MMA News Thread

[Shogun Locc]

PAUL BUENTELLO ISSUES OPEN CHALLENGE TO KIMBO

On Monday night, Paul “The Headhunter” Buentello made a special appearance on MMAWeekly Radio to issue a challenge to rising EliteXC star Kimbo Slice for a fight that already has mixed martial arts fans chattering about on the Internet.

“People want to see it. I think everybody wants to see it. Me and Kimbo should lace up the gloves,” said Buentello. “Everybody wants to see it and I think it’s time. He’s fighting all the guys I’ve already knocked out and I’ve already exposed. He needs to get off that buffet line I put out there and come over to my Paul Buentello taco shop and see if we can get to work.”

There were rumors of a fight between the two heavyweights after Buentello commented on a Kimbo street fight just a year ago and fans began to clamor and wonder if they would ever meet.

“Everybody asks me ‘when are you going to fight Kimbo? You should fight that Kimbo guy,’” said the American Kickboxing Academy fighter. “Just give him much respect, he’s been training and accomplished a lot in a year or so. He’s really putting his hands together, he’s really putting his game plan together.”

Buentello says he respects Kimbo’s growing MMA game and guarantees a slugfest would ensue.

“I give him much respect. He stepped up. He went from street fighting to MMA and everybody thought he couldn’t produce, but he’s doing it,” stated Buentello.

“If I was a fan, I would definitely, I would want to see this fight. I would pay money to watch Paul Buentello fight Kimbo in a heartbeat.”

He confirmed on the show that he would be competing on the upcoming March 29 Strikeforce card, although no opponent has been named yet.

After that fight, Buentello believes he should be the next match-up for the YouTube sensation known as Kimbo Slice.

“I’m just throwing the offer out there,” he said. “I know he’d take the offer in a heartbeat, but he does have management.”

For now Buentello will head back into training and prepare for his nest fight on March 29.

 

[Shogun Locc]

CAMP REPORT: CHUTE BOXE

Despite the loss of several of its top stars in 2007 – most notably Wanderlei Silva, Murilo “Ninja” and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, and Andre “Dida” Amade – thus far, 2008 has brought good results for Chute Boxe. After the official announcement that the famed Brazilian fight camp planned to open a brand new location in Los Angeles, the team also announced they were opening a new camp in Porto Alegre City, the biggest city in southern Brazil.

Porto Alegre City is also the home to Top 10 fighter Fabricio Werdum and Luiz Brito (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Mario Sperry), who will server as trainers in the new camp. Chute Boxe now has four big locations in Curitiba, including one in Sao Paulo in partnership with Jorge Patino Macaco and another on the biggest beach in the south of Brazil, Camboriu.

In addition to the team expansion, Chute Boxe hopes there will be new opportunities for their up and coming fighters. Names such as Michael Costa, Fernando Betegga, Marcio Gracinha, Marlon Matias, Fernando Lageano, Mario Soldado, Rafael Monteiro, Eduardo Rolha, Junior Diamente, Thiago Bel, Vinicus Kepler and the Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos’ wife, Cris “Cyborg” among others are in negotiation with some organizations in the U.S, Europe and Japan.

Cris “Cyborg” will have the opportunity to show her skills on March 21 in EliteXC. She will be competing at the 140-pound weight class. "I was waiting for this opportunity all my life and now I will show that the girl from Chute Boxe is tougher than the guys. I will bring heavy artillery to my opponent and I will knock her out," said Cris. On the same event, Marlon Mathias will make his 160-pound EliteXC debut.

Eduardo Rolha, Rafael Monteiro and Luiz Sorriso will fight at Thunder Dome in California in June. Rolha and Monteiro will fight under MMA rules at 205 pounds, while Luiz Sorriso will debut in the U.S under Muay Thai rules in a 155-pound contest.

In February, Mario Soldado will fight at Rio FC in Rio de Janeiro. Former Pride fighter Luiz Azeredo recently defeated Milton Vieira by unanimous decision at a new Brazilian event called ‘The One.’ “Milton Vieira comes from a very good camp in Brazilian Top Team, but here at Chute Boxe we have an intense training regiment and I will do my best in this fight to knock him out," said Azeredo prior to the fight.

Another Pride veteran Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos is set to fight several times in early 2008. He will face Makoto Takimoto at World Victory Road’s Sengoku in Japan and David Loiseau at Hardcore Championship Fighting in Canada. "To me it’s a great honor to see that the events are interested in having me. Some people are saying that it’s too many fights in six month’s time, but I remember that some years ago I competed in an old school tournament and I fought three times in the same night. Besides that I later fought two more times for a total of five fights in one month," said Cyborg.

Chute Boxe head coach Rafael Cordeiro announced that he will be moving to the U.S in March to open the new camp in Los Angeles. Cordeiro will bring a wealth of experience and fight methods to the new camp. "I am moving to L.A in March and I will bring more then twenty years experience from training warriors in Brazil. Now it’s time to make new Chute Boxe stars in the U.S."

 

[heyzel]

UFC Fight Night 13: Nate Diaz vs. Kurt Pellegrino/Now a 3 Hour

UFC Fight Night 13: Nate Diaz vs. Kurt Pellegrino

Nate Diaz Kurt Pellegrino

Just when an amazing card could not get any better — or complete — the UFC adds a lightweight bout between Nate Diaz (8-2) and Kurt Pellegrino (11-3) to the now infamous UFC Fight Night 13 card at the Broomfield Event Center in Broomfield, Colo., on April 2.

MMAmania.com confirmed today that the bout is indeed signed and will make the televised portion of the 11-fight SpikeTV special.

There’s no telling at this point whether or not the FightLinker.com-led email campaign to extend the two-hour telecast to three had any impact on the booking or if another fight previously thought to be broadcast live will get bumped.

Regardless, the fans who pack the venue on this Colorado night are in for one fine show. Here’s the latest card:

Main event:

155 lbs.: Kenny Florian (7-3) vs. Joe Lauzon (16-3)

Main card (televised):

170 lbs.: Karo Parisyan (18-4) vs. Thiago Alves (13-3)
205 lbs.: Matt Hamill (3-1) vs. Tim Boetsch (7-1)
205 lbs.: Houston Alexander (8-2) vs. James Irvin (13-4)
155 lbs.: Nate Diaz (8-2) vs. Kurt Pellegrino (11-3)

Under card (may not be broadcast):

155 lbs.: Frank Edgar (8-0) vs. Gray Maynard (4-0)
155 lbs.: Spencer Fisher (20-4) vs. Marcus Aurelio (15-5)
155 lbs.: Din Thomas (20-7) vs. Josh Neer (23-6-1)
155 lbs.: Clay Guida (22-9) vs. Samy Schiavo (10-4)
170 lbs.: George Sotiropoulos (8-2) vs. Roman Mitichyan (5-1)
170 lbs.: Tommy Speer (9-2) vs. Anthony Johnson (4-1)

Diaz and Pellegrino both competed last — and won — on the UFC Fight Night 12 card on January 23, 2008. In fact, Diaz called out “Batman” (among others) after his submission win over Alvin Robinson.

Pellegrino appears up for the challenge after he made quick work of Alberto Crane, pounding out the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist in the second round via technical knockout.

This is a fantastic match up with two fighters who share similar strengths. Both have respectable stand up and are experienced on the ground. The wrestling edge, however, has to go to Pellegrino.

Will that be enough? Diaz has submitted his last three opponents and will look to make it four under the Hermes Franca-trained Pellegrino. It won’t be easy.

Nice fight … and surprise.

For the latest UFC Fight Night 13 news and notes click here.

mmamania.com

 

[heyzel]

Mark Cuban Enters Randy Couture Tug-of-War (Story from Yahoo! Sports)

By Dave Meltzer/Yahoo! Sports
(Reprinted from Yahoo! Sports on MMAjunkie.com with permission)

The likely promoter of a potential Randy Couture vs. Fedor Emelianenko match was revealed last week when Mark Cuban’s HDNet Fights filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Dallas against Zuffa LLC, the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

The suit is an attempt to get a court ruling on when Couture’s contract expires and when he can fight for Cuban, who is best known as the billionaire owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, or another non-UFC promoter.

The suit comes on the heels of Zuffa’s attempt through the Nevada courts to get an injunction to bar Couture from appearing on rival MMA shows, citing a non-compete clause in Couture’s employment contract. Couture’s employment contract is separate from the fighting contract, which is the basis for Cuban’s suit.

“Obviously we’re going to address the lawsuit that was filed in Dallas, Texas, in a timely and very direct fashion,” said Zuffa attorney Don Campbell. “Our point is that Couture is still obligated to the requirements of the terms of the contract, which are unambiguous.“

Cuban’s HDNet, a television station available in only a small percentage of U.S. homes, has heavily focused on building around MMA programming. Cuban previously made headlines by engaging in talks with Floyd Mayweather Jr., the pound-for-pound boxing king, about potential participation in MMA.

A Couture-Emelianenko match would likely have more business potential on pay-per-view than any MMA fight not promoted by the UFC. Not only would it possibly put another promotion on the map as a genuine, significant rival to UFC, something many groups have tried to be but none have really succeeded at, but it would answer probably the most important question regarding the future of the sport:

Is MMA popular, or just the UFC?

UFC has run numerous pay-per-view cards that have drawn from 600,000-1.05 million buys. No non-UFC promotion has ever done more than 75,000 buys.

Emelianenko, in particular, has been a pay-per-view flop in North America as a headliner for Pride and Bodog Fight. The Russian fighter, who was long considered the world’s pound-for-pound best, did an anemic 13,000 buys for his lone 2007 match, against Matt Lindland.

Couture topped 500,000 buys on both of his 2007 UFC matches. A match with Emelianenko will likely show the upper limits of what the best fight possible, without UFC backing, could draw on pay-per-view.

The 44-year old Couture signed a four-fight, 18-month contract, on January 19, 2007, with UFC. This included a $500,000 signing bonus, half of which was paid upon the signing of the contract and the other half upon the completion of the first fight, the March 2 match where he defeated Tim Sylvia to win the UFC heavyweight title in Columbus, Ohio.

Between all monies, which included guarantees and a sliding percentage of pay-per-view revenue, as well as a second employment contract, Couture earned about $3 million in his two fights during 2007, along with some other outside work with the company. This includes money from a secondary contract as a company employee, paying him $250,000 per year, which included a one-year non-compete provision.

On the second contract, it appears both sides agree that when Couture quit the company on Oct. 11, he couldn’t work for a rival promotion until that date this year.

But the fight contract is what is under dispute in the lawsuit filed by Cuban’s company. Couture is claiming when the 18-month period expires on July 19, the contract is over, although he has done interviews in the past stating he’ll honor the non-compete from the employment contract and feels he can fight again in October.

Zuffa is claiming that Couture didn’t fulfill his contract, and that he owes them two more fights. There is a specific clause in the contract that stated in the event Couture retired, the 18-month time frame is frozen in that he’s still bound to the company to fulfill the time frame if he decides to fight again. Couture has never used the term retirement, but used the term resignation. UFC president Dana White has stated that he believes you can’t just resign in the middle of a valid contract, and has publicly offered him title defenses.

Couture is the currently recognized UFC heavyweight champion, although he personally claims he has not been champion since he quit the company. Zuffa has since created an interim heavyweight championship, which Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira won on Feb. 2 in Las Vegas in a match with Sylvia. Immediately after the match, White talked of trying to get Couture back for a match with Nogueira. Couture has been adamant that he is done with UFC unless UFC agrees to do a co-promotion with the M-1 Global promotion, which owns Emelianenko’s contract.

White last year attempted to sign Emelianenko, an offer which included a seven-figure signing bonus and $1.5 million per fight, but the Russian’s management turned it down, claiming it was too restrictive. Couture then announced he was leaving UFC, citing his goal was to fight Emelianenko to determine who was the top heavyweight in the world. Ironically, Couture felt disrespected by those terms, because Emelianenko’s offered UFC guarantee was much higher than his, and Couture helped build the company and was, at the time of his resignation, the company’s most popular fighter.



Couture was on Cuban’s Inside MMA TV show on HDNet on Friday night, where both the lawsuit filed by HDNet Fights and UFC’s attempt to file an injunction against Couture appearing for rival groups were discussed.

He said the fight with Emelianenko was the one the public wants to see and that the sport has to evolve to where the top fighters face each other, regardless of promotional affiliation. He noted that in boxing the rival promotions work together to promote major fights.

Emelianenko, who is 27-1, is generally considered the best heavyweight MMA fighter. Until recently, he was ranked No. 1 pound-for-pound in the Yahoo! Sports rankings, a ranking he would likely have retained if he had fought even one match against top heavyweight competition in 2007.

He was the champion of the Pride organization when it was sold to Zuffa last year, and then subsequently was folded. But to some, his stock as the true king and best fighter has dropped because he hasn’t faced a legitimate top contender since an August 28, 2005, match in Japan against Mirko Cro Cop. Cro Cop, who was just dropped from his contract by UFC after consecutive losses to Gabriel Gonzaga and Cheick Kongo, is being talked about in Japan as an opponent for Emelianenko in a proposed summer match.

Zuffa sued Couture and then filed an injunction against him, claiming he has violated the non-compete clause by appearing on rival promotion’s television shows to do interviews, in specific shows on Cuban’s HDNet.

They also are claiming it’s a violation because the International Fight League has a new team for the 2008 season called Team Xtreme Couture, featuring fighters from his Las Vegas gym. Couture’s argument is that the gym, which bears his name, is separate from himself, and that he is not the coach of the team.

However, the IFL did put a photo of Couture on its web site, briefly, to promote its Feb. 29 show in Las Vegas where Team Xtreme Couture debuts.

The photo was quickly taken down, but Zuffa lawyers captured a screen image and then filed for an injunction to ban Couture from having anything to do with any rival shows.

The request for an injunction, filed in Las Vegas, stated, “If Couture is permitted to terminate his employment and promptly take his well-known name and likeness during the restricted period to one, or more, of Zuffa’s competitors so that it can be used to promote upcoming events in other MMA leagues, the harm to Zuffa’s business goodwill cannot be calculated.“

It has been common knowledge and never a source of conflict in the past when fighters under contract to one organization corner fighters on different shows. Couture has seconded fighters from his gym on shows all over the world, both during his tenure with Zuffa and since his resignation. He was planning on seconding the fighters from his gym at the IFL show, which the injunction is attempting to prevent.

Dave Meltzer covers mixed martial arts for Yahoo! Sports. Meltzer, who has published the pro wrestling trade industry publication the Wrestling Observer Newsletter since 1982, began covering MMA with UFC 1 in 1993. This story originally appeared on Yahoo! Sports and is syndicated on MMAjunkie.com as part of a content-partnership deal between the two sites

 

[heyzel]

Wanderlei Silva Writes About Possible Move to Middleweight

While Wanderlei Silva (31-8-1 MMA, 1-3 UFC) confirms that he’s met with UFC officials about a potential fight with UFC light heavyweight Keith Jardine (13-3-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC), the former PRIDE champion is also considering a move to middleweight.

Silva wrote the possibility in his official blog at wanderleisilva.com.br.

In addition to being one of the UFC’s smaller light heavyweights, Silva is considering a move to middleweight because he wants a rematch with Dan Henderson (22-6 MMA, 2-1 UFC) — especially if Henderson defeats UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva (20-4 MMA, 5-0 UFC) at next month’s UFC 82 event.

“There will be a fight of Anderson Silva against Dan Henderson that will be a great fight, and if Dan Henderson wins it, I don’t think twice about lowering my weight to fight him,” Silva wrote (and translated from Portuguese to English).

Silva and Henderson’s last met a year ago at PRIDE 33, a Las Vegas show that would prove to be the second-to-last one in the organization’s history. In the night’s main event, Henderson upset Silva with a third-round knockout via left hook. Henderson claimed Silva’s middleweight (205-lb.) PRIDE title with the win. The duo first met seven years prior at PRIDE 12, where Silva where claimed a unanimous-decision victory.

Silva eventually signed a deal with the UFC in August 2007 and suffered a unanimous-decision loss to Chuck Liddell at UFC 79.

As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reported on Monday, Silva and Jardine could meet at a UFC 84 event that takes place on May 24.

Silva addressed the reports of that fight.

“Everybody is talking about Jardine, but nothing has been made official,” Silva wrote. “I think it would be a good opponent because his style matches with mine, and certainly, no one would be a better choice to be my next opponent.“

Jardine hasn’t competed since September’s UFC 76 event, where he scored a stunning upset unanimous-decision victory over Liddell.

(Touch of gloves: Sofia V. for the translation)

This entry

 

[Shogun Locc]

While Wanderlei Silva (31-8-1 MMA, 1-3 UFC) confirms that he’s met with UFC officials about a potential fight with UFC light heavyweight Keith Jardine (13-3-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC), the former PRIDE champion is also considering a move to middleweight.

Silva wrote the possibility in his official blog at wanderleisilva.com.br.

In addition to being one of the UFC’s smaller light heavyweights, Silva is considering a move to middleweight because he wants a rematch with Dan Henderson (22-6 MMA, 2-1 UFC) — especially if Henderson defeats UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva (20-4 MMA, 5-0 UFC) at next month’s UFC 82 event.

“There will be a fight of Anderson Silva against Dan Henderson that will be a great fight, and if Dan Henderson wins it, I don’t think twice about lowering my weight to fight him,” Silva wrote (and translated from Portuguese to English).

Silva and Henderson’s last met a year ago at PRIDE 33, a Las Vegas show that would prove to be the second-to-last one in the organization’s history. In the night’s main event, Henderson upset Silva with a third-round knockout via left hook. Henderson claimed Silva’s middleweight (205-lb.) PRIDE title with the win. The duo first met seven years prior at PRIDE 12, where Silva where claimed a unanimous-decision victory.

Silva eventually signed a deal with the UFC in August 2007 and suffered a unanimous-decision loss to Chuck Liddell at UFC 79.

As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reported on Monday, Silva and Jardine could meet at a UFC 84 event that takes place on May 24.

Silva addressed the reports of that fight.

“Everybody is talking about Jardine, but nothing has been made official,” Silva wrote. “I think it would be a good opponent because his style matches with mine, and certainly, no one would be a better choice to be my next opponent.“

Jardine hasn’t competed since September’s UFC 76 event, where he scored a stunning upset unanimous-decision victory over Liddell.

(Touch of gloves: Sofia V. for the translation)

This entry

this is a repeat post that I posted already.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Semmy Schilt On Dana White: "I think it's a very American way to provoke guys."

Rumors of a Semmy Schilt/Fedor Emelianenko rematch have circulated in MMA circles for weeks. K-1 World GP Champion Semmy Schilt recently sat down with M-1 Mixfight to address these rumours and a variety of other topics as well. Below are some highlights from their conversation:
Schilt On His MMA Plans:

There are no negotiations going on now. I have a contract with K-1 which also cooperates with Hero’s (from now on DREAM) and M-1 Global I believe. Maybe there are some options so that I could participate there. Also I had a fight in Serbia which was a good experience.

Schilt On A Rematch With Fedor:

Well, I don’t believe in a rematch. The match has happened long time ago, you know. I had a good fight with Fedor. I lost on points and it’s too bad. Well, I think he was the rightful winner at that moment. Maybe down the road if we fight again it’s going to be different. And for me, personally, it’s not going to be a rematch, it’s going to be a real fight again. What’s done is done. I’m not too much into chasing the best. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen

Schilt On Who He Considers To Be The Best MMA Fighters:

In heavyweight I think it’s Fedor. They say a lot about the UFC, about Randy Couture and now Nogueira but I think it’s Fedor, Nogueira, Barnett, then there’s Kharitonov but these are the contenders from Pride. Then, of course, you got Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture. But it’s all about the politics, what side you are on and what you gained the most by winning from who.

Schilt On Statements Made By Dana White That Fedor Emelianenko Is Not A Top 5 Heavyweight.

I think it’s a very American way to provoke guys. Fedor beat Coleman who didn’t have any chance; but even Nogueira didn’t have a chance. The fact that Fedor takes it easy now; I can’t blame him. You have to think about your body, not only about the money.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Matt Lindland To Sign With DREAMS?

Denis Kang confirmed in a recent interview with The Fight Network, that Matt Lindland may be on the verge of signing with DREAMS; the new Japanese promotion created from a collaberation with FEG (K-1) and DSE (former PRIDE staff).
“I want to win the grand prix,” Kang said. “Now they’ve got Akiyama, [Melvin] Manhoef, [Zelg] Galesic, [Kazushi] Sakuraba, Dong Sik Yoon … and I heard that Matt Lindland is going to be signing with them. There are a lot of good fighters I want to fight right there.”

Lindland is widely viewed as one of the top middleweights in the world. He fought briefly in the UFC before having a falling out with UFC president Dana White. White briefly entertained bringing a very willing Lindland back to the UFC recently, but apparently thought better of it according to Lindland and made it clear that the fighter would not be welcomed back.

Kang will make his debut for Dream in a middleweight grand prix tournament on Tuesday, April 29 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

The subsequent rounds of the grand prix will likely take place in June and September.

 

[Shogun Locc]

M-1 Likely To Be First Major Promotion To Hold Event In France

France recently became the last European country to legalize MMA. Promoters, as of Jan. 27, have been permitted to hold events under Shooto rules. French officials will not permit elbows, knees, or kicks on the ground.
French fighters and organizers have also created an MMA commission and a number of major promotions have looked into holding events in the country and Paris in particular. It appears that M-1 will be the first.

Rumors are circulating that M-1 will hold an M-1 challenge event in France sometime in October of this year. The card is said to include a fight between Jerome Le Banner vs. Roman Zentsov.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Report: Nick Diaz vs. Muhsin Corbbrey at April 26 EliteXC

EliteXC lightweight Nick Diaz (15-7) will return to competition after an upset loss to K.J. Noons and will fight Muhsin Corbbrey (6-2) at EliteXC’s April 26 show in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Sam Caplan of fiveounesofpain.com today confirmed the fight with Corbbrey’s camp.

Back in January MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reported that EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw anticipated an April return for Diaz, a former UFC contender whom EliteXC signed to a long-term deal last year. Diaz and Noons fought for the organization’s vacant lightweight title in November, but the bout was stopped after the first round because of multiple cuts on Diaz’s face. He had surgery to repair significant scar tissue soon after that TKO loss.

Back in February 2007 Diaz earned a submission victory over PRIDE lightweight champ Takanori Gomi. However, Diaz failed a drug test due to marijuana, and the Nevada State Athletic Commission stripped Diaz of the win and ruled the fight a no-contest. He returned for a split-decision victory over Mike Aina in September before the loss to Noons in November.

Diaz is now 4-1 (with one no-contest) in his past six fights.

He’ll now take on Corbbrey, an up-and-comer who made a name for himself with back-to-back victories in EliteXC’s “ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series” events, which air on Showtime. Corbbrey scored a unanimous-decision victory over Lee Gibson (11-3) in July and a first-round submission of Bobby McMaster (7-2) in October.

Corbbrey is a boxing and Muay Thai competitor who’s also competed in several of the world’s top grappling competitions.

The April 26 event will be EliteXC’s second ever in Hawaii. The organization’ s September 2007 “Uprising” card took place Oahu, where Robbie Lawler defeated Murilo “Ninja” Rua in the night’s main event.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Lyoto Machida’s Manager: Fight with Tito Ortiz Set for UFC 84

Despite recent comments from Renato “Babalu” Sobral to the contrary, a fight between top UFC light heavyweights Lyoto Machida (12-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) and Tito Ortiz (15-5-1 MMA, 14-5-1 UFC) has not been canceled and will, in fact, take place May 24 at UFC 84.

The news comes from Machida’s manager, Ed Soares, who was a guest on Thursday’s edition of The Lights Out Show on the TAGG Radio Network, a content partner of MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

In a recent interview with PunchDrunkGamer.com, Sobral said he didn’t think Ortiz wanted the fight and that the UFC would probably have to find a new opponent for Machida. Those comments led to a lot of speculation that the fight had been scratched.

Not true, says Soares, who also manages UFC interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogeuira and UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

The Machida-Ortiz is official, he says.

UFC 84 is expected to feature a main event between UFC lightweight champ B.J. Penn and former champ Sean Sherk. The event takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

In recent interviews, Ortiz has confirmed that the fight is the last under his current UFC deal and that he doesn’t expect to return to the organization. With his fame and popularity, which is aided by his current weekly appearances on NBC’s “The Celebrity Apprentice,” Ortiz will likely fetch top dollar on the free-agent market. The former UFC champion has fought outside the organization only once in his 11-year career.

Machida, a former K-1 and WFA fighter, pushed his record to a 12-0 (including a 4-0 mark in the UFC) with a second-round submission of Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou back in December at UFC 79. The 29-year-old owns victories over the likes of Rich Franklin, B.J. Penn, Stephan Bonnar and David Heath.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Doug Evans Dropped by UFC, Scheduled for April “ShoXC”

Doug Evans (6-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC), the Alaskan-based fighter originally recruited by the UFC to fight Roger Huerta back in June, has confirmed that he was dropped from the UFC following a subsequent loss to Mark Bocek in December.

However, the 27-year-old fighter today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that he has already signed a deal with EliteXC and will be part of an April “ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series” event vs. Wilson Reis (3-0). The fight was first reported by Sam Caplan of fiveouncesofpain.com, who said the event will likely take place April 5 in California.

“ShoXC” is the MMA version of Showtime’s popular “ShoBox” program for boxing and features top prospects. EliteXC has hosted four “ShoXC” events to date, spotlighting fighters such as Paul Daley, Eddie Alvarez, Jared Hamman and Victor Valenzuela.

Evans, who competed as a lightweight in the UFC, said he’s looking forward to fighting at 140 lbs.

“Although I enjoyed fighting for the biggest fight organization out there, it will feel real good to get back to my more-natural weight class and start being one of the bigger guys in the division again,” Evans told MMAjunkie.com.

Evans began his professional career with six consecutive victories in the Alaska Fighting Championship, a successful Anchorage-based organization that’s sending a growing number of fighters to the continental U.S. to sign with major organization. Evans was the first to put the AFC on the map when he was picked to fight rising star Huerta at The Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale. Although he suffered a second-round TKO, Evans was impressive in the first round, nearly submitting Huerta while displaying veteran-like poise.

Although his contract was terminated after the December unanimous-decision loss to Bocek, Evans anticipates a successful career with EliteXC.

“I’m really excited to get in there with (EliteXC), where I plan on making my new home,” he said.

He’ll first take on Reis, a Pennsylvania-based fighter who scored a second-round submission of Zach Makovsky at a Jan. 25 “ShoXC” event. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and accomplished grappler turned pro back in July 2007.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Michael Bisping ‘insists’ he can beat UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva

Quoteworthy:

“I think I can challenge for the middleweight title but it’s a very deep division with a lot of new guys coming in…. I definitely feel I’m a contender already but I know I have to establish myself in that weight class and prove myself by winning some fights.”

It’s important to note that “The Count” is never quoted directly even mentioning the name of “The Spider” in this interview. However, he must have made statements that indicated something to that effect for the writer to publish the headline and lead graph. Regardless, his chances make for a good debate. Bisping — the 205-pound winner of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 3 — makes his middleweight debut against Charles McCarthy at UFC 83: “Serra vs. St. Pierre 2″ at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, on April 19.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Grappling Champ Robert Drysdale Joins Xtreme Couture, Readies for MMA Debut

Robert Drysdale, the 2007 Abu-Dhabi Absolute champion, has joined the ever-expanding Xtreme Couture as an instructor and MMA fighter.

The Las Vegas-based organization, which is headed by UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture, made the announcement on the Xtreme Couture blog.

“He is excited to be the newest addition to our Pro Team where he will train in preparation for his MMA debut,” the announcement read. “Robert will be instructing the Pro Team in jiu jitsu and will teach the jiu jitsu classes at the gym.“

Drysdale’s submission victory over five-time world BJJ champion Marcelo Garcia at the 2007 Abu Dhabi Absolute tournament was a major upset. The 25-year-old Garcia is a perennial ADCC Submission Wrestling champion and one of the world’s top Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners.

Drysdale will now train and be a permanent part of an Xtreme Couture fight team that includes Forrest Griffin, Karo Parisyan, Tyson Griffin, Chris Horodecki, Joey Varner, Gina Carano and other top fighters.

The American-born Drysdale has been competing in BJJ since 1998, and lived and trained in Brazil from 2000 until just earlier this year. He received his BJJ black belt from Leo Viera in 2004.

There was no word on when or where Drysdale may make his MMA debut.

 

[Shogun Locc]

RYAN HEALY SET FOR STRIKEFORCE DEBUT

The last several months have been quite a turn around for Ryan Healy.

After missing nearly a year of action due to a knee injury, Healy is healthy, determined and on the right track thanks to having joined Team Quest last year.

Having had a couple tune-up fights in 2007, Healy is looking to step into the big time again as he makes his Strikeforce debut this coming Saturday in Tacoma, Wash. against fellow rising prospect Jorge Masvidal.

“I’m really excited about this year,” commented Healy. “Last year was pretty rough, coming off of ACL surgery. I only had two fights the entire year, so I’m just happy to start this year off with a big fight.”

As he explains, even though he wasn’t able to physically be involved in the sport, it never left his mind during his time away, thus keeping him focused on his return.

“The whole time I was injured, all I was thinking about was getting back in shape and getting back in the ring,” explained Healy. “I was out, I couldn’t train or couldn’t do anything, but fighting was still on my mind.”

As soon as he was cleared to fight, he began fully integrating with Team Quest, which according to him, looks to have been the best thing he could have done for his career.

“I got really serious about training with Team Quest. It’s really where I’ve started to come into my own as a fighter,” stated Healy. “I feel confident and I’ve just progressed and gotten better, and I have a lot more tools in my arsenal.

“I want to show what I’ve got. I want to show where my game is, and I just want to show off my skills and prove that I can be one of the top fighters at my weight.”

Ryan will get an opportunity to show off those skills in a fight that could very well be the most entertaining of the night as he takes on Masvidal, who is riding a two-year winning streak.

“I think he’s really tough and he’s really peaking himself as far as his career,” said Healy. “He has a big win over Yves Edwards and is coming into his own as a fighter.

“So I think it’s the perfect time to fight him. I can steal some of his thunder with a big win over him.”

Against a fighter such as Masvidal, Healy knows he has to be aggressive and not get behind early in the fight.

“I’m looking to bring an in-your-face game,” he admitted. “I want to push the pace because I’m in phenomenal shape and I think I’m in better shape than him.

“I want to be right up in his face. I want to push the pace no matter where it goes, whether it’s on the ground or on the feet.”

Back at full strength, Healy is looking to make this year a breakout one and solidify himself with much wanted continuity.

“This year I just want to establish myself as a top up and comer,” he stated. “I want to find a show that I can fight for that will get behind me and will give me tough match-ups where I can prove myself. I think that Strikeforce is a perfect opportunity for a solid event that I can do that.

“I’d like to fight as much as possible. At least every two to three months and have quality fights. Not fighting chumps or lower level guys. I want to be fighting the top notch guys on top notch shows.”

As Healy states, Strikeforce this Saturday could be just the place for him to begin to make his run in what is sure to be a standout fight.

“I want to thank Clinch Gear and Dirty Boxer for supporting me; and everybody at Team Quest that have helped me train and progress as a fighter,” concluded Healy.

“To the fans, this is the year of the Healy, both me and my brother. Pat’s got a big fight a week after mine and I think people are going to start taking notice of the Healy brothers.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

Rampage Jackson: UFCs TUF 7 to be ‘the best one ever … I promise’ (Video)
link: http://www.rawvegas.tv/watch.php?vID=f0a7cee642b98f35e8ec88a4503aed

 

[Shogun Locc]

Noons, Edwards Verbally Commit to Hawaiian Showdown

Yves Edwards (Pictures) will get his chance to swipe the EliteXC lightweight title from the hands of champion Karl James Noons (Pictures) on April 26 in Honolulu, the American Top Team fighter confirmed on today's Savage Dog Show on the Sherdog Radio Network.

Edwards (33-13-1) said the only thing holding up an official announcement is his signature but that he would be inking the contract as soon as he gets it.

"We have agreed on the fight, and I just can't wait to get in there and do this," Edwards said.

Noons (6-2-0) defeated Nick Diaz (Pictures) in November to claim the EliteXC lightweight strap. This will be the 25-year-old's first defense. He also confirmed the imminent nature of the bout to Sherdog.com.

"We are moving forward, getting the paperwork done, and yeah, it's gonna happen," Noons said.

Diaz's camp has been very vocal about a rematch with Noons, firing up the champion with charges he was ducking their guy.

"I can't duck anyone," declared an animated Noons. "A rematch [with Diaz] would be great. I would make a lot of money. But I have to fight the top guy as the champion. Right now that guy is Yves Edwards (Pictures)."

While he won't be squaring off against Diaz again for now, Noons will have to face a friend in the 31-year-old Edwards, who happens to have been one of the top lightweights in the world before falling on hard times over the past couple of years. Edwards dropped five out of six fights over a two-year stretch before rattling off three wins in a row over the last three months. He capped his amazing resurgence with a highlight-reel knockout of Edson Berto at Saturday's EliteXC show in Miami.

"As a friend and as a fan, I am looking forward to the match with Yves," Noons commented.

Said the rejuvenated Edwards: "We go back a long way, and even though everyone is telling me you have the experience factor and all that, I am not sleeping on this one. I have a lot of respect for KJ and I am really excited to get to fight him."

As for fighting a friend, Edwards reiterated his statement from his post-fight interview.

"It is never fun to fight a friend, but if you are not in this business to win world titles, you are in the wrong business," he said. "He's got that gold, and I have to go through him to get it."

 

[Shogun Locc]

HDNet Fights Has Contract with Couture; Question is When It Begins

Last week Mark Cuban's HDNet Fights made headlines when it sued Zuffa, parent company of the UFC, in district court in Dallas. As first reported by Sherdog.com, the suit seeks declaratory relief concerning Randy Couture (Pictures)'s contractual status under a promotional contract with Zuffa.

New details of the action have been revealed in the complaint obtained by Sherdog.com. According to the filing, HDNet Fights has entered into a contract with Couture that is scheduled to commence upon the expiration of his Zuffa promotional agreement. At that time, the company plans to promote a fight between Couture and Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) in Dallas, assuming terms can be reached with the highly regarded Russian heavyweight.

The existence of an actual contract between HDNet Fights and Couture is believed to be key to the company's action in Texas. Without it, it is unlikely that the court would find an actual controversy ripe for adjudication.

According to the filing, Couture has stated that he believes his Zuffa promotional contract expires with the stated term of the agreement in July, while Zuffa maintains that the contract remains valid indefinitely under the infamous "retirement clause." In the complaint, HDNet Fights characterized Zuffa's contention as "outrageous."

"Zuffa's position regarding Couture is both illegal and involves critical timing," the filing states. "First, like all fighters, Couture's ability to fight at a championship level will diminish as he ages. Through their actions, Zuffa seeks to ensure that Couture is prevented from gainful employment and practicing his craft until he cannot be an elite fighter. Importantly, the law in Texas is clear that indefinite employment restrictions such as Zuffa claims to be enforcing are per se illegal and against public policy."

Both sides agree that the one-year non-compete provision contained in Couture's employment contract with the UFC expires on Oct. 12, meaning that even with a favorable outcome concerning the term of Couture's promotional contract, the earliest Couture-Fedor could take place would be in the fall.

The complaint also recognizes Zuffa as the undisputed market leader in the MMA industry.

"A key technique utilized by Zuffa to maintain their iron grip on the MMA industry is litigation and intimidation," the complaint reads. "Just a cursory review of court dockets in Nevada demonstrate the remarkably litigious nature of Zuffa and their willingness to tie their opponents down with expensive and lengthy court battles regardless of merits."

In a nod to pending litigation in Nevada, where Zuffa has sued Couture and as yet unnamed defendants for, among other things, conspiracy to commit tortous acts, the complaint notes that "HDNet did not want or intend in any way for such an agreement to induce or cause Couture to breach his UFC Fight Contract or any other agreement(s) he might have with Zuffa and/or UFC or to interfere with any valid contract that Couture might have."

Accordingly, HDNet Fights' contract with Couture will only become effective upon a declaration by the court that Zuffa's promotional agreement is void, invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part, or upon a declaration of the effective date on which Couture's contract with HDNet Fights may begin without violating any provisions of his contract with Zuffa.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Kimbo gets his bread: EliteXC fighter payouts and salaries for ‘Street Certified’ (Update)

Update: Moyses Gabin got paid just $1 … not $1,000. Thanks to James for the clarification. No reason is available right now for the nominal purse.
There were a few readers asking about the fighter payouts for EliteXC: “Street Certified,” which took place on February 16 from the BankUnited Center in Miami, Fla.

MMAmania.com just received those figures from the Florida State Boxing Commission.

There’s some interesting paydays for some of the combatants to say the least. Main eventer Kimbo Slice received $175,000 for 43 seconds of work. I guess putting butts in the seats puts dollars in your pocket.

Keep in mind that’s not counting his sponsorships, either. It’s safe to say that he’s no longer saying, “Give me my bread,” but rather, “I’ve got my bread, now I want my cheese.”

His opponent, Tank Abbott, took home $126,000, which is not bad for a fighter who has won once in the last decade.

James Thompson earned $25,000 in a first round knockout loss to Brett Rogers, while Rogers only pocketed $4,000. That was one of four fights on the card where the loser made more than the winner.

Here’s all the payouts for EliteXC: “Street Certified:”

Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson - $175,000 ($125,000 to show, $50,000 to win)
David “Tank” Abbott - $126,000
Kimbo defeated Tank by KO (punch) 43 seconds into the first round

Antonio Silva - $80,000
Ricco Rodriguez - $20,000
Silva defeated Ricco by split decision

Scott Smith - $12,000
Kyle Noke - $3,000
Smith defeated Noke by KO (punch) 7 seconds into round 2

Yves Edwards - $6,000
Edson Berto - $6,000
Yves defeated Berto by KO (knee) with 4 seconds left in round 1

Brett Rogers - $4,000
James Thompson - $25,000
Brett Rogers defeated Thompson by KO (punch) at 2:24 of round 1

Rafael Fiejao - $6,000
John Doyle - $2,500
Fiejao defeated Doyle by TKO at 2:17 of round 1

Yosmany Cabazes - $2,000
Jon Kirk - $2,500
Cabazes defeated Kirk by submission (rear naked choke) at :52 of round 2

Dave Herman - $1,500
Mario Rinaldi - $2,000
Herman defeated Rinaldi by TKO 33 seconds into round 3

Eric Bradley - $1,000
Mikey Gomez - $1,500
Bradley defeated Gomez by unanimous decision

Mike Bernhard - $1,500
Lorenzo Borgameo - $1,000
Bernhard defeated Borgameo by submission (triangle) at 4:11 of round 2

Moyses Gabin — $1
Jirka Hlavaty — $500
Gabin defeated Hlavaty via technical knockout (cut) in round one

It looks like Gary Shaw gets his main event and co main event fighters paid very well. We could see more guys moving over to fight for EliteXC if they can earn paychecks like that.

Keep in mind the salaries listed above do not include fight bonuses, sponsorships, percentages and other unofficial payments. It also does not include deductions for expenses such as insurance, taxes, etc.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Xtreme Couture Hints at Silva-Jardine Fight, Silva-Liddell Rematch

UFC light heavyweight Wanderlei Silva has returned to Las Vegas for training at Xtreme Couture, and the author of the fight team’s official blog hints that Silva will next fight Keith Jardine in May — and possibly Chuck Liddell in December.

On Monday MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reported that, while still not signed, a Silva-Jardine fight was likely to take place in May at UFC 84. However, we also passed along a blog entry from Silva in which the former PRIDE champion stated that he is considering a move to middleweight — especially if Dan Henderson defeats UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva at next weekend’s UFC 82 event.

While the move to 185 lbs. could still happen, it sounds as though Silva has begun preparations for the Jardine fight.

“Randy (Couture) says that he and Wanderlei will continue working up until Wand’s next fight,” states the Xtreme Couture blog. “We’re not sure if we’re allowed to say who he is fighting next. But we’re told it will happen in May and it is someone who has fought Chuck… Wanderlei tells us he’d like to rack up a couple of wins and rematch Chuck on New Year’s (Eve).“

Silva, a longtime PRIDE fighter, signed with the UFC in August 2007 and debuted at UFC 79 against Liddell in one of the most-anticipated fights in MMA history. Liddell scored a unanimous-decision victory.

According to today’s blog, Silva is now focusing on his wrestling skills as he trains with Couture and Phil Baroni.

Although he’s currently riding a three-fight losing streak, Silva is still generally considered one of the world’s top light-heavyweight fighters. The 31-year-old fighter held PRIDE’s middleweight (205-lb.) title for more than five years while also winning the organization’s 2003 Open-Weight Grand Prix championship.