MMA News Thread

[Shogun Locc]

Hoping to build off recent win, Houston Alexander expects December return to UFC

Back in the win column with his first win in two years, Houston Alexander is ready to return to MMA's biggest stage.

Alexander used an impressive Muay Thai display to cut down Sherman Pendergarst at Adrenaline MMA IV last weekend.

And as Alexander recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio), the popular fighter and Nebraska hip-hop DJ is now planning a return to the octagon in December.

Alexander, who splashed onto the UFC scene in 2007 with swift and brutal knockout wins over Keith Jardine and Alessio Sakara, then hit a skid and suffered consecutive losses to Thiago Silva, James Irvin and Eric Schafer. When a broken bone in his hand forced the cancellation of a May bout with Andre Gusmao at UFC 98, he and the UFC came up with an alternative plan.

With Monte Cox's Adrenaline MMA organization heading to Council Bluffs, Iowa, for a Sept. 18 show, the Omaha-based fighter got permission to compete on the local card.

"When the opportunity came up to fight in this area again, we took it," Alexander said. "(UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva gave us permission, and then they gave me Sherman Pendergarst."

Pendergarst launched his carer with an impressive 8-3 record, but following a loss to Antoni Hardonk at UFC 65, he began an epic skid with a 3-11 record over his past 14 fights.

Still, the hard-hitting Baltimore native had a distinct size advantage and packs a wallop with his punches. For a fighter such as Alexander, who will stand and trade with anyone, it was a potentially dangerous matchup with a lot of risk and little potential for reward.

Alexander, though, crippled him with leg kicks and forced the TKO stoppage at the 1:51 mark of the first round of their co-headline fight.

"That's the Muay Thai way," said Alexander, who's trained by well-regarded striking coach Mick Doyle. "You break down a guy with leg kicks. ... It was beautiful man. When you see his stance go limp, you know you've got him."

After the victory, an emotional Alexander hit his knees.

He told MMAjunkie.com Radio the reaction wasn't about the win but more about his hard work finally paying off.

"Whether I was in the ring or not, I was always in the gym constantly, constantly trying to perfect my fighting style," said Alexander, who also spent time with jiu-jitsu ace Jeremy Horn in recent months. "I think [my reaction] was more about all the hard work ... that's been going into getting me to the point where I'm at now."

Confident and eager to return to the octagon, Alexander said he'll likely get his chance in December. The UFC has cards scheduled on Dec. 5 (The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale) and Dec. 12 (UFC 107), with the latter the likely option for Alexander.

"No opponent has been figured out," Alexander said. "But I'm ready. I'm ready for whoever they give me."

 

[Shogun Locc]

GAMBURYAN READY FOR GARCIA, EYEING TITLE SHOT

Manny Gamburyan had success as a lightweight fighter, making it to the finals of The Ultimate Fighter 5, but dropping to the featherweight division and jumping for the Ultimate Fighting Championship to World Extreme Cagefighting was a move he knew he was going to have to make.

"155 was pretty big for me. When I fought Thiago Tavares I felt like he had 20-25 pounds on me. I felt like, wow, this is not fair. I think I should drop to 145," Gamburyan told MMAWeekly.com. "When Joe Silva called me for the WEC, I was down to do it because I felt like 145 was a better weight class for me."

Gamburyan won his WEC and featherweight debut against John Franchi at WEC 41 in June and now gets a fight with Leonard Garcia at WEC 44 on Nov. 18 and feels a win will put him exactly where he wants to be, a contender in the 145-pound division.

"When I talked to Sean Shelby about this fight, I wanted top-notch guys, number one, two, three guys," said the 28-year old fighter. "I want to be champion of my weight class so you can't fight anybody else. I think Leonard is a good opponent for me."

"This is a fight that's going to put me where I want," he said. "He's a top-notch guy. He's been around at 145. He's fought for the belt. Like I said, he's hungry too. He wants that belt. He wants to fight the winner of Mike Brown or Jose Aldo, but at the same time I'm hungrier. I want that belt."

"He's a gamer. He's been around for a long time. He's been in the UFC. He's been around. He's fought good guys. He's pretty tough," added Gamburyan. I know it's going to be a tough fight and I'm ready for a war."

 

[Shogun Locc]

BUENTELLO'S OCTAGON RETURN OFFICIAL

It's been over 3 years since Paul Buentello stepped foot in the UFC Octagon, but the "Headhunter" will make his return to the promotion that he called home for over a year when he faces American Top Team fighter, Todd Duffee, in a heavyweight showdown at UFC 107 in Memphis, Tenn.

The fight was confirmed to MMAWeekly.com by sources close to the fight on Friday, who indicated that bout agreements have been issued, and Buentello's deal with the UFC already being finalized.

During his time with the UFC, Buentello amassed an impressive 3-1 record with his lone loss coming at the hands of former champion, Andrei Arlovski, in 2005.

Since leaving the promotional juggernaut, Buentello put together another great run of victories including wins over David "Tank" Abbott, Gary Goodridge, and Carter Williams.

Now the American Kickboxing Academy fighter will look to make an instant impact in his return fight as he faces a very hungry young competitor in Todd Duffee.

Duffee, who takes the fight in Dec with a perfect 5-0 record, blasted his way through Tim Hague in his UFC debut in only :17 seconds. The American Top Team fighter had said he hoped to face a top fighter in his next bout, and Buentello definitely fits the bill.

No word yet if the fight between Buentello and Duffee will make the main card or the preliminary card, but more announcements about the event are expected in the coming weeks from the UFC.

 

[Shogun Locc]

ROLLES GRACIE WINS AGAIN AT ART OF WAR

COTAI STRIP, Macao, China – Art of War has deliberately built its brand as the premier mixed martial arts promotion in China via its home city of Beijing... until Saturday night when they hit the road to the Cotai Arena at the Venetian Resort-Hotel.

The first mixed martial arts event held in southern China, Art of War 14: Ground Zero proved an enticing night of fights, if not leaving fans wanting for results. In all, five of the 12 bouts ended in a draw.

Art of War does not use judges, instead, any bout that goes the duration is ruled a draw.

The main event between Andy Wang and Atsuhiro Tsuboi was the final draw, as well as the final bout, of the night. The two exchanged punches and kicks for the duration, but neither did much damage nor threatened a strong finish.

The fight just prior delivered quickly, however. In only his third pro start, his second for Art of War, Rolles Gracie kept his unbeaten streak alive, submitting veteran K-1 fighter Peter Graham. In classic grappler versus striker fashion, Gracie immediately took Graham to the mat, transitioned from side control to mount, locked on an arm triangle, and then slipped off the side to cinch it down for the submission.

Antonio Braga Neto and Rodney Glunder entered the ring with the promise of fireworks, but their bout met an unfortunate end before it ever got started. The bell sounded and Neto shot across the ring to take Glunder down. The force of Neto’s shot drove Glunder through the ropes, the small of his back crashing on the ring apron. His legs in Neto’s grasp, Glunder’s upper body bent unnaturally over the edge of the apron from the force of the takedown. He was taken from ringside on a stretcher and the bout ruled a no contest.

Art of War’s Andy Pi later said that Glunder was taken to the hospital to get checked out, but that they had no indication of the severity of his injury at that time.

It was the only knockout of the night, but it would have taken something spectacular to take the thunder away from Wang Sai’s blasting of Lee Yong Jae. The two opened in a flurry, but it was China’s Sai that drilled a straight right hand that left the Korean crumpled on the mat.

Joachim Hansen teammate Simeon Thoresen looked like he had Michael Costa’s number early on in their bout, but the Wanderlei Silva-trained Costa came back strong in the latter half of the first round. Gaining confidence in his striking game, Costa rocked Thoresen on several occasions through the end of the opening stanza, and all through the second round, but still couldn’t finish the tough Norwegian, taking him to a two-round draw.

After the fight, Costa indicated that he broke his hand at some point during the bout.

American Daniel Madrid earned the biggest win of his career, submitting Pride veteran Daijiro Matsui late in round two. Despite a couple takedowns and strong leg lock attempts by the Japanese fighter, it was Madrid that maintained his composure, controlling the better portion of the fight before securing a reverse triangle from the back of a face down Matsui for the win.

Thai boxer Arthit Hanchana, with his height and reach advantage, showed the flashes of a pending Anderson Silva-like knockout, but despite finding his mark several times throughout the fight, he couldn’t put Dai Shuang Hai away. The fight ended in another draw.

Though their bout also ended in an unsatisfying draw, Vaughn Anderson and Kim Dong Hyun – no, not the UFC fighter – gave the fans the undercard fight of the night. Relegated to the prelims, they fought like main eventers, going toe-to-toe for the duration. Hyun landed a head kick early with Anderson returning the favor later in the round, but even in the midst of several stunning boxing flurries, neither could land the finishing blow.

While Jason Schmidt and Hattori Kenichi got the crowd warmed up with their opening fight performance – an entertaining grappling affair – it was Chinese fighter Yao Qiang that really got the home fires burning on Saturday night. He immediately let his hands fly, repeatedly hitting his mark... Jeong Soon Hak’s face. Qiang knocked the Korean fighter out midway through the opening minute of their fight, marking a fast start to the night.

Art of War 14: Ground Zero Results
-Tsuboi Atsuhiro vs. Andy Wang, Draw, R2
-Rolles Gracie def. Peter Graham by Submission (Arm Triangle), R1
-Antonio Braga Neto vs. Rodney Glunder, No Contest (Due to Injury), R1
-Wang Sai def. Lee Yong Jae by KO, R1
-Michael Costa vs. Simeon Thoresen, Draw, R2
-Daniel Madrid def. Daijiro Matsui by Submission (Reverse Triangle Choke), R2
-Dai Shuang Hai vs. Arthit Hanchana, Draw, R2
-Vaughn Anderson vs. Kim Dong Hyun, Draw, R2
-Claes Beverlov def. Zhang Li Peng by Submission (Armbar), R2
-Dorjderem Munkhayasgalan def. Elyorbek Akbarov by Submission (Americana), R1
-Yao Qiang def. Jeong Soon Hak by KO, R1
-Jason Schmidt vs. Hattori Kenichi, Draw, R2

 

[Shogun Locc]

K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 round 2 is Done:

Side A:
Badr Hari vs Ruslan Karaev
Ewerton Texeira vs Alistair Overeem

Side B:
Jerome LeBanner vs Semmy Schilt
Remy Bonjasky vs Errol Zimmerman

 

[Shogun Locc]

USA East, Russia Legion Advance to M-1 Final

Former Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion and International Fight League veteran Delson Heleno defeated Fabio Nascimento by unanimous decision to lead Team USA East past Team USA West in the 2009 M-1 Challenge Semi-Finals on Saturday at the Russian Sports Palace in Rostov, Russia.

The 31-year-old Heleno has rattled off three consecutive victories since his knockout loss to Brad Blackburn at an IFL event in April 2008. Heleno won the battle between Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belts on superior stand-up and relentless aggression, as he handed Nascimento his third defeat in five fights.

Other victors for Team USA East were Ivan Jorge, Gerson Cordeiro and World Extreme Cagefighting veteran Chuck Grigsby. Unbeaten heavyweight prospect Shane del Rosario posted the lone win for Team USA West, as he stopped Lloyd Marshbanks on a first-round knee to the body. Del Rosario -- who has finished all eight of his professional opponents, seven of them inside one round -- needed just 94 seconds to turn away Marshbanks.

Team USA East will face Russia Legion, a 4-1 winner over Team England, in the M-1 Championship Cup later this year.

Yuri Ivlev, Magomed Shikshabekov, Besike Gerinava and UFC veteran Ansar Chalangov posted victories for Russia Legion. Only Rob Broughton’s keylock submission win against Akhmed Sultanov prevented a clean sweep by the Russians.

 

[Shogun Locc]

FINAL8 Tournament Draw 1/4 - Sep.27.2009

 

[Shogun Locc]

Hardy-Swick Title Eliminator Being Planned

A pivotal welterweight contest between Mike Swick and Dan Hardy is close to agreement, according to an AOL Fanhouse report.

Fanhouse reported Monday that UFC President Dana White confirmed that the fight would serve as a No. 1 contender’s bout to determine a challenger for champion Georges St. Pierre at a later date.

Swick-Hardy could be held at UFC 105 on Nov. 14 in Manchester, England, where Nottingham’s Hardy was originally slated to face Dong Hyun Kimin a featured matchup.

Swick was set to face Martin Kampmann in a top-contender bout at UFC 103 on Sept. 19 in Dallas but suffered a concussion in training and was forced to withdraw a couple of weeks out. Replacement Paul Daley battered Kampmann in the first round leading to a referee’s stoppage, squashing the Dane’s claim to a title nod.

“No, I am not fighting Hughes or GSP next,” Swick wrote on his Twitter account Sunday. “I do have some really cool news but can't say just yet …”

Hardy, a striker out of Team Roughhouse, is undefeated in the Octagon in three appearances. Most recently he earned a split decision over fellow boxer Marcus Davis at UFC 99 last June.

 

[Shogun Locc]

M-1 vet Lucio Linhares headed to UFC, meets Rousimar Palhares at TUF 10 Finale

Although his name had popped up as a potential fighter on the Nov. 6 Strikeforce/M-1 Global fight card, M-1 veteran Lucio Linhares (13-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) instead is UFC bound and will make his promotional debut at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale.

A source close to the fighter told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) Linhares has replaced Alessio Sakara (14-7 MMA, 5-4 UFC) and meets Rousimar Palhares (9-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) at the Dec. 5 event.

The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale takes place at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas and airs on Spike TV.

A report by IntheGuard.tv suggests Sakara was forced off the card with "documentation"/visa issues.

Linhares, who debuted professionally in 2008 and began competing for M-1 in 2008, enters the UFC with five consecutive wins and six victories in his past seven fights (all via first-round stoppage). In addition to a TKO win over Karl Amoussou at the M-1 Challenge 10 event in November 2008, Linhares scored a submission victory over former UFC fighter Sean Salmon at a Fight Festival event in Finland earlier this year. In fact, Linhares has fought four times already this year, and the fight with Palhares will make it five.

Meanwhile, Palhares, who debuted with the UFC in 2008, most recently fought in January and scored a unanimous-decision win over Jeremy Horn at UFC 93. Palhares defeated Ivan Salaverry via first-round submission in his UFC debut but dropped a unanimous decision to Dan Henderson before the win over Horn. His UFC record now stands at 2-1, though he's won seven of his past eight fights (six via submission).

 

[Shogun Locc]

Strikeforce welterweight prospect Tyron Woodley joins famed American Top Team

Following his impressive performance at Friday's "Stikeforce Challengers" event, fast-rising welterweight prospect Tyron Woodley has joined the famed American Top Team, ATT officials today announced.

Woodley, a two-time All-American wrestler at the University of Missouri, will join ATT's main academy in Coconut Creek, Fla.

Woodley, booked for today's edition of MMAjunkie.com Radio, moved to 4-0 with a win over veteran Zach Light in a Showtime-televised fight at the Sept. 25 event.

The explosive fighter tapped out Light in the second round after an impressive and athletic display standing and on the mat.

ATT, widely regarded as one of the top camps in all of MMA, is home to notables such as Thiago Alves, WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown, Jorge Santiago, Thiago Silva, Din Thomas, Bobby Lashley and others.

As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) recently reported, Woodley also had a successful run as an amateur and went 7-0 with seven first-round stoppages.

"I think I have a bright future," Woodley said. "I'm signed to an awesome deal with Strikeforce. I don't have to worry about getting a fight because there's a good level of professionalism there.

"I've been patient, I've been training with a lot of high-level guys, and I give those guys all they can have, and they're some of the best in the world. I think it's my time."

 

[Shogun Locc]

ELIOT MARSHALL CONTINUES IMPROVEMENT

Eliot Marshall improved his overall professional mixed martial arts record to 8-1, including 3-0 in the UFC, with his win over Jason Brilz at UFC 103. Marshall was critical of his performance, but was pleased with certain aspects of the fight.

"I wish I could have done better. I'm not super happy with the performance," Marshall told MMAWeekly.com. "I showed improvement in my wrestling. Everyone has been able to get me down before as far as wrestlers. Now they weren't able to. He wasn't able to and he's gotten everyone down in every single one of his fights."

"I think I stuffed about ten to fifteen takedowns in that fight, and man I was wrestling my (expletive) off for that fight."

In his last two fights, Marshall displayed his stand up ability, something he's not always done.

"I said to them all in the back before the fight, man this is some (expletive). I'm a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt trying to keep it on the feet," said the Colorado light heavyweight. "It's what you have to do in today's MMA. You can't let a wrestler take you down and ride you out, and that's what Brilz is best at."

Marshall continues to improve his skill set, becoming more and more well-rounded.

"Every fight so far I've improved in the UFC I feel like," said Marshall. "The Vinny Magalhaes fight I couldn't really rely on my jiu-jitsu at all, and with the Brilz fight with the wrestling."

"This fight I knew I could stay on the feet, but the question was could I keep it on the feet? Could I not get taken down? And I showed that. It's just a process," added Marshall. "Like I said after the fight, I'm a young fighter. I only have ten fights or so, eleven fights. It just takes time. Like if you look at some of Rashad Evans' first fights coming off the show, I think he had two or three split decisions."

"It's just a process. That's what Greg Jackson tells me all the time. This is just a process, and eventually when that process starts to come together you start to explode."

 

[Shogun Locc]

WEC TO HOLD MORE FREQUENT EVENTS

World Extreme Cagefighting began operations on June 30, 2001, in Lemoore, Calif., and held its first 24 events there before being purchased by Ultimate Fighting Championship parent company Zuffa in 2006. Its next seven events took place in Las Vegas, the promotion’s new home base.

Beginning in February 2008, the decision was made to take the show on the road.

In 2008 the WEC went to Albuquerque, N.M.; Sacramento, Calif.; and Hollywood, Fla. Thus far in 2009, the promotion has only held one event in Las Vegas, but has traveled to San Diego, Calif.; Corpus Christi, Texas; Chicago; and back to Sacramento with their next show on Oct. 10 scheduled for San Antonio, Texas.

Along with taking its product to new U.S. markets, the WEC now plans to hold more frequent events.

WEC co-founder and general manager Reed Harris told MMAWeekly.com, "Starting with this October show, the WEC is doing a show a month until next summer."

Typically the WEC averages an event every two months. The most fight cards it has put on in a single year before 2009 was six. This year they'll beef that schedule up to eight.

The organization announced its plans to also travel outside of its American base in 2010 with initial intentions to head to Mexico City and possibly Canada.

Expect to see more WEC events in more places as we close out 2009 and head into 2010.

 

[Shogun Locc]

TUF 10 Finale: Jon Jones ready to take Matt Hamill down on Dec. 5

“[Matt Hamill's] going to be a big step up in competition for me and a really good test for me and I’m stoked about it. I think his wrestling will play a factor in the fight. I usually fight guys who are Brazilian Black Belts or guys who consider themselves strikers, but with Matt being a tough wrestler, I can see that being an issue. But Matt isn’t really known for his submissions or having knockout power in his hands, so I’m just going to train every aspect of mixed martial arts and I’m excited about this fight because he’s not known for his Jiu-Jitsu and my Jiu-Jitsu is getting really good. If he ends up taking me down, I’m straight with working off of my back or getting into some scramble with him and possibly submitting him. In the boxing category, I feel like I’m faster than him and more well-rounded than him. In the kicking department, I’m working with Phil there and now I’m working into being a Muay Thai fighter, so I’m just going to go out there and mix it up in every aspect. I actually had a very good wrestling career also and I try not to doubt myself in any aspect of the sport. Doubt is where a weakness is about to come in, so I’m just ready to mix it up man. I’m ready to take him down, I’m ready to defend his takedowns and I’m just confident man. I haven’t lost and I’m always working to get better, so I have no reason to doubt myself. I just want to be an all-around great fighter.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

UFC Quick Quote: Shane Carwin is a tough wrestler with a 1-0 record

“[Shane Carwin's] a tough guy. He’s undefeated, but some of the guys he’s beaten aren’t worthy of having on your record. He hasn’t fought anybody. He’s fought (Gabriel) Gonzaga, so I really think he’s 1-0. He’s a tough guy and a wrestler. But he’s a Division II national champion — enough said. I don’t know what he is, 11-0, 10-0, but he’ll have a loss against Brock Lesnar.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

Gegard Mousasi set to return to action in November

Recently crowned Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi posted a blog entry on the official M-1 Global website over the weekend. Of the more interesting points in the blog, Mousasi, confirmed he will be a part of the Emelianenko vs. Rogers card, with an opponent to be named later. He also discussed his interest in one day fighting for the UFC, but is in no hurry to leave Strikeforce.

Below are some highlights from the bog entry:

On Strikeforce -

After my win on Babulu, I’ve noticed that I have gotten more American fans. A lot of people didn’t know me but winning against the favorite in Babulu gave me extra attention. There were some people that weren’t convinced yet but I’m happy to show them my ability. I like to read all the great reactions and that people believe in me. It really motivates me and I feel I’m just making my entrance. I still have a long road to go.

In November my second fight for Strikeforce will take place but my opponent is not been determined . I heard some rumors like Kevin Randleman, Paulo Filho and Mike Whitehead. Whitehead would be the most logical pick because he recently won against Randleman. I’ve also heard a rumor that Arona is fighting again and it would be great if Strikeforce can pick him up. We can use a new light heavyweight fighter.

For now, I am just just concentrating on myself. On this level everybody is a threat in a fight. It’s better to look at yourself instead of your opponent.

On Fedor vs. Brett Rogers -

Unfortunately I don’t have the main event yet because the honor goes to Fedor and to be honest I don’t mind it a bit. It’s a interesting matchup. I think Fedor will win but I have to mention that lots of people are underestimating Brett Rogers. Even though he didn’t fight the best of the best yet he still has a undefeated record and almost every fight ended in a KO. Then KO Arlovski in under 30 seconds or so makes me a believer. He’s very big and very strong, so he’s a danger for everybody. So I’m pretty excited for the fight. I hope I don’t break any bones in my fight so I can see the fight live myself. If Fedor wins there is a big chance he will fight Alistair. That’s a match a lot of fans want to see, so do I. Normally I like to see Alistair win, because he’s one of my favorites to watch, but this time I have to root for Fedor.

On the UFC -

I was doubting if I’m doing a UFC chapter in my blog, my first thought was no because I’m not a UFC fighter but on the other hand a lot of people ask me the question ‘when are you going to the UFC?’. I know that the best fighters in my weight fight in the UFC but I’m still young and very happy with Strikeforce as a company. I’ve signed a contract with them and I will fight the fights they give me.

There are so many things possible in a short time, maybe I lose two times and the UFC doesn’t want me at all. That’s why I focus on one fight at a time. My goal in the future is of course to become UFC champion but I’m not in a rush. I’m happy with Strikeforce now and that’s the most important things. I’m now champion and want to defend with honor and dignity. It’s up to fighters like Fedor, Alistair and me to show great fights and make Strikeforce look good. I still believe Strikeforce is the company with the most growth potential. By the way maybe the UFC champions will come to Strikeforce and challenges us for the belt (laughs).

On the future M-1 -

I’ve just came from the M-1 office and saw the plans for 2010, I can’t say anything about it but it looks good! It will be a year with a lot of events and a unique way for up-and-coming talents to put themselves in the big picture. I started at shows like that and it’s good to see that I grow with the company. I’m grateful they help me make the right decisions. M-1 has been in the press a lot lately and a lot of the attention has been bad. Some fans and people only hear one side of the story and that’s a pity. I’m not into politics so I don’t say anything about it but the only thing I can see is that they love the sport and invested a lot in giving talented fighters a platform to perform.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Roger Gracie hints at possible November 20 Strikeforce card

While there is no news currently available that a Strikeforce event may be in the works for November 20, recently signed heavyweight Roger Gracie may have let the cat out of the bag.

In a recent interview with Tatame.com the decorated Brazlian Jiu-Jitsu black belt had this to say, “I have plans to fight, maybe on November 20. I still don’t have an opponent, but if my knee is good and I could train until then, I think there’s a lot of chances of me to fight until this day“.

Now if Roger has his dates correct, this would most likely be a possible event being aired on Showtime, being that a Strikeforce Challengers card is already set for Showtime on November 6, with the highly anticipated Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers event taking place the next day, November 7, live on CBS.

As it stands right now, this big man of the long respected Gracie clan has compile a 2-0 record, ending both fights via first round submission.

Roger’s first bout took place at a Bodog event in 2006, before most recently seeing action during Sengoku 2 in May of 2008 where he finished Yuki Kondo off with a first round rear-naked stranglehold.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Rogério Nogueira Interview

Ready for his UFC debut against Luis Cane, the Bahia native Rogério “Minotouro” Nogueira spoke with TATAME.com about the training, the strategy for the fight and his brother’s fight against Randy Couture, on UFC 102. “Rodrigo dominated the octagon, making Couture walk behind. We told him to hit and get out, but he said he wanted to go for it”, said Rogério, in an exclusive interview with TATAME.com.

How are the training?
Actually I rest for a week after this fight I was going to make at Bitetti Combat. I was negociating with Ultimate, I had an injury on my foot, but I got better after resting. I’m 100% now, and now it's time to train and don’t waist time to be on top on my UFC debut.

How Ultimate called you? What did you think about fighting Banha?
We were trying to do something with UFC for a long time, it’s definitely a great event, and after the agreement they chose my opponent. It’s bad, I preferred to fight against an American. Banha is from American Top Team and we train there all the time, it’s kinda BTT disguised.

What do you expect of this fight and what’s your strategy?
I’m training all the possibilities. We’re training Boxing, Muay Thai, the ground, because on MMA you have to train it all. There’s no way to use only one weapon to win a fight, I gotta be good on Boxing, on kicks and knees defense, knows how to kick, use it all, or the guy comes much more prepared than you. Banha is young, fast, with a great record, but I’m here, training Boxing and Muay Thai. It’s gonna big a big fight, man.

Who are the guys that take your attention on MMA nowadays?
Anderson Silva, George Saint Pierre and Rodrigo Minotauro.

What did you think about your brother’s fight? Did you expect his domain?
I expected because Rodrigo has a consistent game. He was the only man to reach Randy Couture. Couture always pressures everyone and Rodrigo dominated the octagon, making Couture walk behind. We told him to hit and get out, but he said he wanted to go for it. Then he was hit once and beat Randy three times.

Minotauro got the knockdown and went for an arm triangle choke. Do you think that if he had punched from the side control he’d probably finish the fight?
Oh man, it’s his instinct. When the guy fell down, dizzy, he thought that was the time to submit, but no, the guy is tough, I don’t know how he handled that pressure. He uses vaseline on his face and gets slippery.

What do you think about female MMA’s growth with Cris Cyborg fights?
Cris is great, man, extremely strong, very aggressive, explosive, well trained, really powerful. She’s the queen between women. Female MMA is growing with the male, we can notice that it’s a bad moment for female Boxing, but MMA, everybody’s watching, talking about the fight. Female MMA is taking media’s attention.

Who are the revelations of Minotauro Team?
We have a terrific guy from Vitória, Rodrigo Kanu, he has a heavy hand, Chatubinha is getting better standing up, he’s training in the morning, afternoon and night. There’s Chatuba, who’s really good, Éder Jones... There’s a good group coming.

 

[Shogun Locc]

The Korean Typhoon! Won Sik Park

Name: Won Sik Park
Age: 22
Background: Taekwondo
MMA Record: 7-1-1
Dojo: CMA Korea Ulsan Gym

Be Proud Of Your Roots

Parky has trained Taekwondo for 7 years and is currently a 3rd degree black belt. He says: “A lot of Japanese fighters are proud of their backbone like Judo and Karate. However, Korean fighters who have Taekwondo as their backbone, they aren’t proud of it. I’m not an elite Taekwondo player but it is the foundation which made it possible for me to fight in MMA. I tried Taekwondo moves like it’s kicks and sidestep in my fights before and it was plenty effective. I want to use Taekwondo’s strong points in MMA and make the predominance of Taekwondo known.”

Taekwondo Vs. Kyokushin Karate

With three consecutive first round victories in DEEP, Parky has his eyes set on Katsunori Kikuno and the DEEP Lightweight title. He says that Kikuno has power and his middle kick is strong. He is currently preparing a counter for Kikuno’s crescent kick. If the time comes he intends to increase his physical strength training and train with Jang Yong Kim, the only fighter to have not been stopped by Kikuno in his last 5 fights, as well.

“I’ll definitely take back the belt that Bang Seung Hwan relinquished.”

The White Cage Of DREAM Next?

To level up Parky has started to visit Team MAD to train with fighters such as UFC’s Dong Hyun Kim and Myeon Ho Bae. A recent DEEP blog post hints that what’s next for Parky is exciting business. Did the post possibly hint at a participation in the white cage of DREAM.12 which in turn was hinted at in one of this months Japanese MMA magazines?

 

[Shogun Locc]

Akiyama to Train at Xtreme Couture; Tompkins Wants to Help with Defense

Yoshihiro Akiyama will travel stateside in October to train with Shawn Tompkins and the Xtreme Couture MMA camp in Las Vegas, Sherdog.com has learned.

Tompkins said the Japanese-Korean middleweight is expected to stay the entire month with the team and will focus on “refining his striking” with the coach and Vitor Belfort, who is slated to face UFC 185-pound champion Anderson Silva in January.

Tompkins said he first worked with the 2006 K-1 Hero’s tournament champion behind the scenes at UFC 97 last April in Montreal. Tompkins said he did not know who or when the former world-class judoka would be fighting in his next Octagon appearance.

“He is a great person and fighter and has a very slick aggressive style,” said Tompkins. “I would like to help him with his defense.”

Akiyama took a split decision over Alan Belcher at UFC 100 last July in Las Vegas. The three-round slugfest earned the duo “Fight of the Night” honors and a hefty $100,000 bonus each from the promotion. Prior to his UFC signing, Akiyama was a star in the Japan-based Dream and K-1 Hero’s promotions.

 

[Shogun Locc]

DREAM.12! Kikuno Vs. Alvarez Official!

The first two fights for DREAM.12 have been announced and they are high-level ones. In two Lightweight fights, DEEP Lightweight champion Katsunori Kikuno will take on Eddie Alvarez and Won Sik “Parky” Park will battle newly crowned Cage Force Lightweight champion Kuniyoshi Hironaka in a fight which I think might be a little too early for the young Korean.

Also announced as a participant of the card, Korean Myeon Ho Bae, who is 7-1 in his last 8, will make his DREAM debut.

Update: The fights will be fought in a hexagon cage and they will be 3 5 minute rounds

Update #2: The current plan is to hold one special cage event like DREAM.12 each year from 2010 and onward.

OLYMPIA DREAM.12
Date: October 25th, 2009
Place: Osaka Castle Hall in Osaka, Japan

Lightweight Fights:
Katsunori Kikuno vs. Eddie Alvarez
Won Sik Park vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka

Participants:
Myeon Ho Bae

Planned Participants:
Marius Zaromskis, Alistair Overeem, Paulo Filho, Murilo Ninja, Kiyoshi Tamura, Yoshiro Maeda, Andrews Nakahara

Possible Participants:
Takafumi Otsuka