MMA News Thread

[heyzel]

ED SOARES: "I THINK ROY JONES WOULD BE THE PERFECT OPPONENT!"

He's going to be moving over here [United States] shortly; it's just a matter of time. I would say in the next 6 months...They all want to live out here," stated Ed Soares, manager of UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, undefeated light heavyweight Lyoto Machida and interim heavyweight champion Antonio Noguiera, as he talked about the future plans of all three fighters. Check out what else he had to say as he shares his thoughts on Machida's upcoming fight with Tito Ortiz as well as the possibility of Nogueira fighting Frank Mir. Plus, you don't want to miss what he had to say about Anderson Silva he talks more in-depth about the possibility of a fight with boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. read more
http://www.fighthype.com/pages/content2233.html?PHPSESSID=8b4b78f9e1705bca5c46608ac16cc86c

 

[heyzel]

GUY MEZGER: "OBVIOUSLY, IF WE COULD DO A EMELIANENKO AND COUTURE FIGHT THAT WOULD BE

You could kind of imagine what we're trying to work and we're just kind of waiting on that and if we don't get that deal done, we'll have a show either late summer or early fall," stated President of HDNet Fights, Guy Mezger, as he talked about the possibility of a showdown between Randy Couture and Fedor Emelianenko. Check out what else he had to say as he discussed the future plans for HDNet Fights and shares his thoughts on Ken Shamrock, Mark Coleman, Tito Ortiz, Brock Lesnar, Kimbo Slice, Anderson Silva and much more
http://www.fighthype.com/pages/content2234.html?PHPSESSID=8b4b78f9e1705bca5c46608ac16cc86c

 

[heyzel]

CBS to announce date and matches for first EliteXC show on Wednesday

CBS will issue a worldwide press release on Wednesday that will officially announce the date of EliteXC’s first show on its network along with some of the fighters that will be featured. The revelation was made by EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw during a Tuesday press conference to promote the combined EliteXC/Strikeforce fight card on March 29 that will feature Frank Shamrock vs. Cung Le.

When pressed by a reporter for details, Shaw was steadfast in stating that he would not leak any information before CBS’ release. However, he did indicate that some people could be surprised when they hear who has been selected for the announce team.

The date and list of fights for the first-ever MMA event to air on major U.S. network television will be announced on Wednesday.

In today's media conference call to promote Strikeforce/EliteXC's March 29 event, EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw confirmed that CBS will issue an official announcement about the first EliteXC-CBS event tomorrow.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) first broke news of the groundbreaking deal earlier this month. The partnership calls for CBS to air four annual EliteXC events in Saturday primetime slots.

Shaw was tight-lipped about details of the event. However, as we previously reported, the first event is expected to take place in May -- with Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson as a likely headliner. However, Shaw said the event would happen "sooner rather than later" but didn't go into any other details.

"We think we have a great fight card put together," Shaw said. "We think the announcement will surprise some people."

Other than a minor deal between the International Fight League and the struggling MyNetworkTV, MMA has never been showcased on network television. And Shaw isn't underscoring its importance.

"I think this will be the single greatest thing to happen to an MMA fighter -- to be seen by millions of eyeballs," he said. "

A reporter also asked about when Robbie Lawler and Gina Carano would compete for the promotion again and Shaw addressed the question by telling everyone to wait for Wednesday’s press release from CBS

 

[heyzel]

Goodridge Experiencing Problems With MFC

little more than a month after signing a multi-fight deal with the Maximum Fighting Championship, Gary Goodridge is already experiencing problems with the organization, specifically it’s owner, Mark Pavelich.

Goodridge expressed his discontent in The Fight Network’s latest ”Great Fight North” column.

“I’m having such a problem with Pavelich that I’m not even sure that I ever want to fight for him,” Goodridge said in the article. “He reminds me of an ex-wife. With all the problems that I’m having with this asshole, he will be lucky if I show up there and I fight.”

The biggest problem between the two circles around the fact that Goodridge is currently scheduled to compete twice, against Eric Esch in Yamma Pit Fighting’s co-main event on April 11th and then against Tony Lopez at a King of the Cage event a week later, before his MFC debut.

Goodridge also mentioned that he’s also contemplating accepting a fight with the Korean Martial Arts Federation later this month, creating a very busy schedule for someone that had previously fought sparingly in mixed martial arts over the past few years.

With frustration setting in, Goodridge is now expressing interest in backing out of his contract with Pavelich and company, a move that would be a huge blow to an event where Goodridge’s participation is being heavily advertised.

“I’m so frustrated,” Goodridge said. “I’ve fought everywhere in the world, and I really wanted to fight at home because I wanted to fight in front of my kids. Pavelich is an idiot; he’s hard to deal with, and I’m at the point that I want out of my contract.”

Posted by John Chandler on Mar 18, 2008 at 10:13

 

[Shogun Locc]

Emelianenko Never Under Contract to M-1

Despite the announcement of an agreement last October between Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) and M-1 Global, the deal was never signed, a source close to both camps told Sherdog.com.

The Russian heavyweight's only agreement with the company -- according to the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity -- came in the form of a letter of intent.

The return of a $1.5 million signing bonus paid by M-1 Global to Emelianenko is the only hurdle to the former Pride champion's potential free agency. That should be remedied this week, the source said.

M-1 Global CEO Monte Cox declined to comment.

Once Emelianenko is clear of his M-1 obligations he is expected to field offers from several MMA promotions. The early leader, according to the same source, comes from the purported partnership between Affliction and Oscar de la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, which Sherdog.com has learned could debut on June 28.

"Right now we don't have any comments," Golden Boy Promotions Public Relations Director Romiro Gonzalez told Sherdog.com. "[Oscar] is in the sports business. He is loading up on all the fields, especially boxing. We're moving into soccer, MLS. There is nothing official we can say."

Emelianenko would receive approximately $1.5 million to fight and his management could be given the rights to television in both Russia and Japan, according to the source.

The 31-year-old heavyweight champion's younger brother Aleksander is also believed to be joining the Affliction roster, as is American middleweight Matt Lindland (Pictures).

Affliction-branded clothing has created close ties with combat sports through sponsorship of top boxers and mixed martial artists, as well as involvement in Golden Boy's boxing events.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Cung Le Undettered by Frank Shamrock's Head Games

Today's media conference call for a March 29 Strikeforce/EliteXC event, which features a headline bout between Strikeforce world middleweight champ Frank Shamrock (24-8-1) and undefeated challenger Cung Le (5-0), featured a lot of talk about strategy.

How much of it anyone really believes is a whole 'nother matter.

After all, when Shamrock (a famed submission fighter) said he plans to stand and trade with Le (a decorated San Shou kickboxer), few believed him -- Le chief among them.

The event takes place at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

"My art has been tweaked the last few years to be a striking art," Shamrock said. "I think it's time for me to try out my striking. It might be dangerous, but it's not like we're not in a dangerous sport."

Shamrock then went for the hard sell.

"I have that much confidence (in my striking)," he said. "I don't think he's prepared for striking in an MMA fight."

Of Shamrock's 24 career victories, you can count on one hand that number that have ended via strikes.

That's why Le was naturally a little skeptical of his opponent's proposed game plan.

"I think it's a big smokescreen," Le said, with a hint of bemusement in his voice. "He's a very intelligent fighter... He'll try to get in my mind and get it in my head that he'll strike.

"But I'm also an intelligent fighter... I don't really believe him."

Regardless of his game plan, Shamrock predicts a quick finish.

"If Cung le runs from me, I think it'll last a while because it'll take some time to run him down," Shamrock said. "I don't think it'll go long, though... I want it over quick.

"My wife is pregnant, and I want to get home in case it pops out."

The March 29 fight will cap off the Showtime-televised event. Also set for the card is a bout between Jake Shields and Drew Fickett for the first-ever EliteXC welterweight title, as well as a fight between Strikeforce world lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez and Gabe Lemley.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Bobby Lashley Vs. Kimbo Slice?

Fightline.com has learned that Bobby Lashley’s management team has been throwing his name around to MMA groups including UFC and EliteXC. Bobby Lashley vs. Kimbo Slice is one fight that has been considered.
UFC isn’t too hot on Lashley, with Lesnar’s huge debut still fresh in everyone’s memory. It’s said they don’t want it to look like they’re repeating the same gimmicks and recruiting guys from pro wrestling.

Lashley might just end up making more money with TNA Wrestling than any MMA promotion right now, and the #2 wrestling company in the world is still considered an option for him. Kurt Angle has been pushing hard for him to come to TNA Wrestling and has assured him he has a job if he wants it.

He must have really hated WWE to walk away from seven figures a year.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Shamrock vs. Shamrock: Blood Brothers Off?

According to Frank Shamrock, the financial backers behind a proposed fight between he and his brother Ken Shamrock are very conserned about Ken's lose to unknown Robert Berry on March 8.
Apparently, Ken was offered money not to fight Berry, but took the fight because he saw very little risk. As it turned out he may have killed the fight with his loss. Shamrock feels that the casual fan that would have bought into the brother vs. brother concept would be less likely to do so after watching Ken's last fight.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Focused on Frank: MMAmania.com exclusive sit-down with Strikeforce fighter Cung Le

On Saturday, March 29, Cung Le will be in the fight of his mixed martial arts (MMA) life when he takes on legendary middleweight fighter and current Strikeforce Middleweight Champion, Frank Shamrock, in front of a sellout crowd at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif,. for Strikeforce: “Shamrock vs. Cung Le.”

Le is undefeated (5-0) in MMA, with all five wins coming in the Strikeforce cage. He realizes that this will be one of the biggest fights of his career up to this point.

“It’s a big step up for me, but I like the challenge, I’m looking forward to it,” Le told MMAMania.com.

The two will be going at it for the Strikeforce Middleweight championship, which Shamrock won last June when he defeated Phil Baroni at a Strikeforce event. Le, who will be 35 in May, knows that he has an excellent opportunity to win the Strikeforce Middleweight title and is very excited for the shot, which will come two years after making his debut in MMA.

“My first MMA fight was in March 2006. I’m two years into it and now I’m fighting for a title. That means a lot to me,” Le said. “It’s a great opportunity and I’m looking forward to March 29th.”

Both fighters will get to square off in San Jose, where both fighters live. Le is thrilled about the chance to fight for the Strikeforce title in San Jose, but also knows that it will be a hometown fight for Shamrock as well.

“It’s always special when I fight in front of the hometown crowd, but it’s Frank’s hometown crowd as well,” Le said. “When the smoke clears, we’ll see who’s the one standing.”

Le is a former San Shou fighter, compiling a 17-0 record as a San Shou fighter with 12 knockouts. He believes his style can give him an advantage in the fight.

“I believe my style gives me a lot of advantages because there’s a lot of kicks and strikes combinations that Frank as an MMA fighter is not use to,” Le said.

Le use to be a training partner with Shamrock a long time ago. And he thinks it will be more of a factor for Shamrock than himself. Regardless, Le knows he needs to be on the top of his game if he wants to leave the HP Pavilion next Saturday night as the Strikeforce 185-pound champion.

“I gotta fight smart, don’t rush anything and realize that there’s plenty of time to get things done,” Le said.

Le has had to prepare a little differently for Shamrock because of how great a fighter he is. He has been working with former kickboxing coach for Shamrock, Javier Mendez.

“My whole training camp is just preparing for what Frank will do, what he might do,what his plan A, plan B, plan C, plan D would be,” Le said. “So, we have to prepare for all of his gameplans and just be ready.”

In Le’s first five fights he has recorded one knockout and four technical knockouts. His last fight was at Strikeforce: Four Men Enter, One Man Survives, in November. Le defeated Sam Morgan via technical knockout after a liver kick forced Morgan to stop.

Le makes it a point not to predict what might happen in the fight.

“I don’t predict any knockouts, I don’t predict how a fight will end, but I predict that it will be a classic fight,” Le said.

This will be Le’s second on his six-fight contract with Strikeforce. Le is content with being in Strikeforce and his main focus at this point will be on Shamrock.

“I really don’t think about anything else except Frank Shamrock,” Le said.

Le is happy with where he’s at right now and looks forward to walking into the Strikeforce cage in the HP Pavilion and fighting Frank Shamrock.

“I’m happy to be alive, I’m happy to wake up this morning, I’m happy to be apart of this event and I hope everybody tunes in to watch because there’s going to be fireworks,” Le said.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Gesias comments his fight at Dream

Disappointed after not defining his fight against Shinya Aoki at Dream, that finished with a no contest after the Japanese fighter complaining of an elbow on the nape, Gesias Cavalcanti told TATAME about the polemic fight and said that is calm after his fight and waits to continue at lightweight GP of the Japanese event. “I don’t have anything to do. I didn’t hurt intentionally any illegal blow. Nobody is more disappointed with this fight than me. I really wanted that the fight had continued, but it didn’t depend only from my side and Aoki said he couldn’t continue, and it won’t be me to judge him”, said the Brazilian fighter, still at Japan.

“Elbows on body are allowed by Dream’s rules. It’s difficult to judge. It happens a lot with knees and kicks when you are at three-point position or when the knee is hit at the fall down moment. At this situation, what did the athlete should do? Don’t hit to avoid the risk?”, asked Gesias, that is confident on his stay at Dream’s GP. “I still don’t know how will be my situation on the GP. I’ve heard that, by the rules, I should go ahead on the event. I might get a position on the next days or maybe today before leaving Japan. If they chose to fight another time it’s great too”, said.

 

[Shogun Locc]

More Rumored Fights For UFC 85 "Liddell vs. Evans"

The following is the latest RUMORED fight card for UFC 85 "Liddell vs. Evans" on 6/14 from the O2 Arena in London, England:

-Chuck Liddell vs. Rashad Evans
-Brandon Vera vs. Fabricio Werdum
-Nate Marquardt vs. Thales Leites
-Mike Swick vs. Marcus Davis
-Jorge Rivera vs. Martin Kampmann
-Ryo Chonan vs. Roan Carneiro
-Thiago Tavares vs. Matt Wiman
-Jess Liaudin vs. Paul Taylor

 

[Shogun Locc]

Three More Bouts Confirmed For UFC 84 "Ill Will"

The following is the updated OFFICIAL fight card for UFC 84 "Ill Will" scheduled for May 24th in Las Vegas, Nevada:

-BJ Penn (c) vs. Sean Sherk (UFC LW Title)
-Wanderlei Silva vs. Keith Jardine
-Tito Ortiz vs. Lyoto Machida
-Wilson Gouveia vs. Goran Relijic
-Thiago Silva vs. Antonio Mendes
-Sokoudjou vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura

 

[Shogun Locc]

PROELITE SIGNS DVD DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

(LOS ANGELES) March 18, 2008 – ProElite, Inc. [PELE.PK], a sports entertainment and media company dedicated to producing world-class mixed martial arts (MMA) events, today announced it has signed an agreement with Mill Creek Entertainment to distribute DVDs showcasing ProElite’s premier global MMA brands: Rumble on the Rock, ICON Sport and Cage Rage.

Under the terms of the agreement, events will be distributed to retailers nationwide in the form of multi-event DVD box sets. The first box set will be the Rumble on the Rock “Superstar Collection” (5-event set) featuring MMA superstars Anderson Silva, BJ Penn, “Tank” Abbott, Takanori Gomi and Jake Shields (street date: March 18, 2008). Future DVD box sets will include such superstars as Matt Hughes, Rich Franklin, Robbie Lawler and Vitor Belfort.

“This is an excellent opportunity to leverage our existing library that features three of our premier MMA brands,” said Douglas DeLuca, executive chairman and co-founder of ProElite. “Through the years, the biggest names in the sport have fought in these shows, which, in many cases, will now be available on DVD for the first time.”

“Partnering with an industry leader such as Mill Creek ensures that our DVDs will receive optimal distribution to retailers in important markets throughout the country,” said Turi Altavilla, vice president of home entertainment at ProElite.

“Audiences are hungry for high-quality MMA content that showcases their favorite stars,” said Jeff Hayne, director of content acquisition at Mill Creek Entertainment. “ProElite’s MMA library is an ideal entrée for DVD box sets featuring top-notch MMA action, as well as providing retailers with a compelling product that we believe will draw customers far and wide.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

"Rumble on the Rock" DVD Collection Available

A legendary event in Hawaii, Rumble on the Rock matches the world’s elite fighters in mixed martial arts competitions of skill and pride! From big time knockouts to slick submissions, Rumble showcases the best of the best in every fighting discipline including Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing, Karate, Kickboxing, Wrestling, Pankration, Taekwondo, Muay Thai, and Judo.

This is THE SUPERSTAR COLLECTION … five Rumble events in their entirety featuring the biggest names in MMA, including: “The Prodigy” B.J. Penn, Anderson “The Spider” Silva, Kendall Grove, David “Tank” Abbott, Kimo, Takanori Gomi, Butterbean, Frank Trigg, Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez, Paul “The Headhunter” Buentello, Dennis “Superman” Hallman, Renato “Charuto” Verissimo, Matt “The Law” Lindland, Rodrigo Gracie, Joe “Diesel” Riggs, Jason “The Punisher” Lambert, Wesley “Cabbage” Correira, Wes “The Project” Sims, Carter Williams, Ricco Rodriguez, Allan Goes, Carlos Condit, and Jake Shields.


See these elite fighters make history as they compete in the Rumble cage!

EVENTS

Rumble on the Rock 4

Featuring: B.J. Penn vs. Takanori Gomi, Gilbert Melendez, Paul Buentello, Dennis Hallman, and Renato “Charuto” Verissimo

9 fights total

RT: 124 minutes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Rumble on the Rock 5

Featuring: Kendall Grove, Matt Lindland, Joe Riggs, Jason Lambert, and Wesley “Cabbage” Correira

9 fights total

RT: 142 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rumble on the Rock 6

Featuring: B.J. Penn vs. Rodrigo Gracie, Royler Gracie, Gilbert Melendez, Dennis Hallman, Wes “The Project” Sims, Wesley “Cabbage” Correira, and Carter Williams

10 fights total

RT: 123 minutes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Rumble on the Rock 7

Featuring: David “Tank” Abbott vs. Wesley “Cabbage” Correira, Kimo, Ricco Rodriguez, Renato “Charuto” Verissimo, and Allan Goes

8 fights total

RT: 108 minutes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Rumble on the Rock 8

Featuring: Anderson Silva, Butterbean vs. Wesley “Cabbage” Correira, Frank Trigg, Carlos Condit, Renato “Charuto” Verissimo, and Jake Shields

8 fights total

RT: 112 minutes

 

[Shogun Locc]

Having Fun in the Fight Game

Brad Blackburn likes to have a little fun when he fights. More accurately, he likes to have a little fun with his opponents. They don’t always know how to take it, and for Blackburn, that’s part of what makes it such a good time.

Take, for example, his first IFL fight in April of 2006, when he faced Gracie camp fighter Gustavo Machado. The night after the weigh-in Blackburn spotted Machado eating dinner in the hotel restaurant. He went inside and asked the waitress to take the biggest ice cream sundae they had over to his opponent.

Machado was perplexed, to say the least. The waitress explained to him where it had come from and pointed across the room to Blackburn, who by then was grinning from ear to ear. He went on to defeat Machado via decision, and had a great time doing it.

“Guys get so serious,” he says. “I’ve been fighting for ten years. I’ve had twenty-something fights, over thirty if you count boxing and kickboxing. Being mad, it’s not going to help you.”

What seems to help Blackburn, however, is getting inside his opponent’s head before a fight. As much as he likes to have fun, plenty of what he considers fun might also be considered psychological warfare – anything to distract or disarm an opponent.

Against Jay Hieron last June Blackburn spent the weeks leading up to the fight sending him clever MySpace messages. When they got on the scales for the weigh-in, Blackburn imitated Hieron’s ritual of wearing dark sunglasses throughout the process.

When they got in the ring the next night, it took Blackburn just forty seconds to notch a TKO victory.

The win earned him a spot in the Grand Prix, but a rotator cuff injury forced him out. He had to spend the next few months watching Hieron come back to win the welterweight title with a victory over Delson Heleno – the same man who Blackburn will face in New Jersey on April 4.

“It’s definitely frustrating,” he says. “I’m hoping I can get a shot after this fight, if it goes my way. But I just try to tell myself that everything happens for a reason, and hopefully it will all work out.”

In Heleno, Blackburn faces a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu powerhouse whose gameplan is usually anything but a secret. Heleno likes to get his opponents to the mat right away and submit them, but that doesn’t mean that Blackburn has been preparing simply for a grappling match.

“I’m not looking past his striking. I know I’m a better striker than him, but he seems strong and athletic and explosive, so I have to respect that. As far as the ground game, I don’t think he’s a better wrestler than me, but I do think his jiu-jitsu is top-notch.

“I plan on being on my toes and feeling out when I get there. That’s why I’m training a lot of jiu-jitsu. I try to prepare for the worst case scenario.”

In order to help him in his preparation, Blackburn trains regularly at no less than five different gyms. He says it helps him see enough different styles and training methods as he’s trying to round out his overall game.

And knowing he’s prepared, that just makes it easier to have fun when fight night rolls around.

“Honestly, I don’t take the fight personally,” he says. “I try and enjoy it. We’re traveling for free, we’re all doing something we enjoy and getting paid, so I try not to be stressed out the whole time. I want to have a good time.”

Don’t be surprised on April 4 to see Blackburn get in the ring against Heleno with a smile on his face. Then it’s just a question of whether or not he’ll leave with it.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Randy Klein joins Zuffa, as VP of Licensing and Merchandising for the UFC

Las Vegas, NV (USA) – The Ultimate Fighting Related News
Championship® (UFC&#174 organization today announced that Randy Klein has joined Zuffa, LLC as the new Vice President of Licensing and Merchandising.

Klein will be responsible for building and maintaining the brand image of the UFC, World Extreme Cagefighting® (WEC&#8482, PRIDE® and other company-owned brands.

“I’m excited to have Randy leading our licensing and merchandising initiatives,” said Dana White, UFC President. “His accomplishments in building entertainment brands and industry experience will be paramount to growing UFC into a universal sports brand. I’m looking forward to working with Randy and welcome him to the Zuffa, LLC team.”

Before joining Zuffa, LLC, Klein was Head of Domestic Licensing for DreamWorks Animation, where he helped create a multi-million
dollar licensing program around Shrek The Third™ and the Shrek® brand. Previously, he was Director of Licensing for Universal Studios Consumer Products Group. Among his many accomplishments at Universal was growing The Fast & the Furious® franchise and Scarface® into multi-million dollar licensing and retail programs.

“It’s an exciting time to be a part of Zuffa, LLC and I am looking forward to the tremendous opportunity to grow the UFC brand globally and provide our loyal fight fans with great UFC merchandise,” said Klein.

Klein holds a BA in Communications from the State University of New York – Oswego.

 

[heyzel]

Exclusive: Lawler nearing extension with EliteXC; expected to appear on first CBS sho

ProElite.com (SamCaplan.ProElite.com) has learned that EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler could be on the verge of finalizing a contract extension with the promotion.

ProElite.com has also learned that Lawler is expected to be involved on EliteXC’s inaugural card on CBS, believed to be taking place in May. A formal announcement from CBS in regard to the date of the first card and the fighters involved is expected to be made on Wednesday.

Lawler, 15-4, has been idle since winning the EliteXC middleweight title from Murilo “Ninja” Rua at EliteXC’s “Uprising” event on September 15 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He had been scheduled to defend his ICON Sport middleweight title against Kala Kolohe Hose in December but the fight was canceled after

 

[heyzel]

Exclusive: Aaron Rosa vs. Jaime Fletcher added to Friday’s ShoXC card

light heavyweight bout featuring Jaime Fletcher (8-3) taking on former Team Punishment member Aaron Rosa (10-1) has been added to the televised portion of Friday’s ShoXC card on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET), ProElite.com (SamCaplan.ProElite.com) has learned.

The event will emanate from the Chumash Hotel & Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif.

The 205 pound clash was added as a late replacement for a female MMA match that was to have seen Chute Boxe Academy fighter Cris Cyborg squad off against Jen Case.

The Cyborg vs. Case bout was canceled in part because Cyborg had visa issues and wasn’t expected to be able to gain entry into the United States in time for the show. She could be added to a ShoXC event scheduled for the near future.

Cyborg, who is an unblemished 4-0, is the wife of Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos

 

[heyzel]

Mark Cuban, MMA Defender

Leonard Shapiro, writing for the Washington Post, rips into CBS for airing MMA, referring to it as a “so-called sport” in his opening paragraph.

For all of Shapiro’s insisting that MMA is barbaric and setting our culture backwards, we have quotes like these:

And wouldn’t it be something if CBS aired its first MMA telecast a few hours after its Saturday afternoon Masters coverage on April 12? Perhaps network publicists could refer to the twin bill as Beauty and The Beast.

...snip…

Oh yes, women will also fight it out on CBS, yet another revolting development.

So women who want to fight shouldn’t be allowed to? And the “Beauty”, the Masters, is held at Augusta National Golf Club - no women members there*.

So, what year is it supposed to be?

Shapiro goes on to attack various people associated with mixed martial arts, including HDNet founder Mark Cuban:

Even billionaire Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is getting involved, promoting MMA matches and also airing them on his HDNet channel on DirecTV. For that alone David Stern ought to fine and suspend him. He probably yells at those refs, too.

Cuban retorts:

Maybe rather than surfing past the fights, you should actually watch one. Or better yet, since you apparently cover Football, talk to a player on the Redskins or better yet, the team doctor and ask them if they “beat the bloody bejabbers out of each other”. Then ask them this, “are there automatic suspensions for any hints of concussions or injury after every game or simply for precautionary reasons ?” There are after every fight in MMA

I started writing this before I even realized he linked back to MMA on Tap (nice), but Cuban’s sentiments echo my own. Just watch the fighters. Watch how they train, watch how they’re governed.

What was once fringe is now more regulated than some of the top team sports in the country.

* Women are allowed to play at Augusta National, as long as they’re with a member.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Goldberg Toe to Toe with Frank Shamrock and Cung Le