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Paul Kelly moving to lightweight for UFC 99 battle with Roli Delgado on June 13 Posted: 15 Mar 2009 09:03 PM PDT Former welterweight and current Wolfslair product Paul Kelly (8-1) is finally making the drop to 155-pounds to lock horns with The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 8 contestant Roli Delgado (6-3-1) at UFC 99 from the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany on June 13, according to a MySpace bulletin from Delgado. “Tellys” told the UFC following his thrilling three-round victory over Troy Mandaloniz at UFC 95 "Sanchez vs. Stevenson" that his next fight would be in the lightweight division for the simple fact that it would only require a ten pound cut — mere child's play by today's standards. Here’s a snip: "I'm definitely dropping to 155-pounds now, it makes sense. I was eating a big breakfast on the morning of the weigh-in (for UFC 95). While everyone else is dying to make weight, I'm sitting there with a big bowl of muesli and a glass of orange juice. Kelly has made a home fighting on the UFC cards overseas — each of his other three fights for the promotion have also taken place across the pond. He may need every ounce of that experience to overcome “McBlack-Belt.” Delgado made a very underwhelming impression during his time on TUF 8. After losing in the show’s opening elimination round, he was granted a second chance to join the squad after Brian McLaughlin got scratched due to injury. “The Crazy Cuban” came up on the wrong end of a split-decision loss to resident bad-boy Junie Browning later in the show, but managed to capitalize on one last opportunity at the TUF 8 Finale by submitting John Polakowski via guillotine choke. If he can string together back-to-back wins, especially over a competitor like Kelly, he may secure himself a future on the UFC lightweight roster. UFC 99 is expected to be headlined by former middleweight champion Rich "Ace" Franklin taking on ex-PRIDE smashing machine Wanderlei Silva in his middleweight debut. Heath Herring and Cain Velasquez as well as Mike Swick and Ben Saunders are also expected to hook 'em up. For more on UFC 99 click here.

Remember that meeting Fedor Emelianenko was supposed to have with Dana White in June? Posted: 15 Mar 2009 07:24 PM PDT Well, according to a new interview on M-1Global.com with the Russian Emperor’s manager, Vadim Finkelchtein, it appears that something was lost in translation: “No, it was stated that he hopes that he or his management will get a chance to talk with Dana in June. Fedor is always ready to meet up with Dana White….. [Fighting Randy Couture] is all up to the UFC. The fight is possible if UFC is willing to contact. I don’t think such bout could take place as soon as June since Affliction and M-1 plan to hold their third joint event that month.” Oh well. We’re probably way beyond the point where we should assume that Emelianenko will likely never see action inside the Octagon, but it’s worth passing along the latest let down nonetheless. It appears that Emelianenko will continue to remain outside the organization and do it his way, which for now is fighting the top competition not under contract with the UFC. The Wamma Heavyweight Champion will likley headline the next Affliction show opposite Josh Barnett sometime this summer. After that there are not many top contenders left.

World Championship Fighting (WCF) results for March 14 Posted: 15 Mar 2009 07:08 PM PDT While the major mixed martial arts promotions take a breather after a torrid schedule to start 2009, World Championship Fighting (WCF) staged its sixth event last night (March 14) from the Aleppo Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington, Mass., to a crowd of nearly 4,000 fans. As usual, big name fighters from the area and beyond descended on the venue to show their support, including number one UFC lightweight contender Kenny Florian, Marcus Davis, Jon Jones and Dan Lauzon, among others. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson was also in the house to corner The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) alum, Mike Dolce. As for the action inside the ring, Dan Bonnell had a five-fight win streak snapped thanks to a Dan Ferrer submission (Kimura) in the opening frame of the main event of the evening. Ferrer — the former former 145-pound kingpin — dropped 10 pounds to capture the first-ever WCF featherweight crown. Glenn Brown also scored an upset of sorts of his own, handing the previously undefeated local fighter, John Benoit, his first career loss via unanimous decision. Benoit was on course to challenge for the 155-pound title; however it appears that Brown may now have the inside track. As for Dolce, he registered a second round technical knockout win over Nuri Shakir. The fight got off to a slow start, but the pace picked up in round two after Shakir cut Dolce over the right eye. The new Jersey native responded with a punch that dazed Shakir and then followed it up with a fight-ending barrage of strikes. All in all it was a great show. Thanks to all those at the WCF for being great hosts. Check out the latest results from Sherdog.com after the jump, as well as a photo gallery courtesy of MMAmania’s Jason Silverstein. Jeff Remick defeats Josh Mellen submission (Triangle Choke) in round one Jay Fortier defeats Robby Roberts Submission (Armbar) in round one Nick Evangelous defeats Dymitry Schevchenko Submission (Heel Hook) in round one Jimmy Grant defeats Nik Patnaude Decision (Unanimous) round two Ryan Quinn defeats Travis Coyle Decision (Unanimous) round two Anthony Leone defeats Chris Grandmaison Decision (Unanimous) round two Damien Trites defeats Jose Lopez Submission (Triangle Choke) in round one Glenn Brown defeats John Benoit Decision (Unanimous) round two Rick Hawn defeats Billy Flynn KO (Punches) in round one Greg Rebello defeats Shawn DePaul Decision (Unanimous) round two Scott Rehm defeats Stephen Stengel TKO (Punches) in round one

Roy Jones Jr. on MMA and ‘March Badness’ on March 21 Posted: 15 Mar 2009 06:27 PM PDT He’s still interested in letting UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson test his boxing against him:

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