MMA News Thread

[Shogun Locc]

Olympic champion trains at ATT to MMA

Golden medal on Beijing Olympics, in 2008, Henry Cejudo is training at American Top Team fort wo months and he’s excited to debut on MMA. “My debut will be amazing, I think it’s gonna be in Japan, in the first half of next year“, the fighter tells, talking to TATAME.

Expert in Wrestling, the American knows the needs to train other modalities to MMA. “I still have a lot to learn before considering to fight“, recognizes, talking about the trains at ATT. “I chose ATT beacuse is one of the best camps of the world. I’m liking very much the Muay Thai trainings and the physical preparation of Stéfane”, explains the athlete who already shone in Brazil.

“I’ve been in Brazil twice and I won the Pan American in Rio de Janeiro”, he says, revealing what he liked most on the country. “Women in Brazil are gorgeous and hot, I loved the country and I hope to be back“, finished. In front of the physical preparation of Henry, Stéfane Dias complemented the athlete’s preparation.

“He’s very explosive and fast. Just for you know, he can jump ten times in a 3,2 foot bench in a few seconds, and that’s excellent... To work with Olympic athletes is very good because of their dedication and prepare, and Henry has the advantage to be only 22, learning fast the MMA and liking it“, finished.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Trainer analyzes Little Nog vs. Brandon Vera

According to rumors of American websites, the next opponent of Rogério “Minotouro” on UFC may be Brandon Vera. Coming from an amazing victory over Luis “Banha” on UFC 106, when he debuted with a knock out on the first round, Minotouro may have a though opponent ahead, who’s coming from a controversy defeat to Randy Couture, on the edition before. In interview to TATAME, Luis Dórea, his Boxe’s trainer, analyzed the combat.

“Vera is a great athlete, a great person. We’re always training on his gym, we were always welcome on his team, he has a lot of quality, he’s good on the ground, left, but Rogério has a lot of quality, they’re both great athletes, but I see a good fight to Minotouro”, say, standing out Brazilian’s experience.

“He already fought with great athletes and he’s use to the hard times, he knows that he will only face rough guys on UFC. He doesn’t stop, he’s training hard. His tachnical evolution on Boxe is amazing. On the ground he’s an expert“, complements, putting Minotouro on the top of the rankings: “nowadays, Rogério is between the best of the world”, finished.

 

[Shogun Locc]

‘Shaolin’ Ribeiro eyes Strikeforce debut

Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro fought in United States for the last time in 2006, but He Will be back to North American stages in the beginning of 2010, and the preparation already started. “I must fight now on the beginning of 2010, because they will make about 20 events for year, so it will always have events. I’m getting in shape, if the guy calls me, I’ll be ready, told the lightweight, talking to TATAME.

Living in New York, he will be back to Brazil in the middle of the month to tight the trainings on Nova União. “There are some people who train here with me, and I’ll be training 15 days here and 15 days later. Then, when they call me, I’ll finish with trains here. Family is already in Brazil, I stayed here alone, taking care of everything. It will start to get colder here in January, then the family go to spend some time there”, tells, running away from New York’s cold. “Don’t even say, man… Even with kimono it gets too cold. Just after the first train that things start to get better (laugh)”.

Without knowing who’s gonna be his opponent, Shaolin jokes. “I’m like a blind man in a shooting… I’m looking their employees list, seeing who’s coming from victory and defeat. There’s Thompson and Melendez, but they have the title, so I won’t face them for now. I’m seeing people around them”, explains, excited to fight on USA. “I’ll train very focused on Brazil to come back well”.

 

[Shogun Locc]

"WEC 45: Cerrone vs. Ratcliff" fight card complete with 10 bouts for Dec. 19

The fight card is set for the Dec. 19 "WEC 45: Cerrone vs. Ratcliff" event.

The upcoming World Extreme Cagefighting show, headlined by lightweight contenders Donald Cerrone (10-2 MMA, 3-2 WEC) and Ed Ratcliff (7-1 MMA, 3-1 WEC), takes place at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

The night's four-fight main card, which includes a co-headliner of WEC newcomer and IFL stand-out Chris Horodecki (13-1 MMA, 0-0 WEC) vs. fast-rising prospect Anthony Njokuani (11-2 MMA, 2-1 WEC), airs on Versus.

Today's official announcement and card unveiling had few surprises; most of the matchups were previously announced or reported. However, one late addition to the preliminary card is a bantamweight bout between John Hosman (13-5-1 MMA, 0-1 WEC) and WEC newcomer Chad George (10-4 MMA, 0-0 WEC).

As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) recently reported, Hosman was expected to meet David Smith (5-1 MMA, 0-0 WEC) at the event. However, WEC officials today confirmed with MMAjunkie.com that Smith was forced off the card due to an injury he suffered prior to bout agreements being signed. The Los Angeles-based George, who's riding a five-fight win streak after competing in organizations across the country, got the bout instead.

A video preview of the upcoming event, which concludes the WEC's 2009 season, can be found above.

The official WEC 45 fight card now includes:

MAIN CARD

* Donald Cerrone vs. Ed Ratcliff
* Chris Horodecki vs. Anthony Njokuani
* Joseph Benavidez vs. Rani Yahya
* Scott Jorgensen vs. Takeya Mizugaki

PRELIMINARY CARD

* Bart Palaszewski vs. Anthony Pettis
* Muhsin Corbbrey vs. Zach Micklewright
* Chad George vs. John Hosman
* Tyler Toner vs. Brandon Visher
* Kyle Dietz vs. Brad Pickett
* Erik Koch vs. Jameel Massouh

 

[Shogun Locc]

UFC Quick Quote: Kenny Florian has changed for Clay Guida

"My body definitely has changed. I definitely am at my biggest and at my leanest.... I feel very, very strong. I feel I'm at my quickest, and I'm in tremendous shape right now.... We've really gone back to the basics. I feel like it's been a total rebirth, a total upgrade of what I've been doing.... I believe people are going to see even more of a change in the way that I look and fight from here on out. It's going to be more of a change than what it was after the Sherk fight.... He's one of those guys who's a survivor, and he's very, very tough. I have my work cut out for me. This is a great fight for me to get back on track. He's a very well-respected opponent, he's one of the best out there and that's who I want to fight. Those are only the people I want to fight."

 

[Shogun Locc]

WEC 44 FIGHTER DRUG TESTS COME BACK CLEAN

Keith Kizer, Executive Director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, on Tuesday released the results of post-fight tests for performance enhancers and drugs of abuse at WEC 44.

WEC 44 took place on Nov. 18 at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas and featured a featherweight title bout between Mike Brown and Jose Aldo. It drew an official attendance of 1,845 for a live gate of $131,200.

Nine athletes were tested: Brown, Aldo, Manny Gamburyan, Karen Darabedyan, Shane Roller, Kamal Shalorus, LC Davis, Ricardo Lamas, and Frank Gomez. All came back negative.

The WEC heads back to Las Vegas on Dec. 19 for WEC 45, featuring a lightweight headliner between Donald Cerrone and Ed Ratcliff.

 

[Shogun Locc]

OUTURE VS. COLEMAN HEAD 11-BOUTS FOR UFC 109

The UFC on Super Bowl weekend has become a mixed martial arts tradition.

The MMA juggernaut on Tuesday formally announced its 2010 Super Bowl weekend event, UFC 109, for Feb. 6 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, including a full slate of 11 bouts.

In a re-scheduling of a bout more than a decade in the making, former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Randy Couture will face former Pride and UFC champion Mark Coleman in the main event. The two had been scheduled to meet in 1998 at UFC 17, but was shelved due to injury.

Welterweight contender Josh Koscheck gets a chance to avenge his lone knockout loss against Brazil’s Paulo Thiago in the co-main event, along with pivotal showdowns featuring Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Brandon Vera, Nate Marquardt vs. Chael Sonnen and Matt Serra vs. Frank Trigg on the main card.

Other confirmed bouts include Demian Maia vs. Dan Miller, Mac Danzig vs. Justin Buchholz, Tim Hague vs. Chris Tuchscherer, Rolles Gracie vs. Mustapha Al-Turk, Melvin Guillard vs. Ronnys Torres, and Rob Emerson vs. Phillipe Nover.

 

[Shogun Locc]

SEVERAL MEDICAL SUSPENSIONS FOR TUF 10 FIGHTERS

The Nevada State Athletic Commission on Tuesday released The Ultimate Fighter 10 finale medical suspensions that are commonly handed out following mixed martial arts events.

Brendan Schaub was suspended until Jan. 20, 2010, with no contact until Jan. 5.

Matt Hamill was suspended until Feb. 5, 2010, at the minimum with no contact until Jan. 20. He must have his left shoulder cleared by an orthopedic doctor or he is suspended until June 4.

Marcus Jones was suspended until Feb. 5, 2010, with no contact until Jan. 20.

Matt Mitrione was suspended until Jan. 5, 2010, at the minimum with no contact until Dec. 27, 2009. He must have his right wrist x-rayed and cleared by an orthopedic doctor or he is suspended until June 4, 2010.

Darrill Schoonover was suspended until Feb. 5, 2010, at the minimum with no contact until Jan. 20. He must not engage in training or fighting until he has been cleared by an opthalmologist.

James McSweeney must have his right third metacarpal and right hand cleared by an orthopedic doctor or he is suspended until June 4, 2010.

Justin Wren must have a CT scan of his facial bones and be cleared by a doctor or he is suspended until June 4, 2010.

John Howard was suspended until Dec. 27 with no contact until Dec. 20 due to a laceration.

Dennis Hallman was suspended until Feb. 5, 2010, with no contact until Jan. 20.

 

[Shogun Locc]

KIMBO PROPELS TUF 10 TO RECORD RATINGS

Love him or hate him, whether you feel he’s developing into a legitimate mixed martial artist or not, there’s no arguing Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson’s effect on The Ultimate Fighter and the UFC.

He brings the eyeballs.

Spike TV on Tuesday revealed that Kimbo’s fight with Houston Alexander led the charge for “The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights” finale, drawing a peak of 5.2 million viewers. The season 10 finale averaged 3.7 million viewers over the course of the three-hour telecast.

The ratings were strong enough to make the Kimbo versus Alexander fight the most watched UFC bout of 2009, the finale the most watched final episode in Ultimate Fighter history, and shattered the series’ average viewership.

The previous nine seasons of the series averaged two million viewers per episode. Season 10 averaged 3.4 million, which was bolstered by the episode featuring Kimbo versus eventual season winner Roy Nelson. Their episode drew an average of 5.3 million viewers, including 6.1 million that tuned in during the time of their fight.

Both of Kimbo’s fights this season are firmly notched amongst the top ten most watched non-pay-per-view fights in mixed martial arts history in the United States, as are his two bouts for EliteXC on CBS.

Perhaps more important than the totals and averages is Kimbo’s and the UFC’s drawing power in key advertiser demographics. The Ultimate Fighter was consistently one of, if not the top draw amongst the coveted Men 18-34 and Men 18-49 demographics. Saturday night’s Ultimate Fighter finale was no different, with Spike TV boasting it as “the most-watched show on cable with Men 18-34 and Men 18-49 for the day.”

Sports are big business these days, and mixed martial arts is no different. Whether he’s ever going to crack the top tier of talent in the UFC is definitely at question, but don’t expect Kimbo Slice to leave the confines of the Octagon any time soon.

 

[Shogun Locc]

BELLATOR MATCHMAKER RESIGNS

Matt Stansell, matchmaker for tournament-based fight promotion Bellator Fighting Championships, resigned his post on Monday.

Stansell and Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney said the split was amicable, though Rebney said Tuesday that Stansell stopped working with the company two weeks ago.

“The simplest way to put it is, as companies evolve and grow, sometimes that growth is best for certain parties to stay together and sometimes that growth requires that certain parties split,” Rebney said. “At this point, it wasn’t the right fit as we continue to grow and expand.”

“I just chose to take a different path, that’s all,” said Stansell, who manages several of Bellator’s contract fighters. He declined to elaborate on his reasons for leaving, but said he would continue to work with the promotion on a manager-promotion basis.

Stansell's clients include UFC light heavyweight standout Brandon Vera, WEC lightweight Ed Ratcliff, and Bellator veterans Wilson Reis and Eddie Sanchez.

Rebney said Bellator is currently without a full-time matchmaker, but is working with a variety of agents and managers to fill the roster of its second season, which debuts April 8 on Fox Sports Net and its regional affiliates. An edited version of the show will air every Saturday night on NBC and Spanish-language Telemundo over its 12-week season.

The CEO said the promotion could hire up to three full-time matchmakers as the season drew closer. More announcements on new Bellator acquisitions are expected this week.

“Over the past five weeks, I’ve had a whole team of people traveling on behalf of the company,” he said. “The show has become so much bigger than it was last season.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

Fabiano vs. Gomez, Jansen vs. Shalorus among official bookings for WEC 46

Zuffa's busy day of official fight announcements continues, and a trio of preliminary card fights has been officially added to "WEC 46: Varner vs. Henderson."

Wagnney Fabiano vs. Frank Gomez heads the evening's preliminary bouts, while Dave Jansen vs. Kamal Shalorus and Will Campuzano vs. Coty Wheeler are also official for the Jan. 10 event.

All three of the contests were previously reported by MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

Fabiano (12-2 MMA, 2-1 WEC) has long been considered among the best featherweights in the world, and the fight with Gomez will be his first at 135 pounds. The drop also comes as Fabiano tries to rebound from a shocking and disappointing loss to Mackens Semerzier at WEC 43 in October.

Prior to the loss, Fabiano had carried an eight-fight win streak, including WEC wins over Fredson Paixao and Akitoshi Tamura. Prior to his current WEC run, the Brazilian held the now-defunct International Fight League's featherweight title.

Meanwhile, after suffering a submission loss to Scott Jorgensen in his WEC debut – the lone loss of his nine-fight professional career – Gomez (8-1 MMA, 2-1 WEC) currently holds a two-fight win streak. Gomez earned a unanimous-decision win over Seth Dikun at this past week's WEC 44 event, as well as a submission win over Noah Thomas at June's "WEC 41: Brown vs. Faber II."

Six of Gomez's eight career wins have come by stoppage. The three-time WEC veteran relies on a strong wrestling base built over a lifetime of competing in the sport that includes a brief stint at San Francisco State University, a Division II program.

Jansen (14-0 MMA, 1-0 WEC), a SportFight and M-1 Challenge veteran, posted 13 consecutive wins (eight via stoppage) to start his career and earn a WEC contract. He made his promotional debut in October and stopped veteran Richard Crunkilton (16-3) via decision at WEC 43.

Shalorus (5-0-1 MMA, 1-0 WEC), meanwhile, turned pro just 19 months ago but quickly earned his way into the WEC following a 4-0-1 run. The Iranian fighter made it 5-0-1 after defeating Will Kerr via 86-second TKO at WEC 44 earlier this month. Shalorus, who was moved to the night's televised main card at the last minute, dazzled in his debut and won over the crowd with a passionate post-fight speech.

As MMAjunkie.com reported earlier today, Campuzano (6-1 MMA, 0-1 WEC) and Wheeler (10-2 MMA, 1-2 WEC) each to look to rebound from WEC 43 losses.

WEC officials informed MMAjunkie.com that the card was not yet complete and to expect the official addition of at least one more fight. WEC 46 currently includes:

MAIN CARD

* Champ Jamie Varner vs. interim champ Benson Henderson (to unify lightweight title)
* Raphael Assuncao vs. Urijah Faber
* Mackens Semerzier vs. Deividas Taurosevicius
* Akitoshi Tamura vs. Charlie Valencia

PRELIMINARY CARD

* Wagnney Fabiano vs. Frank Gomez
* Dave Jansen vs. Kamal Shalorus
* Mark Hominick vs. Yves Jabouin
* Rafael Rebello vs. Eddie Wineland
* Will Campuzano vs. Coty Wheeler
* Jesse Moreng vs. George Roop*

* - Not yet officially announced

 

[Shogun Locc]

UFC releases Denis Kang, Jason Dent, and Roli Delgado

Sources are saying the Ultimate Fighting Championship has released American Top Team’s Denis Kang following his UFC 105 loss to Michael Bisping. Kang (32-12-1) was 1-2 in his three fights within the organization in 2009. His other loss came at the hands of Alan Belchar and the lone win was a decision victory over “Professor X” Xavier Foupa-Pokam at UFC 97. Kang was dominated in his last fight against Bisping where he was stopped in round 2.

It is also being reported that Ultimate Fighter alum Jason Dent and Roli Delgado have also been released by from the promotion. Dent was a member of Team USA on The Ultimate Fighter 9 and Delgado appeared on the season before, Team Nogueira vs. Team Mir. Dent holds a 1-3 record in the UFC, while Delgado posts a 1-2 mark.

Do not be surprised to see either of these two fighters, especially Jason Dent, show up in the WEC at some point in 2010.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Jeff Monson signs with Strikeforce

Former UFC heavyweight #1 contender Jeff Monson has signed with Strikeforce ATO has learned through a source close to the fighter. Monson will debut in Strikeforce in 2010 and likely drop to 205.

Monson has won 7 out of his last 8 fights. He dropped a unanimous decision to Pedro Rizzo in Brazil back in September. “The Snowman” has fought a who’s who of MMA heavyweights. Monson defeated TUF 10 winner Roy Nelson back in March. There was a four year stretch from 2003 to 2006 where he won 16 straight fights.

The signing could be big for Strikeforce. Monson is someone who the casual fan may know from his time in the UFC and could be someone they use on a CBS show or possibly an opponent for Dan Henderson at light heavyweight.

 

[Shogun Locc]

FLORIAN READY TO PUT BIG CHANGES TO THE TEST

Former UFC lightweight title challenger and perennial contender Kenny Florian is once again on the comeback trail.

Following two unsuccessful attempts in claiming lightweight supremacy, most recently at UFC 101 this past August opposite current champion B.J. Penn, a permanent change was imminent for the native of Boston in order to expand his already impressive skill set.

Though severing ties from Team Sityotdong’s Mark Dellagrote was surely an uncomfortably new experience for Florian, it’s something he suggests was a necessity to get where he feels now is the best place to be, under the tutelage of a man that Florian describes is ahead of his time in trainer Firas Zahabi, the man behind UFC veteran David Loiseau and current welterweight kingpin Georges St-Pierre.

“It was very quickly that I realized that this is a guy (Firas) that’s doing things that are on a completely different level and just the way that he thinks, the techniques that he does, the drills – just how much thought and effort that he puts into coaching, watching video – the guy is a freak,” stated Florian while a guest on the MMAWeekly Radio Show.

“I made a lot of improvements after the (Sean) Sherk fight, but I feel that these changes will be greater than what I showed after the Sherk fight.”

Preparing for his next fight, a step back into title contention, Florian knew that he would need a sparring partner that could emulate his opponent, Clay Guida, in every way possible, right down to his long mane.

“He has long hair, his hair goes past his ears, and I’m like, ‘I’m taking him, that’s it,’” joked Florian in regards to obtaining the services of WEC interim lightweight champion Ben Henderson in preparations for his UFC 107 co-main event tilt.

“It’s funny. I got word that I was fighting Clay and (the WEC) had this main event ‘Cerrone vs. Henderson,’ saw the fight... (Henderson’s) so tenacious, doesn’t give up, he takes a beating, he keeps coming, he’s a good wrestler, tough-tough kid with good skills all the way around and he’s got phenomenal cardio. I was like, ‘man, we should get a hold of this guy.’”

With no easy fights in the UFC, let alone the lightweight division, the 33-year-old Florian looks forward to the problems that the enigmatic Guida will present and it’s the challenge that has reinvigorated Florian for a third run at the 155-pound title.

“I’m not here to get any easy fights. I want a tough guy. I want a tough guy like a Clay Guida,” he told MMAWeekly.com.

“Clay’s a guy that brings it every time and I want to fight a guy like that. People say that I’ve had problems with wrestlers, so let’s do it. He’s been calling me out for a while now, so I’m excited to give him the opportunity to try and beat me.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

AOKI MAY FIGHT IN STRIKEFORCE AS SOON AS MARCH

Shinya Aoki could make his Strikeforce debut in March, according to the San Jose, Calif.-based promotion’s CEO.

Scott Coker on Monday told MMAWeekly.com that “dialogue was continuing” with Aoki’s camp and follow-up meetings were planned during a trip to Japan for Dynamite! Dream vs. Sengoku on New Year’s Eve.

"I do believe Aoki will probably be here fighting for Strikeforce in March sometime," he said.

Coker said a Showtime-broadcast card on Jan. 30 in Sunrise, Fla., is nearly filled, though he declined to confirm an April CBS card rumored by the promotion’s signing of Dan Henderson on Monday morning. He did, however, tell AOL Fanhouse that the months of March, April, and May were targeted for events and February was excluded due to the Winter Olympics.

With January booked out and April being negotiated for a CBS event, it’s all but certain a March card would fall under the Showtime banner.

Aoki, 26, is No. 2 ranked lightweight in the world and has dazzled hardcore fans with his slick submission abilities, not to mention his colorful pants. In his last appearance, he took home the Dream lightweight title with a rubber match victory over Norwegian standout Joachim Hansen at Dream 11. He has amassed an 8-2 record in the 20-plus months since the Japanese promotion emerged from the ashes of Pride Fighting Championships.

Of course, with an American debut, Aoki would likely have to swap his pants for run-of-the-mill fight shorts.

Coker said he was also targeting Hayato “Mach” Sakurai, the man who most recently defeated Aoki, and Tatsuya Kawajiri for Strikeforce’s near future.

“The toughest part is going to be the scheduling,” Coker said.

 

[drunkaholic707]

Zuffa bans controversial clothing brand Hoelzer Reich from future UFC, WEC events

California-based Hoelzer Reich apparel company has been banned from sponsoring fighters at future UFC and WEC events.

WEC general manager Reed Harris expressed his personal concerns regarding the company's "German-themed" apparel on today's edition of MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio), and the exec told Yahoo! Sports shortly after the interview that Zuffa, LLC, will no longer allow its athletes to wear Hoelzer Reich apparel into the cage at UFC or WEC events.

MMAjunkie.com has since confirmed the report with a representative from Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of both MMA promotions.

Hoelzer Reich has come under fire for its use of symbolism associated with Nazism, including the Iron Cross, logos closely resembling those such as the "SS" used by the Schutzstaffel, the Totenkopf skull, and other mottos and symbols commonly associated with Nazi Germany.

The controversy surrounding the brand grew over the weekend when UFC newcomer Joe Brammer wore a Hoelzer Reich shirt to the cage for his preliminary card bout with Mark Bocek at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale. Brammer's entrance was shown during the Spike TV-broadcast event, and concern from outraged and concerned observers spread throughout the mixed martial arts community.

Harris today admitted he wasn't 100 percent familiar with the brand, but he didn't envision the organization supporting a group that portrayed any sort of racist message.

"I'll tell you my personal opinion: I'm against any group that obviously portrays the white, Aryan stuff, or any of that stuff," Harris told MMAjunkie.com Radio. "I don't know if that necessarily involves [Hoelzer Reich]. I've been told that it may. If it does, I'm not going to support it. That's my own opinion.

"If you look at our fighters, we are a diverse group. If you go to our office and look at who works there – I've worked for a lot of companies – it's the most diverse group of people I've ever worked with, and it's wonderful. I'm not sure how [Hoelzer Reich sponsorships] are all going to play out, but I've started to kind of look into it myself. I'm not sure if it's something that's going to work in the WEC."

In a statement on the company's official website, Hoelzer Reich co-owners Jed Colvin and Jamie Vine emphatically deny that their designs are developed based on anything other than their "love for apparel and design and desire to create a bad ass line of apparel that represents our family heritage and interest in MMA."

"We do not have any political affiliations with any organizations, nor specific views of any controversial parties," the statement reads. "Our interest in the Iron Cross and German history comes strictly from a historical and ancestral standpoint.

"For many years, we have collected German memorabilia dating back to the early 1800's which has been passed through the family for generations.The Iron cross symbol and other German-inspired imagery used on our apparel dates back hundreds of years, and does not depict a certain time of German History."

Hoelzer Reich's official website currently advertises its associations with WEC fighters Donald Cerrone and James Krause, but Harris told Yahoo! Sports that "Cowboy" had severed ties with the company "months ago."

Harris said the decision to completely eliminate the brand from the WEC, UFC, or both would have to come from the highest reaches of the organization.

"At the end of the day, (UFC president) Dana White and (UFC co-owner) Lorenzo (Fertitta) make those decisions," Harris said. "But I certainly have input, and I think they would probably make that same decision."

For now, at least, it appears they have.

 

[drunkaholic707]

Robbie Lawler vs. Trevor Prangley completes "Strikeforce: Evolution" on Dec. 19

Better late than never.

With less than two weeks until Strikeforce middleweight contender Robbie Lawler (16-5) is scheduled to return to action, the California-based promotion has finally announced his opponent: Strikeforce and UFC veteran Trevor Prangley (22-5).

Lawler and Prangley meet on the Showtime-broadcast portion of "Strikeforce: Evolution" on Dec. 19 at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Middleweight slugger Cung Le and Scott Smith headline the event.

The final EliteXC middleweight champ, Lawler seeks to bounce back from a June loss, held at a catchweight of 182 pounds, to current Strikeforce middleweight champ Jake Shields. Prior to the loss, the UFC, PRIDE, and IFL vet had been on a five-fight win streak, and all five wins had come by knockout or TKO.

Lawler was announced for the card nearly a month ago, though his opponent wasn't officially announced until late Tuesday night.

Prangley enters the bout on a five-fight win streak and has won 11 of his past 12 contests overall. the South African fought less than two weeks ago in Texas and earned the Shark Fights light heavyweight title with a first-round submission win over Marcus Sursa.

The 37-year-old Prangley has compiled a 3-1 record in four previous Strikeforce contests.

With the official addition to the card, "Strikeforce: Evolution" now includes:

MAIN CARD

* Cung Le vs. Scott Smith
* Champ Josh Thomson vs. interim champ Gilbert Melendez (lightweight title-unification bout)
* Matt Lindland vs. Ronald "Jacare" Souza
* Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal vs. Mike Whitehead
* Robbie Lawler vs. Trevor Prangley

PRELIMINARY CARD

* Antwain Britt vs. Scott Lighty
* Daisuke Nakamura vs. Bryan Travers
* Juan Nunez vs. Luis Mendoza
* Bobby Stack vs. Alex Trevino
* Alex Crispim vs. A.J. Fonseca

 

[drunkaholic707]

Weekend plans uncertain for Jeff Monson, but "The Snowman" not yet Strikeforce-bound (Updated)

UFC and PRIDE veteran Jeff Monson (31-9) has been linked to weekend bouts at both Brazil's Bitetti Combat and Thunder Promotions' "Alabama Pride."

While MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned that Monson is indeed still being considered by organizations, one other recent rumor has proven false.

Strikeforce officials say reports linking "The Snowman" to the California-based organization are untrue.

On Tuesday, Thunder Promotions issued a release stating that Monson was scheduled to meet MMA super-veteran Travis Fulton (191-45-11) in a heavyweight main event at "Alabama Pride" on Dec. 12 in Birmingham, Ala.

"Alabama Pride" also features a celebrity kickboxing match in the co-feature slot, as Grammy Award-winning rapper Coolio meets actor Eric Martinez.

Coolio was added to the card only after fellow rapper DMX turned down the contest.

The release from Thunder Promotions also included a statement from Monson promoting the bout with Fulton.

"Most of the guys I fight I have the experience advantage on, and obviously [Fulton] has had close to 300 fights, so that’s not the case in this scenario," Monson stated in a recent press release promoting the event. "He's a strong boxer and puncher, and he's got a bunch of submissions."

Monson, who was defeated by Pedro Rizzo at September's "Bitetti Combat 4," has long been rumored to be facing Glover Teixeira on Dec. 12, and sources close to the promotion indicated the former UFC title challenger may still make the trip to Brazil.

While Strikeforce officials denied any current involvement with Monson, the powerful grappler who volunteered to face Fedor Emelianenko when opponent Josh Barnett was forced out of the ill-fated "Affliction: Trilogy" event earlier this year, did state that he was in discussions with the California-based promotion.

"We're talking to Strikeforce right now, and the hope is that at the end of the year to sign with them and have that matchup (against Emelianenko)," Monson stated. "That's a fight I think I can win, and it would be dream matchup for me."

Monson vs. Fulton, should it happen, Coolio vs. Martinez, and the remaining "Alabama Pride" contests will be available via online pay-per-view stream on Saturday at NESportsTV.com. There are currently no U.S. broadcast plans for Bitetti Combat 5.

 

[drunkaholic707]

Carlos Condit injury forces cancellation of UFC 108 bout with Paul Daley

After weeks of searching for a main event for the first event of 2010, the UFC has now lost a planned co-feature bout for UFC 108.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned from a source close to Carlos Condit (24-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) that the "Natural Born Killer" has suffered an injury in training and has been forced to withdraw from a main-card bout with British slugger Paul Daley (22-8-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC).

No word yet on whether the UFC will seek a replacement opponent for Daley at the Jan. 2 event.

Featuring a light heavyweight contenders matchup between former champ Rashad Evans and Brazilian slugger Thiago Silva, "UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva" takes place at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas and airs live on pay per view.

In a card lacking in star power, many MMA observers were pointing toward the Condit vs. Daley matchup as a potential bright spot.

MMAjunkie.com was told that Condit's injury was to one of his hands, though the exact nature of the injury and a timetable for the 25-year-old's return was not revealed.

The WEC's final welterweight champion, Condit was seeking to build on the momentum of a razor-thin split-decision victory over Jake Ellenberger at UFC Fight Night 19 in September. Condit had dropped his UFC debut, also by split decision, in a "Fight of the Year" candidate with Martin Kampmann in April.

The main-card bout was to be Condit's first on pay per view.

Meanwhile, Daley was hoping to follow-up a shocking, first-round TKO win over Martin Kampmann at UFC 103 with another impressive outing.

Following the September win, Daley said he would be willing to fight anyone the UFC put in front of him.

"I'll do it again, and I don't care who's standing in front of me," Daley said. "I'm just going to be the same fighter and go out there to finish people."

The 26-year-old Team Rough House product has won 10 of his past 12 contests, and "Semtex" has earned 17 of his 22 career wins by knockout or TKO.

 

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Welterweight prospect Ben Askren announced as Bellator's newest signee

Two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion and current welterweight prospect Ben Askren (3-0) was today announced as Bellator's newest addition.

A U.S. Olympian who competed in the 2008 Beijing Games, Askren has compiled three first-round stoppages since his professional MMA debut in February.

While an exact date for the 25-year-old's Bellator debut was not announced, Askren is expected to participate in the promotion's second-ever tournament, which kicks-off in April.

"I am very happy to welcome Ben to Bellator," Bjorn Rebney, founder and CEO of Bellator Fighting Championships, stated in an official release announcing the deal. "Ben's an exciting fighter with unlimited potential and an unparalleled list of Olympic and collegiate accomplishments. We believe he can become a true force in this sport. As an MMA fan, I can't wait for Ben's first fight in our tournament on FOX Sports Net, NBC and Telemundo this April."

Terms of Askren's deal were not released, though it was described as an "exclusive, long-term agreement."

Askren said Bellator's expanded TV audience was a primary factor in his decision to join the promotion.

"I like that my fights are going to broadcast nationally," Askren stated. "I like the tournament-style format, and I love the opportunity to be a part of something exciting and new.

"I plan on winning Bellator. My goal, as it always has been, is to be the best in the world."

A former University of Missouri wrestler, Askren is currently training at American Kickboxing Academy. Askren has also enjoyed stints with American Top Team, Arizona Combat Sports and the Lion's Den.

Should Askren make it through the promotion's eight-man welterweight tournament, he'll book a date with undefeated current 170-pound title