," Davis said. "They could even call it 'UFC Whatever: Neutral Ground.'

"I don't want to fight him in London or England. I don't want that because I'm always the freaking bad guy there. I'm always beating these guys that are from that area. And he doesn't want to fight me in the U.S. or Ireland, so let's do it in Germany. If I could choose, that's where I'd want it to happen."

Coming off of a January bout with Chris Lytle, a man Davis considers a friend, "The Irish Hand Grenade" said he hopes the bout with Hardy can be made for an entirely different reason -- the same reason he used for motivation in a 64-second knockout of Liaudin.

"Hopefully, if it works out, I'll get to fight a second guy I don't like," Davis said.

I would love to see the Hand grenade crush that cocky ass brit fag hardy

 

[Shogun Locc]

UFC veteran Din Thomas signs three-fight deal with Affliction

Din Thomas, a longtime UFC lightweight who recently dropped to the featherweight division, has signed a three-fight with Affliction Entertainment.

The signing, first reported by fiveouncesofpain.com, brings some instant name recognition to the organization's burgeoning 145-pound weight class.

No date or opponent has been determined for the American Top Team fighter's promotional debut.

Thomas (23-8 MMA, 5-4 UFC), a 10-year veteran who appeared on a special comeback fourth season of "The Ultimate Fighter," was an early UFC contender who suffered his first career losses to B.J. Penn and Caol Uno in high-profile fights. Following "TUF4," he climbed back into the title picture with an impressive streak of wins over Rich Clementi, Clay Guida and Jeremy Stephens.

However, he was eventually dropped from the organization following back-to-back losses to Kenny Florian and Josh Neer in 2007 and 2008.

After a nearly year-long layoff, Thomas made his featherweight debut at a show co-organized by ATT of Missouri earlier this month in Columbia. There, Thomas easily defeated Dustin Pieken via first-round submission. (Watch the complete Din Thomas vs. Dustin Pieken fight in the MMAjunkie.com archives.)

In charge of a promotion best known for its heavyweight division (with Fedor Emelianenko, Josh Barnett and Andrei Arlovski), Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio has long maintained his desire to bolster the lighter weight classes. The 32-year-old Thomas does just that with Affliction's featherweight division.

Although no official announcement has been made, Affliction's next show is expected to take place in June or July with a main event between Emelianenko and Barnett.