MMA News Thread

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Strikeforce: Jorge Masvidal Plans To Halt Billy Evangelista’s Unbeaten Streak

For Jorge Masvidal, few things motivate him.

Becoming the best in his class is a dream that many fighter’s could relate to. Putting on crowd-pleasing fight’s for the fans is also chief among his ideals. But if there was any one thing that helped ensure Masvidal’s return to the Strikeforce roster, it would be: “Money. Dam skippy.”

Masvidal previously spent a two-fight stint with Strikeforce, successful on both attempts before taking his skills overseas in order to face some of the best in his class under the Sengoku banner. There, he defeated former lightweight champion Saturo Kitaoka. During his absence, he also worked his way to the semi-finals of the Bellator Fighting Championship’s inaugural 155-pound tournament, however, lost to eventual two-time tourney finalist Toby Imada.

With some inconsistencies in his last few performances, having gone 3-3 in his last six bouts, the hard-hitting American Top Team product is greatful for the opportunity that Strikeforce has afforded him.

Masvidal will now be facing off against undefeated prospect Billy Evangelista. Both lightweight standouts will be competing on the main card for Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson, which will be aired live on Showtime and will serve as the evening’s opening televised bout this Saturday.

“Super excited. Just the fact to be fighting alone, because it’s been a while,” said Masvidal, who last competed in September of last year, taking Top 10 welterweight Paul Daley to a somewhat controversial decision in the Brit’s favor.

“Super excited to get in there and kick some butt and give the fans what they want to see, especially in Strikeforce on a huge card like that. I’m super excited.”

While money was certainly a driving factor in signing with the San Jose, Calif. based promotion, the idea of fighting against some of the best fighters in the world in an effort to be considered a top-ranked fighter was equally as important for the 26-year-old. The fact the Masvidal will have the chance to hand Evangelista the first loss in his professional career is something he takes seriously.

“They have a good combination of different types of fighters and styles and the way they impose their will,” Masvidal told MMAWeekly.com.

“Especially what I think makes the Strikeforce lightweight division so good is the crossover with Japan. Guys from Dream can come over, guys from Sengoku can come in and fight, so I think it’s an awesome deal. It’s probably one of the biggest lightweight divisions out there.

“He’s unbeaten, so if I beat him, I’m popping his cherry. After this, whoever Scott Coker (Strikeforce CEO) or whoever tells me who’s my next toughest opponent on my way to getting the title, that’s who I want to fight next. Line them up and I’ll fight them.”​

 

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Diego Sanchez: Falling Down to Learn to Pick Himself Back Up Again

Throughout his UFC career, Diego Sanchez has faced more peaks than valleys, but that doesn’t mean the original winner of “The Ultimate Fighter” didn’t face some terrible lows on his way to experiencing some incredible highs.

Winning the reality show was the beginning of a very successful UFC career where Sanchez won his first five fights in a row before falling victim to back-to-back losses. Sanchez also split with his trainer Greg Jackson, a person he had been with since high school, and opted to move to California to get ready for fights.

Sanchez then dropped to lightweight, where he felt great success until it once again came crashing to a halt when he was stopped by then champion B.J. Penn. The result of that fight sent Sanchez spiraling downward, and he fell into a dark and dangerous place.

“I hit rock bottom after the B.J. Penn fight, I really did. I blew through all my money, I made some very bad decisions,” Sanchez admitted recently.

“I had this scam artist scam me real bad. I was embezzled over $175,000. I really got hit rock bottom and I had to come back home. I needed my family love and I just was humbled, 100 percent. I was humbled back down to zero. I had no ego, no nothing, just humble, and that’s what, after the John Hathaway loss, I was still in the funk. I was still in the funk for John Hathaway.”

In the Hathaway fight, Sanchez was rocked and simply outmatched for 15 minutes, which made many people question if he had made the right choice, going back up to welterweight after losing the lightweight title match to Penn.

In reality, Sanchez says it was things going on in his personal life that led to his focus going astray. To get back to the place where he needed to be so he could be great again, Sanchez had to reach out to those he had left behind just a few years before.

Like a great band that made a list of No. 1 hits, only to break up over personal differences, Sanchez walked back into the training room at Greg Jackson’s gym in New Mexico and it was like he had never even left.

Jackson, who had always maintained that the split with Sanchez was never personal, welcomed his old student back with open arms.

“I came back home and I want to be home now. I really am where I belong here in New Mexico. I was born and raised here, my family is here, and me and Greg go back so far. He’s gotten so much better as a coach. And for me, I came full circle there as a fighter,” Sanchez said.

Going back to work at Jackson’s, Sanchez found the fundamental base that he worked on for so many years. He saw familiar faces like Keith Jardine and Joey Villasenor, who had worked with him since his earliest days in the sport.

He didn’t just go back to an old training camp. Diego Sanchez went back to family.

“When I walked in, it was the most amazing feeling because I felt like I was home again, because we’re talking about a gym that kept me out of the streets as a young child. This is somewhere that I went twice a day, and I was 19 years old. I was in Jackson’s twice a day or do the morning classes, or do the night classes. This is something that was just, it was my life. And to go back to, back home, and Greg Jackson that guy has got so much love for me. He just had his arms open, all the doors open, and said this is your home Diego. So, it was a great feeling,” Sanchez said.

“And every day that I walk in there, I get that same feeling. I just thank the Lord that he’s brought me back home and that I finally let my stubbornness go and said, you know what, this is where I need to be, 100 percent.”

Putting all of that together, Sanchez believes he’s got the tools necessary to beat Martin Kampmann at UFC on Versus 3 and build on his last victory over Paulo Thiago. No matter what happens in Sanchez’z next fight, he’s still got a family to go home to now, and that may be the best motivation in the world for him to go fight his fight and leave it all in the Octagon.

 

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Former WWE Superstar Dave Batista May Make MMA Debut in UK

MMAWeekly.com has learned through independent sources that the rumored MMA debut of former WWE wrestler David Batista looks likely to take place in May… but not on U.S. soil.

It has come to light that the main delay in his debut has been aligning his desire to make a professional MMA debut ahead of September, which is when the aspirational heavyweight fighter will begin shooting an undisclosed film project.

Several promotions have been vying for his services, most notably Scott Coker’s Strikeforce outfit, but it appears from sources close to the fighter that the British based BAMMA promotion is emerging as the front runner ahead of their upcoming card at Wembley Arena.

At the time of writing, BAMMA officials declined to comment on the situation, but

 

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Wagnney back to featherweight: “That weight cut destroyed me”

Wagnney Fabiano was considered one of the best fighters on the featherweight division, but the rise of his friend Jose Aldo on the same weight class on WEC made him to make a decision to drop to bantamweight division. But, the result wasn’t exactly like he expected.

Wagnney, known as submission artist on MMA, won more than half of his MMA fights using his Jiu-Jitsu, but the weight lost, with the need of getting to 135lbs – instead of 145lbs – changed that. He’s 2-1 a bantamweight, with both wins coming via decision.

“That weight cut destroyed me. It was a hell of a sacrifice, but I can’t keep up losing that kind of weight… Not for fighting”, the black belt told TATAME, revealing he’ll return to the featherweight division, a class on which he got most of his wins on WEC and on the extinct IFL, where he used to be the champion.

“I won’t fight on the 135lbs anymore, I’m going to the 145lbs… I can’t do it anymore”, reveals Wagnney, affirming he still doesn’t think about his UFC debut. “I asked for some time off, I postponed it. I’ll be cool for four or five months. I’ll try to fight on the second semester, let’s see what happens”, concluded.

 

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Werdum talks Strikeforce GP’s postponement, Muay Thai “baptism” with Wanderlei Silva

Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and one of the greatest names of the gentle art on MMA, Fabricio Werdum will now have two extra months of trainings for his bout against Alistair Overeem, once Strikeforce has postponed the last quarterfinals of its Grand Prix. Nothing that worries the Brazilian, who’ll spend some more time practicing his striking. Recent graduated as a Muay Thai black belt, Werdum revealed to TATAME that he was “baptized” by Rafael Cordeiro and Wanderlei Silva. “He’s recovering from an injury, so we did a round exclusively of Boxing. You don’t have any idea, I’ve been hurt on my head a lot… He baptized me too (laughs)”, jokes Fabricio, who commented the postponement of the tournament and his preparation for the duel with Overeem, who’s recently won K-1’s GP. “If Rafael gave me the black belt it’s because I really am a black belt of Muay Thai, but I believe this next fight isn’t the right time for me to prove it. The guy’s just won K-1, I won’t strike with him. But anything can happen”, said.

What did you think about the postponement of your fight to June?

It’s bad for my preparation, because I was ready, but it doesn’t help it if I complain. If it has to happen, it will. You have to think for the good side, I’ll have some extra time to prepare myself. I won’t keep training so hard, but I’ll do my preparation so I fight in June. My appointment will be then. I don’t know how the place of the event is like, if I’ll go there because of (Josh) Barnett’s problem, but that’s what I’m up to.

The fight was postponed to June, and they’ve told me the finale will be in December. Won’t it be too close?

I like it that way, i’d rather not stop fighting. If the quarterfinals are in June, the semifinals could be in August and the finale in December, it’s good. I don’t enjoy being on hold. This way I can stay in shape. I had a surgery after my fight against Fedor and I had to stay some time off.
Strikeforce wanted me to fight in December, but I wasn’t ready. Now I’m 100%.

You’ll comeback almost a year after beating Fedor… Does that worry you?

Yeah, I’ll do another good year... I’ve spoken to Rafael (Cordeiro) and he agreed: June is my month, so I hope the memories will be good ones… We’ll do a party after the fight (laughs).

How were you doing on your preparation?

It was great, I was about to finish it. Even Wanderlei came here another day to help me. I’ve earned my black belt on Muay Thai, and I could see Rafael knocking everybody out and I felt he didn’t do his best when he fought me, but the other day he hit me with a knee and took me down. Then I’ve asked him “why you never did it to me?”, and he said “well, now you’re a black belt” (laughs). He really baptized me (laughs). The other they Wanderlei came here at the gym and, when I saw him, he was putting his gloves on. He’s still recovering from his injury, so we did one Boxing round. You don’t have any idea, I’ve been hurt on my head a lot… He baptized me too (laughs).

After that baptism, are you ready to confront Overeem’s striking?

Absolutely… That time I fought Overeem (in 2006, on Pride), we were different people, but it’s normal that the Guy has evolved. I could see him evolving, but I’m also evolved. I’m not worried about the guy I’m fighting, I worry about me. If Rafael gave me a Muay Thai black belt it’s because I’m a black belt, but I think it’s not the time for me to prove it. The guy’s just won K-1, I won’t strike with him. But anything can happen… Check out Napao (Gabriel Gonzaga) against Mirko (Cro Cop) for instance… The goal is the same, and it’ll be my month.

 

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Little Hercules! Next Fight Is Stand-Up

Top Japanese Featherweight Kazuyuki Miyata wrote on his blog that his next fight will be stand-up. He can’t announce it yet though.

Maybe Shoot Boxing in April? Or maybe the April Krush event? We shall see.

It feels like many of the DREAM and SRC fighters have been scattered across the smaller Japanese Kakutougi promotions though.

 

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UFC on Versus 3 weigh-in results: Kampmann (171), Sanchez (171) official

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) was on scene and reporting live from today's "UFC on Versus 3: Sanchez vs. Kampmann" fighter weigh-ins, and all 22 fighters hit their required marks.

Main-event opponents Martin Kampmann and Diego Sanchez each tipped the scales at 171 pounds for their welterweight matchup, and the remaining competitors all made weight with little issue.

Today's festivities took place at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Ky. The nearby KFC Yum! Center hosts Thursday's Versus-televised event.

Bantamweights Reuben Duran and Damacio Page, who face Takeya Mizugaki and Brian Bowles, respectively, each initially weighed 137 pounds. Each fighter removed their fight shorts and made weight on their second attempt on the scale.

In addition to the Sanchez vs. Kampmann headliner, the event features a middleweight co-main event between Mark Munoz and C.B. Dollaway. A handful of other notables are in action at the show, which includes a two-fight prelims stream on Facebook.

The full weigh-in results included:

MAIN CARD (Versus)

* Martin Kampmann (171) vs. Diego Sanchez (171)
* C.B. Dollaway (185) vs. Mark Munoz (186)
* Alessio Sakara (186) vs. Chris Weidman (186)
* Brian Bowles (135) vs. Damacio Page (136)+

PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)

* Cyrille Diabate (205) vs. Steve Cantwell (206)
* Danny Castillo (155) vs. Joe Stevenson (155)

PRELIMINARY CARD

* Shane Roller (156) vs. Thiago Tavares (156)
* Reuben Duran (136)* vs. Takeya Mizugaki (136)
* Rob Kimmons (185) and Dongi Yang (186)
* Dave Branch (186) vs. Rousimar Palhares (186)
* Todd Brown (205) vs. Igor Pokrajac (204)

* - Duran initially weighed 137 pounds but removed his fight shorts and made weight on the second attempt
+ - Page initially weighed 137 pounds but removed his fight shorts and made weight on the second attempt

 

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"The Ultimate Fighter 14" tryouts set for March 21 with featherweights, bantamweights

Recruiting is underway for the 14th season of "The Ultimate Fighter."

That season of the reality show, which begins production this summer and debuts in the fall on Spike TV, has yet to be officially announced, but may feature the promotion's first-ever lighter-weight contestants.

UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby today announced via Twitter that featherweight and bantamweight fighters are invited to an upcoming open tryout session.

The open tryout session is set for March 21 at the Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott in Newark, N.J. (1 Hotel Rd.). Registration takes place from 8-9 a.m. ET (local time), and fighters will grapple and hit pads as part of the audition process.

Applicants must be 21 or older and have at least three professional fights.

UFC officials have not formally announced any other information about "TUF 14," including potential coaches and the tournament format.

"TUF," which debuted in 2005 and quickly became a driving force for the UFC's move into the mainstream, had launched the careers of more than 100 UFC fighters and has produced past champions such as Rashad Evans, Forrest Griffin and Matt Serra. The current 13th season features former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar and top contender Junior Dos Santos as coaches.

"TUF" has never before featured fighters in the lighter-weight divisions.

 

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Alvarez vs. Curran official as Bellator 39 headliner, Saunders vs. Lee added

A title fight between lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez (21-2 MMA, 5-0 BFC) and season-two tourney winner Pat Curran (12-3 MMA, 3-0 BFC) will headline Bellator 39 on April 2.

Bellator Fighting Championships brass today officially announced the matchup, which was previously reported by MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com), as well as a non-tournament bout between Ben Saunders (9-3-2 MMA, 0-0 BFC) and Matt Lee (13-9-1, 0-1 BFC).

Bellator 39 takes place April 2 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., and airs on MTV2. The fight card will also feature two semifinal contests in Bellator's season-four welterweight tournament.

"Returning to Mohegan Sun in season four was a high priority for us," Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney stated in an official release. "Mohegan Sun has a spectacular venue, a great gaming facility and a luxurious hotel. I'm really looking forward to our return.

"Putting together an incredible night of fights is only one part of the equation – having a great place to show it is the other, and Mohegan Sun is the perfect venue for this event."

After Alvarez won the season-one tournament and Curran the season-two tourney, they were scheduled for a title fight in season three. But Curran was forced out of the bout due to a shoulder injury, and Alvarez instead fought and defeated eliminated tourney fighter Roger Huerta in a non-title fight.

Alvarez now carries a six-fight win streak into the bout and an 11-1 record in his past 12 fights. All but two of the wins (over Matt Lee and Joachim Hansen) came via stoppage. In fact, while known for heavy hands, Alvarez has posted submission wins in five of his past six victories.

Curran, the cousin of former UFC/WEC fighter Jeff Curran, punched his ticket to the title with tourney wins over Mike Ricci, Huerta and Toby Imada. He's now won four straight and six of his past seven.

After a solid showing on "TUF 6" in which Saunders displayed his impressive reach, strength and expertise from the clinch, the longtime Jeet Kune Do student and Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt picked up consecutive wins over Dan Barrera, Ryan Thomas and Brandon Wolff to extend his undefeated streak to nine fights.

However, a loss to fellow contender Mike Swick at UFC 99 started a rough stretch for Saunders. Although he rebounded for a swift KO victory (via flying knee) over Marcus Davis, he then fell short against wrestlers and ground specialists Jon Fitch (UFC 111) and Dennis Hallman (UFC 117) to force the UFC release back in August.

Meanwhile, Lee fights for the second time under the Bellator banner. The 10-year veteran, who has also fought for Strikeforce and BodogFIGHT, lost a unanimous decision to Ryan Quinn in an April 2010 bout at Bellator 15. Lee bounced back with a TKO victory over Brett Oteri at this pas May's Moosin event.

 

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Strikeforce to conduct independent drug testing for second tourney quarterfinal event

Strikeforce will for the second time conduct independent drug testing of its competitors at an event.

Several fighters appearing on an upcoming fight card slated for June 18 at American Airlines Center in Dallas will be tested for drugs of abuse and performance-enhancers drugs, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker confirmed to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) via email.

Those included in the extra testing are all four of the participants scheduled to compete in the second quarterfinal round of the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix, which kicked off Feb. 12 and resumes at the June event.

The CEO did not specify whether the testing will take place before or after the event, though he confirmed that tournament competitor Josh Barnett will be required to pass a pre-fight drug test before he's allowed to fight.

Barnett is slated to meet Brett Rogers at the June event.

The additional testing plugs an enforcement gap present in the bylaws of the athletic commission that will oversee the event. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation can order drug tests for its licensees, but it does not require across-the-board testing. That responsibility falls on the "sanctioning body" of an event, which often becomes the promoter.

When the UFC recently held its third event in the Lone Star State, "UFC Fight Night 23: UFC Fights for the Troops 2," the promotion conducted its own independent testing of athletes. The event's headliners and four others chosen at random were tested for performance-enhancers and recreational/drugs of abuse. All athletes tested negative for both types of drugs.

Strikeforce conducted independent testing of all fighters who fought this past May at "Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery" in St. Louis, Mo., in response to concerns that the state athletic commission's random post-fight test protocols were not sufficient. That event was headlined by Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, who often has been accused of using performance-enhancers despite no evidence of having ever failed a drug test.

Overeem is scheduled to face Fabricio Werdum in a tournament quarterfinal bout at the June 18 event.

Barnett has been flagged for the use of performance-enhancing drugs three times and twice suffered professional sanctions as a result. Most significantly, he was stripped of the UFC heavyweight title when he tested positive for steroids following a win over Randy Couture at UFC 36.

More recently, the California State Athletic Commission denied Barnett a license to fight Fedor Emelianenko at "Affliction: Trilogy" when a pre-fight drug test he submitted came up positive for performance-enhancers a little more than a week from the August 2009 event, which later was canceled. He was barred from reapplying for a license for one year following his notification of the test, but since has been removed from a national registry that could prevent him from getting licensed in other states.

This past month Barnett withdrew a new application for a fight license in California. The commission asked him to answer questions about his positive test at a CSAC meeting held this past December in Sacramento. He later said the commission "ambushed" him at the meeting, though commission officials told MMAjunkie.com that he was informed of the steps needed to get re-licensed.

Shortly after the announcement of Barnett's participation in the tournament, Coker told ESPN.com that several state athletic commissions were willing to license the fighter if he provided a clean pre-fight drug test.

Susan Stanford, the TDLR's public information officer, today told MMAjunkie.com that while Strikeforce is holding the June 18 date for its event, officials have not submitted a fight card and thus none of the bouts – or drug-testing requirements – have been set.

Strikeforce held its first tournament event, "Strikeforce and M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Silva," this past month at IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J., and drew record TV ratings for broadcast partner Showtime. The Feb. 12 telecast averaged 741,000 viewers and peaked with 1.1 million for a headlining bout between Fedor Emelianenko and Antonio Silva.

 

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James Irvin vs. Houston Alexander II off Shark Fights 14 due to drug test, injury

It looks like the rematch will have to wait.

Both James Irvin and Houston Alexander won't be able to fight at Shark Fights 14, though for very different reasons.

Irvin (15-8) has been pulled from the fight following an alleged positive test for steroids. Alexander (11-6) has sustained an undisclosed injury in training that has ousted him, too, from the rematch.

Shark Fights 14, which takes place March 11 at Fair Park Coliseum in Lubbock, Texas, is now without a co-main event. The event airs live on HDNet.

Shark Fights president Brent Medley said the promotion is "wrapping up negotiations" on a replacement for the light-heavyweight bout.

"We plan to reschedule the long-awaited Alexander vs. Irvin rematch in the near future," he told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) in a prepared statement.

Irvin has been flagged by the California State Athletic Commission due to a performance-enhancing drug, according to CSAC Executive Director George Dodd, and will be issued a suspension and fine. The positive test arose from a fight this past December against Jorge Oliveira at Tachi Palace Fights 7. Irvin suffered a first-round submission loss in the Dec. 2 fight.

According to Dodd, Irvin tested positive for epitrenbolone, also known as trenbolone metabolite. The steroid typically is used on livestock to increase appetite and muscle growth. The commission learned of the test results on Dec. 23, though Irvin is retroactively suspended beginning from Dec. 3.

"The use of certain substances, including anabolic steroids, is prohibited under the commission's regulations," Dodd stated. "Our primary concern is for the health and safety of fighters. Anabolic agents and other banned substances put not only the users of those agents at risk, but their opponents as well. The commission simply will not tolerate their use."

As with all suspensions and fines issued by CSAC, Irvin will have the chance to appeal the judgment against him.

Irvin and Alexander first fought at UFC Fight Night 13 in April 2008. Irvin knocked out Alexander in eight seconds with a superman punch. Unaware that he had momentarily lost consciousness, Alexander briefly protested the referee's stoppage before realizing what had happened.

Alexander, a father of six, was released from the UFC in December 2009 following a lackluster decision loss to Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale. He since has amassed a record of 2-1 in regional competition.

Irvin was released by the UFC this past August after a first-round submission loss to Igor Pokrajac. His most recent fight at "Gladiators Challange: Young Guns 4" ended in controversy when he threw an illegal knee at Mike Crisman that brought a no-contest.

Shark Fights 14 is headlined by a middleweight matchup between UFC vets Matt Horwich and Danillo Villefort.

 

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Bobby Lashley working on his Striking

 

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Tim Kennedy: “We don’t have to be toe-to-toe for me to put a fist in his face and make him unconscious.”

Tim Kennedy is no stranger to adversity. A decorated Green Beret Sniper, Kennedy has been in areas of the world the average citizen can’t pronounce under conditions they can’t fathom. It is no doubt in part due to his military service the 31-year old middleweight has been able to weather a rough professional patch with relative calm after being sidelined since last August for reasons out of his control, then in the midst of a rotating door of opponents after being booked for Saturday night’s Strikeforce show in Columbus, Ohio.

With the proverbial spinner finally at rest on Melvin Manhoef in main card action, Kennedy recently took some time to speak frankly with Five Ounces of Pain about his match-up with the formidable striker as well as the lead up to “Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson”. Read ahead as he discussed why “frustration” isn’t the emotion he’s endured since his last outing, what his motivation for Manhoef is regardless of their recent outings, and why he thinks his trilogy with Jason “Mayhem” Miller fell through after originally being rumored for this weekend’s upcoming card.

After recently dedicating 100% of his time to a career in Mixed Martial Arts rather than splitting it with his military commitment Kennedy made it clear where his heart had been after forcibly waiting six months to get back in the cage while healthy and actively seeking an opportunity to continue his growth as a professional fighter.

“I left active duty with Special Forces to fight and I want to fight often. It’s not frustration, its disappointment,” Kennedy replied when asked if he had been angered by the break in competition. “I feel like if I’m not fighting then I want to be deployed with my friends, my buddies. It’s more of like a disappointment…I’m wasting both my time and my brothers/sisters in uniform that I’m not with right now. If I’m not fighting I want to be deployed.”

Then again, just because he’s been in limbo as of late doesn’t mean Kennedy has been sitting on the couch wasting away.

“I’ve been training my butt off,” he continued. “I’ve been looking for fights since November very aggressively. I looked to fight in Japan, I looked to be on a January Strikeforce card. Those all fell through so now I’m just excited I’m fighting and I’m looking to just beat somebody up.”

Kennedy also touched on the topic of whether or not he felt other Strikeforce middleweights might be avoiding, or even protected from, him. Though stopped short of naming names, he did say fans can evaluate the circumstances and come to their own conclusion.

“You guys be the judge and jury for yourself. I’ll tell you straight out the three fights you heard about in the press were not the only three fights I was offered. There were three other fights they offered me and of course I said yes to, so that’s one March card and six opponents I said yes to and you shake the tree and (Manhoef) is who I end up with.”

However, though Manhoef emerged as his adversary at the event after a number of other possibilities, including bouts with grapplers like Miller and rising prospect Luke Rockhold, Kennedy made it clear he’s still had plenty of time to prepare for the Dutchman’s offerings including those of the stand-up variety.

Asked about a recent statement regarding his intention to knock Manhoef out, Kennedy responded, “I’m pretty sure he’s going to try and do the same with me so I’m not going to go out there and go ‘twinkletoes’ with him. I’m gonna look to finish and I want to finish in an exciting, unexpected way.”

The thought of exchanging strikes with an individual with Manhoef’s reputation for introducing opponents to the taste of canvas might be enough to frighten some fighters off – or some managers – but in the case of Kennedy it’s simply another challenge he’s ready to overcome with great success.

“We don’t have to be toe-to-toe for me to put a fist in his face and make him unconscious,” Kennedy elaborated on the intention to send Manhoef reeling. “I’ve put plenty of people away on the ground, I’ve knocked out plenty of people with body shots, with knees to the head…I’ve knocked out people with slams. So when I say I’m gonna knock a guy out don’t be too fast to pass judgment as to where that’s gonna be.”

“He’s dangerous. He poses a threat to everybody that he fights,” he explained while paying respect to Manhoef. “He was really two ticks away from finishing Robbie Lawler who was ranked #5 in the world in his last fight. There’s no way anybody who fights Melvin can look past him. He has twice the number of wins as I do.”

True to form, rather than see an adversary who could be seen as beneath him where career momentum is concerned, Kennedy never turned from an attitude of admiration towards Manhoef despite four first-round losses in the kickboxer’s last six MMA fights.

“I think a lot of people underestimate him. Just because a blueprint has been made on how to beat him doesn’t mean he isn’t dangerous anymore.”

As far as what he stands to gain with a potential win this weekend beyond overcoming the pending adversity, Kennedy also sees the positives outside of victory, saying, “To beat a very experienced, well known on the European side…a fighter that’s fought in bigger and larger venues than I ever have. I’ve gotta get more fans, I’ve gotta get more exciting fights, and I’ve got to get more guys who will come to fight me and I’ve got Melvin.”

In closing, Kennedy offered his thoughts on why the rubber-match between himself and “Mayhem” Miller hadn’t materialized at the March 5 event as rumored despite fans’ interest, the divisional relevance, and both of their past offerings having been highly entertaining.

“I don’t know why that fight didn’t come to fruition on this card. I know Jason on his end was good to go and I’m a ‘yes man’ when it comes to people offering me fights. But that’s only half the game. You still have a network to approve it and you still have a promotion to want it. Maybe they’re looking for that to be more of a headlining fight and it could’ve been overshadowed by two title fights on the March 5 card.”

“So I don’t know what (Strikeforce/Showtime) has planned,” he continued. “My position is to go out there and put on a good show. I think Jason and I would both do that when we get down to fight each other but that’s just not yet.”

Before parting Kennedy also made sure to offer his gratitude towards his supporters and fellow soldiers.

“First and foremost I want to thank the troops. You guys have given me the opportunity to fight; fans, you guys listening to interviews, reading this stuff, and watching fights is what makes it happen so thanks to you guys. My training partners, love you guys. I know it’s been a rough couple months but we’ll go grab a drink after this.”

Kennedy is 12-3 in his career with notable past wins over Miller, Nick Thompson, and Trevor Prangley. He has only won a single fight by decision with a near event split between TKOs/submissions resulting in the bulk of his victories.

Viewers can tune into Showtime on Saturday night at 10:00 PM EST to watch Kennedy’s quest towards the Strikeforce middleweight crown continue against Manhoef at “Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson”. Also set for the event, 135-pound champion Marloes Coenen defends her title against undefeated former Marine Liz Carmouche and Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante will attempt to retain his belt in light heavyweight action against PRIDE/UFC icon Dan Henderson.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Mark Munoz Talks About Fighting Friends Like CB Dollaway or Even Anderson Silva

When Mark Munoz got the call that he was going to face old friend Aaron Simpson for his last fight at UFC 123 in November, he admitted he was less than excited.

Munoz and Simpson had been friends for years and worked together around the collegiate wrestling circuit. Still, they were able to put their friendship aside and battle it out, with Munoz coming out on top.

Then came the call about Munoz’s next fight. Low and behold, he was fighting Simpson’s teammate and close friend C.B. Dollaway. While Munoz says he and Dollaway aren’t as close as he and Simpson, it was still just one of those days for the former NCAA champion.

“I was just like ‘are you serious?’ I’m basically fighting like the same fighter,” Munoz joked when he appeared on MMAWeekly Radio. “It’s cool, in the UFC it’s all about putting on good fights, and C.B., he comes forward, and I truly believe Aaron and I had the fight of the night that night. The UFC matches us up and they think we’re going to be another exciting fight.

“It does make sense, but at the same time it’s like why does everybody I have to fight wrestle? It’s all good though.”

Munoz and Dollaway were around the same wrestling circuits while Munoz was coaching at his alma mater, Oklahoma State, and Dollaway was being coached by Aaron Simpson at Arizona State. Munoz also trained briefly in Arizona alongside Dollaway, although he says they never directly sparred or trained with each other.

At the end of the day, Munoz knows it’s all about business and fighting Dollaway is just a job, and he’ll get the job done this Thursday in Louisville, Ky.

“It’s what we do,” Munoz stated. “We signed to fight for the UFC, and you’re going to get guys that you know.”

With Munoz and Dollaway set up as the co-main event for the UFC on Versus 3 show, there’s no denying the winner vaults up the middleweight ranks. While neither would be sniffing a title shot tomorrow, it can’t be denied that a win on Thursday starts to bring either’s name up in contender conversations.

That’s where the friendship problem actually comes into play for Mark Munoz.

You see, Munoz trains alongside UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva on a daily basis, and even though he knows that he’s not challenging for a title right now, he’s kind of hoping their careers both go up, but they never have to collide with each other.

“That’s a hard question to answer. Because I love Anderson, I respect him as a teammate, and part of the family. Blackhouse accepts me in as one of their own, and I do the same. I try to give as much as I can to Anderson and he does the same for me. That’s definitely a hard thing, that’s definitely one thing we’ll cross the bridge when we get there,” Munoz said.

“I wouldn’t want to fight him, so hopefully he just goes up to 205 and does super fights. I don’t think he’d want to fight me either.”

For now, Munoz will concentrate on the task at hand of beating C.B. Dollaway, and worry about other possibilities another day.

 

[Shogun Locc]

UFC On Versus 3: Brian Bowles Eager for Return, Dominick Cruz Still On His Radar

Brian Bowles is hungry. The former WEC bantamweight champion has not been fed an opponent since losing his title to the current champion, Dominick Cruz, at WEC 47. In that fight, doctor’s stepped in and put a stop to the action before the beginning of the third round due to a broken hand sustained by Bowles. As a result, he lost his bantamweight crown and has been forced to the sidelines for almost exactly a year.

In that time, he attempted making a return against Wagnney Fabiano in November, but was forced to pull out of that fight due to more injury trouble.

The injury bug took its toll on Bowles, requiring surgery to repair his broken hand and inserting a pin as part of the recovery.H e has been on the injured list for long enough and will make his official return on Thursday night at UFC on Versus 3: Sanchez vs. Kampmann in Louisville, Ky.

Bowles takes little time in worrying about ring rust, if any. He does not seem shaken by the fact that it has been 12 months since he last competed. The confidence is obvious in a conversation with the former WEC titleholder, as he explains that he is capable of exciting things and is out to entertain the crowd. A year is a long time to be away from a job, so Bowles wants to ensure those who knew of his work before that he is still a force in the 135-pound division.

“I’ve been out a while,” he said on MMAWeekly Radio. “I want to remind people, I’m an exciting fighter, I finish people, and I’m good.”

He is good and there is no doubt about that.

Bowles is 8-1 in his mixed martial arts career, with the only loss coming at the hands of a champion. Prior to his loss to Cruz, the Athens, Ga. resident finished all eight of his opponents by either submission or knockout – wins that include Miguel Torres and Will Ribeiro.

Bowles also has a win over Thursday’s opponent, Damacio Page. The two met at WEC 35, but didn’t get to know each other very well. Bowles finished him early in the fight by guillotine choke. With his experience against Page, it appears that Bowles’ UFC on Versus fight will be business as usual and fans should expect excitement in the Octagon. According to Bowles, this is the type of pleasure fans can get from the deep and talent-rich UFC bantamweight division.

“There (are) a lot of us guys that are right there neck and neck,” Bowles said about the UFC’s 135-pounders. “You got (Urijah) Faber, me, Joseph (Benavidez), Demetrius (Johnson); all of us I think are right there.

“We’re all exciting fighters. I think we’d all mix it up well.”

Beyond the bout in Louisville, one fighter stays in the back of Brian Bowles’ mind – that fighter is Dominick Cruz. As the owner of Bowles’ only loss, Cruz can say he has done something that eight other men have failed to do. Something like this could linger in one’s mind and remain on the radar.

According to Bowles, the current bantamweight champion has found ways to win, but he lacks the entertainment value necessary in the sport of mixed martial arts.

“He’s got the belt. He’s always going to be on my radar,” he said. “He goes out there and pulls off the wins and (it is) never really that exciting of a fight. That’s nothing I really want to watch, but he’s found a way to win and he just does what he does.”

If Brian Bowles can get past Damacio Page one more time, he could put himself in line to, one day, fight Dominick Cruz again. He will take his first step towards that direction in Kentucky this Thursday.

 

[Shogun Locc]

DREAM To Support April 9th Strikeforce! Production And Fighters

With posting today that Tatsuya Kawajiri will take on Gilbert Melendez on the April 9th Strikeforce event, DREAM also announced that they will support said event when it comes to production. The plan is to send fighters other than Kawajiri to the event as well to make a DREAM vs. Strikeforce battle. It also says that they want to continue to cooperate in 2011, having DREAM vs. Strikeforce fights in both countries, decide the top champions, etc.

As for DREAM itself, the plan for 2011 seems to be the new Bantamweight division and champions for each weight division.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Strikeforce Fedor Vs. Silva Japanese PPV Did Well?!

A Kamipro writer tweeted today:

“According to authorized people it looks like the amount sold for the SKY PerfecTV! televised PPV of Fedor vs. Bigfoot was quite good. I’m anticipating a Kawajiri vs. Melendez PPV as well!!”

Note that “quite good amount sold” for a PPV in Japan is way less than an American one. It probably did better than a lot of Japanese promotions though so positive for Strikeforce if the writer is correct. Also, the PPV premiered Sunday morning in Japan so it’s a difficult time slot to do good on.