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(All events on Oahu, unless noted)

2009

11/21/09
UFC 106
(Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas)

11/14/09
UFC 105
(United Kingdom)

November
Aloha State Championship
of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

(BJJ & Sub Grappling)

10/24/09
UFC 104
(Staples Center, Los Angeles)

10/10/09
NAGA Hawaii
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Hawaii, Tentative)

9/19/09
UFC 103
(American Airlines Center, Dallas)

9/16/09
UFC Fight Night 19
(Cox Convention Center, Oklahoma City)

9/12/09
Hawaiian Open
(BJJ)
(Kaiser High)

August
Hawaiian Open Championship
of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

(BJJ & Sub Grappling)

8/29/09
MAUI OPEN 2009
Submission Grappling Challenge
(Sub Grappling)
(Maui War Memorial Gym)

UFC 102
(Rose Garden, Portland)

8/9/09
WEC
(Las Vegas, NV)

8/8/09
UFC 101: Declaration
(BJ Penn vs. Kenny Florian)
(Wachovia Center, Philadelphia)

8/1/09
Affliction: Trilogy
Fedor vs. Barnett
(Honda Cetner, Anaheim, CA)

7/25/09
Gracie Tournament
(Kalaheo H.S. Gym)

Boxing at Palolo
(Boxing)
(Palolo Gym)

7/23/09
JUST SCRAP
(MMA)
(Pipeline Cafe)

7/20/09
Dream 10: Welterweight GP Final
(Japan)

7/11/09
UFC 100: Lesnar vs. Mir
(Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, NV)

7/10/09
Man up and Stand up
(Kickboxing)
(Waipahu Filcom Center)


6/27-28/09
OTM's
2009 Pac Sub
(Gi & No-Gi competition)
(Blaisdell Exhibition Hall)

6/20/09
The Ultimate Fighter 9:
Team US vs Team UK Finale


6/13/09
Destiny
(MMA)
(Waipahu Filcom)

UFC 99: Comeback
Silva vs. Franklin
(Cologne, Germany)

6/7/09
WEC: Brown vs. Faber 2
(Versus)

6/6/09
Quest for Champions 2009 Tournament
(Sport Pankration, Sub Grappling)
(Kalani HS Gym)

Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields
(St. Louis, MO)

6/4/09 - 6/7/09
World JJ Championships
(BJJ)
(California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA)

5/30/09
Event of the Champions
(Triple Threat, Kickboxing, Grappling)
(Elite Auto Group Center)

5/26/09
Dream 9

5/23/09
UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida
(PPV)

5/16/09
KTI's Scrappa Lifestylez
Scrapplers Fest
(BJJ/Submission Grappling)
(Kauai)

5/9/09 - 5/10/09 &
5/16/09 - 5/17/09
Brazilian Nationals JJ Championships
(BJJ)
(Carson, CA)

5/9/09
X-1 Kona
(MMA)
(Kekuaokalani Gym, Kona)

15th Grapplers Quest Las Vegas
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Las Vegas, NV)

5/2/09
Destiny
(MMA)
(Waipahu Filcom)

Uprising MMA
(MMA)
(Maui)

May 2009
Abu Dhabi World Submission Wrestling Championships
(Sub Grappling)
(Tentative)

4/25/09
MMA Madness Water Park Extravaganza
(MMA)
(Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, Kapolei)

4/18/08
Kingdom MMA
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)

NY International JJ Championships
(BJJ)
(Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

4/11/09
Hawaiian Championship of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Kaiser High)

X-1: Temple of Boom
(Boxing & MMA)
(Palolo Hongwangi)

4/10/09
HFC: Stand Your Ground XII
(MMA, Kickboxing)
(Dole Cannery Ballroom)

4/4/09 - 4/5/09
NAGA World Championship
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(NJ, Tentative)

3/28/09
Garden Island Cage Match
(MMA)
(Hanapepe Stadium, Hanapepe, Kauai)

3/27/09 - 3/29/09
Pan Am JJ Championships
(BJJ)
(Carson, CA)

3/27/09
Tiger Muay Thai Competition
(Muay Thai)
(Tiger Muay Thai Gym, Sand Island Road)

3/21/09 - 3/22/09
$30k Grapplers Quest/Fight Expo/Make a Wish Weekend
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Del Mar, CA)

NAGA US Nationals
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Georgia)

3/14/09
Hawaii Amateur Pankration Association: "Hit and Submit"
(Pankration & Muay Thai)
(O-Lounge Night Club, Honolulu)

NAGA Vegas
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)

3/7/09
UFC 96
(PPV)
(Columbus, OH)

Grapplers Quest Beast of the East
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Wildwood, New Jersey)

2/27/09
X-1 World Events
NEW BEGINNING"
(MMA)
(Maui War Memorial Gym, Wailuku, Maui)

2/21/09
Destiny
(MMA)
(Filcom Center, Waipahu)

UFC 95
(PPV)
(London, England)

2/15/09
X1 World Events
Temple of Boom: Fight Night III
(MMA)
(Palolo Hongwanji)

2/8/09
IWFF Submission Wrestling Tournament
(No-Gi)
(IWFF Academy, Wailuku, Maui)

2/7/09
4th Annual Clint Shelton Memorial
(Boxing)
(Palolo Gym)

Manup and Standup
(Kickboxing)
(Kapolei Rec Center, Kapolei)

UFC Fight Night
(PPV)
(Tampa, FL)

1/31/09
UFC 93 BJ vs GSP
(PPV)
(MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV)

1/30/09
MMA Event
(MMA)
(Schofield Barracks)

1/24/09
Eddie Bravo Seminar
(BJJ)

1/17/09
UFC 93
(PPV)
(Dublin, Ireland)

1/10/09
MAT ATTACK Jiu-Jitsu & Submission Grappling Tournament
(Sub Wrestling)
(Lihikai School, Kahului, Maui)

1/3/08
Uprising - Maui
(MMA)
(Paukukalo Hawaiian Homes Gym)

Hazardous Warfare - Maui
(MMA)
(Lahaina Civic Center)
 News & Rumors
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Casca Grossa Jiu-Jitsu is now the O2 Martial Arts Academy with 7 days a week training!

We are also offering Kali-Escrima (stick fighting) on Monday nights with Ian Beltran and Kickboxing Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with Kaleo Kwan, PJ Dean, & Chris Slavens!

Kids Classes are also available!

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Take classes from the Onzuka brothers in a family-like environment!


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Fighters' Club TV
The Toughest Show On Teleivision

Tuesdays at 8:00PM
***NEW TIME***
Olelo Channel 52 on Oahu
Also on Akaku on Maui

Check out the FCTV website!

Onzuka.com Hawaii Underground Forum is Online!

Chris, Mark, and I wanted to start an official Onzuka.com forum for a while now. We were searching for the best forum to go with and hit a gold mine! We have known Kirik, who heads the largest and most popular forum on the net, The Underground for years.

He offered us our own forum within the matrix know as MMA.tv. The three of us will be the moderators with of course FCTV808 being the lead since he is on there all day anyway!

We encourage everyone from Hawaii and our many readers around world to contribute to the Hawaii Underground.

If you do not have a login, it's simple and fast to get one.
Click
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Don't worry about using Pidgin English in the posting. After all it is the Hawaii Underground and what is a Hawaii Underground without some Aloha and some Pidgin?

To go directly to the Onzuka.com Hawaii Underground Forum
click
here!

Want to Advertise on Onzuka.com?

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Short term and long term advertising available.

More than 1 million hits and counting!

O2 Martial Arts Academy Day Classes Start May 2!
Women & Kids Kickboxing Class starts May 4!

Click here for pricing and more information!

O2MAA Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Day Classes will be held on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

We have a Womens and Kids kickboxing class on Sunday afternoons from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The class will be taught by none other than O2's Kaleo Kwan! It will be a non-competitive, fun atmosphere and allow the ladies and kids to get in a quick workout and learn some legitimate kickboxing technique before the long work week starts.

New O2MAA Kid's Jiu-Jitsu Class On Fridays from 5:30 to 6:30 PM!

Wrestling Class Starts On Fridays from 8:30 to 9:30 PM!


Want to Contact Us? Shoot us an email by Clicking Here!

Follow O2 Martial Arts news via Twitter at:
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7/3/09

Quote of the Day

"I have dreams, and I have nightmares. I overcame the nightmares because of my dreams."

Jonas Salk

BROCK LESNAR RESPONDS TO FRANK MIR'S CRITIQUE
by Steven Marrocco

In a May interview with MMAWeekly.com, UFC interim heavyweight champion Frank Mir said Brock Lesnar was just doing it for the money.

“I’m a martial artist; he’s a professional fighter,” said Mir. “He fights because he gets paid to fight. If the UFC were to go bankrupt tomorrow, a month later I would still be in some small organization fighting. Not because I need to; my house is paid off, my cars are paid; I don’t need the money as far as desperately.

“I fight because I enjoy fighting. I enjoy the preparation and the training and the mindset, everything that goes behind it. I don’t know if we can say the same about Lesnar. If Lesnar was making $10,000, would he show up to fight?”

On a Wednesday teleconference promoting Mir's title unification rematch with Lesnar at UFC 100, Lesnar told reporters that, yes, it’s about the money. But it’s no less about the love.

“(He has) desires to fight, and I’ve got mine,” said Lesnar. “I truly love what I’m doing, and it just so happens that I get paid a lot more money than he does. So, at the end of the day, whoever’s happy, that’s his prerogative. I’m happy with the way I’m doing it, and hopefully he’s happy the way he’s doing it.

“At the end of the day, you’ve gotta be able to provide for your family. This is a business for me and it just so happens I enjoy getting up every day and going to work. When this is all said and done and everything’s over with, and there’s no money in the bank, I don’t know, to me, it just seems like nowadays, especially with the way the economy is, I want to live comfortably when this is all said and done.

“You put your body and your mind through so much discipline and, no, I can honestly say I wouldn’t fight for peanuts. That’s just who I am. I’ve been there. I’ve wrestled, blood, sweat, and tears for 18 years. I’ve got a lot of time in the gym and got paid zilch. So now, here’s my opportunity. This is prize fighting for me. You look at it any other way, you might as well just go fight in the underground, bare knuckle, or fight in the streets, as far as I’m concerned.”

Lesnar says he’s most certainly not doing it for the fame. Since leaving the WWE, and later the NFL, he’s had his fill of being recognized at gas stations. He rarely does interviews and conducts his training camps in seclusion from the outside world.

“That’s why I live a simple life,” said Lesnar. “I’ve already been through that, I’ve already made a lot of money, and now it’s just a matter of staying grounded, being close to my family, and being happy. If you’re not happy, life can be pretty damn miserable. And I wasn’t very happy as a professional wrestler. Now I’m happy; life is pretty enjoyable.”

Source: MMA Weekly

Month in Review: June’s Good, Bad and Ugly
by Danny Acosta

Like virtually anything else in life, mixed martial arts has its yin and its yang. The sport’s ever-changing landscape offers fighters, fans and frenzied media monthly talking points. In June, there was plenty about which to be upset and enough to feed the optimists, too. Here’s a look at the good, the bad and the ugly.

The Good

UFC Expands Markets, Wallets: The UFC’s global domination plot puts Pinky and the Brain to shame. The Las Vegas-based organization’s 30-day calendar never has an empty space, but in a one-week span, it broke ground in Deutschland (June 13) and strengthened its footing in the UK (June 20). Despite German opposition, Zuffa LLC delivered a stellar card at UFC 99, headlined by Wanderlei Silva’s valiant decision loss to Rich Franklin. With that, the UFC put down roots in another major European market. One week later, it crowned two new “The Ultimate Fighter” winners from the UK in James Wilks and Ross Pearson. Their rise to reality television stardom only boosts the UFC’s position overseas. In addition, the UFC handed out three “Fight of the Night” bonuses for the first time in its history at “The Ultimate Fighter 9” Finale. Nate Diaz, Joe Stevenson, Kevin Burns, Chris Lytle, Clay Guida and Diego Sanchez all pocketed an extra $25,000. Not a bad start to summer.

Fifteen Minutes for Females: Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker knew it, as did fighters and hardcore fans: women can fight for 15 minutes -- or more. Gina Carano’s stock skyrocketed and with it went the popularity of female MMA. Bantamweight Sarah Kaufman scored a decision victory against Miesha Tate in a bout contested over three three-minute rounds at ShoMMA “Strikeforce Challenge Series 1” on May 15 in Fresno, Calif. The non-stop action the match featured served as a tipping point. At the second ShoMMA installment just a month later, Strikeforce featured female MMA’s first major 15-minute match between Kaufman and Shayna Baszler. The unbeaten Kaufman again won by unanimous decision. Coker has the commissions in Washington and California on board. A long-awaited super fight pitting Carano against Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos will crown the first Strikeforce women’s champion on Aug. 15. The historic headliner -- which should only further the female fight cause -- has been scheduled for five five-minute rounds.

Trench Battles: When there are major shows every weekend, barnburners are bound to surface. World Extreme Cagefighting kicked off the month with a five-round war, as featherweight champion Mike Thomas Brown bested injured hometown hero Urijah Faber at WEC 42 on June 7 in Sacramento, Calif. … Razor-thin decisions were abundant at UFC 99 on June 13, none more emotionally riveting than a catchweight main event between former UFC middleweight king Rich Franklin and longtime Pride Fighting Championships titleholder Wanderlei Silva … Strikeforce picked up where Zuffa LLC left off, as Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Jorge Gurgel slugged his way to victory against Conor Heun and the Greg Jackson-trained Joey Villasenor earned a split decision against Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos at ShoMMA “Strikeforce Challenger Series 2” on June 19 … The UFC closed the curtains on its month on June 20 with “The Ultimate Fighter 9” Finale, which featured three “Fights of the Night,” including a memorable main event battle between lightweights Diego Sanchez and Clay Guida.

Tim Kennedy and the Prospects: In what proved to be a savvy free agent signing, Strikeforce picked up middleweight Tim Kennedy and placed him against massive welterweight Nick Thompson at ShoMMA “Strikeforce Challenger Series 2.” Kennedy struck Thompson into submission in his first bout as a full-time fighter. While not exactly a traditional prospect, the former Army Ranger -- a natural ambassador for the sport -- has been a solid middleweight for years, and his undivided attention to the sport all but promises a transformation into a contender. The same card featured guerilla jiu-jitsu brown belt Luke Rockhold, who made an emphatic statement with a 30-second victory against Cory Devela. Lyle Beerbohm emerged, too. A former methamphetamine addict, Beerbohm literally went from prison to the gym and picked up the best win of his young career against UFC veteran and 2002 K-1 USA Max winner Duane Ludwig … The month started with Seth Dikun pulling a flying triangle choke against Rolando Perez at WEC 41 -- a surefire way to leave one’s mark in MMA. Josh Grispi graduated from prospect to contender by submitting one-time UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver … Meanwhile, featherweight Joe Soto, lightweight Eddie Alvarez, welterweight Lyman Good and middleweight Hector Lombard cashed in $175,000 in their Bellator Fighting Championships tournament wins, adding their names to smart money’s watch list.

***

The Bad

New York: It seems UFC fighters will only compete in Madison Square Garden in “UFC 2009 Undisputed 2009” -- for now. A bill to regulate MMA in the Empire State crumbled during an emergency session by the Tourism, Arts and Sports Committee. MMA optimists in New York hoped to see a UFC show there in December or early 2010; now, they will have to set a new target date a full year behind schedule. Anti-MMA Assemblyman Bob Reilly gets his way again but only seems to be prolonging the inevitable, as success in Pennsylvania comes in August with a visit from the UFC and will continue in other established markets like California, Texas and abroad. Somewhere, New York MMA crusader Matt Serra is drowning his justified sorrows in a bowl of pasta.

Banned Sponsors: A FiveOuncesofPain.com report revealed Dethrone, One More Round and Rolling Stone magazine as the latest sponsors to join Affliction on the UFC’s banned list. There may be a method to Zuffa’s madness. However, constricting blood flow to companies that support fighters -- who more often than not rely on sponsorships to pay the bills -- seems absurd. It impacts more than the fighters, too. Popular UFC cutman Jacob “Stitch” Duran was sponsored by One More Round. Is there a brand with a more fitting name for the 60-second healer? This move was nothing new for the sport. The Rolling Stone ban was striking, though. French heavyweight Cheick Kongo entered the Octagon to Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” at UFC 99, and the surreal nature of seeing one of America’s most important cultural touchstones supporting a mixed martial artist must not be ignored.

Bellator vs. WEC: Consensus top featherweight Mike Thomas Brown only made a reported $25,256, including a win bonus, for besting Urijah Faber in a five-round scrap that also earned him a $10,000 “Fight of the Night” bonus. The WEC’s bonuses and overall salaries are stacked lower than the UFC’s despite both companies being owned by Zuffa LLC. UFC transplant Manny Gamburyan made more in disclosed pay in his WEC debut than Brown, though the Armenian-born judoka did carry his UFC contract into the WEC. Fighter pay remains a contentious an issue in the sport, but something seems wrong about Brown, the best 145-pounder in the world, missing out on larger paydays because of his weight class. The WEC provides the greatest platform the lighter divisions have ever enjoyed, but more progress needs to be made. That the upstart Bellator Fighting Championship promotion handed $175,000 to featherweight tournament winner Joe Soto served as a small reminder.

Referring, Judging: Wanderlei Silva, Mustapha al Turk, Marcus Davis, Gleison Tibau, Edgar Garcia and Nick Thompson all had trouble with referees, judges or both during the month of June. With such a representative sample of fighters speaking out about the same issue in a 30-day span, fans, promoters and commissions should take notice. Enough red tape exists to deter anyone from tackling the issue, but there are tough people involved in MMA. The sport made it this far. No sense in succumbing to complacency.

***

The Ugly

Mercer Crumples Sylvia: Washed-up professional boxer Ray Mercer, a 1988 Olympic gold medalist, knocked out former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia in nine seconds at Adrenaline MMA 3 on June 13 in Birmingham, Ala. Mere facts do no do the ugliness of the KO justice.

Source: Sherdog

Curran Surprised but Eager to Fight Mizugaki
By Kelsey Mowatt

Since making his WEC debut in August, 2007, a successful one, a Unanimous Decision victory over Stephen Ledbetter, it’s been a tough and bumpy ride through the promotion for Jeff “Big Frog” Curran. The highly regarded veteran went on to face two of the world’s very best at 145lbs. in Urijah Faber and Mike Brown, and then, after Curran made the decision to drop down to bantamweight, rising prospect Joseph Benavidez was there to greet the former Pride competitor.

Although the three fight losing streak has likely been a tough pill to swallow for Curran, especially for a fighter who lost just twice from 2004 through almost all of 2007, the accomplished veteran arrived in the WEC looking to fight the world’s best. Up next, Curran will once again take on one of the promotion’s toughest in Takeya Mizugaki, the man who pushed WEC Bantamweight Champion Miguel Torres to his limits back in April.

“My initial reaction was I was just glad to get a shot,” Curran told FCF, when asked about how the August 9th bout came together. “I know I’ve had really good fights and I’m fighting the top guys but I’m still coming off three losses. I was a little shocked that they were giving me such a high level fight but at the same time, after talking about it with them, I’m on a higher pay scale; I’m one of the higher level guys in the organization so they need to use me for high level fights. I’m excited.”

“He proved himself with Torres you know?” Curran added while commenting on Mizugaki. “Some people thought that was his fight. The earlier part of the fight was his. Torres won the later part of the fight; somewhere in the middle the pace changed, but a lot of people think he won that fight.”

Mizugaki, who made is WEC debut as a replacement for the injured Brian Bowles, had won 5 straight fights competing in Japan, before surprising many around the MMA world with his memorable performance against Torres.

“I had heard about him but I didn’t know much about him,” Curran conceded when asked about whether or not he was surprised by Mizugaki that night. “Once I saw that he was fighting Torres I started researching it. Once I started researching it I realized I had heard his name before.”

“I honestly think he’s well balanced, he matches up well with me all around,” Curran said while assessing the Japanese bantamweight’s abilities. “He’s really composed. He’s not a wild guy, and he’s going to box with me if I want to box with him, which I think plays a little bit into my favor, especially if I can get into that groove where I’m boxing with him. I definitely think I have the advantage on the ground, so my biggest intention is to try to get a hold of him and try to school him in that department.”

When Curran announced that he was dropping down to 135, immediately discussions pertaining to a possible bout between him and the champion Torres, (who also lives and trains in the Chicago area) began circulating around the internet.

“I was always focused on Benavidez when the talk about Torres started,” said Curran, who now holds a professional record of 29-11-1. “When the talk about Miguel started the only reason that I really brought it up and played into it was because the fight was taking place on the local level. I felt like it brought that into it, so I’m not looking past Mizugaki, just like I didn’t look past Benavidez, but I definitely want to fight Torres. I’d like to fight him whether or not he’s champion. I just want to get a shot at him, and quite honestly, I’d like to get another shot at Urijah Faber. If I can get a on a winning streak I’d like to fight him at 135 or 145 it doesn’t matter. I definitely would like another shot at him.”

Source: Full Contact Fighter

Bitetti and Nogueira’s training for Couture
By Guilherme Cruz

Two times open class world champion of Jiu-Jitsu, Amaury Bitetti is excited for the next fight of Rodrigo "Minotauro" in the UFC. Responsible for the ground trainings of the former champion, Bitetti talked with TATAME about the preparation of the heavyweight for the fight against Randy Couture, in UFC 102.

"I arrived here in the United States now and Minotauro called me saying that will train in the mountains (Colorado), then he’ll returns to California, in Black House. The expectation is big, he is excited, training hard, and has already done all the exams... He is ready", says Amaury, eyeing, also, at the fight between Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir, on August 11 (UFC 100).

"This combat will be a tough fight to Frank Mir, because Lesnar developed a lot, is training with (Rodrigo) Comprido and other good coaches, and has a strong gripping. It will be a great fight", analyzes the black belt, seeing no favoritism to either side. "Mir isn’t fool... He can catch some submission, but, if he tries to strike, Lesnar knocks him out".

Source: Tatame

10 July Tussles Worth Watching
by Tim Leidecker

One might think -- and rightfully so -- that UFC 100 on July 11 in Las Vegas obscures and eclipses all other mixed martial arts action this month. Sadly, it’s not much of a stretch. Besides the always-industrious Japanese promoters and the odd regional U.S. show with a compelling main event, July represents a summer break for the sport.

Still, Sherdog.com managed to compile a rundown of 10 worthy tussles for July.

As always, this list does not focus on the major bouts you already know to watch but rather on fights from all over the planet that are worth seeing.

10. Robert Westermann vs. Ric Schreiter
Fight Club Vogtland, July 4 -- Plauen, Germany

Westermann and Schreiter are two of the true pioneers of German MMA. Their bout serves as a rematch from their first encounter five years ago, when Schreiter won by first-round submission. The loss has long haunted Westermann, considered one of the premier German grapplers at his weight. Schreiter, on the other hand, remains one of the country’s most decorated wrestlers, with more than 500 amateur matches under his belt. Can Westermann overcome the weight difference and avenge an earlier defeat?

9. Alavutdin Gadjiev vs. Kazuhiro Hamanaka
Cage Force & Valkyrie, July 12 -- Tokyo

Two athletes who have fought on some of the biggest stages in the world find themselves on the undercard of a women’s MMA main event. Russian sambo stylist Gadjiev was a hot property early last summer until he accepted and lost a short-notice bout against Ralek Gracie, a man who outweighed him by 15 pounds. Meanwhile, Kazushi Sakuraba student Hamanaka’s fall from grace has been a long and painful one. Will the 30-year-old professional wrestler regain the form that once made him one of the most promising Japanese talents at 205 pounds?

8. Gan McGee vs. Ruben Villareal
Pure Combat 9 “Home Turf,” July 25 -- Visalia, Calif.

Six-foot-10 giant McGee was once a sought-after American heavyweight. After wins against Paul Buentello and Pedro Rizzo, he even challenged for the UFC crown in 2003, falling to Tim Sylvia. Following three straight defeats, he left the game for more than four years. Ruben Villareal has also fought a couple of notable names but for all the wrong reasons; “Warpath” has always earned high-profile fights by accepting them as a last-minute substitute.

7. Andrew Fisher vs. Martin Stapleton
Strike & Submit 11, July 5 -- Dunston, England

With Strike & Submit British lightweight champion Ross Pearson unable to defend his title because of his win on Season 9 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” the promotion has put his strap up for grabs. Fellow TUF alumnus Stapleton will duke it out with another promising prospect, Fisher, for the vacant title. Fisher, a 23-year-old submission expert and former middleweight, had won four in a row prior to his defeat to Paul Sass in October.

James Edson Berto returns
to his hometown promotion.6. James Edson Berto vs. Jason Ball
Real Fighting Championships 18 “Pride,” July 24 -- Tampa, Fla.

Leglock master Berto, who traded leather with Karl James Noons and Yves Edwards during his stint in EliteXC, returns to his hometown promotion, RFC, for the second time this year. Ball, an experienced and well-rounded Englishman, will meet him in the middle. The Cage Warriors veteran became only the second fighter top stop durable Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Alexandre Izidro this spring and also holds notable wins against Leslee Ojugbana and Aidan Marron.

5. Ricco Rodriguez vs. Mario Rinaldi
World Fighting Championships “Battle of the Bay 8,” July 10 -- Tampa, Fla.

Another of Florida’s many local promotions returns with arguably its strongest effort to date. Former UFC heavyweight champion Rodriguez will headline the 11-fight card, as he takes on American Top Team’s Rinaldi. Their career paths have intersected at the Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling World Championships, where Rodriguez has medaled four times and Rinaldi reached the quarter-finals in 2007.

4. Hacran Dias vs. Ui Cheol Nam
M-1 Challenge 17, July 4 -- Seoul, South Korea

Nova Uniao has slowly but surely established itself as the number one fight team in Brazil and has positioned its top talent in the biggest promotions in the world. Dias, an undefeated prospect, wants to be the next to make the jump. The 25-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt, having risen from the Complexo do Alemao favela, the most violent slum in Rio de Janeiro, will take on Spirit Martial Challenge veteran Nam. The 27-year-old submission wrestler went 8-0 in Korea’s most prominent organization and wants nothing more than to chalk up his first win on the M-1 Challenge circuit in front of his fellow countrymen.

3. Masakatsu Ueda vs. Eduardo Dantas
Shooto, July 19 -- Tokyo

Nova Uniao’s 20-year-old Shooto South American champion, “Dudu” Dantas, will challenge Ueda for the promotion’s 132-pound world title. The 31-year-old Ueda will defend the belt for the third time since he captured it against then undefeated Koetsu Okazaki in March 2008. Dantas will undoubtedly look for some valuable tips from teammate Marcos Galvao, who fought Ueda to a draw in September. Can “Dudu” accomplish what “Louro” could not?

2. Shinya Aoki vs. Vitor Ribeiro
Dream 10, July 20 -- Saitama, Japan

Although he recently relocated to New York, former Shooto welterweight champion Ribeiro remains a Novo Uniao product and one of the finest students of legendary black belt Andre Pederneiras. “Shaolin” returned from an 18-month injury layoff in April, as he stopped Japanese Olympic wrestler Katsuhiko Nagata on first-round strikes. He now faces the current poster child of Japanese MMA, Aoki, in one of the summer’s most-anticipated showdowns. Which BJJ style will prove more advanced, the one Pederneiras taught Ribeiro or the one Aoki learned from his master, Yuki Nakai?

1. Georges St. Pierre vs. Thiago Alves
UFC 100, July 11 -- Las Vegas

Technically the co-headliner to Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir 2, St. Pierre’s welterweight title defense against the powerful Brazilian ranks as every purist’s main event of the summer. With both fighters well-rounded, well-conditioned and finely tuned, the matchup boils down to the champion’s game plan. Unlikely to stand and trade with the dangerous muay Thai specialist, it seems like a good bet to expect St. Pierre to take the conservative route and try to control Alves on the ground.

Source: Sherdog

Rolles back at Art of War
Event in China set for July 18

The makers of Chinese event Art of War released the following information regarding their upcoming July 18 show:

ART OF WAR 13: RISING FORCE

Since 2005, the Art of War Fighting Championship® has strived to establish itself as China's premier mixed martial arts organization. Featuring China's best martial arts athletes, the Art of War® is recognized by fans and industry experts as the pioneer and leader of China's mixed martial arts revolution. The Art of War Fighting Championship® 13 - "Rising Force" returns to the National Olympic Sports Center on July 18, 2009 with 12 action-packed mixed martial arts fights for your entertainment pleasure.

Under Card:
84 kg - Xu Chao (China) versus Yoann Gouaida (France)
90 kg - Luo Qiang (China) versus Dorjderem Munkhayasgalan (Mongolia)
78 kg - Kim Dong Hyung (Korea) versus Lubomir Guedjev (Bulgaria)
66 kg - Ning Guang You (China) versus Kang Kyung Ho (Korea)
72 kg - Bernueng Sakhomsin (Thailand) versus Jadambaa Narantungalag (Mongolia)

Main Card:
72 kg - Yu Woo Sung (Korea) versus Egon Racz (Slovakia)
72 kg - Wu Hao Tian (China) versus Shukhrat Minavarov (Uzbekistan)
96+ kg - Katsuhisa Fujii (Japan) versus Rodney Glunder (Holland)
72 kg - Dai Shuang Hai (China) versus Marcin Pionke (Poland)
96+ kg - Rolles Gracie (Brazil) versus Yim Joon Soo (Korea)
78 kg - Wang Sai (China) versus Claes Beverlov (Sweden)

*Fight card subject to change

Let's take a look at the main card...

72 kg match
The main card will feature up-and-coming Korean fighter, Yu Woo Sung "Bronco" (10-3), who was the 2006 Spirit MC Welterweight Tournament Finalist. His opponent is the always tough and durable, Egon Racz (1-2) of Slovakia, who is returning to the Art of War ring after a one year absence. Bronco is a very strong wrestler who will look to bring the fight to the ground where his powerful ground and pound skills give him a big advantage. Racz is an expert striker with over 100 matches to his credit and also the 2006 European open Muay Thai champion, and the 2005 European kickboxing champion. No doubt he will be looking to stop Bronco with a powerful knockout.

72 kg match
After dominating his opponent in AOW12, Chinese fighter, Wu Hao Tian (6-0), will be returning to face his toughest challenge yet in Shukhrat Minavarov of Uzbekistan. Minavarov is a 3x Central Asia kickboxing champion and 2007 World Kickboxing Federation world champion. Wu Hao Tian will have to display perfect grappling skills if he is to get Minavarov to the ground and force the submission. Minavarov is also an expert in combat sambo and claims to be unafraid of Wu Hao Tian's ground skills.

96+ kg match
Katsuhisa Fujii (9-17) of Japan will face the very dangerous Rodney Glunder (25-18) of Holland. Fujii is an expert grappler and is a disciple of famous Pride veteran, Kazuyuki Fujita. His opponent, Rodney Glunder, has wins over Melvin Manhoef, Cheik Congo, Valentijn Overeem, and Cyrille Diabate. Fujii is coming off a tough loss to Korean MMA superstar Choi Mu Bae and wants to get back on the winning side.

72 kg match
Dai Shuang Hai (8-0-3) "The Wolf" of China will face undefeated Polish superstar, Marcin Pionke (6-0), who is a disciple of Olympic Judo Champion, Pawel Nastula. Both are expert grapplers and strikers. Will youth and power prevail over technique and experience?

96+ kg match
Rolles Gracie (2-0) of Brazil will be facing Korean fighter Yim Joon Soo (5-5). Rolles Gracie is coming off a submission victory over Baga Agaev in Art of War 12 while Yim Joon Soo is coming off a KO victory over Yang Cheng in Art of War 11. Will Gracie be able to take the fight to the ground? Yim Joon Soo has devastating power in his hands and has proven it in previous MMA bouts. Will he be able to keep the fight standing and KO Gracie?

78 kg match
In the main event, up and coming Chinese fighter Wang Sai (2-0) will be facing Swedish newcomer, Claes Beverlov (5-2). Wang Sai will be facing a much more experienced opponent, but he has proven that he can remain calm under pressure. Beverlov is a product of the famous Legacy Gym under the leadership of Ole Baguio Larsen. This is a match up of the young guns and will no doubt end in knock out or submission.

The undercard will feature the return of WMC 70 kg world champion Bernueng Sahkomsin verus Jadambaa Narantungalag of Mongolia, who is a K1 veteran having faced such great fighters as Kid Yamamoto and Buakaw Por Pramuk. Also, Ning Guang You "The Tank" will fight Kang Kyung Ho, who is a veteran of Korea's Spirit MC and also the winner of Go! Super Korean Season 3, an MMA reality show.

What: Art of War 13 - Rising Force
When: Saturday, July 18, 2009
Where: National Olympic Sports Center
Time: 2:00 pm (doors open) 4:00 pm (event starts)
Tickets: http://www.piao.com.cn or call 400-810-3721
Information: http://www.mmachina.com or call 010-5129-5028

The Art of War Fighting Championship® can be seen on Inner Mongolia Satellite TV (NMTV) from within China every SUNDAY afternoon from 12:40 pm - 1:30 pm.

Visit our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/artofwarfc.
For more information, please visit our website at http://www.mmachina.com.

Source: Gracie Magazine

Drew Fickett inebriated, fails pre-fight physical

Former top ranked welterweight Drew Fickett failed his pre-fight physical and was not allowed to compete this past Saturday at Rage in the Cage 129 in Glove, Arizona.
Fickett was scheduled to take on one-time PRIDE competitor Shannon "The Cannon" Ritch but the featured bout was canceled when Fickett showed up inebriated for his physical.

According to Ritch, Fickett submitted to a Breathalizer test and was considered legally drunk.

Attempts to secure a replacement were unsuccessful, but Ritch was paid his fight purse in full.

Fickett in 2005 was considered one of the best welterweights in the world and last year was close to fighting Jake Shields for the EliteXC belt. From April 1999 through June 2008, Fickett's MMA record was 34-5 with victories over Josh Koscheck, Josh Neer, Kurt Pellegrino and Kenny Florian. He has since lost seven of his last nine fights.

Source: MMA Fighting

Behind a Successful Man is a Great Manon
MFC Staff Keith Grienke

A successful MMA fighter needs a great cornerman. The corner influences strategy, supports, and instructs their fighter. Not only does the corner celebrate their fighter's victory, but they are also there when the opponent’s hand is raised. The corner rarely gets the spotlight, but they are always in close proximity to the action. A successful promoter needs a great cornerman as well. Mark Pavelich's corner is covered by his wife, Manon Pavelich. Mark Pavelich has received many accolades as the President of Maximum Fighting Championship and he is the first one to say that a major reason for this success is his cornerman, or rather cornerwoman, Manon Pavelich.

Fans know all about the MFC president and are getting more familiar with his son, HeatXC frontman, Dave Pavelich – but what about Manon? Manon is modest and does not boast about all she has helped her husband to accomplish. After overcoming her initial reluctance to talk about herself, one is amazed by how outgoing she becomes as she discusses, in her charming French-Croatian accent, her business, her friends, and most importantly, her family.

Manon and Mark Pavelich have been married twenty-three years. They first met in Montreal at a restaurant at a time when Manon had yet to learn English. Their language barrier did not stop the couple from falling in love and marrying. Together they have gone on to proudly raise two children, Dave and Kayla. Their collaboration has also produced the number one MMA promotion in Canada.

Initially, the two opened a successful entertainment business, but then Mark was bitten by the MMA bug. Together they opened a gym and launched the MFC. “I did not like all the fighting at first and would watch movies in my room when Mark watched early UFCs,” admits Manon. “I watched Mark teach at the gym and became fascinated by the sport once I knew the work ethic and amazing techniques that are behind the fight, but I still do not like the blood,” she laughs.

"I'm nobody", she modestly states. "I'm just a behind-the-scenes girl". Her husband, and number one fan, disagrees vehemently "Manon is 100% the reason why MFC is the number one show in Canada. She worked out how to make money at mixed martial arts". Ten years ago, Manon and Mark had to take a hiatus from MFC. “MMA was foreign to people and was a difficult business,” says Mark, “We needed to make some money, so we went back to the entertainment business.”

So how did Mark resurrect his faltering MMA promotion? Mark points to his wife, “Manon figured it out! She knew I loved MMA and my passion was dying due to the early failures of MFC.” Manon came to his office one day and declared that she knew how to make money at mixed martial arts. Her strategy? “Right now MFC spends 95% of its time on fighters and 5% on sponsors. If we spend 95% of our time on sponsors, we will be the biggest Canadian show in three years and in ten years we could be top five in the world.” She was right. As Mark treated each MFC event “like a professional sporting event, like an Oiler game” and worked the phones for sponsors everyday, Maximum Fighting Championship gradually became the biggest Canadian show.

Manon, who in addition to raising her family, created a ticket network that sells out every MFC show. She is involved in most aspects of the business. She believes in personal service and delivers many of the tickets herself. “I love to socialize with people even if it is only five minutes. People are special to me!” “We have 1800 seats for MFC and Manon has 1800 friends!” claims her proud husband. She is also a task master and once in a while brings out the whip. When she heard her husband and son were on MMA forums all day she told them, “Don’t go on there with negative people. You should be phoning people.” Manon knows that her husband and her son do their best work when they are talking with their fans, sponsors, and fighters.

One of the dreams of her childhood was to create her own brand – a perfume, a fashion, a car dealership – something with her name on it and she has proudly accomplished this dream with her family. “I want my kids to be proud and I want to leave a legacy for them to take over.” Would the MFC have been successful if it was not a family business? “No way, I am the only one who understands Mark. People think he is arrogant but he really is just a perfectionist who loves what he does. No one but his family could care as much about this business as he does. Employees cannot care as much as we do.”

For all the work she does, how does the president of the MFC compensate this remarkable lady? Manon laughs easily, “Take me out to eat. I hate cooking!” Then she adds, “I don’t get paid, but I live well. If my kids are happy and healthy and my husband is happy and healthy, then I am very happy!”

Everyman could use a woman like Manon Pavelich in their corner!

Source: The Fight Network

Silva training with the heavyweights for Keith
By Guilherme Cruz

After 13 victories in the career, being ten by knockout, Thiago Silva was defeated for the first time in the MMA career, but is getting prepared to return to the UFC octagon, on August 29 (UFC 102). For the bout against Keith Jardine, the athlete of the American Top Team is training with the heavyweights of the team.

"I'm doing my training here in the ATT with the heavyweights. I'm doing my training with (Antônio Silva) Bigfoot, Todd (Duffee) and everybody here. The training is strong as always, I'm training a lot. Now I’m with the help of Katel Kubis, who came here and is giving me a Muay Thai training", says the fighter, commenting about the last fight of his opponent, against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. "I thought it was very good. Both have a very high level, but I'm prepared and well trained. I know his pros and cons, I'm studying with my coaches and you will see in time, the strategy is always a surprise".

Source: Tatame

UFC gauging how far they can push the envelope
By Zach Arnold

1) Their new magazine

MMA Payout notes that UFC’s mailing list, combined with Men’s Fitness customer database, will be the backbone for launching and developing a customer list for their own magazine.

Prediction: UFC will develop a magazine that is oriented for the general public, not for hardcore fans. The company won’t go after other magazines who interview fighters since UFC would likely consider it free PR. As far as whether the magazine makes a profit, I don’t think it matters — as long as UFC can generate enough press coverage through their own means without spending too much money, it’s a win-win situation for them.

2) Dana White’s on-again, off-again infatuation with Vitor Belfort

He said on YouTube the day after he got Kimbo at the TUF 10 tapings that he was in Los Angeles for a meeting that would change the world. Then he said on the UFC web site that he wanted Vitor Belfort, despite Belfort being under contract. Tampering charges? How reckless was this? White’s now saying publicly that he has no interest in Belfort.

Prediction: If Affliction 3 bombs, my opinion is that Atencio considers filing a lawsuit and ending up with a settlement. This story also illustrates that not only is White still unfiltered (think: Youtube incident, Vitor issues, the whole issues with the video game), but that the company’s legal team doesn’t give a damn. They don’t exactly have Jerry McDevitt in their corner, however.

The mood with UFC, as demonstrated with the Jon Fitch video game situation, does seem reflective on how Lorenzo Fertitta operates — good and bad — as we’ve seen with the way Station Casinos was handled when it went from private to public and now back to private, along with the various union fights that have existed with SC.

3) Continuing fights against sponsors

It’s insanity. No other major league sport has gotten into as many fights so quickly (as I can recall) than UFC has with sponsors. As I stated before, all of this reeks of divide-and-conquer politics at its worst. Why is this penny-wise and pound foolish? What’s attracting new talent to MMA is money. Fighters are coming in because they sense they can make a career in this sport. If you start taking money directly away from fighters because you’re cheap or because you want 100% control over the athletes, then guess what will start happening? People will start leaving the business or not consider getting into it. As we’ve seen in Japan, when the money dries up so does the big-league talent pool.

Prediction: UFC will continue to push away or blacklist sponsors at an alarming rate. It will not catch up with them right now, but in a couple of years the organization will find itself developing so many enemies that UFC will find the people they shunned aligning with opposition groups. I also predict that if a slowdown in sponsorship money continues that there will not be as many blue-chip prospects coming down the road, despite the fact that the reason most people want to fight in UFC has more to do with fame than money.

UFC already has the best of all worlds — they have fighters as independent contractors and not employees, they don’t pay fighters outside of whenever the athlete fights, and they approve/disapprove of sponsors. It’s not a crime to make a profit, but it’s bad business when you become too cheap and it starts to negatively impact who wants to be in MMA and who doesn’t. If you assume people make rational economic decisions in terms of employment, then drying up how much money a fighter can make certainly will impact who stays and who goes.

Source: Fight Opinion

Fukuda Captures Deep Middleweight Title
by Tony Loiseleur

TOKYO -- EliteXC veteran Riki Fukuda captured the Deep middleweight title from Yuichi Nakanishi in the main event of Deep 42 Impact on Tuesday at Korakuen Hall.

In victory Fukuda avenged his decision loss to Nakanichi in May 2008, when Nakanichi originally won the title at Deep 35 Impact's middleweight tournament.

While Fukuda took the title by split decision, his performance was less than convincing. Throughout all three rounds, the southpaw Fukuda chased Nakanishi and looked to wing big left hands for the knockout. Nakanishi played a counter game, maintaining distance to land with counter rights and a myriad of solid kicks to the body. For every solid left straight that Fukuda stung Nakanishi with, there were at least two body kicks or a one-two waiting for him in response.

A standout wrestler, Fukuda only attempted four takedowns over the three rounds, opting instead to seek the knockout. While Nakanishi defended all the takedown attempts and played a smart counter game, it appeared as if Fukuda's forward momentum and handful of clean lefts won him the bout on the scorecards of judges Samio Kimura and Kenichi Serizawa. Only judge Koichi Takemura ruled the bout for the defending champion, Nakanichi.

Dream and K-1 Hero's vet Kazuyuki Miyata powered his way to a majority decision over Dream vet Takeshi Yamazaki in one of the evening's fight of the night candidates. Though Yamazaki had Miyata in trouble with a tight kneebar into heel hook combo in the first period, Miyata evened things up with big punches and top control over the remaining two rounds. Miyata also soccer kicked Yamazaki in the head in the first, suplexed him late in the third period and generally ground him up with punches on the mat to convince judges Kimura and Serizawa that he deserved the win, though judge Takemura curiously ruled the bout a draw.

Deep mainstay Ryuta Sakurai and Japanese MMA veteran Hiromitsu Kanehara fought to an entertaining draw. After Sakurai controlled with takedowns, dominant position and kimura attempts in the first round, Kanehara rebounded in the second period, stuffing takedown attempts to get takedowns of his own. From top or in riding time, Kanehara won the second round to even up the fight on Kimura’s and Umeki's scorecards for the draw, with only judge Takemura awarding the bout to Kanehara.

Things could have gone better for Japanese TV personality Bernard Ackah, who racked up two yellow cards for three low blows on Young “Ryo” Choi. Ackah's inability to move his head had him eating hard right hands in the first period, and his multiple infractions -- including a rope grab that prompted an in-ring conference by all four referees to decide whether to disqualify Ackah -- didn't seem to do him any favors by the second and final frame. In spite of Ackah's tenacity, judges Takemura, Serizawa and Umeki awarded the bout to Choi.

Koji Kanechika used excellent head movement to weave his way into range to land vicious overhands on Kazuhisa Tazawa. Though Tazawa showed a little more energy in pushing a grappling game in the first period, Kanechika's cumulative damage sapped Tazawa's strength, gassing him to the point of a yellow card for inactivity. Judges Umeki, Takemura and Kimura thus gave the nod to Kanechika.

Toshikazu Iseno took a sound decision over Kleber Koike, using the BJJ stylist's penchant to pull guard from the clinch to rack up points by punching from above. This, in addition to the few solid punches Iseno landed on the feet, proved more worthwhile than Koike's two guillotine attempts for judges Serizawa, Takemura and Umeki, who ruled the bout unanimously for “Ise.”

There didn't seem to be a punch that Myeon Ho Bae could miss, sparking Yusaku Tsukumo early to pound out a dominant first-round effort. Bae indulged Tsukumo in some grappling in the second period, and while Tsukumo could more or less hold his own, Bae still handily controlled and punched his way to a sound unanimous decision.

Shigetoshi Iwase dominated Shooto banger Taisuke Okuno with superior wrestling and grappling over two rounds, racking up points for the unanimous decision. Okuno made it easy for Iwase by pressing forward and looking for big punches, but left himself open to takedowns and counterpunches. Though Okuno typically managed to power out of bad positions, his lack of control cost him the decision.

Other Results

Yusuke Kagiyama def. Yasuhiro Kawasaki -- Unan. Dec. 5:00 R2
Tatsumitsu Wada def. Tatsuya Tsuchida -- Submission (RNC) 2:14 R1
Tomoya Kato def. Motoki Awaji -- TKO (Punches) 1:30 R1
Ryota Uozomi def. Pat Uncangco -- Unan. Dec. 5:00 R2
Tomoya Miyashita def. Hiryu Okamoto -- Submission (Guillotine) 1:34 R1
Hiroki Sato def. Kenji Nagai -- Unan. Dec. 5:00 R2

Source: Sherdog

Jorge Rivera signs four-fight deal with UFC

Jorge Rivera has inked a new four-fight contract with the UFC, the Boston Herald reports.
Rivera has competed ten times for the UFC since UFC 44 "Undisputed" in September 2003. In 2006, Rivera signed on with "The Ultimate Fighter 4: The Comeback" to compete in the show's middleweight competition.

Rivera won a split decision in April against former WEC competitor Nissen Osterneck at UFC Fight Night 18 in Nashville. According to the Boston Herald, Rivera is hoping for a return in early fall once he finishes rehabbing an injured left shoulder.

Source: MMA Fighting

7/2/09

Quote of the Day

“No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.”

Helen Keller

WEC ANNOUNCES FULL CARD FOR WEC 42

World Extreme Cagefighting on Monday announced the remaining bouts for WEC 42: Torres vs. Bowles live from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on Aug. 9.

Tickets for Torres vs. Bowles are on sale now and priced at $40, $55, $85, $100, $125, $175, and $225. Torres vs. Bowles will be televised nationally live on VERSUS beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

In addition to the bantamweight title bout between champion Miguel Angel Torres (36-1) and Brian Bowles (7-0), nine other bouts round out a stacked card in Las Vegas.

With Torres and Bowles trading leather in the main event to determine the sport’s best bantamweight, two other top 135-pounders will meet to determine the next probable title challenger. Sacramento’s Joseph Benavidez (10-0), a pupil of former featherweight champion Urijah Faber, brings his exciting style to The Joint at Hard Rock to face San Diego’s Dominick Cruz (13-1). A speedy, precision-punching New Mexico native, Benavidez is coming off the biggest win of his career in April, a unanimous decision win over Jeff Curran. Now matched with Cruz, Benavidez believes a win will solidify his spot as the number one contender in the bantamweight division. Much like his opponent, the 24-year-old Cruz hopes a win will propel him toward championship glory. Riding a three-fight winning streak, the hard-hitting Californian promises fireworks when he goes to battle with Benavidez.

Exciting lightweights Danny Castillo (7-1) and Ricardo Lamas (6-0) collide in a battle that will move the winner one step closer to a shot at the 155-pound title. A member of Urijah Faber’s Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, Calif., Castillo is a former two-time NAIA All American wrestler who boasts excellent grappling. The San Francisco native, riding a two-fight winning streak in the WEC, hopes to use his wrestling prowess to overpower the unbeaten Lamas. Coming off a victory over Bart Palaszewski in March, the Chicago-based Lamas is explosive and well-rounded. Nicknamed “The Bully,” Lamas looks to dominate Castillo and push closer to joining the lightweight elite.

After engaging in a war with Miguel Angel Torres in a Fight of the Year candidate in April, Japanese striker Takeya Mizugaki (11-3-2) returns to the WEC with aims of earning another shot at the champion. Before he gets a second title opportunity though, the gritty, crowd-pleasing Mizugaki must first defeat tested veteran Jeff Curran (31-11-1). At the age of 31, perhaps no fighter has faced the quality opposition than that of Island Lake, Illinois’ Curran. Over the past two years, Curran has exchanged strikes with the likes of Urijah Faber, Mike Brown, and Joseph Benavidez. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, who has also competed as a professional boxer, hopes to thwart Mizugaki’s championship aspirations and paint himself into the bantamweight title picture.

Lubbock, TX native Leonard Garcia (16-4) looks to get one step closer to another crack at the featherweight title when he faces Jameel Massouh (21-5) of Kenosha, Wis. in August. A well-conditioned, entertaining competitor fighting out of Greg Jackson’s camp in Albuquerque, NM, Garcia fell short against champion Mike Brown in his last fight in March, but is determined to get back in title contention. In order to do so, he’ll need to be prepared for the versatile Massouh. A great striker with competent ground skills, the former Pancrase star is seeking his first WEC win and hopes to do so by defeating Garcia.

Four-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion Fredson Paixao (8-3) hopes to get his first WEC win when he takes on four-time NCAA Division II National wrestling champion Cole Province (6-1) in his adopted hometown of Las Vegas. Known universally as the “King of Wristlocks,” the 145-pound Paixao brings his unique, technical brand of submission fighting to the cage. Originally from Amazonas, Brazil, the 30-year-old Paixao believes his superior grappling will guide him to victory. Standing in his way is the powerful Province. A star wrestler at the University of Central Oklahoma, the once-beaten Province relies on relentless ground and pound to best his opponents. The 28-year-old, who fights out of Edmond, Okla., hopes to score his seventh professional win by defeating Paxaio on August 9.

Two of the lightweight division’s most aggressive competitors will clash when Marcus Hicks (8-2) of Dallas, TX takes on Las Vegas resident Shane Roller (5-2). Nicknamed “The Wrecking Ball,” Hicks is a complete fighter, boasting a Golden Gloves boxing background, as well as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. With three wins inside the WEC cage, Hicks hopes to gain momentum by defeating three-time NCAA All American wrestler Roller. An equally balanced fighter, Roller was a top wrestler at Oklahoma State University before launching an MMA career. With submission victories over Todd Moore and Mike Budnik in his WEC career, Roller is out to show that he possesses the pedigree necessary to one day rule the 155-pound division.

Heavy-handed Ed Ratcliff (6-1) of San Diego, Calif. returns to the Octagon® to take on former Marine Phil Cardella (12-3) of Austin, TX in lightweight action. A black belt in Tae Kwon Do, Ratcliff burst onto the WEC scene in 2007 with back-to-back knockout wins over Johnny Sampaio and Alex Karalexis. Ratcliff seeks his third stoppage victory in the WEC when he faces the submission-savvy Cardella. A jiu-jitsu black belt under Relson Gracie, Cardella is no slouch when it comes to the ground game. The versatile 32-year-old looks to diffuse Ratcliff’s power and earn his first WEC win when the two lock horns at Hard Rock.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace Rani Yahya (14-4) hopes to earn his fourth WEC win when he takes on Tokyo, Japan’s Kenji Osawa (15-8-2) in bantamweight action. Yahya, originally from Brasilia, Brazil and now fighting out of San Diego, Calif., is a feared grappler with a record of 3-1 in the WEC. Each of his victories has come by way of submission, including his last win via choke over former champion Eddie Wineland in April. He’ll look to use his dangerous ground skills against seasoned boxer Osawa. A 32-year-old striker who rose to stardom in Japan’s Shooto organization, Osawa relies on his heavy hands and slick boxing to overpower opponents. He is coming off a decision victory over Rafael Rebello in March and hopes to climb the 135-pound ladder with a win over Yahya.

It will be a classic striker vs. grappler matchup when featherweights Diego Nunes (12-0) and Rafael Dias (13-5-1) collide on Aug. 9. A former Brazilian Muay Thai champion, the 26-year-old Nunes of Caxias do Sul, Brazil is a ferocious standup fighter who scored a unanimous decision win over Cole Province in his WEC debut last December. He’ll look to keep the action on the feet when he battles Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Rafael Dias. A product of the famed American Top Team in Coconut Creek, FL, Dias scored his first WEC win in April via unanimous decision over Mike Budnik. Holding a three-inch height advantage over Dias, the Rio de Janeiro-born Dias will look to impose his will and take another step toward the featherweight title.

Source: MMA Weekly

BACK TO THE WALL, IT'S DO OR DIE FOR MAC DANZIG

Coming into season six of The Ultimate Fighter, Mac Danzig was believed to be one of the most well rounded and respected guys out of any season. An early favorite to win, he showed the versatility which would be essential for a fighter exiting TUF and transitioning into the big show that is the UFC.

Submitting runner-up Tommy Speer en route to a six-figure contract with the 800-pound gorilla organization would mark his fourth submission victory in a row, including his three exhibition bouts during his time in the house. His exhibition wins included Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace Joe Scarolla via triangle choke and the always tough John Kolosci twice by rear naked choke, none making it out of the first round.

The self-proclaimed vegan was successful in his first bout outside of the TUF banner. On his pay-per-view debut at UFC 83 "St. Pierre vs. Serra II,” Danzig submitted Mark Bocek in the third round in front of his fellow Canadians after softening him up with superior stand-up, using effective knees and boxing from the outside, changing levels and sticking his jab.

Though many were optimistic of Danzig’s potential as a true lightweight contender, he has been on a stroll down ‘bad luck lane,’ unsuccessful in his last two outings, outwrestled by the enigmatic Clay Guida and than submitted by Miletich product Josh Neer.

There is no such thing as an easy fight in the UFC.

In familiar territory, Danzig has been here before. His entrance into The Ultimate Fighter house came on the heels of two consecutive losses; a decision loss to Clay French losing his King of the Cage lightweight title, and in his next fight, a knockout loss to Japanese star Hayato Sakurai for the now defunct Pride organization.

The pressures of losing always looming over a fighters head is difficult in itself, but the Pittsburgh native is faced with a whole new pressure. Most would say being the winner of any season of The Ultimate Fighter is almost like walking around with a bulls-eye on your back and coupled with facing the adversity of new challenges awaiting him, Danzig is using this fight as motivation in ways unimaginable.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself leading up to that Neer fight and fighters are superstitious. I try not to be too superstitious, but I can’t help it sometimes, it’s the nature of the beast. Looking back at it, maybe I shouldn’t have put so much pressure on myself. Going into this one, let’s face it, it’s do or die for me.

“I don’t want to lose my job with the UFC.”

The newly minted father of a seven-month old baby girl will look to take on another difficult challenge in opponent Jim Miller, who is coming off of a loss of his own to Gray Maynard, another prized lightweight prospect and training partner to Danzig out of the famed Xtreme Couture camp in Las Vegas.

Always one to keep his composure, Danzig will need his sense of self when he faces Miller in what is hyped to be the biggest card in the company’s history at UFC 100 on July 11 in Las Vegas. Though most are openly ecstatic at the opportunity, Danzig takes a different approach to the situation, as a true professional would.

“It depends on how you think of it. I try to do my best not to think of stuff like that because I don’t want to get over excited or nervous, I just try to stay focused on the task at hand and I try to treat it just like any other fight and that’s the best way for me to deal with something like this mentally.

“I’ll enjoy it more when the fight is done,” he explained.

Though New Jersey's Miller is an opponent who brings many dangerous tools into the fight, it’s his name recognition that is still lacking inside the UFC. He is still looking for a signature win to make a big impact in his division.

“I’m facing an extremely tough guy. It’s a tough fight because he’s one of those guys where he doesn’t really have a big name in the sport yet because he hasn’t got a chance to show what he’s all about against guys on a main card. People from the main stream fans that don’t really follow the sport closely probably expect me to win and it’s a tough situation.”

With fight time nearing and training culminating this week, Danzig will lay it all on the line once again in order to cement his job inside the organization where a wayward East to West Coast trip seven years ago has brought him to today, in this moment.

“What else can I do but train my ass off and fight? That’s what I’m gonna do. The pressure is there, but I gotta put that out of my mind and do my best to beat this guy.”

Source: MMA Weekly

UFC 100: JIM MILLER, "I WANT TOUGH FIGHTS"

Jim Miller seemed to be on the fast track towards a title shot, since making his long anticipated debut in the big show at UFC 89, when he squared off against the highly touted David Baron. Baron just had come off the biggest win of his career, submitting prized Japanese fighter Hayato Sakurai in the first round.

After handing Baron his first loss in five fights with an impressive third-round rear naked choke (garnering Submission of the Night), he followed up the victory with another exciting performance with a unanimous decision win over Ultimate Fighter veteran Matt Wiman, who was on a four-fight win streak inside the Octagon.

Now on the heels of his first loss inside the UFC and only second overall coming against rising prospect Gray Maynard, the New Jersey native will look to regain the momentum he lost when he faces Season Six winner of The Ultimate Fighter, Mac Danzig. The bout marks one of his sternest tests to date as a professional fighter and a win would undoubtedly cement his spot back near the top of the lightweight ladder.

Not to mention his fight with Danzig is to be on the UFC’s centennial card, which by no stretch of the matter is a big deal in and of itself.

“(The UFC) is going to put on such a big show; that’s so respectful,” explained one-half of the Miller brothers.

“The size of the event, I think just all of Vegas, there’s gonna be a buzz with the UFC itself. It should be great publicity to be on the card.”

While Miller garnered his first loss back in 2006, against fellow UFC fighter and current training partner Frankie Edgar, he is well aware of how to adapt a loss and turn it into a positive, gaining the most from the situation in order to continue to improve himself as a fighter.

“Like they always say, you learn more from a loss than you do from a win.”

Though Danzig has been on a slide as of late, going 0-2 in his two most recent outings in the UFC against the grizzly Clay Guida and the always-tough Josh Neer (respectively), Miller chooses to ignore those performances and judge Danzig as a whole. He recognizes the talents and the ferocity that Danzig will bring into their bout when they lock horns on July 11. It's a bout that could very well be a ‘loser leaves town’ kind of bout.

“I’m coming off one loss, he’s coming off two. If I was coming off another loss in a row I’d definitely be really fired up to go out there and whoop some ass. I’m actually looking forward to it; I hope he comes after me. I want to be in a fun fight.”

Always one to please, Miller is approaching this bout like any other and is well aware of the dangers of Danzig, knowing full well that despite the losses, he is as complete a fighter as there is in the lightweight division, using his stand-up and ground game effectively in all of his fights. However, it’s the threat that Danzig brings that excites Miller the most, who constantly wants to test himself to prove that he belongs amongst the best in his class.

“I know he’s dangerous everywhere. He’s probably one of the better guys everywhere that I’ve fought. He definitely has a great (submission) game and he’s got very solid hands, so he’s a threat wherever the fight leads. I just look at it as I want tough fights. That’s what I want, that’s why I’m here. The Gray (Maynard) fight was my third fight in the UFC and I’m fighting a top contender, in a matter of months. It’s where I think I belong and it’s where I want to stay.”

Source: MMA Weekly

AKIHIRO GONO RETURNS TO JAPAN AT SENGOKU 9

World Victory Road on Tuesday announced the opponent for Akihiro Gono's return to Japan. He will face Dan Hornbuckle at Sengoku 9 on Aug. 2 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Gono returns to compete in his home country following an unsuccessful stint with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in the United States. He was 1-2 in his three UFC appearances defeating Tamdan McCrory in his Octagon debut before losing back-to-back bouts to Dan Hardy and Jon Fitch.

In his 15th year as a professional mixed martial artist, Gono is an extremely popular fighter in Japan, having spent the better part of his career fighting for Shooto, Pancrase, and Pride.

Hornbuckle is an accomplished fighter from the Midwestern United States. He has fought once before for World Victory Road, losing to Mike Pyle at Sengoku 2. He brings with him a 17-2 professional record, but will be facing his sternest test to date in Gono.

Sengoku 9 features the semi-final and final rounds of the promotion's Featherweight Grand Prix tournament. The main card will air on HDNet in the United States.

Source: MMA Weekly

CERRONE VS HENDERSON IS FOR THE INTERIM TITLE

World Extreme Cagefighting is heading to Youngstown, Ohio for WEC 43. Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone is fighting Ben Henderson in the main event. Current lightweight champion Jamie Varner, however, is not being stripped of his title.

Cerrone vs. Henderson is for a title, but it will be an interim lightweight belt, as MMAWeekly.com first reported late last week.

There was some confusion surrounding the title designation for the Cerrone vs. Henderson bout stemming from a report on Vindy.com, which stated that Varner was going to be stripped of the belt due to the uncertain time frame for his return from injury.

"I think there was just some misunderstanding in what I said and it is an interim belt. It is not a vacant title," WEC General Manager Reed Harris told MMAWeekly.com on Tuesday.

He added that there are no plans at all to strip Varner of his title. The interim title fight is just that, an interim championship to keep the division moving forward while Varner recovers.

"What we wanted Jamie to do prior to actually scheduling (a rematch with Cerrone) was to get cleared by his physician and his physician wouldn't clear him. So what we decided is we need to move the division forward. Then we decided to do an interim belt," explained Harris.

"(Varner's recovery time) is indefinite and we're going to wait to hear from Jamie and his physician as far as him being cleared to fight. As soon as he's cleared to fight, I'd be more than happy to set up a fight for him."

Until Varner does return, the WEC will have a new champion come Sept. 2 after the promotion lands in Ohio for the first time in its history. The interim title bout pits two of the top rising contenders in lightweight division, and two men that will be counting on their high-paced styles to bring excitement to the bout, not the out of the cage war of words surrounding Cerrone and Varner.

“He's got an awesome ground game and he’s a superior wrestler,” Cerrone said of Henderson. “The only thing he lacks is his stand-up. I believe that I have what it takes to become champion. I know Ben well and like him, but when the cage door closes, I want to win that belt.”

“There are guys who get in the cage and you can see in their eyes that they’re a little bit overwhelmed by the whole thing,” Henderson said. “I don’t think I’ll be overwhelmed. I love Cerrone’s game and his ‘Terminator’ style. He just keeps coming forward. As far as standing up with him and trading some blows, I’d love to. Let’s go out there and have fun.”

Cerrone vs. Henderson will be televised nationally live on the Versus network.

Source: MMA Weekly

PAUL BUENTELLO: "EVERYBODY'S COUNTING ME OUT"

The hype train hasn’t even begun to roll yet, and Paul “The Headhunter” Buentello (27-10) feels he’s been cast as the underdog for his fight with Gilbert Yvel at Affliction "Trilogy." And that’s exciting to him, because there’s nowhere to go but up.

“Everybody’s already counting me out. I’ve gotta be able to do this, and be able to do that, and I love being in that position,” said Buentello. “I don’t like being in the top position. I love being counted out.”

The 35-year-old Texan doesn’t name his accusers, and says the pessimists are "people giving their opinion." He often takes cues from Internet message boards, and likes to have fun with the MMA public’s perception of him, frequently enlisting fans to provide feedback on his career path. Apparently, somebody out there doesn't like the match-up.

Five weeks ago, Buentello began training with the knowledge he’d be back in the ring on Aug. 1, against whom he didn’t know. Gilbert Yvel emerged as his opponent for Affliction “Trilogy,” earning a spot on the event’s main card with a blistering knockout of veteran Pedro Rizzo.

Until the event, Buentello will reside at American Kickboxing Academy, getting ready to combat Yvel’s stand-up centered attack.

Buentello says he hasn’t shot for a takedown once in his career, and unless Yvel offers him a surefire way to get on top, doesn’t plan on making an exception.

His trainer, Bob Cook, says his pay will be earned that night.

“This is going to be a long night, your cardio has to be really, really good,” said Buentello.

It’s safe to say that he will face a far greater challenge than his last fight, against Kiril “Baby Fedor” Sidelnikov, who he systematically punished for three rounds before the referee took mercy on the Russian. Sidelnikov later tested positive for steroids and was suspended for a year by the California State Athletic Commission.

Yvel, now under the tutelage of MMA pioneer John Lewis, appears to have turned a corner in his training. He's more patient and less “Hurricane.” Still, he retains the aura of a bully who’s sudden streaks of violence – whether in or out of the ring – destroy fighters who let him play his game. Those who take him to the ground are virtually guaranteed a chance to be not only competitive, but dominant.

Buentello’s heavy hands and willingness to engage are his best allies in the fight.

“Just try to break that aura,” he said of his model for bullies. “Stay in their face. Throw as many punches as I can. If you’ve ever heard that saying, a fighter can never be made, you’re either born with it or you’re not? Everybody knows I don’t have the skill. I don’t have that look. But I guarantee, and everybody knows, if I show up to fight, I’m gonna bring it. I’m a gamer.

“That’s one of the things that makes it interesting. He don’t care, and I’ve been through some really tough fights and I don’t care what happens. I’m going to let my hands go no matter what. Yvel’s going to bring it 110 percent and I’m going to match him every step that he goes.”

Buentello also carries the belief that fate will decide who shows up that night; if he’s on his game, if Yvel’s off, or if they’re both on. Training, dieting, and sleeping – those are the variables that can be controlled.

“If I’m on the top of my game and he makes just a couple of mistakes, and I’m on, I’ll probably be able to stop him,” Buentello continued. “But if he’s on, and I’m on, it’s going to be a long fricking night.

“That’s the thing I love about the sport. Just like Fedor, you can come in 29-1 and if it’s your day, it’s your day. You don’t have that choice to pick that... you put in your hard training and go out there and give it 100 percent.”

Source: MMA Weekly

VELASQUEZ VS. CARWIN SET FOR UFC 104

A battle between rising heavyweights Cain Velasquez and Shane Carwin is set for UFC 104 in October, MMAWeekly has learned.

Fiveouncesofpain was the first to report the match-up, and it was subsequently confirmed by sources close to the fight.

Carwin (11-0) was recently cleared for hard training after suffering a broken nose at UFC 96 that required surgery. The 34 year-old Colorado native was going down a hard road with former contender Gabriel Gonzaga before his right hand stopped the Brazilian in his tracks. The finish immediately put him on the list of heavyweight contenders.

Velasquez (6-0) is coming off an important career victory as well, running the striking gauntlet of Cheik Kongo to wrestle his way to a decision victory. The 26 year-old American Kickboxing Academy product has come up fast in the ranks with his aggressive style and collegiate wrestling credentials.

As it stands, the two should be each other's toughest test to date.

Source: MMA Weekly

JAVIER VAZQUEZ VS. LC DAVIS FOR AFFLICTION 3

A featherweight bout between LC Davis and Javier Vazquez is set for Affliction "Trilogy" on Aug. 1 in Anaheim, Calif.

Sherdog.com was the first to report the match-up, and MMAWeekly.com subsequently confirmed it with Affliction vice president Tom Atencio. The bout will take place on the HDNet-televised undercard.

Vazquez (13-2) encountered controversy last weekend at "Ultimate Chaos" when a weigh-in snafu forced the cancellation of his scheduled bout with Din Thomas. The 31-year-old veteran instead took on local jiu-jitsu specialist Mark Kergosien and submitted him in 19 seconds. It was his first appearance after multiple injuries kept him out of action for over a year.

Davis (13-2) last appeared at Sengoku "Seventh Battle" in March, losing a unanimous decision to Michihiro Omigawa. Before that, the 28-year-old Kansas City resident made his Affliction debut at "Day of Reckoning," grinding out a game Bao Quach on the January card. Davis almost became a WEC fighter last August when Cub Swanson injured his hand and was removed from his bout with Hiroyuki Takaya at WEC 35. The fight was scrapped when Takaya declined the match-up.

In other news, Atencio said he could not confirm a reported match-up between featherweights Mark Hominick and Devidas Taurosevicius for "Trilogy" and declined to comment on its status.

Source: MMA Weekly

TITO ORTIZ CLOSE WITH STRIKEFORCE, WANTS FEDOR

One time UFC poster boy Tito Ortiz hasn't fought in more than a year. And it's been nearly three years since he last won a fight.

Plagued by back problems for several years, his last bout was a loss to current UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida. Prior to that, a draw with former UFC champion Rashad Evans and a loss to another former UFC champion in Chuck Liddell.

But following back surgery in October of 2008, Ortiz has recently been cleared to train full speed ahead.

"My doctor just released me. I feel great. My cardio is great. I'm excited to get back in there. I'm 100-percent, no more pain running down my back."

In a seemingly revolving door of endless negotiations, the former UFC champion sounds as if he is nearing the time when he will set foot back in the cage, once again ready to compete.

"I'm in negotiations right now with Strikeforce and working with CBS and Showtime, so all three of us are going back and forth to make a contract that makes sense to me," he told MMAWeekly.com recently.

"Hopefully by October I'll be competing. We're finishing the contract I'd say with CBS, Showtime, and Strikeforce and making a deal that UFC can't match."

If that deal does come to fruition, Ortiz says he's ready and has his near future already mapped out.

"I feel sorry for the person they have me fight, but I do need one warm-up fight," he said. "I managed to come off a huge back surgery. It's been a year since I've competed. I think one warm-up fight to get things going."

But after that, it's full speed ahead, and truly so if the fight he mentions does end up taking place.

"After that, I don't want no more warm-up fights. I'm hoping by my fourth fight, possibly fight Fedor Emelianenko at a catchweight. That'd be something that I'm looking forward to possibly by the middle of next year."

Source: MMA Weekly

AL-HUSSAN VS. KINGSBERRY AT UFC 104

A light heavyweight contest between Kyle Kingsberry and Razak Al-Hassan is set to take place at UFC 104 in October, MMAWeekly.com has learned.

Sources close to the fight confirmed that both parties have agreed to the fight and bout agreements are soon to follow.

UFC 104 is set for Oct. 24 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Current light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida will make his first title defense against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

Al-Hassan (6-1) succumbed to a vicious armbar in December UFC debut against former WEC champion Steve Cantwell at “UFC Fight for the Troops,” but endeared himself to many fans with a kick-heavy Tae Kwon Do based style and unwillingness to tap to an obvious hyper-extension of his right elbow.

Of course, the injury also kept the Des Moines, Iowa resident out of action until recently, when he was cleared by doctors to begin training again.

Kingsberry (7-2) also fell short in his UFC debut when fellow “TUF” season eight alum Tom Lawlor out-wrestled him to a unanimous decision victory. The 27 year-old was eliminated in the reality show’s first round after winning his preliminary bout. A mainstay of American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, Kingsberry wrestled and played football before making the transition to MMA.

Source: MMA Weekly

7/1/09

Quote of the Day

“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.”

Bertrand Russell

Second Jewel of the Triple Crown is Set!

Hawaiian Open is set for Saturday, September 12 at Kaiser High

ATENCIO TALKS FIGHT, WHITE, GOMI, AND LINDLAND

MMAWeekly.com on Sunday caught up with Affliction promoter and sometime fighter Tom Atencio as he recovered from his fight with Randy Hedderick at "Ultimate Chaos" on Saturday in Biloxi, Miss. Atencio on Monday heads to Germany for Bread and Butter, a fashion trade show, before heading back to California to begin work on the company's August event, Affliction "Trilogy."

MMAWeekly: Congratulations on your fight. You got caught with a pretty big shot and went down in the first. Was it one of those shots where you wake up on the canvas?

Atencio: Dude, I don’t remember (expletive). All I remember was being on my back and him above me and me kicking away, and just scrambling to get my wits, just get back in the game.

MMAWeekly: Were you back mentally in the second?

Atencio: Oh yeah, second round, I felt fine. Actually, when we got back up again and started brawling, I was fine. It was just a flash knockout. I didn’t even know until I watched the video last night. I saw myself wobble and go down. I literally just remember being on my back.

MMAWeekly: Do you remember the rest of the fight?

Atencio: Yeah, I totally do.

MMAWeekly: How do you feel about the fight overall and the experience? Is it true that this is it for you, or are you waiting longer to get some perspective?

Atencio: I’m gonna figure out where to go from here. I love this sport, but I hate this feeling. I feel like a Mack Truck hit me. My whole body hurts. It’s hard to walk or do anything. But I just love it. Yeah, it was everything I’ve always known. It was a war. And there’s nothing better than knowing he was beating my ass and I came back from a virtual loss. I don’t know; it’s weird that I love it.

MMAWeekly: Have you ever been hit that hard before?

Atencio: When I used to train with Marco Ruas; Marco’s an animal. I used to spar with Brett Cooper and he’s hit me, actually broke my nose. JJ Ambrose broke my nose, and dropped me once. My old best friend Justin Levens dropped me a few times, too. So I’ve been hit. I knew that he wasn’t going to do anything that I haven’t experienced, but I gotta say, he dropped me, man. I wasn’t expecting that.

MMAWeekly: Do you know why he quit after the second round?

Atencio: I don’t know why he quit. I don’t know if it was his cardio... everyone said I broke his nose. I would assume a combination of the two.

MMAWeekly: One of your first comments after the fight was addressing Dana White in a somewhat direct way. Why did you do that?

Atencio: Because he was just a nice kid. I think to say that he was a nobody and a nothing is presumptuous, one, and two, I always say I have a lot of respect for anybody that steps in the cage. I don’t care if you’ve lost every single fight. At least you’re the one doing it. For somebody to criticize that, I just think it’s wrong.

MMAWeekly: Can you confirm Yvel vs. Buentello at Affliction 3?

Atencio: Yep, that’s the fight. I feel bad for Pedro. I’d like to find out how Pedro is doing.

MMAWeekly: After you get back from Germany, is it full steam ahead with Trilogy?

Atencio: Yeah, absolutely. My people are handling Trilogy now, and when I get back, it’s full swing. And I know people are already talking about me fighting again, so I have to figure that out. I don’t know what I’m going to do.

MMAWeekly: Any word about Gomi? Any progress with him coming to Affliction?

Atencio: Yeah, we’re still working on it, we’re finalizing everything, but it looks like it’s gonna go through. I’m not 100-percent yet, but we’re still working on it for sure.

MMAWeekly: Any possible opponents?

Atencio: I don’t want to say because it’s up in the air.

MMAWeekly: What about Lindland?

Atencio: Nah, we’re not going to use Matt this fight.

MMAWeekly: Are you going to use him again or is he done?

Atencio: Yeah, you know, it’s just like Tim Sylvia. We couldn’t use him in the second fight because he lost, and for us to bring him back again, we might as well bring everybody back, and then no one will show up for the fights. But we have to switch it up. If somebody wins, yeah, we’ll bring him back, but it’s only our third fight.

Source: MMA Weekly

UFC ANNOUNCES CHINESE TV DEAL

The Ultimate Fighting Championship on Monday announced a television deal with Inner Mongolia Television that will mark the first time in history UFC will be seen on TV in China, continuing the promotion's global expansion.

“Obviously China is a huge market and the Chinese understand the martial arts probably better than anyone else in the world. It’s a no brainer that UFC programming will be appreciated in China, and will become a big hit for the NMTV network,” said Dana White, UFC President.

Inner Mongolia Television, known as NMTV, is a network broadcast station available in 80 million households, with the potential to reach 240 million viewers throughout all the provinces of China. Starting this month, NMTV will air up to 16 hours of UFC programming per month, including the trademark shows The Ultimate Fighter, UFC Unleashed and UFC All Access, with an option to air recent UFC pay-per-view event telecasts.

With this deal, NMTV will air between one to four hours of UFC programming each week on Saturday and Sundays between 1:30 – 5:30pm local time, broadcast in languages specific to each province.

Source: MMA Weekly

JEFF MONSON IN NAAFS MAIN EVENT ON AUGUST 29

The North American Allied Fight Series announced the signing of Pride, Dream and UFC veteran Jeff “The Snowman” Monson to compete at its 3rd Annual NAAFS Rock N Rumble event on Aug. 29 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Monson (30-8) brings his impressive resume to the NAAFS Pro Series Heavyweight division. His opponent will be Tony Sylvester (12-1-1, Midwest Training Center), of Canton, Ohio, now training out of Chicago.

“We have added depth to our heavyweight division while putting together a tremendous match up for NAAFS fans,” said NAAFS president and Pro Series matchmaker Greg Kalikas. “For the past few years, the NAAFS has been known for creating top MMA prospects, but now we feel we have the credibility to bring in fighters the caliber of a Jeff Monson and Tony Sylvester, which will continue to increase our awareness on a national level.”

Accompanying Monson for this fight will be none other than former IFL champion Roy “Big Country” Nelson, who has competed against some of the top heavyweights in the sport including Monson himself.

In addition to Sylvester versus Monson, the 3rd Annual Rock N Rumble will also see many of the top stars in the Pro & National Amateur Series in action. Already announced is UFC veteran Josh “Heavy” Hendricks (15-5) taking on former Pro Series Heavyweight Champion “Cujo” Joe McCall (6-1), plus fans will witness a Pro Series Middleweight fight as Chris “The Assassin” Lozano (6-1) of Strong Style Fight Team steps back in the NAAFS cage with John “The Bullet” Fields (4-2) of Instigator Fight Team.

Source: MMA Weekly

SWICK VS. KAMPMANN IN WORKS FOR UFC 103

A welterweight contest between Mike Swick and Martin Kampmann is likely for UFC 103, MMAWeekly.com has learned from sources close to the fight.

While bout agreements have not been signed, both parties have agreed to the match-up.

UFC 103 is expected to take place on Sept. 19 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, the promotion’s second trip to the Lone Star State. The event has yet to be announced by the UFC.

Swick (14-2) is coming off an impressive victory over Ben Saunders at UFC 99. In a recent interview with Raw Vegas, he hoped for a bout with former champion Matt Hughes, but said Kampmann was a likely alternate.

“I want the Hughes fight, and we’re trying to work it out, but it doesn’t seem like it’s happening, so it might be Kampmann,” said Swick.

The 30-year-old American Kickboxing Academy standout said he expected to be in line for a title shot if he won his next fight.

Kampmann (15-2) recently dispatched Carlos Condit in the former WEC champion’s UFC debut in April. The win was his second straight since dropping a quick TKO loss to Nate Marquardt at UFC 88 last September.

Earlier this month, the 27-year-old Dane turned down a last-minute offer to face T.J. Grant at “The Ultimate Fighter” season nine finale when Rory Markham was forced to withdraw due to injury.

Source: MMA Weekly

Anderson and Nogueira talks Lyoto’s victory

Lyoto Machida’s victory at UFC 98 wasn’t celebrated only in Belém, city where the champion lives in Brazil. The big stars of the Black House team, Anderson Silva and Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira celebrated the Brazilian’s conquest against Rashad Evans, getting one more UFC belt to Brazil. Former UFC champion, Minotauro praised the compatriot. "This fight was wonderful, Lyoto was great. He deserved the belt for a long time, but I think he got it in the right time. His confidence was 100% after that fight against Tito Ortiz. He always made great presentations on the UFC, but, this time, he managed to do even better", celebrates the heavyweight.

And Anderson, middleweight reigning champion, cheers for Machida to follow as the champion after the first title defense, against Maurício “Shogun”, Silva’s former Chute Boxe partner. "Shogun is a great fighter, just like Lyoto, but Lyoto and I train together... I have nothing against Shogun, I have a great affection for him, and I won’t lie. I'm cheering for Lyoto, I’ll help him if he come to train with us, and I won’t hide this from anyone... I hope that the best wins. Shogun has been champion of a great event, Pride, and Lyoto knows that. We will be cheering for Lyoto, for sure, and it will be a tough fight, for Lyoto and for Shogun", finished the champion.

Source: Tatame

JON JONES HEADS INTO HIS TITLE FIGHT AT UFC 100

Jon Jones is long removed from his days as a YouTube warrior; mining the Internet for instructional clips he could incorporate into his arsenal.

One of his favorite concepts from his wrestling days was misdirection – fake one way and go another. Keep your opponent off-balance. Be unpredictable.

These days, he travels a great deal around his home state of New York, still learning to fight, trying to glean as many perspectives as possible. Now, everything is in real time.

A year ago, he was a bouncer with a JC wrestling championship under his belt. MMA was quick money and would support his pregnant fiancé. But it would also appeal to an unbinding love for Bruce Lee and Muhammad Ali.

“Bruce Lee’s strategy was, ‘the way is to have no way,’” he said. “So, basically that’s just being formless, trying to incorporate as many angles, aspects, and mindsets from different trainers and cultures.”

It’s been around a year since he leaped headfirst into the sport, and has a camp in Team Bomb Squad. Many peg him as the next big thing in the light heavyweight division. He did it with misdirection – grab a kick, throw a spinning elbow, stop Joe Silva in his tracks.

Wise beyond his 22 years, he’s not ready to fall into the trap of believing his own hype.

“I am grateful for all the compliments I get, and it motivates me,” he told MMAWeekly Radio recently. “The days I don’t want to get up and go for a run, or I’m starting to feel sorry for myself and not train as hard, sometimes I think about all the people who have faith in me and believe I’m going to be the next champion. I try to carry myself like a championship mindset, and work like a champion.

“But at the same time, hearing a lot of those things can really mislead a younger fighter and make him believe he’s greater than what he is. Right now I’m just obsessed about my weaknesses and correcting those, becoming a more aware and alert fighter.”

Jones uses his idols as reference points for evolving as a fighter.

“My jiu-jitsu’s not as strong as it needs to be, some of my defense is not as strong as it needs to be, and I know these things,” he said. “There’s just so much more that I need to know. Martial arts is endless, there’s no one who knows it all. Bruce Lee was great, but did he have takedown abilities, did he have great jiu-jitsu? No. Right now, I’m trying to be a true champion, and I want to do the things that Bruce Lee wasn’t figuring out. I want to be like a Muhammed Ali that can actually wrestle and do jiu-jitsu. I’m hungry to be the best. I know there’s a lot of guys out there saying that, but I truly mean it.”

Jake O’Brien is next at UFC 100, and there’s not a whole lot of mystery about the course of the fight. O’Brien likes to throw hands, and later, shoot. Jones is happy to detail his plan to counteract that skill set.

“O’Brien has been shooting that same double leg takedown for the three or four years he’s been in the UFC, and I’ve prepared myself to stop his takedowns,” he said. “I’ve been working submissions from the front headlock position, and I’m prepared to be there a lot.”

One of the places he hangs his hat is with the Cornell wrestling team. Until recently, they were dumping him on his head every day.

“Those guys are all heavyweights, and they’ve been shooting on me a lot,” he continued. “It’s getting to the point where I’m starting to stuff a lot of those shots. And I believe that those guys are on a complete different level of collegiate wrestling than Jake O’Brien. I’m preparing to push him into deep waters and expose a lot of the things that maybe a lot of fighters haven’t, except maybe Cain Velasquez.”

O’Brien is still trying to re-invent himself at light heavyweight after a failed run as a heavy. At UFC 94, he won a split decision against Christian Wellisch in a lackluster fight. But on any given day, he can still dump opponents on their head.

“I know he knows a lot more, and I’m not going to underestimate him, at all,” said Jones. “My plan is to go out there and do what I want to do, and make it my home the very first round.”

It doesn’t bother him that old opponent Stephan Bonnar is billed above him.

“I wasn’t disappointed at all,” he said. “I’m just really privileged to be on the card in the first place, and a lot of my friends had concerns about Bonnar being on the card, and I tried to explain that Bonnar’s a great guy and has tons of fans. The UFC’s just doing what’s necessary, and my time will come.”

If he’s ready to hype anything, it will be when he grows out of his young body and gets the “man strength” he’s waited for. That will take time. The “rookie mistakes” he says he’s made – that have actually turned into gifts – will need to be refined.

“I feel like I have a little momentum going on, but I try not to focus on the past,” he said. “Muhammed Ali says you give different strokes for different folks. So I just focus on Jake O’Brien and I take it one match at a time. Right now, O’Brien is my title fight, and all my energy and focus on him.”

Source: MMA Weekly

X-1 Scuffle On Schofield



New Fighters' Club TV Episode Tuesdays!
Channel 52
Tuesday, 8:00 PM


Fighters' Club TV Episode 63 is finally cut and submitted to Olelo Programming.

I will air in our normal time slot; Tuesday night, 8pm on Olelo Oahu Channel 52--or can be viewed via stream at Olelo.org at the same time of it's scheduled airing.

Episode 63 features:

Mike and Mark back in action from the 1st Jewel of Romolo's Triple Crown of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
-interviews and footage of Rylan Lizares vs Jair Muniz

KINGDOM MMA
-Andy "Danger" Cohea vs LJ Borges
-Dejuan Hathaway vs Tommy Tuiloma +intvw w/ Dejuan (featuring our special guest interviewer!)

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