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Following DREAM.10 appearance, Paulo Filho faces Alex Schoenauer at Bitetti Combat
While once-top-ranked middleweight Paulo Filho (16-1) is less than 48 hours away from his first action of 2009, the Brazilian's next appearance has already been announced.
Following Filho's DREAM.10 bout with Melvin Manhoef, the 31-year-old will face Alex Schoenauer (14-9) at a Bitetti Combat event.
Headlined by the return of Ricardo Arona against Marvin Eastman, Bitetti Combat takes place Sept. 12 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The organization currently has no plans to air the event in the U.S, though it will broadcast live on RedeTV! in Brazil.
Filho, who opened his career with 16-straight wins, came in well-overweight in a lackluster performance in the WEC against Chael Sonnen in November 2008. Filho suffered a unanimous-decision loss to Sonnen, then was subsequently treated for depression and chemical-dependency issues. The eight-time PRIDE veteran was once considered among the top middleweights in the world.
Schoenauer, a cast member of the original season of "The Ultimate Fighter" and a 10-time veteran of the now-defunct IFL, last fought in an April 2008 split-decision win over Brendan Barrett. Schoenauer owns notable career victories over Allan Goes, Travis Wiuff and Shannon Ritch in his eight-year career.
Headed by its namesake, multiple-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion and one-time UFC veteran Amaury Bitetti, Bitetti Combat hosted three events between 2002 and 2004. Co-promoters Andre Bottino and Fernando Miranda now hope to revive the organization and bring world-class events to Brazil.
In addition to several talented Brazilian fighters, Bitetti Combat officials informed MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that notables Jeff Monson, Antonio Rogerio Nogueria, Pedro Rizzo, Alex Stiebling and Glover Teixeira will also appear at the event.
The full card currently includes:
* Ricardo Arona (13-5) vs. Marvin Eastman (16-9-1)
* Paulo Filho (16-1) vs. Alex Schoenauer (14-9)
* Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (17-3) vs. Alex Stiebling (18-10-1)
* Pedro Rizzo (16-9) vs. Jeff Monson (31-8)
* Glover Teixeira (6-2) vs. Leonardo "Chocolate" Lucio Nascimento (7-5-1)
* Vitor Miranda (4-1) vs. Fabio Maldonado (9-2)
* Luciano Azevedo (15-7) vs. Milton Vieira (9-6-1)
* Henrique "Chocolate" Nogueira (6-4-1) vs. Eduardo Pamplona (12-2)
* Leandro "Batata" Silva (13-5) vs. Cassiano Tytschyo (13-6)
* Alexandre "Pulga" Pimental (7-0) vs. Luciano Corea "Yzzy" (1-1)
While once-top-ranked middleweight Paulo Filho (16-1) is less than 48 hours away from his first action of 2009, the Brazilian's next appearance has already been announced.
Following Filho's DREAM.10 bout with Melvin Manhoef, the 31-year-old will face Alex Schoenauer (14-9) at a Bitetti Combat event.
Headlined by the return of Ricardo Arona against Marvin Eastman, Bitetti Combat takes place Sept. 12 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The organization currently has no plans to air the event in the U.S, though it will broadcast live on RedeTV! in Brazil.
Filho, who opened his career with 16-straight wins, came in well-overweight in a lackluster performance in the WEC against Chael Sonnen in November 2008. Filho suffered a unanimous-decision loss to Sonnen, then was subsequently treated for depression and chemical-dependency issues. The eight-time PRIDE veteran was once considered among the top middleweights in the world.
Schoenauer, a cast member of the original season of "The Ultimate Fighter" and a 10-time veteran of the now-defunct IFL, last fought in an April 2008 split-decision win over Brendan Barrett. Schoenauer owns notable career victories over Allan Goes, Travis Wiuff and Shannon Ritch in his eight-year career.
Headed by its namesake, multiple-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion and one-time UFC veteran Amaury Bitetti, Bitetti Combat hosted three events between 2002 and 2004. Co-promoters Andre Bottino and Fernando Miranda now hope to revive the organization and bring world-class events to Brazil.
In addition to several talented Brazilian fighters, Bitetti Combat officials informed MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that notables Jeff Monson, Antonio Rogerio Nogueria, Pedro Rizzo, Alex Stiebling and Glover Teixeira will also appear at the event.
The full card currently includes:
* Ricardo Arona (13-5) vs. Marvin Eastman (16-9-1)
* Paulo Filho (16-1) vs. Alex Schoenauer (14-9)
* Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (17-3) vs. Alex Stiebling (18-10-1)
* Pedro Rizzo (16-9) vs. Jeff Monson (31-8)
* Glover Teixeira (6-2) vs. Leonardo "Chocolate" Lucio Nascimento (7-5-1)
* Vitor Miranda (4-1) vs. Fabio Maldonado (9-2)
* Luciano Azevedo (15-7) vs. Milton Vieira (9-6-1)
* Henrique "Chocolate" Nogueira (6-4-1) vs. Eduardo Pamplona (12-2)
* Leandro "Batata" Silva (13-5) vs. Cassiano Tytschyo (13-6)
* Alexandre "Pulga" Pimental (7-0) vs. Luciano Corea "Yzzy" (1-1)
Michael Bisping, Ross Pearson and James Wilks tentatively slotted for UFC 105 in Manchester
In his first fight since a brutal knockout loss to Dan Henderson earlier this month at UFC 100, Michael Bisping (17-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) is tentatively slated to compete at UFC 105 when the UFC returns to the U.K.
MMABay, a U.K.-based outlet with ties to Bisping's Wolfslair gym, first reported the plans. A source close to the event today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) it's a "tentative" booking and that no opponent has been determined.
The MMAjunkie.com source also said the UFC plans to book lightweight Ross Pearson (9-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC) and welterweight James Wilks (6-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Team U.K. fighters who won their respective weight classes on the recent ninth season of "The Ultimate Fighter," for the show.
It airs for free in the U.S.; back in June, MMAjunkie.com first reported that UFC 105 would took place in Manchester, England, and air via same-day tape delay on Spike TV.
The event takes place at the 16,000-seat Manchester Evening News Arena, which also hosted UFC 70 in April 2007.
Were it not for the loss to Henderson, Bisping could very well be fighting UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 105. Instead, after a brutal second-round knockout to Henderson (his rival coach on "The Ultimate Fighter 9"), Bisping will now look to get back into the title picture. After starting his career with 14 consecutive wins, he suffered a split-decision loss to Rashad Evans in late 2007. He had posted three consecutive wins before the loss to Henderson, his first career loss via stoppage.
Pearson, meanwhile, defeated fellow Team U.K. fighter Andre Winner via unanimous decision to win the "TUF" lightweight championship a month ago. It was the Cage Rage veteran's eighth win in his past nine fights. Pearson had posted seven straight wins via stoppage before the decision victory.
Wilks will go for his fifth straight win when he returns to the cage. After a successful "TUF" run, he topped fellow finalist DaMarques Johnson via first-round submission to win the season-nine welterweight championship. The U.K. native and now-California-based fighter has posted stoppages in all six of his career victories.
In his first fight since a brutal knockout loss to Dan Henderson earlier this month at UFC 100, Michael Bisping (17-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) is tentatively slated to compete at UFC 105 when the UFC returns to the U.K.
MMABay, a U.K.-based outlet with ties to Bisping's Wolfslair gym, first reported the plans. A source close to the event today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) it's a "tentative" booking and that no opponent has been determined.
The MMAjunkie.com source also said the UFC plans to book lightweight Ross Pearson (9-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC) and welterweight James Wilks (6-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Team U.K. fighters who won their respective weight classes on the recent ninth season of "The Ultimate Fighter," for the show.
It airs for free in the U.S.; back in June, MMAjunkie.com first reported that UFC 105 would took place in Manchester, England, and air via same-day tape delay on Spike TV.
The event takes place at the 16,000-seat Manchester Evening News Arena, which also hosted UFC 70 in April 2007.
Were it not for the loss to Henderson, Bisping could very well be fighting UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 105. Instead, after a brutal second-round knockout to Henderson (his rival coach on "The Ultimate Fighter 9"), Bisping will now look to get back into the title picture. After starting his career with 14 consecutive wins, he suffered a split-decision loss to Rashad Evans in late 2007. He had posted three consecutive wins before the loss to Henderson, his first career loss via stoppage.
Pearson, meanwhile, defeated fellow Team U.K. fighter Andre Winner via unanimous decision to win the "TUF" lightweight championship a month ago. It was the Cage Rage veteran's eighth win in his past nine fights. Pearson had posted seven straight wins via stoppage before the decision victory.
Wilks will go for his fifth straight win when he returns to the cage. After a successful "TUF" run, he topped fellow finalist DaMarques Johnson via first-round submission to win the season-nine welterweight championship. The U.K. native and now-California-based fighter has posted stoppages in all six of his career victories.
James Terry vs. Jason Von Flue in the works for "Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg" prelims
A welterweight contest between Strikeforce veterans James Terry (6-1) and Jason Von Flue (14-11-1) is currently in the works for the preliminary card of "Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg."
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned from sources close to the event that both fighters have verbally agreed to the contest, and bout agreements are expected to be finalized shortly.
"Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg," featuring the organization's first-ever female title bout, takes place Aug. 15 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. The main card airs live on Showtime.
Terry last fought in April in a unanimous-decision win over Zak Bucia on the preliminary card of "Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz." The Cung Le-trained fighter is a five-time veteran of the California-based Cage Combat Fighting Championships organization, and he has earned five of his six career wins by decision.
Von Flue, a cast member of the second season of "The Ultimate Fighter" and a three-time Strikeforce veteran, last fought in March. "Livewire" earned a submission win over Steve Ramerez in the California-based PureCombat organization.
After opening his career 11-4-1, including stints in the UFC and WEC, Von Flue has gone just 3-7 in his past 10 bouts, a stretch that includes losses to a host of notables, such as Cung Le, Joe Riggs, Luke Cummo, Pete Spratt, Brett Cooper, Luke Stewart and Kyle Pimental.
With the addition to the card, "Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg" now includes:
* Gina Carano vs. Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos (for Strikeforce women's 145-pound title)
* Champ Josh Thomson vs. Gilbert Melendez (for Strikeforce world lightweight title)
* Champ Alistair Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum (for Strikeforce world heavyweight title)
* Nick Diaz vs. Joe Riggs (for vacant Strikeforce world welterweight title)
* Billy Evangelista vs. TBA*
* Isaiah Hill vs. Poppies Martinez
* Ricardo Barros vs. Scott Lighty
* James Terry vs. Jason Von Flue*
* Erin Toughill vs. TBA
* - Not officially announced
A welterweight contest between Strikeforce veterans James Terry (6-1) and Jason Von Flue (14-11-1) is currently in the works for the preliminary card of "Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg."
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned from sources close to the event that both fighters have verbally agreed to the contest, and bout agreements are expected to be finalized shortly.
"Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg," featuring the organization's first-ever female title bout, takes place Aug. 15 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. The main card airs live on Showtime.
Terry last fought in April in a unanimous-decision win over Zak Bucia on the preliminary card of "Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz." The Cung Le-trained fighter is a five-time veteran of the California-based Cage Combat Fighting Championships organization, and he has earned five of his six career wins by decision.
Von Flue, a cast member of the second season of "The Ultimate Fighter" and a three-time Strikeforce veteran, last fought in March. "Livewire" earned a submission win over Steve Ramerez in the California-based PureCombat organization.
After opening his career 11-4-1, including stints in the UFC and WEC, Von Flue has gone just 3-7 in his past 10 bouts, a stretch that includes losses to a host of notables, such as Cung Le, Joe Riggs, Luke Cummo, Pete Spratt, Brett Cooper, Luke Stewart and Kyle Pimental.
With the addition to the card, "Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg" now includes:
* Gina Carano vs. Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos (for Strikeforce women's 145-pound title)
* Champ Josh Thomson vs. Gilbert Melendez (for Strikeforce world lightweight title)
* Champ Alistair Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum (for Strikeforce world heavyweight title)
* Nick Diaz vs. Joe Riggs (for vacant Strikeforce world welterweight title)
* Billy Evangelista vs. TBA*
* Isaiah Hill vs. Poppies Martinez
* Ricardo Barros vs. Scott Lighty
* James Terry vs. Jason Von Flue*
* Erin Toughill vs. TBA
* - Not officially announced
Fifteen-year-old girl arrested in connection with shooting of Strikeforce fighter Lavar Johnson
A 15-year-old girl who is suspected of being involved in an early-morning July 5 shooting that killed one and left Strikeforce veteran Lavar Johnson hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the abdomen has been arrested.
The news comes from the Bakersfield Californian.
According to the report, Laquiria Foreman, arrested this past Friday, is facing charges of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy and participating in a gang.
Foreman and two male teenagers are believed to have been walking by a family reunion on Fourth of July weekend when one of the group members opened fire with a semi-automatic handgun and began shooting indiscriminately.
The assault, which took place in Bakersfield, Calif., left 37-year old Anthony Mack Johnson dead at the scene with multiple gun shot wounds. Four others were injured with gunshot wounds.
Still hospitalized of as of Friday, Johnson underwent surgery on July 6 and is now healing from initially life-threatening injuries.
A representative from the Bakersfield Police Department told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) the investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information about the shootings is asked to call the department.
Johnson (12-3) fought for Strikeforce in May, earning a highlight-reel knockout over Carl Seumanutafa in just 18 seconds. Eleven of his 12 career wins have come by knockout or TKO, and the former WEC fighter is currently riding a five-fight win streak.
A 15-year-old girl who is suspected of being involved in an early-morning July 5 shooting that killed one and left Strikeforce veteran Lavar Johnson hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the abdomen has been arrested.
The news comes from the Bakersfield Californian.
According to the report, Laquiria Foreman, arrested this past Friday, is facing charges of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy and participating in a gang.
Foreman and two male teenagers are believed to have been walking by a family reunion on Fourth of July weekend when one of the group members opened fire with a semi-automatic handgun and began shooting indiscriminately.
The assault, which took place in Bakersfield, Calif., left 37-year old Anthony Mack Johnson dead at the scene with multiple gun shot wounds. Four others were injured with gunshot wounds.
Still hospitalized of as of Friday, Johnson underwent surgery on July 6 and is now healing from initially life-threatening injuries.
A representative from the Bakersfield Police Department told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) the investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information about the shootings is asked to call the department.
Johnson (12-3) fought for Strikeforce in May, earning a highlight-reel knockout over Carl Seumanutafa in just 18 seconds. Eleven of his 12 career wins have come by knockout or TKO, and the former WEC fighter is currently riding a five-fight win streak.
DAY BY DAY, VITOR BELFORT ZEROES IN ON TRILOGY
A month ago, rumors circulated that Dana White was looking to sign Vitor Belfort as the next challenger to middleweight king Anderson Silva’s crown, keeping with a credo that friendship wouldn’t impede compelling match-ups (and breaking one to stay away from athletes signed to other organizations).
But when MMAWeekly.com caught up last week with Belfort at Xtreme Couture as he prepped for his battle with American Top Team standout Jorge Santiago at Affliction “Trilogy,” the two-time UFC champion hinted his time with the California-based promotion was not soon to end.
“I’m happy with Affliction,” he said. “So far, they’ve put in a new contract with my manager; that’s what I heard. I’m a very happy guy with what I have.”
Belfort shocked fans in his last performance at “Day of Reckoning,” flattening Matt Lindland with a left hand in 37 seconds. It was his second straight knockout victory, bolstering claims that the Brazilian had resolved his crisis of confidence.
He’ll need to be sharp against Santiago, who’s been on a tear since exiting the UFC on a blistering knockout loss to Alan Belcher in December 2006. Since then, Santiago has won nine straight bouts, most recently in January when he added to a spotless run in Sengoku by submitting Top 10 middleweight Kazuo Misaki. The win edged his ranking up to number four on MMAWeekly’s list, and crowned him Sengoku middleweight champion.
You won’t hear Belfort taking anything away from his countryman, even though he’s eaten southpaws for breakfast recently.
“He’s one of the champions, one of the best,” said Belfort. “I’ve studied him, and I see very good skills, a very well-rounded fighter from a good camp.”
Until his deal with Affliction, Belfort had bounced around with different groups, including a stint with Anderson Silva, the Nogueira brothers, and current light heavyweight champ Lyoto Machida at Black House in Brazil. He’s still friendly with the powerhouse fighters, but says his work prior to Couture’s was unfocused. The move to Las Vegas brought him stability.
“It’s good training and good coaching,” he said. “Everything’s settled; everybody’s here to work hard. The timing’s perfect. You come here and training starts at four. Everybody’s professional.”
It’s his third camp at the gym, and he looked both fluid and sharp in a session with Shawn Tompkins and Ray Sefo. He credits the two with elevating his game to another level.
“(Ray) can see every opening, so he knows what works and what doesn’t work,” said Belfort. "He’s like a guru of fighting. He knows everything as far as hands and legs. He helps me a lot with Shawn Tompkins.”
Though Affliction’s middleweight roster appears to hold little for his future – save for a working relationship with Strikeforce – Belfort is unconcerned about what comes after Santiago.
“Every time I fight, I train to face the best, so I’m trying to add things to my game and work on my weakness, and make my weakness a strong part of me, so that way, when I go to the fight, my weakness can be my strength.
“I have goals, I have things to reach, but we’ll go step by step. That’s how I see life: day by day.”
A month ago, rumors circulated that Dana White was looking to sign Vitor Belfort as the next challenger to middleweight king Anderson Silva’s crown, keeping with a credo that friendship wouldn’t impede compelling match-ups (and breaking one to stay away from athletes signed to other organizations).
But when MMAWeekly.com caught up last week with Belfort at Xtreme Couture as he prepped for his battle with American Top Team standout Jorge Santiago at Affliction “Trilogy,” the two-time UFC champion hinted his time with the California-based promotion was not soon to end.
“I’m happy with Affliction,” he said. “So far, they’ve put in a new contract with my manager; that’s what I heard. I’m a very happy guy with what I have.”
Belfort shocked fans in his last performance at “Day of Reckoning,” flattening Matt Lindland with a left hand in 37 seconds. It was his second straight knockout victory, bolstering claims that the Brazilian had resolved his crisis of confidence.
He’ll need to be sharp against Santiago, who’s been on a tear since exiting the UFC on a blistering knockout loss to Alan Belcher in December 2006. Since then, Santiago has won nine straight bouts, most recently in January when he added to a spotless run in Sengoku by submitting Top 10 middleweight Kazuo Misaki. The win edged his ranking up to number four on MMAWeekly’s list, and crowned him Sengoku middleweight champion.
You won’t hear Belfort taking anything away from his countryman, even though he’s eaten southpaws for breakfast recently.
“He’s one of the champions, one of the best,” said Belfort. “I’ve studied him, and I see very good skills, a very well-rounded fighter from a good camp.”
Until his deal with Affliction, Belfort had bounced around with different groups, including a stint with Anderson Silva, the Nogueira brothers, and current light heavyweight champ Lyoto Machida at Black House in Brazil. He’s still friendly with the powerhouse fighters, but says his work prior to Couture’s was unfocused. The move to Las Vegas brought him stability.
“It’s good training and good coaching,” he said. “Everything’s settled; everybody’s here to work hard. The timing’s perfect. You come here and training starts at four. Everybody’s professional.”
It’s his third camp at the gym, and he looked both fluid and sharp in a session with Shawn Tompkins and Ray Sefo. He credits the two with elevating his game to another level.
“(Ray) can see every opening, so he knows what works and what doesn’t work,” said Belfort. "He’s like a guru of fighting. He knows everything as far as hands and legs. He helps me a lot with Shawn Tompkins.”
Though Affliction’s middleweight roster appears to hold little for his future – save for a working relationship with Strikeforce – Belfort is unconcerned about what comes after Santiago.
“Every time I fight, I train to face the best, so I’m trying to add things to my game and work on my weakness, and make my weakness a strong part of me, so that way, when I go to the fight, my weakness can be my strength.
“I have goals, I have things to reach, but we’ll go step by step. That’s how I see life: day by day.”
DOBERMAN COLLARED, WHAT'S NEXT FOR LAWLOR?
Making the move from light heavyweight down to middleweight for his latest challenge immediately cast Tom Lawlor as the underdog at UFC 100. Also known as "The Doberman," C.B. Dollaway was supposed to have been the big dog in the fight.
But 55 seconds into the bout, it was Dollaway that went to sleep on the mat.
"My cornerman (before the fight) had said, don't go for the guillotine. But in the nights leading up to the fight, I pictured myself guillotining him... (but) I didn't think it was going to happen that quickly," said Lawlor recently on MMAWeekly Radio.
Believe it or not, there was time during those 55 seconds for a little criticism of Lawlor's submission, but he explained the technique, " I watched the fight afterwards and Joe Rogan saying that it wasn't in the right position at first, but this choke, it wasn't a blood choke. It wasn't cutting off the blood to his brain; it was against his windpipe. When he went to defend, I was able to go ahead and sit up and get a better angle on it. I just cranked as hard as I could. I put a dog collar on The Doberman."
The win over Dollaway was easily the biggest of his career thus far, but Lawlor holds no misgivings that one impressive win at middleweight boosts him up to the status of a contender to the crown in the 185-pound division.
"I'm not gonna go out there and say I need to be on the main card. The UFC's got a lot of guys under contract right now and I'm not one of the top guys at the weight," he said humbly. "I'm not gonna be battling guys like Nate Marquardt or Damien Maia or Anderson Silva in my next fight. I'm content with working my way up the card. I'm just really happy to be in the UFC."
It's difficult not to be happy with such a successful debut at 185 pounds, and getting handed a bonus check for $100,000 for the Submission of the Night at the most prestigious event in UFC history did little to dampen his spirits.
"Honestly, it was probably the best weekend of my life," said Lawlor. "Going from making what I was gonna make for... I was guaranteed $8,000 and then it doubled (for winning) and a little bit of sponsorship money. And for it to happen at UFC 100, a lot of people were saying I shouldn't even be on the show, to go out there and make an impact like I did and be able to give a little bit of a show to the fans, it was just unbelievable."
He hasn't even had time yet to contemplate what comes next. But that $100,000 bonus gives Lawlor something he hasn't had since he began his fighting career, the luxury of time.
"It's hard to say (what's next)," he said, humorously adding, "I've been pretty poor the past few years, so after getting this bonus, I'll have to fight again in like eight or nine years. That'll probably be how long it takes me to run out of money if I keep living at the standard of living I've been at.
"Look for me in about 2018. UFC 200 I'll be fighting the serpent from Revelations, as the world is coming to an end in about nine years."
Making the move from light heavyweight down to middleweight for his latest challenge immediately cast Tom Lawlor as the underdog at UFC 100. Also known as "The Doberman," C.B. Dollaway was supposed to have been the big dog in the fight.
But 55 seconds into the bout, it was Dollaway that went to sleep on the mat.
"My cornerman (before the fight) had said, don't go for the guillotine. But in the nights leading up to the fight, I pictured myself guillotining him... (but) I didn't think it was going to happen that quickly," said Lawlor recently on MMAWeekly Radio.
Believe it or not, there was time during those 55 seconds for a little criticism of Lawlor's submission, but he explained the technique, " I watched the fight afterwards and Joe Rogan saying that it wasn't in the right position at first, but this choke, it wasn't a blood choke. It wasn't cutting off the blood to his brain; it was against his windpipe. When he went to defend, I was able to go ahead and sit up and get a better angle on it. I just cranked as hard as I could. I put a dog collar on The Doberman."
The win over Dollaway was easily the biggest of his career thus far, but Lawlor holds no misgivings that one impressive win at middleweight boosts him up to the status of a contender to the crown in the 185-pound division.
"I'm not gonna go out there and say I need to be on the main card. The UFC's got a lot of guys under contract right now and I'm not one of the top guys at the weight," he said humbly. "I'm not gonna be battling guys like Nate Marquardt or Damien Maia or Anderson Silva in my next fight. I'm content with working my way up the card. I'm just really happy to be in the UFC."
It's difficult not to be happy with such a successful debut at 185 pounds, and getting handed a bonus check for $100,000 for the Submission of the Night at the most prestigious event in UFC history did little to dampen his spirits.
"Honestly, it was probably the best weekend of my life," said Lawlor. "Going from making what I was gonna make for... I was guaranteed $8,000 and then it doubled (for winning) and a little bit of sponsorship money. And for it to happen at UFC 100, a lot of people were saying I shouldn't even be on the show, to go out there and make an impact like I did and be able to give a little bit of a show to the fans, it was just unbelievable."
He hasn't even had time yet to contemplate what comes next. But that $100,000 bonus gives Lawlor something he hasn't had since he began his fighting career, the luxury of time.
"It's hard to say (what's next)," he said, humorously adding, "I've been pretty poor the past few years, so after getting this bonus, I'll have to fight again in like eight or nine years. That'll probably be how long it takes me to run out of money if I keep living at the standard of living I've been at.
"Look for me in about 2018. UFC 200 I'll be fighting the serpent from Revelations, as the world is coming to an end in about nine years."
GOES WANTS TO FIGHT COLEMAN, HENDO, GRACIES
With his unanimous decision victory over Stephan Bonner at this past weekend’s UFC 100 event, former UFC and Pride champion Mark Coleman proved that he is still a viable commodity.
So it’s no surprise that shortly after his win, fellow UFC and Pride veteran Allan Goes, a ghost from Coleman’s past, is seeking to once again step onto the field of battle with him and settle what Goes calls “unfinished business” between the two.
“Right now, that’s the only fight I have in my heart,” stated Goes. “It’s the only fight that I cannot sleep at night thinking about.
“I’m very humble in my heart, but I’m ready and focused to totally destroy him if I have to.”
Originally Goes and Coleman met at Pride 13 in 2001 in a fight that Goes admittedly was not his best in. It’s because of this that Goes considers the fight one of personal redemption and is willing to forgo monetary compensation for it if needed.
“Now it’s all about honor for me, so I’d fight him for free,” admitted Goes. “I would plead to Dana (White), to Joe Silva to put together this match, because I’ll put on a fight they won’t regret.
“I’d fight all the way to death – it’s live or die for me.”
If Coleman doesn’t want to face Goes again, there’s another fighter from UFC 100 that the Brazilian also would like to get a rematch with.
“I fought at UFC 18 and it was such a long time ago against Dan Henderson,” he recalled. “I just saw Dan fight and watched him kick (Michael Bisping’s) ass. (Bisping) shot off his mouth, and Dan showed that the old school is still ruling and is still in control.
“I know I could make the weight. I know I won that (original) fight, in my heart, and would love to fight Dan again. I have unfinished business with two wrestlers in the UFC, and I want to finish it.”
From there, Goes would like to continue his ongoing assault against a famous family, having defeated Daniel Gracie a few short years ago.
“I would love to fight Roger Gracie after this,” he said. “I wanted to fight Roger in the IFL, but they went out of business, but I was ready to go.
“If they want to fight in Jungle Fight in Brazil, or the UFC, it doesn't matter, I’ll fight any of them anywhere.”
With his unanimous decision victory over Stephan Bonner at this past weekend’s UFC 100 event, former UFC and Pride champion Mark Coleman proved that he is still a viable commodity.
So it’s no surprise that shortly after his win, fellow UFC and Pride veteran Allan Goes, a ghost from Coleman’s past, is seeking to once again step onto the field of battle with him and settle what Goes calls “unfinished business” between the two.
“Right now, that’s the only fight I have in my heart,” stated Goes. “It’s the only fight that I cannot sleep at night thinking about.
“I’m very humble in my heart, but I’m ready and focused to totally destroy him if I have to.”
Originally Goes and Coleman met at Pride 13 in 2001 in a fight that Goes admittedly was not his best in. It’s because of this that Goes considers the fight one of personal redemption and is willing to forgo monetary compensation for it if needed.
“Now it’s all about honor for me, so I’d fight him for free,” admitted Goes. “I would plead to Dana (White), to Joe Silva to put together this match, because I’ll put on a fight they won’t regret.
“I’d fight all the way to death – it’s live or die for me.”
If Coleman doesn’t want to face Goes again, there’s another fighter from UFC 100 that the Brazilian also would like to get a rematch with.
“I fought at UFC 18 and it was such a long time ago against Dan Henderson,” he recalled. “I just saw Dan fight and watched him kick (Michael Bisping’s) ass. (Bisping) shot off his mouth, and Dan showed that the old school is still ruling and is still in control.
“I know I could make the weight. I know I won that (original) fight, in my heart, and would love to fight Dan again. I have unfinished business with two wrestlers in the UFC, and I want to finish it.”
From there, Goes would like to continue his ongoing assault against a famous family, having defeated Daniel Gracie a few short years ago.
“I would love to fight Roger Gracie after this,” he said. “I wanted to fight Roger in the IFL, but they went out of business, but I was ready to go.
“If they want to fight in Jungle Fight in Brazil, or the UFC, it doesn't matter, I’ll fight any of them anywhere.”
Pitbull: “I learned a lot with this fight”
Thiago “Pitbull” Alves had the chance, at UFC 100, to stop Georges St. Pierre’s domain at the welterweight division, but the Canadian used the perfect strategy to annul the Brazilian’s gamae and dominated him in the co-main event of the night. TATAME.com talked with the fighter, who commented about the difficulties during the fight and what impressed him in the bout.
“What surprised me was that I couldn’t find the guy… I did a great strategy, but every time I tried to catch him he moved away… About the takedowns and everything, man, when you’re out of distance is easy for someone to take you down. He was with the perfect timing, when I realized he already was in my legs”, said, revealing that he already expected to be taken down in the title fight.
“I already waited for that, it’s normal, he’s a hell of a wrestler and I already expected for some takedowns, so I was training for that”, says the Brazilian. “In the ground I was cool, but the problem was my striking, my movement, that was the difference. I knew he’d take me down, but the thing is that he couldn’t hold me there. If I were with my best striking, like I always were, the fight would have been different”.
With the decision loss, Thiago recognized GSP’s domain. “I have nothing to say, he was better than me that night and now I have to go back to my training and work hard to get this belt. There are a lot of thing in my camp that was a mistake. Now I see the mistakes that I did and I’ll fix them and won’t let it happen again. St. Pierre is a great fighter, fought very well, but I couldn’t find myself in the fight. I learned a lot with this fight, I saw what the best fighter in the world has at his best, seen the best of the best fighter and I know I can beat him”, guarantees.
About the Muay Thai training, Alves reveals that his coach, Mohammed Ouali, had to leave the country three months ago. “The only problem that I had in my preparation for this fight is that I wasn’t with my Muay Thaci coach, with whom I train for the last three years. He had to go away three months ago and I missed him a lot. I felt out of timing in the fight… My cardio was good, I asa strong, but my timing wasn’t good”, said the fighter, waiting to come back to the octagon by October.
Thiago “Pitbull” Alves had the chance, at UFC 100, to stop Georges St. Pierre’s domain at the welterweight division, but the Canadian used the perfect strategy to annul the Brazilian’s gamae and dominated him in the co-main event of the night. TATAME.com talked with the fighter, who commented about the difficulties during the fight and what impressed him in the bout.
“What surprised me was that I couldn’t find the guy… I did a great strategy, but every time I tried to catch him he moved away… About the takedowns and everything, man, when you’re out of distance is easy for someone to take you down. He was with the perfect timing, when I realized he already was in my legs”, said, revealing that he already expected to be taken down in the title fight.
“I already waited for that, it’s normal, he’s a hell of a wrestler and I already expected for some takedowns, so I was training for that”, says the Brazilian. “In the ground I was cool, but the problem was my striking, my movement, that was the difference. I knew he’d take me down, but the thing is that he couldn’t hold me there. If I were with my best striking, like I always were, the fight would have been different”.
With the decision loss, Thiago recognized GSP’s domain. “I have nothing to say, he was better than me that night and now I have to go back to my training and work hard to get this belt. There are a lot of thing in my camp that was a mistake. Now I see the mistakes that I did and I’ll fix them and won’t let it happen again. St. Pierre is a great fighter, fought very well, but I couldn’t find myself in the fight. I learned a lot with this fight, I saw what the best fighter in the world has at his best, seen the best of the best fighter and I know I can beat him”, guarantees.
About the Muay Thai training, Alves reveals that his coach, Mohammed Ouali, had to leave the country three months ago. “The only problem that I had in my preparation for this fight is that I wasn’t with my Muay Thaci coach, with whom I train for the last three years. He had to go away three months ago and I missed him a lot. I felt out of timing in the fight… My cardio was good, I asa strong, but my timing wasn’t good”, said the fighter, waiting to come back to the octagon by October.
Jesse Taylor vs. Dong Sik Yoon official, bout order set for Monday's DREAM.10 event
A previously reported bout between "The Ultimate Fighter 7" cast member Jesse Taylor (12-2) and Korean veteran Dong Sik Yoon (4-6) has been officially announced for Monday's DREAM.10 event.
The Japanese-based organization confirmed the previously reported bout when it recently released a finalized fight order for the upcoming show.
DREAM.10, which features the organization's welterweight grand prix semifinals and finale, takes place July 20 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, and airs live on HDNet.
Headlining the DREAM.10 event is, not surprisingly, the finale of the organization's year-long welterweight grand prix. Semifinal fights of Andre Galvao vs. Jason High and Hayato "Mach" Sakurai vs. Marius Zaromskis take place earlier in the night (following a tournament reserve bout of Seichi Ikemoto vs. Tarec Saffiedine that kicks off the night's fight card).
Other featured bouts from the event include Melvin Manhoef vs. former WEC middleweight champion Paulo Filho and an intriguing lightweight bout between Shinya Aoki and Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro.
The full card (in reverse order) includes:
* Welterweight grand prix finale
Shinya Aoki vs. Vitor Ribeiro
Jesse Taylor vs. Dong Sik Yoon
Paulo Filho vs. Melvin Manhoef
Andre "Dida" Amade vs. Katsunori Kikuno
Andre Galvao vs. Jason High+
Hayato "Mach" Sakurai vs. Marius Zaromskis+
Tarec Saffiedine vs. Ikemoto Seichi*
* - Welterweight grand prix reserve fight
+ - Welterweight grand prix semifinal fight
A previously reported bout between "The Ultimate Fighter 7" cast member Jesse Taylor (12-2) and Korean veteran Dong Sik Yoon (4-6) has been officially announced for Monday's DREAM.10 event.
The Japanese-based organization confirmed the previously reported bout when it recently released a finalized fight order for the upcoming show.
DREAM.10, which features the organization's welterweight grand prix semifinals and finale, takes place July 20 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, and airs live on HDNet.
Headlining the DREAM.10 event is, not surprisingly, the finale of the organization's year-long welterweight grand prix. Semifinal fights of Andre Galvao vs. Jason High and Hayato "Mach" Sakurai vs. Marius Zaromskis take place earlier in the night (following a tournament reserve bout of Seichi Ikemoto vs. Tarec Saffiedine that kicks off the night's fight card).
Other featured bouts from the event include Melvin Manhoef vs. former WEC middleweight champion Paulo Filho and an intriguing lightweight bout between Shinya Aoki and Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro.
The full card (in reverse order) includes:
* Welterweight grand prix finale
Shinya Aoki vs. Vitor Ribeiro
Jesse Taylor vs. Dong Sik Yoon
Paulo Filho vs. Melvin Manhoef
Andre "Dida" Amade vs. Katsunori Kikuno
Andre Galvao vs. Jason High+
Hayato "Mach" Sakurai vs. Marius Zaromskis+
Tarec Saffiedine vs. Ikemoto Seichi*
* - Welterweight grand prix reserve fight
+ - Welterweight grand prix semifinal fight
IMO, as long as you can make the weight safely. Its fair game.
He is actually putting himself at a disadvantage because cutting that much, and rehydrating in a matter of 24 hours is detrimental to your endurance...especially in the long run.
That is definitely a ridiculous amount of weight to cut.
I think he'd be a little too small for most of the middleweights though.
He is actually putting himself at a disadvantage because cutting that much, and rehydrating in a matter of 24 hours is detrimental to your endurance...especially in the long run.
That is definitely a ridiculous amount of weight to cut.
I think he'd be a little too small for most of the middleweights though.
Fear of losing, not opponent's blood bath, drove Jim Miller to UFC 100 victory
During a 16-fight career, Jim Miller has fought for organizations of all sizes and against opponents of all skill levels.
But now fighting for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the home to the world's top competitors, Miller said one thing drives him: fear of losing.
"I know that every time I step into the octagon, I could end up losing because the division is stacked," Miller said during a recent edition of MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). "If you don't have a great fight – if you don't fight up to your potential – basically anyone in there can beat you."
Miller, who signed with the UFC in 2008 after a one-fight stint in the IFL, earned a unanimous-decision win over "The Ultimate Fighter 6" winner Mac Danzig on the UFC 100 preliminary card. The July 11 victory, which pushed Miller's UFC record to 3-1, was his ninth in 10 fights and followed a disappointing decision loss to Gray Maynard in March.
"If I didn't perform at 100 percent, there was a good chance I was going to lose to [Danzig]," Miller said.
Miller and Danzig both faced their fair share of adversity in the fight. Although the bout wasn't televised as part of the night's pay-per-view broadcast, remnants of the fight could be seen all night long. It came in the form of blood pools that soaked the canvas mat after Miller cut Danzig with a first-round blow to the head.
"It was covering us both," Miller said of the steady stream of blood. "It definitely changed, I think, the way the fight was going to go. It got real slippery when we were covered with blood."
Miller was forced to slow his attack for fear of "slipping off Danzig" and losing dominant top position. However, he never thought the cut would lead to the end of the fight – nor did he want it to conclude the bout.
"You know you scored some points with it, but I was never really looking to work it open to get the cut stoppage," Miller said. "It's not a way I want to win. I've won by cut stoppage before, and it's not very exciting."
Instead, Miller unleashed a steady stream of ground and pound. Only late in the second round, when Danzig slapped on what appeared to be a deep guillotine choke, did Miller seem in any real trouble. Miller, though, said he was never close to tapping out from the choke before time in the round finally expired.
"It was around my neck, but honestly, it wasn't really choking me," Miller said. "And I'd be the first to admit if I was in trouble. ... I was pretty confident I was going to slip out if there were more time on the clock. I really wasn't in as much trouble as people are making it out to be.
"With the guillotine, you really want your hips close to your opponent's body. When we hit the mat, I was able to post up on his hips and keep him away. So he couldn't really get that good clamp down on my hips and start cranking up on my neck."
With the Danzig victory and additional previous UFC wins over Matt Wiman and David Baron, Miller is inching ever closer to the lightweight title picture. Although medically suspended and needing doctor's clearance for a possible shoulder and collar-bone injury, he's confident he'll back in the cage sooner rather than later.
"I'd love to fight again in three or four months," Miller said. "I banged up my collar bone or shoulder. I've got to get that taken care of, but I don't think it's anything serious. Hopefully, I can be back in a couple months and keep the wins coming."
During a 16-fight career, Jim Miller has fought for organizations of all sizes and against opponents of all skill levels.
But now fighting for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the home to the world's top competitors, Miller said one thing drives him: fear of losing.
"I know that every time I step into the octagon, I could end up losing because the division is stacked," Miller said during a recent edition of MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). "If you don't have a great fight – if you don't fight up to your potential – basically anyone in there can beat you."
Miller, who signed with the UFC in 2008 after a one-fight stint in the IFL, earned a unanimous-decision win over "The Ultimate Fighter 6" winner Mac Danzig on the UFC 100 preliminary card. The July 11 victory, which pushed Miller's UFC record to 3-1, was his ninth in 10 fights and followed a disappointing decision loss to Gray Maynard in March.
"If I didn't perform at 100 percent, there was a good chance I was going to lose to [Danzig]," Miller said.
Miller and Danzig both faced their fair share of adversity in the fight. Although the bout wasn't televised as part of the night's pay-per-view broadcast, remnants of the fight could be seen all night long. It came in the form of blood pools that soaked the canvas mat after Miller cut Danzig with a first-round blow to the head.
"It was covering us both," Miller said of the steady stream of blood. "It definitely changed, I think, the way the fight was going to go. It got real slippery when we were covered with blood."
Miller was forced to slow his attack for fear of "slipping off Danzig" and losing dominant top position. However, he never thought the cut would lead to the end of the fight – nor did he want it to conclude the bout.
"You know you scored some points with it, but I was never really looking to work it open to get the cut stoppage," Miller said. "It's not a way I want to win. I've won by cut stoppage before, and it's not very exciting."
Instead, Miller unleashed a steady stream of ground and pound. Only late in the second round, when Danzig slapped on what appeared to be a deep guillotine choke, did Miller seem in any real trouble. Miller, though, said he was never close to tapping out from the choke before time in the round finally expired.
"It was around my neck, but honestly, it wasn't really choking me," Miller said. "And I'd be the first to admit if I was in trouble. ... I was pretty confident I was going to slip out if there were more time on the clock. I really wasn't in as much trouble as people are making it out to be.
"With the guillotine, you really want your hips close to your opponent's body. When we hit the mat, I was able to post up on his hips and keep him away. So he couldn't really get that good clamp down on my hips and start cranking up on my neck."
With the Danzig victory and additional previous UFC wins over Matt Wiman and David Baron, Miller is inching ever closer to the lightweight title picture. Although medically suspended and needing doctor's clearance for a possible shoulder and collar-bone injury, he's confident he'll back in the cage sooner rather than later.
"I'd love to fight again in three or four months," Miller said. "I banged up my collar bone or shoulder. I've got to get that taken care of, but I don't think it's anything serious. Hopefully, I can be back in a couple months and keep the wins coming."
Despite injury at UFC 100, Georges St-Pierre expected to train "within a few weeks"
Despite initial in-cage reports by Georges St-Pierre (19-2 MMA, 13-2 UFC) himself that he had torn a muscle in his groin – an injury that could have shelved the UFC's welterweight champion for a significant period – more official evaluations of the injury suffered earlier this month at UFC 100 have revealed a less severe conclusion.
According to a statement issued late Saturday night by St-Pierre's manager, Shari Spencer, no surgery will be required to repair the injury.
"Evaluation of the results of an MRI indicate that no surgery will be required, and Georges should be back in the gym training within a few weeks after a brief rehabilitation," Spencer stated.
St-Pierre suffered the injury in his UFC 100 contest with challenger Thiago Alves. Following the fourth round of the title contest, the champion informed his cornerman, Greg Jackson, that he had torn his groin.
The news was met with a comical response, easily heard on the evening's pay-per-view broadcast.
"I don't care," Jackson responded. "Hit him with it."
While St-Pierre thankfully ignored those instructions, the 28-year-old did little else wrong en route to taking every round on all three judges' cards.
Despite the promising report, an exact timetable for St-Pierre's return was not announced.
As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) first reported, the UFC 103 bout between Martin Kampmann and Mike Swick will determine St-Pierre's next title challenger, though with each win in the welterweight division fans are increasingly calling for "Rush" to step up and challenge middleweight champion Anderson Silva in a potentially explosive superfight.
Following the win over Alves, St-Pierre said he wasn't sure if that bout was in his immediate future.
"It's a question of timing," St-Pierre said. "I walk around at 185 pounds. I'm not that big for a welterweight."
St-Pierre is currently under a medical suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission until Jan. 8. The champion can return to action earlier if cleared by an orthopedic doctor.
Despite initial in-cage reports by Georges St-Pierre (19-2 MMA, 13-2 UFC) himself that he had torn a muscle in his groin – an injury that could have shelved the UFC's welterweight champion for a significant period – more official evaluations of the injury suffered earlier this month at UFC 100 have revealed a less severe conclusion.
According to a statement issued late Saturday night by St-Pierre's manager, Shari Spencer, no surgery will be required to repair the injury.
"Evaluation of the results of an MRI indicate that no surgery will be required, and Georges should be back in the gym training within a few weeks after a brief rehabilitation," Spencer stated.
St-Pierre suffered the injury in his UFC 100 contest with challenger Thiago Alves. Following the fourth round of the title contest, the champion informed his cornerman, Greg Jackson, that he had torn his groin.
The news was met with a comical response, easily heard on the evening's pay-per-view broadcast.
"I don't care," Jackson responded. "Hit him with it."
While St-Pierre thankfully ignored those instructions, the 28-year-old did little else wrong en route to taking every round on all three judges' cards.
Despite the promising report, an exact timetable for St-Pierre's return was not announced.
As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) first reported, the UFC 103 bout between Martin Kampmann and Mike Swick will determine St-Pierre's next title challenger, though with each win in the welterweight division fans are increasingly calling for "Rush" to step up and challenge middleweight champion Anderson Silva in a potentially explosive superfight.
Following the win over Alves, St-Pierre said he wasn't sure if that bout was in his immediate future.
"It's a question of timing," St-Pierre said. "I walk around at 185 pounds. I'm not that big for a welterweight."
St-Pierre is currently under a medical suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission until Jan. 8. The champion can return to action earlier if cleared by an orthopedic doctor.
Jon Fitch eyes rematch with Georges St. Pierre, won't face teammate to get it
While Thiago Alves was able to last 25 minutes in his UFC 100 title shot with Georges St. Pierre, "Pitbull" wasn't the first man to force the welterweight champ to the end of the fifth round.
That honor belongs to Jon Fitch (19-3 MMA, 10-1 UFC), and after a UFC 100 win of his own over Paulo Thiago, the American Kickboxing Academy fighter is ready to do it again.
"My eyes are set on a rematch with 'GSP' for the belt," Fitch recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). "I want to fight him for the belt again."
Fitch lost a unanimous decision to St. Pierre at UFC 87 in August 2008, the welterweight's only loss in 11 trips to the octagon. Two wins since the loss have placed him squarely back in title contention, but there's a slight problem – Fitch's teammate, Mike Swick, is set to face Martin Kampmann in September for a shot at St. Pierre's belt.
Fitch said he's excited for his teammate despite the issues it creates for his own title chances.
"I had my shot and I lost," Fitch said. "That's just how it goes. That's how the business goes. You climb the top of that ladder, and if you don't win, you get put back, and you have to find your way back to the top.
"[Swick] has put in nine wins in the UFC. He's put in an incredible career with the UFC, and if he beats Kampmann, I think he would deserve a shot."
And if Swick could defeat Kampmann and St. Pierre, Fitch said he wouldn't consider asking for a shot at his teammate.
"If he wins that, he'll get to sit on that belt," Fitch said. "If he keeps defending it like eight or nine times in a row, then maybe I'll move up a weight class. But there's so many good fighters at 170 (pounds).
"The welterweight weight class in the UFC is the toughest in the history of the sport. We've never had another weight class in any other organization that's had this many top-ranked [fighters]. To be in the top of that heap, that's where I want to be."
Fitch said the difficulty in preparations, along with the bond that's been built between the two, would make a bout with Swick nearly impossible.
"That team and what we've built has built me and made me what I am," Fitch said. "To disrupt that, what am I left with after that fight? You have to split up what trainer trains what guy, which teammates train with which teammates. You know that's going to leave some kind of animosity.
"There's always going to be some kind of hurt feelings with somebody along the line. So where does that leave you after the fight? Am I going to throw away the next 10 years of my fighting career for one fight? There's so many fights possible at 170 (pounds)."
Of course, there is one way he might be coaxed into the situation.
"If there's $20 million on the line, how can I say to my friend, 'I'm not going to give you the chance to make that kind of money,'" Fitch said. "That kind of money I doubt we'll ever see, but that's always something that would change minds because that's a life-changing experience. That can help your gym, your team, everybody all around."
The likelihood of a $20 million payday is currently less-than-minimal, and Fitch knows it. In the meantime, he'll continue fighting for his next chance at the impressive St. Pierre. And while there may be better matchups for him should the French Canadian somehow lose the belt, Fitch said he really wants another chance to halt "Rush."
"I'm not one that takes the easy road," Fitch said. "That's not my style."
While Thiago Alves was able to last 25 minutes in his UFC 100 title shot with Georges St. Pierre, "Pitbull" wasn't the first man to force the welterweight champ to the end of the fifth round.
That honor belongs to Jon Fitch (19-3 MMA, 10-1 UFC), and after a UFC 100 win of his own over Paulo Thiago, the American Kickboxing Academy fighter is ready to do it again.
"My eyes are set on a rematch with 'GSP' for the belt," Fitch recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). "I want to fight him for the belt again."
Fitch lost a unanimous decision to St. Pierre at UFC 87 in August 2008, the welterweight's only loss in 11 trips to the octagon. Two wins since the loss have placed him squarely back in title contention, but there's a slight problem – Fitch's teammate, Mike Swick, is set to face Martin Kampmann in September for a shot at St. Pierre's belt.
Fitch said he's excited for his teammate despite the issues it creates for his own title chances.
"I had my shot and I lost," Fitch said. "That's just how it goes. That's how the business goes. You climb the top of that ladder, and if you don't win, you get put back, and you have to find your way back to the top.
"[Swick] has put in nine wins in the UFC. He's put in an incredible career with the UFC, and if he beats Kampmann, I think he would deserve a shot."
And if Swick could defeat Kampmann and St. Pierre, Fitch said he wouldn't consider asking for a shot at his teammate.
"If he wins that, he'll get to sit on that belt," Fitch said. "If he keeps defending it like eight or nine times in a row, then maybe I'll move up a weight class. But there's so many good fighters at 170 (pounds).
"The welterweight weight class in the UFC is the toughest in the history of the sport. We've never had another weight class in any other organization that's had this many top-ranked [fighters]. To be in the top of that heap, that's where I want to be."
Fitch said the difficulty in preparations, along with the bond that's been built between the two, would make a bout with Swick nearly impossible.
"That team and what we've built has built me and made me what I am," Fitch said. "To disrupt that, what am I left with after that fight? You have to split up what trainer trains what guy, which teammates train with which teammates. You know that's going to leave some kind of animosity.
"There's always going to be some kind of hurt feelings with somebody along the line. So where does that leave you after the fight? Am I going to throw away the next 10 years of my fighting career for one fight? There's so many fights possible at 170 (pounds)."
Of course, there is one way he might be coaxed into the situation.
"If there's $20 million on the line, how can I say to my friend, 'I'm not going to give you the chance to make that kind of money,'" Fitch said. "That kind of money I doubt we'll ever see, but that's always something that would change minds because that's a life-changing experience. That can help your gym, your team, everybody all around."
The likelihood of a $20 million payday is currently less-than-minimal, and Fitch knows it. In the meantime, he'll continue fighting for his next chance at the impressive St. Pierre. And while there may be better matchups for him should the French Canadian somehow lose the belt, Fitch said he really wants another chance to halt "Rush."
"I'm not one that takes the easy road," Fitch said. "That's not my style."
M-1 Challenge: Charlie Brenneman, Logan Clark and John Doyle added to Team USA East
A little less than a month away from a best-of-five matchup with Team Benelux, MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned that prospect Charlie Brenneman (8-1), longtime MMAjunkie.com poster Logan Clark (11-3) and John Doyle (7-8) have been added to the M-1 Challenge's Team USA East.
The two teams will compete at Studio 22 in Hilversum, Netherlands, just outside of Amsterdam, on Aug. 16.
The two-day "mega-taping," scheduled for Aug. 15 and Aug. 16, will feature 50 fights spread between 10 different teams. The event will air as an Internet pay-per-view in all markets outside of the U.S. and South Korea, while HDNet will broadcast the event in North America on Sept. 25.
The two-day event serves as the M-1 Challenge's final event of its second regular season. Team Benelux, a conglomerate of fighters from Belgium, Luxemborg and the Netherlands, has already been eliminated from post-season contention, while Team USA East would advance to the playoffs with a win.
Team USA West has already clinched a spot in the post-season with a 3-0 team mark and an impressive 13-2 individual record in this season's M-1 Challenge.
Fast-rising welterweight prospect Brenneman is a one-time ShoXC and four-time Ring of Combat veteran. "The Spaniard," who was the winner of the first season of Spike TV's "Pros vs. Joes," has dropped just one bout in his first nine appearances, a closer-than-the-score-indicates unanimous decision defeat to current UFC fighter John Howard.
Clark will be competing for the first time in 2009. The one-time UFC and three-time WEC veteran opened his career with 10-straight wins, but "The Pink Pounder" has struggled recently. Clark has earned just one win in his past four contests, a stretch that includes Sengoku losses to top middleweights Jorge Santiago and Kazuo Misaki. Clark will compete as a light heavyweight for the M-1 Challenge event.
After opening his career a respectable 6-1, Doyle has struggled over the past two years. Currently mired in a difficult 1-7 stretch – including a knockout loss to Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante and a unanimous-decision defeat to Sean Salmon – Doyle will compete as a middleweight on Aug. 15 after debuting in the M-1 Challenge in June as a light heavyweight.
Two slots still remain to be filled on Team USA East, including a heavyweight matchup against Gewik Mousasi, brother of Affliction and DREAM contender Gegard Mousasi.
The schedule currently includes:
TEAM BENELUX VS. TEAM USA EAST
* Danny van Bergen (6-5-3) vs. TBA
* Raymond Jarman (10-9) vs. Charlie Brenneman (8-1)
* Richard Plug (8-4-1) vs. John Doyle (7-8)
* Jason Jones (11-7) vs. Logan Clark (11-3)
* Gewik Mousasi (4-2) vs. TBA
A little less than a month away from a best-of-five matchup with Team Benelux, MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned that prospect Charlie Brenneman (8-1), longtime MMAjunkie.com poster Logan Clark (11-3) and John Doyle (7-8) have been added to the M-1 Challenge's Team USA East.
The two teams will compete at Studio 22 in Hilversum, Netherlands, just outside of Amsterdam, on Aug. 16.
The two-day "mega-taping," scheduled for Aug. 15 and Aug. 16, will feature 50 fights spread between 10 different teams. The event will air as an Internet pay-per-view in all markets outside of the U.S. and South Korea, while HDNet will broadcast the event in North America on Sept. 25.
The two-day event serves as the M-1 Challenge's final event of its second regular season. Team Benelux, a conglomerate of fighters from Belgium, Luxemborg and the Netherlands, has already been eliminated from post-season contention, while Team USA East would advance to the playoffs with a win.
Team USA West has already clinched a spot in the post-season with a 3-0 team mark and an impressive 13-2 individual record in this season's M-1 Challenge.
Fast-rising welterweight prospect Brenneman is a one-time ShoXC and four-time Ring of Combat veteran. "The Spaniard," who was the winner of the first season of Spike TV's "Pros vs. Joes," has dropped just one bout in his first nine appearances, a closer-than-the-score-indicates unanimous decision defeat to current UFC fighter John Howard.
Clark will be competing for the first time in 2009. The one-time UFC and three-time WEC veteran opened his career with 10-straight wins, but "The Pink Pounder" has struggled recently. Clark has earned just one win in his past four contests, a stretch that includes Sengoku losses to top middleweights Jorge Santiago and Kazuo Misaki. Clark will compete as a light heavyweight for the M-1 Challenge event.
After opening his career a respectable 6-1, Doyle has struggled over the past two years. Currently mired in a difficult 1-7 stretch – including a knockout loss to Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante and a unanimous-decision defeat to Sean Salmon – Doyle will compete as a middleweight on Aug. 15 after debuting in the M-1 Challenge in June as a light heavyweight.
Two slots still remain to be filled on Team USA East, including a heavyweight matchup against Gewik Mousasi, brother of Affliction and DREAM contender Gegard Mousasi.
The schedule currently includes:
TEAM BENELUX VS. TEAM USA EAST
* Danny van Bergen (6-5-3) vs. TBA
* Raymond Jarman (10-9) vs. Charlie Brenneman (8-1)
* Richard Plug (8-4-1) vs. John Doyle (7-8)
* Jason Jones (11-7) vs. Logan Clark (11-3)
* Gewik Mousasi (4-2) vs. TBA
Rafael Assuncao hopes September win at WEC 43 puts him in featherweight title picture
Throughout his five-plus-year career, WEC featherweight Rafael Assuncao (13-1 MMA, 1-0 WEC) has been happy to fight wherever the opportunity presented itself.
Staying relatively anonymous despite creeping up on many MMA observers' top-10 lists, the Brazilian now finds himself in the world's top organization for featherweights, the WEC.
Comfortable in his new home, Assuncao recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio) that he's now ready to contend for the organization's 145-pound title, currently held by Mike Brown.
"I never did worry about [the title], but we'll see what happens on Sept. 2," Assuncao said. "After that, I feel like I'm starting to get up there where I deserve this. I'm always humble, but I'm starting to feel that with my wins over quality opponents, I'm almost there."
Assuncao will face WEC-newcomer Yves Jabouin (14-4 MMA at WEC 43 on Sept. 2 in Youngstown, Ohio. Assuncao knows Jabouin is an unfamiliar commodity to most U.S. fans, but he's not taking the test lightly.
"My next opponent is kind of unknown in the U.S.," Assuncao said. "He's a badass. I've seen some of his highlights. They probably want to test me, but I've got to just go do my job and we'll go from there."
With eight submission wins in 13 career victories, Assuncao's ground skills are well-documented. With quality wins over Joe Lauzon and Jorge Masvidal under his belt – and a razor-thin loss to Jeff Curran his career's lone blemish – the Brazilian feels he's ready to contend with the sport's best featherweights.
"[Assuncao's] only loss came against Jeff Curran, and if you see that fight, Rafael dominated almost the whole time," Assuncao's manager, Malki Kawa of First Round Management said. "He got points taken away because of a low blow, and he ended up in a close call. They gave it to Curran, but if you watch that fight – go back and really look at it – he was handing it to him.
"When Rafael wins, we want to make sure he's in line."
Should Assuncao defeat Jabouin, he'll have to wait for a November bout between current champ Mike Brown and top-contender Jose Aldo before he determines his next target. But with Wagnney Fabiano, Urijah Faber, Leonard Garcia and others all waiting in the wings, Assuncao wants the WEC know he'll also be ready to answer the title call.
"I'm unknown," Assuncao said. "[Some people] have heard about me. But soon, everyone will."
Throughout his five-plus-year career, WEC featherweight Rafael Assuncao (13-1 MMA, 1-0 WEC) has been happy to fight wherever the opportunity presented itself.
Staying relatively anonymous despite creeping up on many MMA observers' top-10 lists, the Brazilian now finds himself in the world's top organization for featherweights, the WEC.
Comfortable in his new home, Assuncao recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio) that he's now ready to contend for the organization's 145-pound title, currently held by Mike Brown.
"I never did worry about [the title], but we'll see what happens on Sept. 2," Assuncao said. "After that, I feel like I'm starting to get up there where I deserve this. I'm always humble, but I'm starting to feel that with my wins over quality opponents, I'm almost there."
Assuncao will face WEC-newcomer Yves Jabouin (14-4 MMA at WEC 43 on Sept. 2 in Youngstown, Ohio. Assuncao knows Jabouin is an unfamiliar commodity to most U.S. fans, but he's not taking the test lightly.
"My next opponent is kind of unknown in the U.S.," Assuncao said. "He's a badass. I've seen some of his highlights. They probably want to test me, but I've got to just go do my job and we'll go from there."
With eight submission wins in 13 career victories, Assuncao's ground skills are well-documented. With quality wins over Joe Lauzon and Jorge Masvidal under his belt – and a razor-thin loss to Jeff Curran his career's lone blemish – the Brazilian feels he's ready to contend with the sport's best featherweights.
"[Assuncao's] only loss came against Jeff Curran, and if you see that fight, Rafael dominated almost the whole time," Assuncao's manager, Malki Kawa of First Round Management said. "He got points taken away because of a low blow, and he ended up in a close call. They gave it to Curran, but if you watch that fight – go back and really look at it – he was handing it to him.
"When Rafael wins, we want to make sure he's in line."
Should Assuncao defeat Jabouin, he'll have to wait for a November bout between current champ Mike Brown and top-contender Jose Aldo before he determines his next target. But with Wagnney Fabiano, Urijah Faber, Leonard Garcia and others all waiting in the wings, Assuncao wants the WEC know he'll also be ready to answer the title call.
"I'm unknown," Assuncao said. "[Some people] have heard about me. But soon, everyone will."
DREAM.11 set for Oct. 6, features "Super Hulk" tourney and featherweight grand prix
As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) first reported, the semifinals of DREAM's "Super Hulk" tournament have been pushed from September to October.
But DREAM officials have now confirmed that not only has the tournament moved, but so, too, has the entire event.
Despite previous reports of a September date, the organization today announced DREAM.11 will take place at the Yokohama Arena in Kanagawa, Japan on Oct. 6.
While no official bouts were announced for the event, DREAM.11 will feature the semifinals of the Japanese-based promotions "Super Hulk" open-weight tournament, as well as the semifinals and finals of the 2009 featherweight grand prix.
Matchups in both tournaments will be arranged at a later date, but the remaining featherweights include Bibiano Fernanders, Hiroyuki Takaya, Hideo Tokoro and Joe Warren, while the "Super Hulk" tournament includes Hong Man Choi, Ikuhisa Minowa, Gegard Mousasi and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou.
Middleweights Jason "Mayhem" Miller and Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza are also expected to meet for a third time and contest DREAM's currently vacant middleweight title.
As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) first reported, the semifinals of DREAM's "Super Hulk" tournament have been pushed from September to October.
But DREAM officials have now confirmed that not only has the tournament moved, but so, too, has the entire event.
Despite previous reports of a September date, the organization today announced DREAM.11 will take place at the Yokohama Arena in Kanagawa, Japan on Oct. 6.
While no official bouts were announced for the event, DREAM.11 will feature the semifinals of the Japanese-based promotions "Super Hulk" open-weight tournament, as well as the semifinals and finals of the 2009 featherweight grand prix.
Matchups in both tournaments will be arranged at a later date, but the remaining featherweights include Bibiano Fernanders, Hiroyuki Takaya, Hideo Tokoro and Joe Warren, while the "Super Hulk" tournament includes Hong Man Choi, Ikuhisa Minowa, Gegard Mousasi and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou.
Middleweights Jason "Mayhem" Miller and Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza are also expected to meet for a third time and contest DREAM's currently vacant middleweight title.
DREAM.10 weigh-ins complete as Hayato "Mach" Sakurai finally makes weight (Updated)
All 14 competitors slated for Monday's DREAM.10 event have hit the scales in preparation for the show, and all have finally made weight. But one very high-profile fighter struggled to get there.
Welterweight grand prix semifinalist Hayato "Mach" Sakurai, a Japanese superstar and tournament favorite, needed three attempts and seven-and-a-half additional hours to make weight. With the lack of an athletic commission to oversee the procedures and DREAM declining to set an official limit, Sakurai, who was 0.6 kg (1.3 lb.) over the limit after the official ceremony, finally made weight on his third attempt.
DREAM.10, which takes place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, airs in North America on HDNet at 3 a.m. ET Monday morning.
Sakurai is slated to face Lithuanian striker Marius Zaromskis (9-2). DREAM officials did not announce potential contingency plans at the weigh-ins had Sakurai failed to make the required limit of 76 kg (167.2 lb.), but Zaromskis said he's simply remaining focused on the task at hand.
"I'm not worrying about it," Zaromskis said. "I'm concentrating on the fight; I'm only thinking about tomorrow."
The evening's remaining competitors, including former WEC middleweight champion Paulo Filho (16-1) – who had his own weight struggles in recent contests – all made weight without incident.
The full weigh-in results included:
* Shinya Aoki (153.6 lb./69.8 kg) vs. Vitor Ribeiro (153.8 lb./69.9 kg)
* Jesse Taylor (185.7 lb./84.4 kg) vs. Dong Sik Yoon (186.6 lb./84.8 kg)
* Paulo Filho (184.8 lb./84 kg) vs. Melvin Manhoef (184.4 lb./83.8 kg)
* Andre "Dida" Amade (154 lb./70 kg) vs. Katsunori Kikuno (154 lb./70 kg)
* Andre Galvao (167.2 lb./76 kg) vs. Jason High (167.2 lb./76 kg)+
* Hayato "Mach" Sakurai (167.2 lb./76 kg) vs. Marius Zaromskis (166.8 lb./75.8 kg)+
* Tarec Saffiedine (166.8 lb./75.8 kg) vs. Ikemoto Seichi (166.8 lb./75.8 kg)*
* - Welterweight grand prix reserve fight
+ - Welterweight grand prix semifinal fight
All 14 competitors slated for Monday's DREAM.10 event have hit the scales in preparation for the show, and all have finally made weight. But one very high-profile fighter struggled to get there.
Welterweight grand prix semifinalist Hayato "Mach" Sakurai, a Japanese superstar and tournament favorite, needed three attempts and seven-and-a-half additional hours to make weight. With the lack of an athletic commission to oversee the procedures and DREAM declining to set an official limit, Sakurai, who was 0.6 kg (1.3 lb.) over the limit after the official ceremony, finally made weight on his third attempt.
DREAM.10, which takes place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, airs in North America on HDNet at 3 a.m. ET Monday morning.
Sakurai is slated to face Lithuanian striker Marius Zaromskis (9-2). DREAM officials did not announce potential contingency plans at the weigh-ins had Sakurai failed to make the required limit of 76 kg (167.2 lb.), but Zaromskis said he's simply remaining focused on the task at hand.
"I'm not worrying about it," Zaromskis said. "I'm concentrating on the fight; I'm only thinking about tomorrow."
The evening's remaining competitors, including former WEC middleweight champion Paulo Filho (16-1) – who had his own weight struggles in recent contests – all made weight without incident.
The full weigh-in results included:
* Shinya Aoki (153.6 lb./69.8 kg) vs. Vitor Ribeiro (153.8 lb./69.9 kg)
* Jesse Taylor (185.7 lb./84.4 kg) vs. Dong Sik Yoon (186.6 lb./84.8 kg)
* Paulo Filho (184.8 lb./84 kg) vs. Melvin Manhoef (184.4 lb./83.8 kg)
* Andre "Dida" Amade (154 lb./70 kg) vs. Katsunori Kikuno (154 lb./70 kg)
* Andre Galvao (167.2 lb./76 kg) vs. Jason High (167.2 lb./76 kg)+
* Hayato "Mach" Sakurai (167.2 lb./76 kg) vs. Marius Zaromskis (166.8 lb./75.8 kg)+
* Tarec Saffiedine (166.8 lb./75.8 kg) vs. Ikemoto Seichi (166.8 lb./75.8 kg)*
* - Welterweight grand prix reserve fight
+ - Welterweight grand prix semifinal fight