MMA News Thread

[Shogun Locc]

UFC 106: Jon Fitch vs Ricardo Almeida in the works for Nov. 21

Fresh off his unanimous decision victory over Kendall Grove at UFC 101, MMAmania.com has learned that Ricardo Almeida (11-3) will finally get to make his welterweight debut when he tangles with 170-pound stalwart Jon Fitch (19-3) at UFC 106 from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Nov. 21.

Since returning to the sport of mixed martial arts after a self-imposed three-year layoff to open the Ricardo Almeida Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Hamilton, N.J., “Cachorrao” has posted a 3-1 record, which includes wins over Grove, as well as the previously unbeaten Rob Yundt at UFC 81 and Matt Horwich at UFC Fight Night 18.

The lone loss came via split decision to the hard-hitting Patrick Cote at UFC 86 — a fight that earned “The Predator” a title shot against middleweight kingpin, Anderson Silva.

Almeida was expected to make the drop in weight prior to UFC 101; however, Joe Silva offered him a chance to fight in front of his hometown crowd if he remained at 185-pounds to mix it up with “Da Spyder” during the televised portion of the Philadelphia event.

It was an offer he couldn’t, and didn’t, refuse.

With the hard-fought win behind him, Almeida can now set his sights on the welterweight division — against arguably one of the toughest competitors in the entire class.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

The former number one welterweight contender returned to the Octagon at UFC 100 to exact revenge against submission specialist Paulo Thiago, taking the contest via unanimous decision. The Brazilian stunned his good friend and American Kickboxing Academy training partner, Josh Koscheck, with a fight-ending first round uppercut at UFC 95: “Sanchez vs. Stevenson” earlier this year.

The Purdue University wrestler now boasts 10 victories for the promotion in 11 attempts. The lone blemish on his record is to welterweight deity Georges “Rush” St. Pierre in their championship match from UFC 87: “Seek and Destroy” in Aug. 2008.

And the competition isn’t getting any easier.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Miguel Torres: ‘If I’m going to lose a fight, that’s the way I want to go out’

“Brian Bowles just woke up a sleeping giant … I pretty much coached myself and ran my own training camps. I hadn’t lost in a long time, but after this loss, it’s going to make me revamp everything. I just got off the phone with Mark Della Grotte and I’m working with a couple different coaches to make my game step up. (People) said I took too many punches after the fact, but you know what man? I talk to all of the referees before the fight and I let them know that’s the way I want to go out … I don’t want there to be a question of if I was okay still or still awake … I respect Rosenthal for doing that! People thought it might have been too much, but for me, it’s not enough. Every time I go out, I put my life on the line and if I’m going to lose a fight, that’s the way I want to go out. I want to go out!

 

[Shogun Locc]

Jake Shields: ‘Frank Shamrock always has some [expletive] excuse not to fight me’

Jake Shields could easily make the claim as being the most talented fighter currently competing in the sport that gets the least amount of respect and recognition for his caliber of skill level.

The thirty year old Cesar Gracie trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt has gone undefeated in the past four years, racking up a dozen consecutive victories over the likes of Yushin Okami, Carlos Condit and Paul Daley.

A fighter too talented to be restricted by weight classes, Shields recently jumped from his comfort zone competing at welterweight, and moved up to submit former EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler in his own division.

As it stands now, Jake is looking at fighting for the Strikeforce interim middleweight championship in October against an opponent yet to be named.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com recently had the opportunity to catch up with Shields and gather his thoughts on the obstacles of being a single father and professional fighter, being tired of Frank Shamrock’s s*** and much more.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk to us. Let start right out by asking how you got into MMA and what intrigued you most about the sport?

Jake Shields: I think I got into the sport much in the same way that many of the other fighters in MMA got into it. I was a wrestler in High School and college (Jake was a 2 time American Wrestler in college). After college I just met Chuck Liddell and began training at his kickboxing academy. Originally I just joined to work out but I found that the feelings I got from training were unmatched. I mean the competition inside the ring or cage is no purer than when it’s one on one between two men.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: You are considered one of the premier ground fighters in the world, and one of the founders of “American Jiu-Jitsu”. Can you explain to us what “American Jiu-Jitsu” is?

Jake Shields: American Jiu Jitsu was created to specifically combine the positive aspects of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with the positives of wrestling. To me sometimes BJJ is a little to patient and waits too long for specific moves to develop while wrestling is to aggressive and doesn’t wait long enough for the openings to develop. I think with AJJ, there is a perfect combination of aggression and patience.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: At one point or another in your life you have defeated Jon Fitch, Diego Sanchez, Hyato Sakurai, Yushin Okami, Carlos Condit, and Robbie Lawler to name a few. Who do you consider the biggest win of your career, and what names want to add to this list?

Jake Shields: That’s pretty hard because each of those fights were big. A lot of those guys I fought outside of a cage so it’s hard to compare. If I had to say one it would be Hyato Sakurai. That was my first big win in Japan. I think that was the one fight that made me say I can be good at this. In regards to who I want to add to the list, I am willing to fight anyone. I believe in the old to be the best you have fight the best so definitely Georges St. Pierre. Oh, and Frank Shamrock because he’s been a dick to me for too long, and I am tired of his shit. I keep challenging and demanding to fight him, but he always has some pussy excuse not to fight me. It was a pretty good feeling when Nick destroyed him. I definitely want to add him to the list

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: You are one of three guys to have earned a black-belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Cesar Gracie at the Cesar Gracie Academy. What was that journey like?

Jake Shields: It was a long tough journey but it was an extreme honor especially considering I am only one of three guys (Nick Diaz and David Terrell are the other two) to ever earn one from Cesar. It’s very difficult because Cesar has no specific criteria that he is looking for that you in advance. You just continue to fight and improve yourself until he tells you. The challenge, though, makes you appreciate how tough and how much of an honor it is to earn a black-belt from him.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: One thing that might surprise many of our readers is that you are a single father raising a beautiful little girl. What is that like balancing MMA and being a single father?

Jake Shields: It’s a hard thing to do. I am always very busy training, doing corporate speaking engagements, and shooting shows and promotions. I always make sure that I spend time with her. She’s started in Jiu-Jitsu now so we spend a lot more time with each other. She understands what I do for a living and is very accepting of it. I couldn’t ask for a better daughter.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: How does being a Vegan affect your fighting?

Jake Shields: I am not vegan. I am a vegetarian. A lot of people get those two mixed up. I don’t eat meat at all including fish. I do eat eggs but that’s only when I need more protein. I think because this is the way I grew up and not something I took on when I became older, my body doesn’t have as much difficulty as many of the other fighters who convert to being a vegetarian. To me, I think my body feels cleaner and healthier than if I were to eat meat. When it comes to eating though I enjoy it prepared in many different ways. I like Chinese, Thai, Indian. It just really depends on the day.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: Your coming up on the one year anniversary of the opening of your own gym in Berkely. How has the experience of being a gym owner been for you?

Jake Shields: I love it. I love knowing that I always have somewhere to go day or night to train without worrying if someone is there to work with. It does present different challenges that I haven’t had to deal with before but it is entirely worth owning. I have most of my friends and guys I train with there. It’s just an awesome experience.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: So when you aren’t fighting or training what do you do for fun?

Jake Shields: (laughs) Those days are few and far between. When they do come around I do enjoy spending time with my daughter and friends just hanging out or going hiking.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: So how does knowing what Fedor was “offered” make you feel as a fighter?

Jake Shields: Honestly, I am not upset all by it. It really shows you how high the bars are set for MMA fighters now. I am glad to see that the paydays are starting to increase. I remember when I first started out fighting saying to myself if I earned $25 or $30 grand a fight I would be extremely happy. Now I see where the sport has gone and I am motivated to keep trying to be the best fighter in the world so when I do negotiate my contracts I can be paid well. I think this is what fighters have to strive for. So congratulations to Fedor for whatever he signed for and I’ll make mine when the time is right.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: You, the Diaz brothers, Dave Terrell and Gilbert Melindez are called the “scrap pack.” If they made a movie called “The Scrap Pack” who plays you guys and why?

Jake Shields: (laughs) Never heard that one before. That’s a hard one. I know I’d want to be played by Brad Pitt that way when the ladies see the movie, they’ll be like, “If Brad Pitt played him he has to be a guy we want to meet” (laughs). I think Johnny Depp would play a great Nick because Nick is definitely a weird guy. He’s cool as can be, but he is definitely the strange guy in the group. While we’re at it, let’s have him play Nate too. That’d be pretty interesting. I have no clue about Gilbert and Dave. I’ll have to think about that one and go from there.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: So what’s next for you man?

Jake Shields: You know I have no clue. I am just sitting back waiting to find out when and where I’ll fight next. I am ready to go now but it isn’t like that in this sport (Since the interview Jake has been notified that he will fight for the Strikeforce Middleweight Interim Championship in October while Cung Le continues to focus on movies rather than defending his belt). I am filming another episode of Bully Beatdown. I am helping Nick and Gilbert train for their upcoming fights. So other than that not much else is going on right now.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: What is the biggest misconception people have about you?

Jake Shields: I think that most people are amazed by the fact that although we fight for a living, most of us are pretty cool guys. I know there are certain fighters out there who are assholes, but most of us are cool guys.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: Would you fight Nick Diaz if the price was right?

Jake Shields: You know I am going to have to say no here as Nick is a great personal friend of mine. I mean we train together as it is so I mean if we were to fight who would we train with? Now, I mean if we are talking Fedor money then I think Nick and I would come to an agreement to fight but I think yeah, I am going to say no here.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: What’s your pick for Carano vs. Cyborg and do you think the 5 minute rounds are good for women?

Jake Shields: I am pretty torn here. I know Gina is a hell of a fighter and Cyborg is extremely aggressive and strong. Part of me wants to pick Gina and another part says Cyborg. If I had to bet I think I would probably go with Gina here. About the five minute rounds, I say if they want the same treatment that men get when they fight in the cage they should have to have the same rules. The only issue I have is that I think immediately jumping into 5 minute rounds could be a little bit much. If it was me I think I would have gone with three 5 minute rounds to start rather than five 5 minute rounds, but again if they want to be like the men then they will have to follow the same rules.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: Thank you for taking time out of your day to talk with 5 Oz’s. Is there anyone you would like to thank?

Jake Shields: Definitely. I would like to thank Tapout, Metal Mulisha, and all of my sponsors, friends and family who have helped me get to this stage in my career and the fans.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Anderson Silva Interview

Unquestionable midleweight champion, Anderson Silva decided to test himself for the second time in the UFC among the middle-heavyweight. Facing Forrest Griffin, former champion of the above category and that had in his cartel expressive wins over Quinton Jackson and Mauricio Shogun, the expectation was a great fight. Many pointed Griffin as one of the opponents who would bring more problems for Anderson, but when the bell sounded, the Brazilian has shown that he’s above of the average. After applying two knock downs, Anderson lowered the guard and a meeting Forrest defeated for the third time, giving the knockout and one of the most spectacular victories of the MMA. Even after a brilliant victory, Anderson maintained his humility. Check below the interview with the champion.

Expecting a victory so on Griffin?
Gave fine, I thank God everything was quiet. We trained for a hard fight. I expected a tough fight, but we can be better.

How was the excitement after getting the knockout?
He fell, I was expecting him to raise, but the referee has entered the front and, thank God, has it right. I just have to thank everyone who was part of my life for me to become a fighter, all my coaches since I started training.

The Distak said you needed stimulus. This fight gave you that?
It is another style of fighting. Does not compare to the Thales, he is a great fighter, but is not as you put a guy like Thales, that is a grounded fighter, with a guy who fight on foot, because the fight will be bad. Not that this because an athlete is better or worse, each one has a way to fight. If you put face to face a wrestler and a guy from Jiu-Jitsu you will have a good fight, but if you put two guys from Jiu-Jitsu to face, you will have a bad fight, because you have two guys in Jiu-Jitsu that will fall on the floor and will be doing Jiu-Jitsu, you know?
If you put a good striker to fight against to the ground specialisty, the man who will fight on foot, will do the anti game to stay in and the guy standing on the floor will make the game to put down. So, its difficult, game is game. I want to take this opportunity to mention that Thales was stolen in the fight. He was fighting well, won the fight and was robbed in the face hard.

The Dana White is insisting on making the future a fight between you and Lyoto Machida, but you already said that wouldn´t fight ...
I´ll never fight with Lyoto. This is out of the question. The guy is a brother, would be like to fight with Rodrigo and Rogério. There is no such possibility, nor any money in the world.

What is your next appointment? Will help the Minotauro?
My next appointment is to help the Rodrigo in his training for this fight with Randy Couture. I'm here in CT and we will continue this training, everyone is considering this fight, then let's see how we can help him. I hope one more win, we will work hard for that to happen.

And Roy Jones Jr., you again about that fight with Dana White, that situation was this fight?
He was there at the event, was watching my fight, great person, a nice guy, polite ... With all respect in the world, I'm happy in the UFC, I love with passion, I am very well treated there, but is not nobody decide this, because it is my personal wish, I hope I can do that as well.

You come in talking about retirement, but seemed more motivated in this fight and let the guys willing to see you more often fighting. Are you still with the idea of retirement?
Let's wait and see what happens, but these ideas remain strong in my head.

You always were a fan of Michael Jackson. How do you feel after the death of the idol?
I was barely two days. I was much upset, and I cried, I was really bad. The guy was part of my history, I am fan of him and did a cover, dancing on the parties, I loved. He has a beautiful story of dedication, hard work, has much ... He was a Guy that I had a great reference. A guy that will do much for me with no doubt, made a big difference in my life as a person in my path ... I loved Michael with passion, the guy was crazy, I had a poster of him in the room.

You suggested a fight between Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva. Do you think this fight can happen?
With all respect to Vitor and Wanderlei, I am not diminishing nobody, but would be a good fight, a fight that, the guys have fought in the season Wanderlei was the first UFC fight in him, I was twisting for Wanderlei, despite I´ve been a fan of Vitor, in the real ex-fan. I think this fight would happen, it would be a good fight for Dana White and fans of MMA. The Wanderlei is a great Striker, he is going up, demand the fight is a fight that anything can happen, but I think that Vitor will not want to exchange punches with him. But it is a fight that sells good, would be a good fight for Wanderlei.

Have someone you would fight?
It has a lot of tough guy, you have to train. What gives me stimulus is always someone who has trained to win Spider. So while I'm struggling, I will be training not to be surprised. It is logical that if I fight more three or four years, an hour I´ll loose, this is fact, we also work with this hypothesis.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Charles "Crazy Horse" Bennett Interview

Charles "Crazy Horse" Bennett is out of Jail and fighting! And he is not as crazy as he used to be. And he is acting, and wants to be known as "kid chaos".

 

[Shogun Locc]

Carlos Condit to face new UFC addition Jake Ellenberger at UFC Fight Night 19

IFL and M-1 Challenger veteran Jake Ellenberger (21-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is the latest addition to the UFC, and the 24-year-old will face a stiff test in his first trip to the octagon.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) today learned from sources close to the event that Ellenberger has agreed to replace an injured Chris Lytle and face will now face Carlos Condit (22-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 19.

Headlined by a main event between lightweights Nate Diaz and Melvin Guillard, UFC Fight Night 19 takes place on Sept. 16 at Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City. The main card airs live on Spike TV.

Ellenberger is currently riding a four-fight win streak, including a 42-second knockout of Marcelo Alfaya in June under the Bellator Fighting Championship banner. Ellenberger compiled a 2-2 record in the now-defunct IFL, earning wins over Pat Healy and Ben Uker while suffering losses to Delson Heleno and Jay Hieron.

Condit, the WEC's final welterweight champion, will be looking for his first UFC win. The "Natural Born Killer" dropped a split-decision to Martin Kampmann in his April debut for the organization.

Ellenberger was tagged as a replacement after a knee injury forced Lytle out of the main-card contest.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Vladimir Matyushenko returns to UFC on 13-fight "UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort" event

Former UFC heavyweight contender Vladimir Matyushenko (22-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) is the latest UFC veteran to return to the organization, as "The Janitor" will now face Croatian light heavyweight Igor Pokrajac (21-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at UFC 103.

The UFC today announced the addition to the September event, as well as confirming two previously rumored bouts of Dan Lauzon vs. Rafaello Oliveira and Rob Emerson vs. Rafael dos Anjos.

UFC 103, with its massive 13-fight card, takes place Sept. 19 at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

Matyushenko fought for the UFC five times between 2001 and 2003. The 38-year-old Belarusian has compiled a 9-1 record since leaving the sport's biggest promotion, a streak that includes wins over Jason Lambert, Alex Schoenauer, Tim Boetsch and Justin Levens.

Matyushenko, who debuted professionally in 1997, also holds career wins over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Pedro Rizzo, Tom Sauer, Yuki Kondo, Travis Fulton and Anthony Macias, among others.

Pokrajac, who will be making his UFC debut, is currently on an eight-fight winning streak. The Cro Cop Team fighter has earned stoppage wins in 18 of his 21 career victories.

With the addition to the card, UFC 103 now includes:

MAIN CARD

* Vitor Belfort vs. Rich Franklin
* Junior Dos Santos vs. Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic
* Martin Kampmann vs. Mike Swick
* Josh Koscheck vs. Frank Trigg
* Hermes Franca vs. Tyson Griffin

PRELIMINARY CARD

* Efrain Escudero vs. Cole Miller
* Jim Miller vs. Thiago Tavares
* Dan Lauzon vs. Rafaello Oliveira
* Paul Daley vs. Brian Foster
* Tomasz Drwal vs. Drew McFedries
* Jason Brilz vs. Eliot Marshall
* Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Igor Pokrajac
* Rafael dos Anjos vs. Rob Emerson

 

[Shogun Locc]

Le Hints at CBS Return

It’s gone past passé to say that Strikeforce middleweight champion Cung Le has been conspicuously absent from the promotion’s expanding rotation.

Le (6-0) earned the title after defeating Frank Shamrock almost a year and a half ago but has yet to defend it. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker has even relented in announcing that he’ll put an interim title up for grabs before the end of the year. Hopefully, the splintered lineage will be unified sooner than later.

Le, 37, said he’s spent his time away from the cage nursing injuries and surgeries, as well as acting in five films (including a co-starring turn with Dennis Quaid in the sci-fi flick “Pandorum” due out Sept. 18). Le hinted the promotion has bigger plans for him anyway.

“I already talked to Scott Coker about being on the card either at the end of the year or early next year and once he gets down with the fights this weekend I'm sure he'll start working on his next event,” said Le on Sherdog Radio Network's “Beatdown” show Wednesday. “As soon as his deal with CBS is all straightened out, I'm sure he'll get to me. He just recently acquired all the Pro Elite athletes so he's a very busy man right now.”

Strikeforce currently airs on Showtime, but there is strong indication the promotion will also be picked by the pay channel’s sister conglomerate, CBS, by the new year. CBS aired three EliteXC MMA events between May and October 2008.

Already a decorated San Shou veteran, Le entered MMA on the advice of his trainer Javier Mendez back in 2005. Since then he's been in more movies -- seven, to be exact -- than actual fights, drawing the ire of many fans. Le said he recognizes the fans’ frustrations, as they emulate his own.

“I made my debut in 2006 and ever since I started MMA I've had four surgeries -- broken nose, two elbow and hamstring surgery,” said Le.

One of those elbow surgeries came before his fight with Shamrock, said Le, preventing the fighter from rehabilitating the injury probably.

“I figure what am I going to do if I can't (fight) anymore? I have to make sure I have something to fall back on,” said Le. “I know the fans are upset, the ones that want to see me back in. But I hope they understand that I have a fall-back plan. Once that plan starts to look like it’s secure, then I can get back in and try to fight to the best of my abilities when I'm in the cage.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

Mark Hominick vs. Deividas Taurosevicius completes September's 11-fight WEC 43 card

A featherweight contest between Affliction imports Mark Hominick (16-8 MMA, 0-2 WEC) and Deividas Taurosevicius (10-3 MMA, 0-0 WEC) is now official for WEC 43.

The two fighters were originally scheduled to meet on the preliminary card of "Affliction: Trilogy," but that event was canceled following the loss of main-event fighter Josh Barnett after a positive drug screen result.

The pair will instead meet on the preliminary card of "WEC 43: Cerrrone vs. Henderson" on Sept. 2 in Youngstown, Ohio. The main card airs live on VERSUS.

A UFC, WEC and Affliction veteran, Hominick last fought in a July 2008 submission win over Savant Young. Hominick has fought twice previously for the WEC, suffering submission losses to Josh Grispi and Rani Yahya in his two previous WEC appearances.

Taurosevicius last fought in a May 2008 unanimous-decision loss to Ryan Schultz. The loss snapped a six-fight win streak for the Lithuanian, including three wins in the now-defunct IFL.

Featuring an interim lightweight title fight between Donald Cerrone and Benson Henderson, WEC 43 now includes:

MAIN CARD

* Donald Cerrone vs. Benson Henderson (for WEC interim lightweight title)
* Dave Jansen vs. Richard Crunkilton Jr.
* Damacio Page and Akitoshi Tamura
* Alex Karalexis vs. Anthony Pettis

PRELIMINARY CARD

* Rafael Assuncao vs. Yves Jabouin
* Scott Jorgensen vs. Rafael Rebello
* Wagnney Fabiano vs. Erik Koch
* Manny Tapia vs. Eddie Wineland
* Muhsin Corbbrey vs. Anthony Njokuani
* Charlie Valencia vs. Coty Wheeler
* Mark Hominick vs. Deividas Taurosevicius

 

[Shogun Locc]

KURT PELLEGRINO SCORES A UFC TRIFECTA

Over a brief period of time it looked like UFC lightweight Kurt Pellegrino may be on his way down the 155-pound ladder, or worse yet, out of the company.

Losses in two out of three fights, to Joe Stevenson and Nate Diaz, had Pellegrino reeling, looking for a way to rebound and get his career back on track.

Enter fellow UFC lightweight contender Kenny Florian.

After moving back to his native New Jersey and making a decision to join Florian’s camp in Boston, Pellegrino has flourished, winning three straight fights, including this past Saturday’s win at UFC 101 over Josh Neer.

“I performed just as good as I thought I would,” said Pellegrino to MMAWeekly.com about his win over Neer. “I took a fight with a very tough kid, and the fight was going to come down to who was smarter and who had a game plan.

Initially Pellegrino’s game plan involved out-boxing Neer, emphasizing technique over brawling. But when that plan quickly dissipated, he wisely shifted gears.

“I went to punch him in the face, and when I did, he basically just stood there and took everything I had, so I went to Plan B,” commented Pellegrino. “Plan B was to basically out-grapple him, use ground and pound and try to catch him in a submission.

“Unfortunately for me, I had to grind him out for 15 minutes. He’s just a super-tough kid and can take a lot of punishment, so I’m glad I decided to fight smart with a game plan, instead of show my toughness.”

Try as he might, Neer was never able to overcome Pellegrino’s strategy; cementing a style that Pellegrino’s camp had anticipated Neer using.

“Kenny and Keith (Florian) told me that he’s the same fighter that he was 100 amateur and 30 professional fights ago,” said Pellegrino. “Every fight I’ve seen him fight in the UFC, he’s the same fighter.

“He came at me with the same exact stuff every round.”

With the win, Pellegrino has helped position himself as a top 155-pound contender and has cemented his spot in the promotion for the foreseeable future.

“I’m undefeated for a year-and-a-half now and I’ve got three wins in a row, which is the first time for me in the UFC,” he stated. “I’m very happy to do that, especially in Philadelphia, on the East Coast and prove to Joe Silva, Dana White and the UFC that I’m a main card fighter and I can take on these tough guys.

“I think I’m only getting tougher and tougher opponents. Whoever they really give me, I’ll take, but I’m not looking that far ahead right now. I’m just trying to enjoy my win.”

In one of the deepest divisions in MMA, Pellegrino is starting to distance himself from the pack. And it could only be a matter of time before he finally gets his title shot.

I want to thank my agent, Dean Albrecht, my wife, Kenny and Miguel Torres – they’ll be back and stronger than ever,” he concluded. “I never dreamed of being a UFC champion, I’ve only dreamed about fighting in the UFC and proving to myself and everyone that I could be there.

“It was a very good stepping stone for me to do that. I’m just going to keep going, and if I get a title shot... wow... that’d be crazy.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

DOMINICK CRUZ READY FOR WEC TITLE SHOT... NOW!

To many onlookers, Sunday’s WEC 42 was a mere formality for Joseph Benavidez before he got his shot at Miguel Torres’ WEC bantamweight championship. Things couldn’t have turned out to be any more of a polar opposite than they did.

Not only did Torres drop his belt to Brian Bowles, but also, Benavidez couldn’t quite get past Dominick Cruz to line himself up for a title shot.

It wasn’t so surprising that Cruz and Benavidez had to go the distance to declare a winner, but Cruz’s tact was. Benavidez is known for a strong wrestling base and counts Urijah Faber, another strong wrestler, as one of his main training partners. But it was Cruz that not only defended nearly all of Benavidez’s takedown attempts, but actually scored takedowns himself several times during the bout. He was also able to effectively use his reach advantage to great effect, stunning Benavidez with punches on multiple occasions.

In the end, Cruz surprised everyone but himself when he walked out of the cage with a unanimous decision victory and a likely title shot.

“I’ve been coming into these fights as an underdog,” he told MMAWeekly.com after the fight. “Based on being an underdog or not is based on the hype of other people. Other people don’t do what I do. Only I do what I do.”

Cruz doesn’t mince words when he talks about his standing as a fighter.

“I’m one of the best in my weight class and it’s gonna stay that way.”

Does he expect that his performance was dominant enough to earn a shot at the new champ, Brian Bowles? “Absolutely,” he replied.

And... he’s raring to go. He wants the shot, “A-S-A-P.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

Fight Path: WEC 42 winner Dominick Cruz's path to MMA began with missed soccer tryouts

Dominick Cruz, admittedly, was looking for seventh-grade soccer tryouts when he first found a wrestling room.

He viewed the strange sight. The Tucson, Ariz. middle schooler had never seen organized wrestling before, and the warm-ups and drills going on seemed very foreign. A coach spotted him in the doorway and yelled to him, he told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

"What do you weigh?" the man said.

Cruz kindly explained he was actually looking for other tryouts, but the coach shook his head.

"You're a wrestler now," the coach said.

And so he was. Starting then, the always athletic Cruz turned wrestling into his focus. Through years of high school participating and coaching and summers on the freestyle circuit, Cruz gained a knowledge of movement that has helped make the 24-year-old San Diego resident into one of the WEC's most promising featherweights.

After a Saturday unanimous decision victory against Joseph Benavidez at WEC 42, Cruz is 14-1, including 4-1 with four consecutive wins in the WEC. That's impressive, those around Cruz say, because he did most of his own work as he pulled himself up as an early professional.

Cruz, in fact, still paid for his own gym membership until he was 7-0 as a pro. All along, he realized two things: He didn't want to work on the ground just because he has a wrestling background, and he needed to give the fans a good show when he fought.

With those standards, Cruz is a growing crowd favorite, partially because of his attitude that led him to once quit his three jobs, pack his belongings into his car and move to San Diego without knowing if it would sink or raise his career.

And all of that came because he once wandered into a wrestling room and the team needed a smaller member.

"I went to practice that day, and I've never quit since," Cruz said.

Wrestling year-round

By then, Cruz was already involved in just about every sport imaginable. His parents had split when he was 5, and his mother raised him and his younger brother in Tucson. To pass the time, Cruz played basketball, baseball, soccer and was even involved in BMX.

When the wrestling coach walked over and invited Cruz into the room, he followed the coach to the scale. He was 73 pounds.

"In seventh grade, that's teeny, man," Cruz said.

The team needed a member that light, so Cruz hopped right into practice, first learning how to shoot and how to defend. It was his first experience with organized wrestling, and it fit him.

The first season was rough, as Cruz worked to learn the fundamentals and was drilled by more experienced opponents. He asked the coaches what he could do to improve, and they suggested learning the freestyle form of wrestling, practiced in a traveling summer circuit.

Cruz took their advice to heart. Growing up in a home without a father since he was 5, Cruz needed those kinds of father-type figures in his life, and he stresses that the coaches he's had along the way – from wrestling to MMA – have filled that void to help guide him.

By the next school season, with a summer of freestyle on his resume, Cruz was vastly improved. He continued his success through high school, but torn ligaments in his ankle that didn't heal properly sidetracked any hope of participating in college, so Cruz started taking odd jobs.

There was the valet parking job at a hotel. He coached wrestling at his old high school. He worked at the local Lowe's. He was also taking classes at a local college with the hope of finding his educational passion.

Then, much like in seventh grade, Cruz wandered into a gym.

Pro right away

At 19, Cruz went in to look at Boxing Inc., a local gym he noticed in Tucson. He started with boxing classes then moved to some martial arts training. All the while, he was also working out while coaching the wrestling team, so his training advanced.

Before long, others at the gym encouraged Cruz to take an MMA fight. So what the hell, he figured. What could it hurt?

In January 2005, Cruz had his first professional fight that he didn't know was a professional fight until they handed him the check for $50 when he was done.

"I was at 142," Cruz said, "and the other guy was 163."

Without knowing much about submissions, Cruz struggled to defend himself against the more experienced opponent. He was skilled on the ground, of course, but he couldn't produce his own submission moves. With the slip-outs and effort, Cruz earned a split decision victory.

Within 13 months, Cruz was 6-0 as a pro fighting in Rage in the Cage events. Then, he caught a break. Total Combat needed an opponent for a July 2006 fight with Dave Hisquierdo, and company officials had heard about Cruz. He took the fight short notice.

"I had been training for another fight," Cruz said. "I thought, 'Screw it. I'll take it. I've been training. It's just two days' notice, but that's cool.'"

Still without a coach, manager or even a corner man, Cruz drove to San Diego for the fight that ended up being a split-decision victory.

"He broke my nose, he dropped me twice, but I dropped him twice in the third round," Cruz said. "That fight did a lot for me."

A manager in San Diego noticed Cruz and invited him to the city to train. Cruz promptly quit his three jobs, left school, packed up the car and drove off, still unsure if MMA was going to be a success for him.

Meanwhile, he kept winning. After taking the Total Combat 145-pound title to go 9-0, Cruz's management called up the WEC and asked for a chance. He was given his shot against Urijah Faber at WEC 26.

"It was the first time I was even in a fight camp," Cruz said.

It was Cruz's only loss, a tap-out via guillotine choke in the first round. Despite the setback, Cruz was added to the WEC 24 card and beat Charlie Valencia by decision. Since, Cruz has stopped Ian McCall, Ivan Lopez and, just four days ago, Benavidez.

With the momentum, Cruz no longer has to do everything on his own, but that drive he learned in his early days has continued now that he has found success.

"I never really had anybody helping me out when I was getting started," Cruz said. "I had to do a lot of things myself. I would line up guys at the gym and say, 'OK, you come at me, then you come at me, then you come at me.' I was paying my own way, I earned every part of it, and I think that helped make me a better fighter."

 

[Shogun Locc]

UFC cuts former top middleweight contender Thales Leites following UFC 101 loss

With the first back-to-back losses of his career and a defeat to Alessio Sakara at UFC 101, Thales Leites has been cut from the UFC's roster of fighters.

Leites fought current champ Anderson Silva for the UFC middleweight title just four months ago.

The release was first reported by AOL FanHouse and has since been confirmed by MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) with sources close to the fighter and organization.

Leites' profile has also since been removed from UFC.com.

Following a lackluster unanimous-decision loss to Silva at UFC 97, Leites (14-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) and "The Spider" were both heavily criticized. His next fight, which came Aug. 8 at Philadelphia's Wachovia Center, was relegated to the un-aired preliminary card, where Leites suffered a loss via razor-thin split decision.

Despite a five-fight win streak after a loss to Martin Kampmann during Leites' UFC debut in 2006, the Nova Uniao fighter will now look for work elsewhere.

During a post-UFC 101 press conference, UFC president Dana White was asked if Leites would be dropped from the organization. White never answered the question directly, possibly because such decisions are usually made in conjunction with UFC Vice President of Talent Relations Joe Silva after the media events.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Tickets for UFC 104 in Los Angeles, Machida vs. "Shogun" on sale Aug. 27-29

Tickets for the UFC's return to Los Angeles go on sale to the general public on Aug. 29, though pre-sales are available Aug. 27 for UFC Fight Club members and Aug. 28 for UFC.com newsletter subscribers.

UFC 104 takes place Oct. 24 at the Staples Center with a main event between UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida and challenger Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.

Tickets for the event go on sale each day at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT).

Although no fights have been officially announced for the upcoming event, which airs on pay-per-view, other bouts expected to be part of the card include a potential No. 1 contender's matchup of Shane Carwin vs. Cain Velasquez, longtime middleweight contender Yushin Okami vs. Chael Sonnen, and as MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) first reported earlier this month, a Sean Sherk vs. Gleison Tibau fight originally slated for UFC 103.

The UFC hasn't ventured to Los Angeles since UFC 60 in May 2006, when Royce Gracie return to the organization for a non-title fight with then-welterweight champ Matt Hughes. Hughes won via first-round TKO in front of 14,765 spectators.

The latest rumored UFC 104 card includes:

* Champ Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (for light-heavyweight title)*
* Shane Carwin vs. Cain Velasquez*
* Yushin Okami vs. Chael Sonnen
* Sean Sherk vs. Gleison Tibau*
* Spencer Fisher vs. Joe Stevenson*
* Anthony Johnson vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida*
* Ryan Bader vs. Eric Schafer*
* Chase Gormley vs. Ben Rothwell*
* Rob Kimmons vs. Jorge Rivera*
* Patrick Barry vs. Antoni Hardonk*
* Razak Al-Hassan vs. Kyle Kingsbury*

* - Not officially announced

 

[Shogun Locc]

Despite challenges, Gilbert Melendez confident for Strikeforce bout with Mitsuhiro Ishida

Strikeforce interim lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez (15-2) admits he's a little frustrated by the circumstances that have surrounded his fight with Mitsuhiro Ishida (18-5-1).

With Ishida stepping in as a late replacement for an injured Josh Thomson at Saturday's "Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg" event in San Jose, Calif., Melendez has been forced to quickly adjust his training for a completely different style of opponent.

And as Melendez recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio), he's not exactly sure Ishida has been forced to deal with the same challenges.

"I was definitely a little frustrated when I started hearing rumors (that Thomson may pull out)," Ishida said. "I just wanted [Thomson] to either commit and fight injured or commit and not fight because he's injured. You can't be like, 'Maybe I'm going to fight you' for three weeks.

"If you're injured, it's cool, man. But I know there was three weeks where I was just wondering if I was going to fight him or not. Ishida has known he's going to be fighting me, but I've known I'm going to fight Ishida for (only) a week and a half."

Melendez said he felt the speed at which Strikeforce secured a replacement led him to believe Ishida may have enjoyed a slight advantage by having a few additional days to prepare.

"I have no problem with, 'Hey, the guy just pulled out and we've got a replacement,'" Melendez said. "The day Josh pulled out, one second later Ishida was in. I was like, 'That doesn't really work that way.' It doesn't. It takes a couple of days, usually. So it's a little fishy to me, and I'm a little bothered by that."

Despite his concern with the handling of Thomson's withdrawal, Melendez said he's ready to step in and defend the interim belt he earned with a stunning knockout of Rodrigo Damm in April.

"I didn't train for nothing, and I'm ready to fight," Melendez said. "I wish I could fight Ishida under different circumstances. I wish I could be dreaming about him for the last two months and training for a short, southpaw wrestler for the last two months. But in MMA, you train for every scenario, so I feel like I'm ready anyway."

The matchup with Thomson would have been a chance for Melendez to avenge a June 2008 loss. As it turns out, the bout with Ishida will instead be a chance for "El Nino" to avenge the only other defeat of his career – a December 2007 decision loss to the "Endless Fighter" in Japan.

Melendez was taken down repeatedly in his first meeting with Ishida, though many believe the Californian was beginning to turn the tide of the fight as time was winding down on the 15-minute bout.

"I felt like I came on strong at the end of the fight," Melendez said of the first meeting. "He did take me down six or seven times, but he held me down for maybe a total of a minute-and-a half. I took him down, and I got on top of him once and held him down for five minutes, and that was at the end of the fight.

"I feel like toward the end I came on strong there, and I feel like that will be an advantage for me, hopefully."

This time, Melendez will have up to 25 minutes to work with. Add to that an increased focus on his wrestling prowess, and Melendez believes he's got the recipe for a different outcome.

"I feel like my wrestling is back where it needs to be," Melendez said. "Also, I think I'm more of an intelligent fighter, and I don't think I'll be walking into any stupid takedowns like I did last time – not to say that this guy isn't fast and he's not going to take me down again, but I feel like I'll be able to handle it a little better."

A win for Melendez would not only avenge one of only two career losses for the 27-year-old, it would also seemingly guarantee another shot at Thomson and a chance to unify the lightweight title. And despite the last-second shuffling of opponents that has plagued Saturday's event, Melendez feels he's up to the challenge.

"I know I can beat this guy," Melendez said. "I know I can, and I think if I fight smart and intelligent, I can kick his butt. I think if I fight the same way (I did the first time), I've got five rounds, and I think I can break him, too."

 

[Shogun Locc]

Focused, Shogun just think of Lyoto

Heavy training in Curitiba, Mauricio "Shogun" is ready to dispute the title of the UFC against Lyoto Machida. In an interview with TATAME, Shogun said the drills. "I have ten weeks, then I am still focusing on the aerobic and, next month, start to focus on my team with the training for the fight. Everything is fine, but I am still doing the part of preparation, not a tactic, "he explains.

With the new triumph of Anderson Silva in his category, former training partner of the Shogun now trains with Machida. Maurício is not thinking of Anderson. "I never chose opponents, but I'm training and just thinking in my fight, nothing which comes after. For now, just thinking about Lyoto "said Shogun, who likes the return of Vitor Belfort in UFC."I feel good, because it has a more famous man there and will call a good public. We have more Brazilians at the top is better, we are recognized and shows our value. Not only in the soccer, but also in the fight", ended.

 

[Shogun Locc]

The Endless Fighter! Bringing The Belt Home

DREAM fighter Mitsuhiro Ishida will face Gilbert Melendez for the second time on August 15th at Strikeforce in America. On the 10th he talked with the official website of DREAM about the fight. Below is a quick summary of the interview.

Ishida has trained for a while with the feeling of “it would be good if I could fight in August or September”. Of course, the preparations for this fight aren’t the same compared to usual because of being brought in late. But he feels that this fight isn’t a minus for him.

Talking about his last appearance in Strikeforce, Ishida says the he will fight in a venue with a different atmosphere this time compared to then. He was happy when people clapped for him and there was no booing last time. However, this time he’s quite sure that he will hear some booing since he is in the hometown of Melendez. Being there is something good he thinks, since Melendez went through the same thing in their last fight.

Ishida had a feeling that he was going to rematch Melendez after their first fight ended. He doesn’t like rematches but since a belt is on the line this time and because of his feeling that there was going to be a second fight after the first, it’s a little different.

Ishida thinks that the last fight became a difficult one and since this one is 25 minutes long, he thinks that it will be equally difficult if it drags on. He also thinks that this fight has the potential to develop differently than last time because of the different rules in America compared to Yarennoka! and DREAM.

About their last fight, Ishida thought after round 1 that he and Melendez were mutually tired but when Melendez came out fresher in the second, he was surprised. It’s that tenacity, Ishida says, the tenacity to win which to him is the most frightening thing.

Ishida would be lying if he said that he doesn’t think about becoming the interim champion by winning the fight, but before that he has to bring down a beast called Melendez. After leaving behind a good result, the reward is the belt.

Ishida wants to win the belt, bring it to a DREAM event, and greet everyone in the ring with it. This for the fans at the fan event of DREAM.10 who cheered him on, greeted him, and made him feel happy after his loss to Mizuto Hirota in Shooto.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Update: Baroni Likely Headed Back to UFC

Phil Baroni has verbally agreed to a contract with the UFC, according to a source close to the fighter. The veteran welterweight’s potential signing will undoubtedly raise a few eyebrows as well as shed some light on the brewing feud between the UFC and rival promotion Strikeforce.

According to an MMAJunkie.com report, the UFC has also signed Dennis Hallman, another former Strikeforce fighter. A source close to the UFC intimated more signings might be on the horizon as fighters complete their Strikeforce contracts.

"We wish Phil the best of luck and hope he can revive his career,'' Strikeforce Founder and CEO Scott Coker said in a release Thursday. "If he can, maybe one day, he can return and fight for us."

Strikeforce consultant Bob Cook confirmed to Sherdog.com that Baroni was released from his Strikeforce contract in the past few days and would be free to sign with another promotion.

Baroni (13-11) dropped a unanimous decision to Joe Riggs in St. Louis in June. He had won three bouts in a row before the loss.

 

[Shogun Locc]

UFC fighter Matt Brown hosts Saturday fundraiser in Ohio for ailing father

UFC fighter and Ohio native Matt Brown is hosting a pig-roast fundraiser in Jamestown, Ohio, on Saturday for the James Brown Medical Fund.

James Brown, Matt's father, is struggling with acute myeloid leukemia, complicated by diabetes and heart failure from a recent chemotherapy session. His health insurance ended last year.

Saturday's event, which is open to the public, includes a full slate of activities as well as an auction with UFC-related items, including some autographed by Brown and fellow UFC fighter Forrest Griffin.

The event takes place from noon to 10 p.m. at Morris' Pond on Cottonwood Road in Jamestown with food (two pigs will be roasted), six live bands, kids games, pony rides, a cornhole tournament, bikini carwash and other activities. Alcoholic beverages will not be provided, so the event is BYOB. Attendees don't need to bring anything, though everyone is welcome to bring a favorite dish to share with fellow partygoers.

Brown simply hopes the small-town event can bring some much-needed help to the family.

"It's been tough," said Brown, who learned his father was seriously ill just a week after a scheduled June bout with Anthony Johnson fell through. "It worked out well that the fight didn't take place."

Brown said his dad has always been proud of his fighting career, which included a successful stint on "The Ultimate Fighter 7" and a 3-1 record in the UFC.

"He was really happy I was doing something with my life besides going to jail and getting drunk everyday," Brown said. "He was supportive ... and saw the positive impact it had (on me)."

He's now hoping the fight community can rally around his father, a former machine-shop owner who initially was told he had only two weeks to live. Now slowly doing better, though, the medical bills are starting to mount.

Donations can be made at the event or at any area Security National Bank or Huntington Bank. (Ask for the "James Brown Medical Fund.) Paypal donations can also be made to [email protected] or at www.paypal.com.

Brown, who recently returned from his new home in Las Vegas to be with his father, said he continues to train and anticipates a return to the octagon this fall.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Shine Fight announces online PPV for "ATT vs. The World," Price and Gurgel to commentate

While the upstart Shine Fight promotion has held just one event to date, that isn't stopping the company from progressing its business in quick fashion.

Having recently signed a deal with The Fight Network to broadcast in Canada, Shine Fight officials today announced the organization's second event, "American Top Team vs. The World," will be available around the world as an online pay-per-view stream.

Featuring a mixture of established talent and rising stars including Roan Carneiro, Luiz Firmino, Flavio Alvaro, Yves Edwards, Gideon Ray, Micah Miller and others, "Shine Fight II: American Top Team vs. The World" takes place Sept. 4 in Miami.

Streaming live from The James L. Knight Center in Miami, Shine Fight Promotions and broadcast partner Audio Eye, Inc., promise "the quality of the online broadcast will rival any high-quality television feed."

The online feed will be available for $14.95, though purchasing the event through Shine Fight's official website during a pre-sale that begins on Aug. 21 will bring the cost down to just $9.95.

Devin Price, Shine Fight Promotions CEO and brother of "The Ultimate Fighter 6" cast member Dorian Price, said he was motivated to make the move based on the quality of fights planned for the event.

"It was very important to us that Shine 2 is exposed to as wide an audience as possible," Price stated. "With a card as stacked as this it would be a travesty to not provide another mechanism for fans seeking to watch the event live that cannot be in physical attendance."

In a unique twist on the online-feed format, Shine Fight's stream will feature both English and Portuguese commentary options. Dorian Price will provide English color commentary while Strikeforce's Jorge Gurgel will handle those duties in Portuguese.

Current plans call for Shine Fight Promotions to also carry all future cards in the online pay-per-view format.

The full card for "Shine Fight II: American Top Team vs. The World" currently includes:

* Roan Carneiro (12-8) vs. Jorge Patino (22-11-1)
* Luiz Firmino (12-4) vs. Ryan Healy (10-5-1)
* Flavio Alvaro (24-6) vs. Jean Silva (16-8-3)
* Yves Edwards (24-15-1) vs. Mario Stapel (15-12)
* Junior Assuncao (8-4) vs. Gideon Ray (15-10-1)
* Micah Miller (11-3) vs. Anthony Morrison (7-6)
* Ediene Gomes (3-0) vs. Vanessa Porto (8-3)
* James Brasco (4-1) vs. Herbert Goodman (8-7)
* Phil Friedman (1-1) vs. Brian Fuery (0-0)
* Kami Barzini (1-1) vs. Yosdenis Cendeno (1-1)