MMA News Thread

[Shogun Locc]

The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale drug tests come back clean

All nine fighters who underwent testing for performance-enhancing drugs and recreational/drugs of abuse at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale passed their tests.

Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer today emailed the results to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

Both main event fighters, Roy Nelson and Brendan Schaub, were tested, as were undercard fighters Matt Hamill, Jon Jones, Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson, Frankie Edgar, Matt Mitrione, John Howard and Mark Bocek.

The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale took place Dec. 5 at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas and aired on Spike TV.

All fighters were tested for drugs of abuse (such as marijuana and cocaine), as well as anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancers. The NSAC traditionally tests headliners and undercard winners, though the commission randomly selects a few other competitors at most events.

In Nevada MMA fighters are also subject to drug testing at any time – for just about any reason – throughout the year, regardless of whether or not the fighter is scheduled for an upcoming event. However, the testing is usually reserved for scheduled fighters.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Bellator champ Hector Lombard: "I want Dan Henderson" in Strikeforce

With the recent revelation that UFC import Dan Henderson (25-7) will fight for Strikeforce at an as-yet-unannounced April event on CBS, speculation immediately turned to whom the dual-weight class star would be fighting.

While initial reports have suggested that Strikeforce middleweight champ Jake Shields is a likely first step, another MMA title-holder has volunteered for the contest, as well.

Bellator middleweight champion Hector Lombard (22-2-1) told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) he's itching for the chance to prove himself on the big stage.

"I would sign that contract today," Lombard said. "Dan Henderson is a great fighter and a legend in the sport, but I know I have the skills to beat him."

Lombard currently trains with American Top Team, and he carries a 16-fight unbeaten streak. Lombard made his U.S. debut earlier this year in Bellator's debut middleweight tournament, and the 31-year-old ran through Jared Hess, Damien Stelly and Virgil Lozano en route to capturing the promotion's 185-pound title.

Lombard will await the winner of Bellator's second eight-man tournament, set to begin in April, for his first defense of his title. In the meantime, he's ready to stay active and test himself against a former two-division PRIDE champion.

"U.S. fans have only seen a little of my abilities," Lombard said. "Fighting and beating Dan Henderson would let me show the world what I'm capable of."

Lombard hasn't lost since a 2006 decision to current Strikeforce champ Gegard Mousasi. His only other career defeat came to UFC and PRIDE veteran Akihiro Gono. Meanwhile, Lombard has earned 17 of his 22 career wins by stoppage.

Lombard's managers, Malki Kawa and Ricky Llorente of First Round Management, said Bellator officials have given Lombard their blessing to pursue the fight.

"(Bellator CEO) Bjorn Rebney has told us he's on board with Lombard taking this fight," Kawa said. "Obviously Hector will need to defend his title in 2010, but in the meantime, he'd really like to make this fight happen. Thankfully, Bjorn understands how Bellator can also benefit from a great performance by Hector at Strikeforce – not to mention what a great fight it would be for all MMA fans."

So with Henderson's first Strikeforce opponent still uncertain, Lombard said he's ready and willing.

"I look forward to hearing something from Strikeforce," Lombard said. "I know they want to put on a great show on such a big stage, and I promise I can give that to them."

But for Lombard, just putting on a show isn't enough. He's got more specific goals in mind.

"I want Dan Henderson – period."

 

[Shogun Locc]

JON JONES ASKS NSAC FOR REVERSAL OF DECISION

Representatives for UFC light heavyweight Jon Jones have asked the Nevada State Athletic Commission to reverse his disqualification against Matt Hamill at “The Ultimate Fighter” season 10 finale on Dec. 5 in Las Vegas.

Referee Steve Mazzagatti disqualified Jones in the card’s main event after ruling that Hamill was unable to continue after Jones threw several illegal elbows late in the first round.

In a letter dated Dec. 11, Ryan Ciotoli and Gary Marino of BombSquad Sports Management, the firm that manages Jones, asked the commission to change the decision to Jones’ favor, citing a state statute that allows for such a move when “the referee has rendered an incorrect decision.”

Hamill, who is legally deaf, had blood in his eyes and did not respond when Mazzagatti asked him if he was okay. Mazzagatti then utilized an instant replay monitor to review the blows and made the disqualification ruling. It was the first time instant replay had been used in the state.

Moments after the stoppage, the former Ohio State wrestler said he had hurt his shoulder during the fight and “couldn’t fight with one arm.”

The complaint does not dispute that Jones violated commission statutes by throwing multiple “12 to 6” downward elbows, but claims the blows did not render Hamill unable to continue.

“The criteria that was used to determine whether or not Mr. Hamill could continue was flawed,” the letter states.

The complaint claims Mazzagatti violated a “well-established precedent” to involve ringside physicians in deciding whether Hamill could continue or not.

The letter included a statement from Hamill issued five days after the fight where he said he dislocated his shoulder when Jones tossed him to the ground and, “knew it was probably over at that point.”

“At minimum, Mr. Hamill should have had (an) opportunity to clearly understand what was being asked of him and given the ability to respond,” the letter states. “If allowed this basic right, we believe, based on Mr. Hamill’s own admission, that his shoulder injury would have precluded him from continuing, not the perceived foul.”

Ciatoli and Marino said the vision-blurring cuts were caused by 23 legal elbows that Jones landed from the mount position, not the illegal blows.

The complaint asks the NSAC to schedule a hearing on the matter in the event that the decision is not changed.

NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer said Wednesday that the Attorney General’s Office was reviewing the complaint and a ruling would take “not long.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

Boxing legend James Toney looking to 'break records' as possible UFC addition

"Chuck Liddell seemed uneasy with me being at UFC 107. I met up with Dana. He was cool and said we could do business. We exchanged numbers and I texted him all night, but I was sitting behind Chuck Liddell and I could tell he was uncomfortable with my presence. I think I can break records with the UFC. I would fight Kimbo Slice, Chuck Liddell or Randy Couture; Brock Lesnar too. He could get it and we would do a ton of buys."

 

[Shogun Locc]

Vancouver to Address MMA Regulation Thursday

The Canwest News Service is reporting that the Vancouver City Council will address the issue of MMA Regulation with a “yea or nay” vote this Thursday:

Vancouver City Council will finally put the issue of mixed martial arts regulation to a yea or nay vote Thursday, when city staff table a report on how the sport can be run profitably and safely on a local level.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Assistant General Counsel Mike Mersch and Executive VP and General Counsel Lawrence Esptein will be at the meeting, which will be open to the public and receive submissions from Vancouver police and Honour Combat Championships, one of the promotions that held a successful sold- out amateur ‘test event’ on November 27.

Councillors Heather Deal and Kerry Jang attended the HCC event and came away suitably impressed with the professionalism, fighter safety, officiating and – surprisingly – the action in the ring.

“I’m actually having a lot more fun then I thought I would,” said Jang on the night.

NPA Councillor Suzanne Anton was an early adopter of MMA regulation in the city, despite being part of the Sam Sullivan-led council that backed away from the sport in September 2007, citing liability concerns.

“I want to be on this bandwagon,” said Anton. “Bandwagons come and go. If you wait too long and they’ll be over and its a very popular sport right now. I want the UFC to come! Bring it on!”

….

The UFC has tentatively booked GM Place for a June 2010 pay-per-view event. UFC VP of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner told The Sun recently that as soon as Vancouver gives the go-ahead, it would take around “20 or 30 days for us to confirm a date for next year.”

Officials in Montreal have pegged the economic impact of a UFC event at around $20m in increased tourism, production, commission fees and associated revenue.

MMA is big business on Vancouver Island and in the interior, with regions such as Prince George, Vernon, Pemberton, Nanaimo and Victoria having hosted local sold out events. Montreal has hosted two UFC events without incident and will likely see a third in early 2010, while Calgary and Edmonton host regional promotion events on a weekly basis.

Medical studies out of the UK have indicated the sport is far safer than many other pro sports, such as football and boxing, due to the lack of concentrated, prolonged attacks on the head.

Critics complain, however, that the spectacle of two individuals fighting in a cage is barbaric and likely to inspire associated violence outside the arena.

Actual evidence of spectator violence is hard to come by however, and 41 states in the US have now regulated the sport, with Massachusetts, Maine and Indiana joining the throng in November.

Payout Perspective:

The idea that MMA perpetuates non-sport violence isn’t such a leap when every bit of information that an individual has about the sport is a false stereotype based upon what the UFC used to be in the early 90s. But the sport has changed, so has the audience, and there is no evidence to suggest that the incidence of mixed martial arts is at all correlated with crime or acts of violence.

Moreover, you could also further state the case that MMA provides an outlet for troubled individuals (youth or adults) to channel their aggression, benefit from the discipline that martial arts demands, and gain from the new, positive social environment they’ve surrounded themselves with.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Road To Dynamite!! 2009! Kanehara X Masahiro

Masanori Kanehara trained at Fujiwara gym today and had the chance to spar with the great Masahiro Yamamoto (31-7-5, 2009 Krush Lightweight GP champion). He writes that on Friday and Saturday he will train at a big time place.

KID, Shibata, Sakurai, and Tokoro had a photograph session and while KID writes that he doesn’t know exactly for what reason, it’s probably for some DREAM vs. SRC promotional stuff.

Hidehiko Yoshida will most likely retire after the Ishii fight, win or lose. It seems that he decided on retirement as far back as in September.

Masato is feeling the rivalry from the Ishii vs. Yoshida fight, saying today that the level of his and their fight is different and that when people see the fights it will be evident which is better.

DREAM EP Sasahara wrote on his blog that they will announce the rest of the Dynamite!! fights quickly.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Bobby Lashley vs Shane Del Rosario in the works

Two up and coming undefeated heavyweights could collide January in Strikeforce. The 9-0 Shane Del Rosario confirmed to MMA Worldwide that he was offered and accepted a fight with 4-0 Bobby Lashley. Del Rosario’s camp stated that Lashley accepted the offer as well and are both awaiting confirmation from Strikeforce.

Former TNA Wrestling stand out Bobby Lashley entered professional MMA in late 2008 recently signing with Strikeforce. Splitting his time between stints as a professional wrestler and MMA fighter, Lashley seems to have committed to MMA full time training out of American Top Team in Florida.

Del Rosario, fighting out of Irvine, CA for Team Oyama, has defeated all nine of his opponents by stoppage in his short career with only one opponent making it out of the first round. The current WBC Muay Thai champion sports a 9-1 professional record with nine KO’s splitting his time between Muay Thai and MMA.

The fight will likely appear on Showtime and is rumored for January 30th. This will be a large step up in competition for both fighters in their young careers as they have slowly built up their records and experience.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Despite WEC 45 prelim booking, lightweight Anthony Pettis predicts TV appearance

When WEC lightweight Anthony Pettis (7-0 MMA, 1-0 WEC) meets Bart Palaszewski (32-13 MMA, 1-2 WEC) at Saturday's "WEC 45: Cerrone vs. Ratcliff" event at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, it will be on the evening's preliminary card.

But Pettis recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio) that if all goes according to plan, he'll still end up on the evening's Versus broadcast.

"I want to finish the fight fast," Pettis said. "I want to do it in a big fashion. Look forward to my fight getting aired because I'm coming to make a statement this Saturday."

The Palaszewski fight will be Pettis' second in the WEC. His first took place at a near-capacity ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif., in June, and the 22-year-old said his first experience on a big stage proved positive.

"Being in the big show is nothing close to being in the local shows," Pettis said. "It's crazy. You have so many fans out there. It meant a lot for me to be fighting in the WEC for the first time, especially in Sacramento. It's crazy in Sacramento.

"But I think I handled it pretty well. I really wasn't too nervous. I knew what I had to do. I had a gameplan, and I went in there and implemented my gameplan. I brought the fight to [opponent Mike Campbell], and I ended up submitting him."

Pettis' June win was indeed an impressive debut. The Roufusport fighter showed quick thinking and solid grappling as he relentlessly searched for submissions.

"I had him in a tight guillotine, and I heard him choke," Pettis said. "You know when someone's about to tap, you can hear that last little bit of breath. I heard that from him, so I squeezed as hard as I could, and then he walked me off the cage. I didn't want to get slammed, so I kind of fell with him, and his head popped out.

"He had a bald head, and he was a little sweaty, so he was slippery. His head popped out, and I shot on the armbar right away. He was able to get out of that and posture up. I think he hit me with an elbow. Nothing big. It was the first time I bled in a fight. He just grazed my nose. But he landed a couple shots, and he made the mistake of being too low, and I caught him in a triangle."

Despite the slick work, Pettis said he's actually a striker by nature.

"I'm mostly a striker," Pettis said. "I've got a couple of submissions, but I've striking since I was 5. This card, if Bart's going to want to stand with me, you're going to witness my striking.

"I'm a mixed martial arts fighter, so I can go anywhere. I can go on the ground. I can wrestle. I can strike. But the fans want to see a knockout, and thats what I want to give the fans: a knockout. If it does go to the ground, I'm going to show him some nice jiu-jitsu. But I would like to show them a big knockout."

A 12-time IFL veteran, Palaszewski has struggled in his time in the WEC. But "Bartimus" is always prepared for a fight, and Pettis plans on delivering on his end of the bargain.

"This guy is tough," Pettis said. "He brings the fight every time, and he's always in shape. He's been around for a long time, so he has the experience on me. He had two rough fights in his last two WEC fights, but he took a fight out of the WEC in the XFO organization, and he won with a nice little flying-knee knockout.

"I think it's going to be a tough opponent, and I'm ready to bring it. I'm ready to bang."

 

[YOUNGNUTT]

Bobby Lashley vs Shane Del Rosario in the works

Two up and coming undefeated heavyweights could collide January in Strikeforce. The 9-0 Shane Del Rosario confirmed to MMA Worldwide that he was offered and accepted a fight with 4-0 Bobby Lashley. Del Rosario’s camp stated that Lashley accepted the offer as well and are both awaiting confirmation from Strikeforce.

Former TNA Wrestling stand out Bobby Lashley entered professional MMA in late 2008 recently signing with Strikeforce. Splitting his time between stints as a professional wrestler and MMA fighter, Lashley seems to have committed to MMA full time training out of American Top Team in Florida.

Del Rosario, fighting out of Irvine, CA for Team Oyama, has defeated all nine of his opponents by stoppage in his short career with only one opponent making it out of the first round. The current WBC Muay Thai champion sports a 9-1 professional record with nine KO’s splitting his time between Muay Thai and MMA.

The fight will likely appear on Showtime and is rumored for January 30th. This will be a large step up in competition for both fighters in their young careers as they have slowly built up their records and experience.

HOLY SHIT!!! I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS TO HAPPEN!!!
WAR SHANE!!!

 

[B-Buzz]

YEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Zaromskis vs. Diaz for Strikeforce 170 lbs. Title

Strikeforce: Miami now has a main event.

MMAWeekly.com has learned that Nick Diaz and Marius Zaromskis have verbally agreed to a welterweight battle in the Jan. 30 event’s top slot, set for the BankAtlantic Arena in Sunrise, Fla. The two will fight for the promotion’s vacant welterweight belt.

An announcement of the match-up is expected for the Showtime telecast of Strikeforce: Evolution on Saturday evening in San Jose, Calif., according to sources close to the situation.

Diaz (20-7) has not fought for Strikeforce since June when he choked out Scott Smith at Lawler vs. Shields in June at a 180-pound catchweight. He was scheduled to fight Jay Hieron for the welterweight title at Carano vs. Cyborg, but was scratched when he failed to appear for a pre-fight drug test mandated by the California State Athletic Commission.

Zaromskis (16-3) signed a multi-fight contract with Strikeforce in October after turning heads at Dream’s Welterweight Grand Prix, where he won the Japanese promotion’s lightweight belt with two straight head kick knockouts. Days before signing, the 29-year-old took but 12 seconds to notch another head kick knockout at Dream 12.

Diaz, 26, has long been an outspoken advocate of marijuana and apathetic about a recent CSAC memo that said fighters with medical permission to use weren’t exempted from commission standards on illicit drugs.

In an interview with MMAWeekly.com last month, Diaz’s manager, Cesar Gracie, said he hoped Diaz wouldn’t test the commission’s boundary, but shrugged at ordering him to stop.

“Obviously, I’d love to have Nick fight in California,” said Gracie. “It’s right here in my home state. It’s not Virginia or something where Nathan (Diaz) is fighting. It’d be great if Nick could quit smoking all together, if he could do that, but if he doesn’t, he doesn’t.”

The Florida State Boxing Commission, which oversees mixed martial arts in the Sunshine State, prohibits performance enhancer and narcotic use, but does not have any bylaws addressing “compassionate use,” nor does it require a pre-fight test for “drugs of abuse,” a label which marijuana often falls under with athletic commissions.


Fight of the century/My #1 dream fight haha

 

[Shogun Locc]

Coker Maps Out Strikeforce's January Card, Return to CBS

After Saturday’s prolific “Evolution” event, which featured Gilbert Melendez and Josh Thomson’s fight for the ages and a dramatic come-from-behind upset for Scott Smith over Cung Le, Strikeforce promoter Scott Coker is back at the drawing board trying to fill in the blanks for the promotion’s upcoming slate.

Coker, speaking exclusively with Sherdog.com, discussed the lineups he would like to promote and the fights he has already inked for Strikeforce’s Jan. 30 show in south Florida and its April return to CBS.

The promotion will travel to Sunrise, Fla., for the National Football League’s Pro Bowl weekend. The bill will feature 1980s pigskin star Herschel Walker, who will be making his MMA debut. Coker noted Walker’s rawness and added that he will be matched with someone of similar experience.

Cristiane Santos (8-1) will return to defend her 145-pound strap against Dutch fighter Marloes Coenen. “Cyborg” earned the title by pummeling Gina Carano in August, and has proven to be a dominant force among the ladies since signing with the promotion. Coenen (17-3) made a successful first impression with her submission win over Roxanne Modafferi last month.

Rising Lithuanian star Marius Zaromskis will take on the ever-popular Nick Diaz in a welterweight contender’s match. Zaromskis (13-3) has been on a roll, scoring three straight head-kick knockouts in Japan’s Dream promotion to emerge as a legitimate challenger in the 170-pound division.

Diaz (20-7) will be fighting for the first time since finishing Scott Smith in June of this Year.

Also debuting on the card will be former WWE star Bobby Lashley, who will be facing a yet-to-be determined opponent. Lashley (4-0) was at Saturday’s post-fight news conference and claimed his desire to compete for Strikeforce was partially influenced by the presence of the world’s top heavyweight, Fedor Emelianenko.

Coker also discussed a number of fights that he would like to book for the company’s CBS date in April. The Strikeforce headman stated the card would most likely occur in San Jose, Calif., but he was not ready to etch the venue in stone due to the HP Pavilion’s primary tenant -- the National Hockey League’s Sharks -- and the possibility of a deep playoff run for the franchise that could leave the promotion’s home arena unavailable.

Regardless of where the card is hosted, Coker expects to book Emelianenko against Fabricio Werdum, Dan Henderson vs. Jake Shields, Melendez vs. Shinya Aoki and possibly Thomson vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri or K.J. Noons.

 

[Shogun Locc]

WEC 45 Bonuses: Njokuani Hits Jackpot Again

Anthony Njokuani has transformed himself into a gold mine in four-ounce gloves.

The 29-year-old lightweight pocketed his third “Knockout of the Night” bonus in as many appearances, as he scrambled former International Fight League cornerstone Chris Horodecki with a wicked running head kick from behind and then finished him with ground strikes. The blows brought an end to the co-main event and put an extra $10,000 in Njokuani’s pocket at WEC 45 “Cerrone vs. Ratcliff” on Saturday at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

Njokuani has moved into title contention at 155 pounds, having bounced back from his submission loss to interim champion Benson Henderson in January with three consecutive finishes.

World Extreme Cagefighting officials awarded $10,000 “Fight of the Night” bonuses to headliners Donald Cerrone and Ed Ratcliff, along with bantamweights Scott Jorgensen and Takeya Mizugaki. Cerrone submitted Ratcliff with a third-round rear naked choke; Jorgensen outpointed Mizugaki in the night’s most significant upset.

Finally, K-1 veteran Brad Pickett banked a $10,000 “Submission of the Night” bonus in his promotional debut, as he coaxed a tapout from Kyle Dietz with a second-round Peruvian necktie. The 31-year-old Englishman has rattled off eight consecutive victories.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Cerrone Apologizes to Ratcliff’s Mother

It was January, in the heat of battle against Jamie Varner for the WEC lightweight title. Cerrone landed an illegal knee that put Varner out of commission, ending the fight prematurely and depriving him of a chance to finish.

It almost happened again Saturday, as Cerrone was deducted one point in the first and second round after landing illegal knees to Ed Ratcliff’s groin.

This time, though, it didn’t cost him.

“My hats off go to Ed; he could have quit the fight at any time, got me disqualified,” Cerrone said in a press conference following WEC 45. “Thank you, Ed.”

Ratcliff thanked Cerrone back for a fight that earned both $10,000 extra bank for the promotion’s “Fight of the Night” bonus.

“There was never a point in time where I was going to quit,” Ratcliff said, drawing a quick clap from Cerrone. “It’s part of the game, so it is what it is. I needed a little time, for sure. It didn’t feel good.”

Cerrone was apologetic both in the press conference and in the cage. At one point, he went over to Ratcliff’s mother, who was flailing about at cageside, and offered his apology through the chain link. Ratcliff smiled knowingly when Cerrone relayed the story.

“She was like, ‘Ahhhh!’” Cerrone said. “She was, like, legitimately mad.”

Cerrone was given the first two rounds 10-9 by all three judges before the point deduction.

“I knew in my head that I was losing the fight; I got two points deducted,” he said. “And I was like, I don’t care, I’m having a good time. And that’s all I care about. I’m going to finish this fight.”

Cerrone’s fight-ending rear-naked choke submission was precipitated by a triangle/kneebar attempt that bent Ratcliff’s leg at an ungodly angle. Ratcliff said he wasn’t in any trouble.

“I’m flexible, man,” he said. “I can do a split and all of that.”

Cerrone was clamoring to rematch Varner, but dropped a razor-close decision in September in an interim title fight against Benson Henderson. Cerrone shut out title implications and took the fight with Ratcliff, who’s only fought twice in the past two years, for other reasons.

“This fight was solely for me,” he said. “This fight was all about me and maturing my mind, mentally. I was out there having fun.”

The press conference also included some injury updates, as three fighters required hospitalization after the show. Jameel Massouh suffered a broken shoulder, John Hosman suffered a broken nose and Chris Horodecki required treatment for an eye injury.

Anthony Njokuani, who defeated Horodecki via TKO, said Horodecki’s move to run across the cage to create distance was ill-advised, creating an opening for a head kick that led to the finish.

“That was the dumbest move he made,” Njokuani said. “A guy like me, with long giraffe legs, it’s going to come in from a long way.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

Despite illegal blows, WEC 45's Ed Ratcliff says quitting was never an option

LAS VEGAS – After suffering three direct shots to the groin in the first two rounds of WEC 45's main event, lightweight Ed Ratcliff (7-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) appeared on the verge of walking away from his contest with Donald Cerrone (11-2 MMA, 4-2 WEC).

And really, who could blame him?

But at the evening's post-event press conference at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Ratcliff said the thought never in crossed his mind.

"There was never a point in time where I was going to quit," Ratcliff said. "I needed a little time, for sure. I mean it didn't feel good. But never did it cross my mind that I'm about to go home right now."

Cerrone was docked two points for the strikes, and the fight entered the final frame tied 18-18 on all three judges' cards. The frequent stoppages for the illegal strikes forced an odd flow to the contest, but Ratcliff said he didn't think Cerrone acted out of line.

"I know it wasn't intentional," Ratcliff told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "Something like that, you can tell when it's intentional. You can look in another man's eyes and see where his mindset is at. It wasn't. It's part of the game, so it is what it is."

Beyond the look in his eyes, Cerrone tried to make the situation right during the breaks in action by apologizing to Ratcliff's mom as she fumed at cageside.

"I was telling her, 'I'm sorry, ma'am; I'm not doing this intentionally,'" Cerrone said. "She was, like, legitimately mad.

"I was like, 'I'm not doing it on purpose. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. Calm down. Don't get me when I get out of the cage.'"

While the blows may have been accidental, Cerrone undoubtedly capitalized on the restart after each time out. Ratcliff said he fully expected to be attacked while still feeling the effects of the shots.

"It's something that's expected," Ratcliff said. "We're in a war in there. You see somebody injured, you're going to go for the finish. Why not? You'd me dumb not to. So I knew what was in store.

"But there was no point in time when I was going to quit or just lay down. I don't lay down for nobody."

While Cerrone ultimately halted the bout with a third-round submission, "Cowboy" said he gained respect for his vanquished foe.

"Like [Ratcliff] said, you can see in a man's eyes if they're folding or quitting or breaking," Cerrone said. "Ed every time was just like, 'Damn this sucks' and was trying to shake it off when he went down. But he kept looking at me like, 'No, I'm coming. I'm coming.' That's why I was getting fired up because he was over there like, 'Yeah, let's do this.' It was good.

"My hat's off to him. There's no quit in that dude. There's going to be some great fights to see with him, and I'm excited to see him keep fighting. ... He could have quit the fight at any time and got me disqualified. He didn't. My hat's off to the dude. He brought it just like he said he would"

Ratcliff also earned high marks from his boss.

"A lot of guys in that situation would have given up," WEC general manager Reed Harris said. "Ed fought. He went out there to fight. ... I was really proud of him."

 

[Shogun Locc]

WEC 45 MAIN EVENT TOPS $10,000 BONUSES

World Extreme Cagefighting has a reputation for delivering exciting fights, particularly its headline bouts, and Saturday night’s WEC 45: Cerrone vs. Ratcliff was no different.

Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone clutched a desperate victory from the jaws of defeat in his main event contest with Ed Ratcliff. By the end of round two, Cerrone had two points deducted for low blows, nearly handing the bout to a machine gunning Ratcliff.

Cerrone came out possessed in round three, knowing he had to finish the fight to get a win. “I had no choice but to finish it. I was down two to one. I had no choice,” he said later. And finish the fight he did, with a rear naked choke deep in the final round.

The combined performance of Cerrone and Ratcliff was enough to earn them each a $10,000 bonus for Fight of the Night honors.

Anthony Njokuani has been on the outskirts of the radar, but after Saturday night, he’s likely to become a mainstay at the top end of the WEC lightweight division. He earned Knockout of the Night honors for chasing Chris Horodecki down and welcoming him to the WEC with a head kick that floored the former International Fight League fighter.

Due to some speedy performances on the main card, U.K. fighter Brad Pickett’s Submission of the Night effort on the preliminary portion of the event made it to television. He finished Kyle Dietz late in the second round with a Peruvian Neck Tie choke.

Both Njokuani and Pickett scored $10,000 bonus checks.

Normally that would be the end of it, but WEC general manager Reed Harris also announced that Scott Jorgensen and Takeya Mizugaki were each given a bonus for opening the telecast on Versus with a Fight of the Night runner up performance.

“That’s how great of a fight that was,” said Harris.

WEC officials confirmed that Jorgensen and Mizugaki each received an additional $5,000 for their efforts.

 

[Shogun Locc]

FORMER CHAMP MIKE BROWN RETURNS AT WEC 46

Much of the WEC’s media thunder is starting to focus on the promotion’s Columbus, Ohio, debut in March during the Arnold Fitness Classic. Brian Bowles defends his bantamweight championship against Dominick Cruz, plus Miguel Torres and Jens Pulver return in the Buckeye State.

WEC 46 in Sacramento, Calif., on Jan. 10, may currently be in the shadows, but the card should soon start attracting the spotlight.

World Extreme Cagefighting on Saturday night announced former featherweight champion Mike Brown (22-5) would make his return – just two months after losing the title to Jose Aldo – at the Arco Arena. He will face Anthony Morrison (15-6), who finished UFC veteran Alvin Robinson in little more than a minute at a recent Ring of Fire event in Denver.

The bout adds to an explosive list of fights that includes a lightweight title unification bout between champion Jamie Varner and interim titleholder Ben Henderson. Hometown hero Urijah Faber jumps right back in the mix after healing up from injuries to face fellow top five featherweight Raphael Assuncao.

Other announced bouts include Dave Jansen vs. Kamal Shalorus, Mackens Semerzier vs. Deividas Taurosevicius, Charlie Valencia vs. Akitoshi Tamura, Wagnney Fabiano vs. Frank Gomez, Eddie Wineland vs. Rafael Rebello, and Coty Wheeler vs. Will Campuzano.

 

[Shogun Locc]

MELENDEZ REFLECTS ON WAR WITH THOMSON

Relief overshadowed joy in Gilbert Melendez’s successful bid to unify the Strikeforce lightweight title against Josh Thomson.

In a fight certain to be on the short list for Fight of the Year, Melendez was smarter and sharper than his first meeting with Thomson in June 2008 – where he lost the title and took the interim strap waiting for Thomson to heal from multiple injuries – and took a unanimous decision nod for a second turn as undisputed champion at Saturday’s “Evolution.”

Talk drifted quickly to a rubber match in the pressroom afterwards. Good for closure? Yes. Good for business? Check.

But that was the last thing Melendez wanted to think about.

“I’m not looking forward to it,” he said. “I left my heart out there. I’m cool with calling it even.”

He admitted throwing up after the fight; the action was that intense. His hands and his face were sore. As expected, Thomson fought him tooth and nail for everything.

“Most fights I walk into really confident to kill someone,” he said. “This fight, I walked into saying, ‘oh (expletive),’ I’m going to war.”

Melendez, well-known as a ground-and-pound artist, wished he could utilize his wrestling more, but the two canceled each other out on the mat and were forced to stand. The result was electrifying, if exhausting.

Melendez had, however, shut up the armchair critics who had doled out advice on his previous loss at 24 Hour Fitness.

“That was the worst thing about losing, was just random people telling me how to block, and I need to learn how to kick,” he said.

“Evolution” summed up perfectly how he felt about the show he and Thomson put on.

The former training partners challenged those who believed that the UFC was the be-all-end-all for lightweight talent.

“I feel like Josh and I don’t get much respect with these rankings and all the 55’ers out there,” said Melendez. “I feel like now that we got our stuff done with right now, it’s up to us to prove we’re the best 55’ers.

“I think him and I can take out all the dudes in the UFC, and all the dudes in DREAM.”

Of course, the lightweight standouts of DREAM are a far safer bet – Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said he was considering Shinya Aoki for a shot at Melendez, while Thomson could face Tatsuya Kawajiri.

As long as he didn’t have to face Thomson right off the bat, Melendez was happy with whatever.

“I’m happy it’s over,” he said.

 

[Shogun Locc]

FEDOR VS. WERDUM TARGETED FOR APRIL CBS EVENT

Before the dust settled on Saturday night’s Strikeforce: Evolution event, the questions came fast and furious at CEO Scott Coker, prompting him for the direction the promotion is headed... and he had plenty of answers.

Foremost on everyone’s mind is the return of Fedor Emelianenko. Coker confirmed plans for Fedor’s return on the promotion’s next CBS event, slated for sometime in mid-to-late April.

“It’s not confirmed... (but) on that fight card, you’ll most likely see Fedor fighting Fabricio (Werdum),” he revealed. “It’s not guaranteed, but you will see Dan Henderson fighting on that card, and Gina Carano, we’ll invite her if she’s ready.”

Henderson’s opponent hasn’t been finalized yet either, but he is expected to challenge current middleweight champion Jake Shields under the watchful eye of CBS.

Pressed about heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, the CEO said, “We’re probably gonna invite Alistair to fight on the CBS card,” dispelling initial plans for an earlier return.

Coker also has big plans outside of the April fight card, particularly in the lightweight division. He intends to expand on Strikeforce’s relationship with Japanese fight promotion Dream.

First up are bouts for Gilbert Melendez and Josh Thomson, who had another battle in their rematch on Saturday night.

“(Shinya) Aoki and Gilbert and do (Tatsuya) Kawajiri vs. Thomson,” said Coker, mapping the road for his two top 155ers, intending to pit them against two other top lightweights in the world.

He insists those are plans for Melendez and Thomson, not just hopeful talk. He’s targeting the second quarter of 2010 to make both those fights happen.

“I think we’ve done some really big things in the last eight months. Making that Dream relationship activate, to me, is critical and important, because otherwise we’re just talking. It’s taken a long time to get to this point, but I think we’re on the cusp of making it happen.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

Strikeforce Payouts: Le Pockets $150,000 in Defeat; 'King Mo' Penalized

Scott Smith made $55,000 for his dramatic third-round comeback knockout against hometown favorite Cung Le at Strikeforce “Evolution” on Saturday in San Jose, Calif., according to figures released Monday by the California State Athletic Commission.

The HP Pavilion hosted 8,552 spectators for a $633,674.50 gate, according to the CSAC’s initial tallies. Le, returning to the cage for the first time in 18 months, earned $150,000 in the first loss of his professional career -- the highest reported payday of the event.

Gilbert Melendez and Josh Thomson stole the spotlight, though, with their competitive five-round rematch to unify the promotion’s lightweight titles. Melendez, who took home $55,000, recaptured the 155-pound crown by outscoring Thomson in nearly all of their standup exchanges. Thomson earned $30,000 in his first bout back in 15 months following persistent leg injuries.

Muhammed Lawal was penalized 10 percent of his $10,000 show purse for his enthusiastic homage to event sponsor Rockstar following his first-round victory against Mike Whitehead. Lawal shook and spilled his energy drink all over the cage during his celebration.

Strikeforce “Evolution” Payouts

Scott Smith -- $55,000 (no win bonus listed) def. Cung Le -- $150,000

Gilbert Melendez -- $55,000 (no win bonus listed) def. Josh Thomson -- $30,000

Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza -- $65,000 (including $10,000 win bonus) def. Matt Lindland -- $50,000

Muhammed Lawal -- $19,000 (including $10,000 win bonus)* def. Mike Whitehead -- $30,000

Antwain Britt -- $10,000 (including $5,000 win bonus) def. Scott Lighty -- $5,000

Justin Wilcox -- $5,000 def. Daisuke Nakamura -- $200

Alexander Crispim -- $4,000 (including $2,000 win bonus) def. A.J. Fonseca -- $2,000

*Lawal penalized 10 percent of show purse by CSAC

 

[Shogun Locc]

Barnett’s CSAC Appeal Postponed a Third Time

The California State Athletic Commission postponed Josh Barnett’s re-licensure appeals hearing Monday for a third time, reports Sports Illustrated’s Josh Gross. The CSAC denied the heavyweight fighter’s re-licensure in late July after he allegedly produced a positive pre-test for an anabolic steroid.

Michael J. DiMaggio, Barnett’s New York-based attorney, was unable to attend the hearing due to a Northeast blizzard that crippled air travel over the weekend, CSAC Assistant Executive Officer Bill Douglas confirmed with Sherdog.com. Barnett’s appeal was granted two previous extensions when the law firm said it still awaited additional information from the UCLA laboratory that conducted Barnett’s tests.

The CSAC notified Barnett on July 21 that he had tested positive for the anabolic steroid 2a-methyl-5a-androstan-3a-ol-17-one in a June 25 pre-test conducted to renew his license for his bout against Fedor Emelianenko at Affliction III on Aug. 1 in Anaheim, Calif. Barnett was pulled from the headlining bout, and the event was canceled a few days later.

Barnett’s second sample was laboratory-tested and came back with the same results on July 29, according to the CSAC.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission suspended Barnett, 31, for six months in 2002 due to a post-fight urinalysis that revealed the presence of three anabolic agents (Boldenone metabolite, Fluoxymesterone metabolite and Nandrolone metabolite) in his body when he defeated Randy Couture to win the heavyweight title at UFC 36. Barnett denied using the anabolic steroids and challenged the NSAC’s testing protocol.