Archive for July, 2009

By Dustin Heronemus - Fedor Vs Brock is the hot topic of speculative discussion these days with the amazing collapse of Affliction Entertainment and the sudden availability of what many consider the greatest MMA fighter alive, and unarguably one of the best heavyweights in any promotion. Fedor Emelianenko ( 30-1-1) in his MMA career, the so called Last Emperor, is making headlines with the ongoing negotiations with the UFC, itself an undisputed heavyweight champion of the MMA world. The matters are complicated by what many consider to be unrealistic demands made by the fighter’s representatives with M-1 Global, and too much exposure to the media about the contract talks. The fact that the fans want to see Fedor in the Octagon to battle it out with Brock Lesnar (4-1) the upstart former pro wrestler and current UFC Heavyweight champ, means that Dana White, UFC President and official mouthpiece also wants it. Dana has never appeared to be a big fan of Fedor and has often criticized his management as being difficult to deal with and the current issues seem to reinforce that argument. But he is a smart businessman and giving the fans what they want is only going to make him and the UFC more money. Read the rest of this entry »

It looks like Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez will get his rematch with Japanese wrestling expert Mitsuhiro Ishida a little sooner than he expected.

STRIKEFORCE announced on Thursday that Ishida will replace the injured Josh “The Punk” Thomson, owner of the STRIKEFORCE lightweight belt who was unable to get medical clearance for an injured leg. Ishida and Melendez will battle for Melendez’ interim lightweight title on the Saturday, Aug. 15, “Carano vs. Cyborg” show at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Read the rest of this entry »

Up-and-coming MMA Star, Ryan Couture, son of “The Natural” Randy Couture, will be featured when Tuff-N-Uff, the Nation’s Premiere Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Organization, returns to the ring with “The Future Stars of MMA”. The event is set to go down at The Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV on Saturday, August 22 at 7 PM. Like Father, like Son – Ryan Couture looks to be a natural himself at the sport his hall-of-fame father has dominated for more than a decade. Couture was triumphant in his last fight for Tuff-N-Uff, defeating Art Martinez by rear naked choke in the second round. Read the rest of this entry »

Ever since Affliction announced late last week that its “Trilogy” event scheduled for Aug. 1 had been canceled, the combat sports world collectively has waited for an official response from former PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko.

On Wednesday at 1 p.m. PT inside the DoubleTree Hotel in Anaheim, Calif., Emelianenko will address the media for the first time since last week’s sudden cancellation. During the press conference, Emelianenko will discuss the ramifications of the cancellation, comment on his future in the fight game, and respond to questions from members of the media. Read the rest of this entry »

The highly-anticipated showdown between Renato “Babalu” Sobral (35-8) and Gegard Mousasi (25-2-1), which was suddenly cancelled by its original promoter last week, has been revitalized and will be contested with Sobral’s STRIKEFORCE World Light Heavyweight (205 pounds) Championship on the line at San Jose, California’s HP Pavilion on Saturday, August 15.

The title bout will be featured during the SHOWTIME televised portion of the STRIKEFORCE: “Carano vs. Cyborg” mixed martial arts (MMA) mega-card. Read the rest of this entry »

Attention all MMA fans in the NY Metropolitan Area!!! It’s here and you should be there! August
What: NY’s first MMA Expo will feature vendors with MMA’s top training and competition supplies along with the newest MMA apparel. There also be live demonstrations of the latest moves and techniques performed in a full sized cage by some of the attending stars and the staff of some of the areas top schools.

Who: You will be able to meet MMA stars like former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski, former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver, Tim Kennedy, current WEC lightweight champion Jamie Varner, Ron Van Clief, Sean Sherk, Orlando Rivera, Erik Uresk, Lorenzo Hood, UFC lightweight contender Clay Guida and Anthony Leone.

When: August 2nd from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Read the rest of this entry »

Former professional boxer and MMA fighter Frankie “The Educator” Sanchez has recently opened a new 10,000 square foot fitness gym in Centennial, Colorado. Sanchez who fought many world ranked contenders and champions like Kelly Pavlik, Kermit Cintron, David Diaz Chris Smith and Dmitriy Salita, teamed up with child hood friends John Vasquez and Nick Lopez to create the new MMA Premier Fitness. Read the rest of this entry »

NEW YORK (July 21, 2009)–- STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight Champion Alistair “The Demolition Man” Overeem has re-injured a hand and will not be able to defend his title against Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California on Saturday, August 15.

The other three STRIKEFORCE world championship fights remain intact: Gina Carano will collide with Cris Cyborg in the main event and the first STRIKEFORCE women’s 145-pound championship fight in history. Read the rest of this entry »

(Tacoma, WA.) White Buffalo Warriors Mike Hayes (5-2-1) makes his return to the Emerald Queen Casino, where he holds a perfect record of (3-0). Hayes will face Team Quest fighter Dan Krug who is making his pro debut but has built a 12-1 record as an amateur. “This will be a great fight!”, promoter Brian Halquist said. “This fight has a clash in styles that promises to be action packed. Hayes wrestles and tries to slam his opponents, while Krug specializes in a strong submission game. This fight promises to be a crowd pleaser.” Read the rest of this entry »

Even in promotions he doesn’t fight for, Fedor is the star. In the wake of Brock Lesnar’s current heavyweight win, Fedor Emelianenko is the talk of the town. Leave it to Fedor to steal another man’s fire without ever uttering a word. Lesnar’s bad behavior at his recent victory has his name appearing in all kinds of sports and mainstream media venues. But much of the attention gets instantly shifted away from his WWE-style antics to a potential match-up between him and the wildly acknowledged heavyweight champion of the world-Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko.

It seems that Lesnar is being cast as the MMA villain du jour. And since every villain needs a hero, media and fans alike seem to prefer Fedor as the man for the job. Instead of celebrating Lesnar’s victory or simply descrying his after-fight performance, many are looking for vengeance. And the one to provide his medicine, they have decided is the world’s ultimate heavyweight champ-Fedor. Disgruntled fans angry at his unsportsmanlike behavior think Fedor would teach Lesnar a painful lesson. Fedor’s name has appeared in every article written about the recent match, and in editorials and chatrooms around the world. If this should be a time for Lesnar to bask in his notoriety, it seems that all the attention is going to The Last Emperor. It’s as if Lesnar handed his victory over to the WAMMA Heavyweight Champion on a platter. Everyone, everywhere is talking about Fedor. Read the rest of this entry »

Gina Carano and Cris Cyborg, who will headline a STRIKEFORCE world championship quadruple-header on Saturday, Aug. 15, at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., live on SHOWTIME, participated in a press conference, fan meet and greet session and open workout Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.

On Aug. 15, the wildly popular and unbeaten Carano (7-0) and her No. 1 rival, Brazilian powerhouse Cyborg (7-1), will make history in the most anticipated fight in the history of women’s mixed martial arts (MMA) and the first women’s fight to headline a major fight card also featuring men.

At stake in the eagerly awaited showdown will be the newly created STRIKEFORCE Women’s 145-Pound World Title.

The STRIKEFORCE: “Carano vs. Cyborg” mega-event, which will air live on SHOWTIME (10:30 p.m. ET/PT, tape delayed on the west coast), will feature three additional world championship bouts. Read the rest of this entry »

Dennis Warner, Henan TV Station and In Sync Productions present this year’s most ambitious fighter lineup at the WCK MuayThai – Hilton Las Vegas, where elbows will fly and international belts will fuel the adrenaline rush. The top fighters will be representing England, China and USA. Four of the ten bouts will have WBC and IKKC titles on the line. Brit Richard Fenwick will be defending his WBC MuayThai International Superwelter weight belt against the crowd favorite Malaipet. Beginning of this year Fenwick took the belt from Malaipet in a close-points decision at San Manuel Casino, Calif. “I am more comfortable fighting Fenwick this time around, I know his combinations and I am training hard,” comments Malaipet. Read the rest of this entry »

As the old adage proclaims, everything is bigger and better in Texas. On Saturday, September 19th, the Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®) will prove it as the organization brings one of the most talent-rich events of the year to the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas for UFC 103. Featuring four pivotal bouts with world title implications as well as a main event still to be announced, the star power on the UFC card, which includes Mike Swick vs. Martin Kampmann, Efrain Escudero vs. Cole Miller, Josh Koscheck vs. Frank Trigg and Tyson Griffin vs. Hermes Franca, will more than light up the Texas night.

“I’m excited the UFC is heading back to Texas,” UFC President Dana White said. “Our event in Houston was a great success. Wherever we go, fans know UFC delivers great fights. Mike Swick vs. Martin Kampmann could be fight of the night at UFC 103 because the winner takes on Georges St-Pierre for the welterweight title.” Read the rest of this entry »

Midwest Fighting Championship proudly presents their 8th feature, and 3rd outdoor event entitled “Ultimate Outlaws” which will be coinciding with the 49th annual Knoxville Nationals, Friday August 14th in Knoxville, IA at Knoxville Campgrounds.. Tickets are priced at $20/$25 general admission, $30 table seating, and $50 and $40 cage side seats. Tickets can be purchased at Round Window Liquor, www.midwestfightingchampionship, or by calling 641-660-0822. More information on fighters, tickets, and up to date news can be found on the previously stated website as well. The first fight will start at 2:00pm and gates will open at noon. Read the rest of this entry »

Alliance Fights, a Seattle-based Mixed Martial Arts promotions company will return to ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington for their second professional MMA event on Saturday, August 22, 2009. “COUNTERSTRIKE” will feature professional fights matching well-known athletes specializing in jiu-jitsu, kick-boxing, wrestling and more. Read the rest of this entry »