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Jeff Monson calls out Kimbo Slice (Video) Posted: 23 Jun 2008 08:33 AM CDT

Raymond Daniels vs Jeremiah Metcalf Strikeforce fight set for June 27 Posted: 23 Jun 2008 08:30 AM CDT Undefeated kickboxing superstar Raymond “The Real Deal” Daniels will make his highly anticipated mixed martial arts debut against Jeremiah Metcalf (8-4) at Strikeforce: “Melendez vs. Thomson” at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, June 27 It comes as no surprise that Daniels is compared by many to current Strikeforce middleweight champ Cung Le because of his kickboxing pedigree and exciting fighting style. He boasts an unblemished (16-0) professional kickboxing record and has won all of his matches in dominating fashion. The comparisons to Le are understandable, but Daniels is his own man. Here are his thoughts on being touted as the next Cung Le: “I don't try to be the next anybody. I look to be greater than Cung and surpass anyone who's been considered at the top of their game. I try to live up to who I am and I expect great things from myself.” He has tools that have proven to be successful in mixed martial arts. “The Real Deal” holds a sixth degree black belt in Kenpo and Shotokan Karate — styles practiced and perfected by former UFC champion Chuck Liddell and Lyoto Machida, respectively, as well as a fifth degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. And at 27 years old he has plenty of time to work on the other aspects of the game that will be necessary for him to make his transition to MMA a successful one. If there is anything he does lack, it certainly isn’t confidence. Here’s another quote from him on making the move from kickboxing to mixed martial arts: "I still haven't had any challenges or anything like that so I decided to come over to MMA and see how good I really am. I'm going to give MMA fans something that they've never seen before. I want to become the greatest fighter of all time. Anybody that steps in front of me is just gonna be on my next highlight reel, an obstacle that's standing in my path to greatness.” That first obstacle is Jeremiah Metcalf, who is riding a three fight win streak, most recently submitting James Terry (5-1) in the second round of a Cage Combat Fighting Championships show in May. He has competed one other time for Strikeforce, losing by first round submission (rear naked choke) to current welterweight prospect Luke Stewart in October of 2006. This should be extremely interesting to put it mildly. As confident as he sounds, Daniels is setting the bar pretty high for himself. He’s putting a lot of weight on his shoulders in his first MMA bout against a 12 fight veteran with four career submission victories. Regardless, it’s shaping up to be another exciting bout to join the main event of the evening between Gilbert Melendez and Josh Thomson. Be sure and check it out this Friday, June 27, live on HDNet starting at 8 p.m. ET.

Ivan Salaverry retires from MMA competition Posted: 23 Jun 2008 08:15 AM CDT Props: Sherdog “Basically, I am just not prioritizing fighting anymore. Even though I love fighting and I had a great run and I enjoyed it, I’ve transitioned to other things. There are quite a few variables as to why I stepped away and not just one. I’m older now; I’m 37 and not 27. I also have some injuries that are just not recovering, too. And within that scope, I have my school and my two kids. Fighting is not just a priority anymore…. The loss (to Palhares) had a portion of my decision to retire but it wasn’t the main reason why. The nature of this sport is that the new, younger guys come in and beat up the older guys. That’s just how it is. I think that once you lose that focus to continue fighting, that hunger, it’s time to let it go. I’m not going to be that 40-year-old-plus fighter struggling through small promotions and hanging on for dear life to those few remaining athletic years.” With back-to-back losses to Rousimar Palhares and Terry Martin, UFC and mixed martial arts veteran Ivan Salaverry decides its time to hang up the gloves and move on to bigger and better things. Good luck, Ivan.

Nick Diaz vs Hayuto ‘Mach’ Sakurai DREAM 5 fight scrapped Posted: 23 Jun 2008 07:12 AM CDT Nick Diaz will not fight Hayato “Mach” Sakurai at the Osaka-jo Hall in Osaka, Japan, during the DREAM 5 event on July 21, according to GracieFighter.com. The two were set to lock horns for the first-ever DREAM welterweight title, but Diaz will not be allowed to compete because of contractual obligations with Elite XC. Perhaps Elite XC has plans of their own to include a rematch between Diaz and lightweight champ KJ Noons on the next CBS card set for July 26, which would clearly interfere with the DREAM 5 event on July 21. Diaz’s contract with Pro Elite is non-exclusive, however, he is not allowed to compete outside the company within 30 days of a scheduled Elite XC fight. Previous speculation indicated that the second installment of “Saturday Night Fights” would be held in St. Louis, Missouri. However, those plans may have have fallen through and there a handful of new rumors that place the event in Diaz’s hometown of Stockton, Calif. If indeed accurate, the rematch between Noons and Diaz will be a great addition to an already promising July 26 card on CBS — it would potentially be the fourth title fight set for the card. Regardless, Diaz isn’t exactly thrilled with being pulled from his title fight in Japan. Here’s a snip from Diaz: “I was happy to be fighting Sakurai and hoping to get back there to Japan where they have you fight in a ring and there seems to be more respect for the art of MMA. I hope they will still have me back soon to fight him (Sakurai) for the belt.” Hopefully, fighting in front of his hometown fans to settle some “Unfinished Business” will help Diaz forget all about the scheduling conflict.

UFC 82 DVD ‘Pride of a Champion’ Posted: 22 Jun 2008 11:07 PM CDT History was made in Columbus, Ohio when UFC champion Anderson Silva and PRIDE champion Dan Henderson met to not only unify the middleweight championship, but to battle it out for pound for pound supremacy. Plus, longtime heavyweight contender Heath Herring tries to keep his title hopes alive against devastating French striker Cheick Kongo. Also in action are UFC stars Diego Sanchez, Josh Koscheck, Chris Leben, Yushin Okami and the comeback of former middleweight champion Even Tanner. Fight Card: Anderson Silva Vs. Dan Henderson Cheick Kongo Vs. Heath Herring Chris Leben Vs. Alessio Sakara Evan Tanner Vs. Tushin Okami Jon Fitch Vs. Chris Wilson Andrei Arlovski Vs. Jake O'Brien Luke Cummo Vs. Luigi Fioravanti Josh Koscheck Vs. Dustin Hazelett Diego Sanchez Vs. David Bielkheden Jorge Gurgel Vs. John Halverson UFC 82: Pride of a Champion is now available for purchase in our DVD store for $19.99 by clicking here. To check out our massive library of MMA DVD titles, including PRIDE DVD and UFC DVD click here. We also have Elite XC, WEC, Cage Rage, IFL, King of the Cage and other products for sale in our store. Looking for a title but don't see it in our store? Email us and we'll be happy to check its availability. Please keep in mind that we are only able to ship within the continental United States at this time.

Amir Sadollah: ‘Im still not even sure I won’ The Ultimate Fighter 7 (Video) Posted: 22 Jun 2008 11:04 AM CDT Amir Sadollah toppled CB Dollaway (again) via armbar (again) to become The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) season seven winner last night. Here are his post-fight thoughts: Congrats, Amir.

Tim Credeur Adderall prescription reason for Cale Yarbrough fight cancellation Posted: 22 Jun 2008 10:55 AM CDT Tim Credeur — who takes Adderall to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) — was not permitted to take on Cale Yarbrough last night at The Ultimate Figher (TUF) 7 Finale because traces of the prescription drug were still in his system. The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) handed down the ruling just hours before the middleweight bout was set to go off from The Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort Las Vegas. Here’s a snip from NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer via UFC.com on the decision: “[Adderall] acts as a cardio-vascular restrictor and that’s the main reason it’s banned because it can cause athletes to have a cardiac episode with the stress they’re under when they’re in an athletic competition. Secondly, it can have a performance-enhancing effect as well.” Credeur — a semifinalist on TUF 7 — will not be suspended or fined for the positive test result because he was upfront with the NSAC about his medication. Perhaps the fight will be added to UFC Fight Night 14 on July 19, which would give Credeur more than enough time to clean out his system.

Ultimate Fighter 7 Finale bonuses and awards go to Hazelett, Burkman and McFedries Posted: 22 Jun 2008 10:22 AM CDT It was a solid but not spectacular night of mixed martial arts fights last night at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 7 Finale from The Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort Las Vegas, Nevada. The televised card on Spike TV featured three fights that went to decisions, including an action-packed lightweight contest between Spencer Fisher and Jeremy Stephens. Two fights that were not guaranteed to make the telecast, however, were responsible for taking home the individual awards for the show. In fact, UFC President Dana White ponied up an extra $40,000 to grease Dustin Hazelett for his performance against Josh Burkman. “McLovin” slapped on a slick fight-ending armbar that forced “The People’s Warrior” to tap in round two of their welterweight bout. The effort earned him $20,000 for “Submission of the Night” and another $20,000 for “Fight of the Night.” Burkman also took home an additional $20,000 for being part of bout — it takes two to tango. And hard-hitting Drew McFedries scored the “Knockout of the Night” and an additional $20,000 with his first round technical knockout stoppage of Marvin Eastman. This bout was actually televised after the main card wrapped … and “The Massacre” lived up to his new nickname. Remember that all fighters, including those who received bonuses, will also receive their base salaries, which MMAmania.com will pass along as soon as the figures become available. To check out the TUF 7 Finale results click here.

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