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| Strikeforce Challengers: Joey Villasenor vs Evangelista Santos set for June 19 Posted: 05 May 2009 08:03 PM PDT
Strikeforce middleweights “Smokin” Joey Villasenor (26-6) and Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos (16-12) will face off in the main event of Strikeforce Challengers “Series 2″ from the all-new ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington on Friday, June 19. The Greg Jackson-trained Villasenor will look to extend his win streak to four consecutive bouts in his first match since knocking out “The New York Badass” Phil Baroni on CBS’s “Saturday Night Fights” in May 2008. His next bout was expected to be for the Elite XC middleweight title against “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler the following November until Pro Elite went belly up courtesy of a downed Kimbo Slice and some wanton check writing. Like Villasenor, Cyborg hasn’t seen action since the latter part of 2008. Santos threw hands twice under the Sengoku banner, going 1-1 and falling to Siyar Bahadurzada in his last match in September 2008. “Series 2″ will also feature Dennis “Superman” Hallman and Cory Devela along with The Ultimate Fighter 2 castaway Jorge Gurgel against yet-to-be-named opponents.
Strikeforce will debut its brand new "Challenger Series" on the premium cable network Showtime on May 15, which is designed to give up-and-coming, less heralded Strikeforce fighters an opportunity to do their thing in front of a large television audience. Here's a snip from company founder and CEO, Scott Coker, on SHO MMA:
The ShoWare Center doors will open for the Strikeforce Challengers event at 5:30 p.m. PT on June 19 and the first preliminary bout will begin at 6 p.m. PT. |
| Royce Gracie talks Lesnar vs Emelianenko and no-showing UFC 100 (Video) Posted: 05 May 2009 05:39 PM PDT |
| UFC releases David Loiseau, Ryo Chonan, David Bielkheden and more Posted: 05 May 2009 05:28 PM PDT
It's win or go home lately inside the Octagon … literally. The UFC — in a move to trim its roster and offer the better fighters more opportunities to compete — has once again released several fighters from their contracts after losing performances, including David Loiseau, Ryo Chonan and David Bielkheden, who are no longer listed on the official roster. These combatants join Jason MacDonald, Jason Day, Vinny Magalhaes and Antonio Mendes on the growing list of recent Zuffa contract casualties. Loiseau is perhaps the least surprising of the bunch. The Canadian was at one time a top 185-pound title contender, winning four of five bouts inside the Octagon, including stoppages of Evan Tanner, Charles McCarthy and Mark Weir before falling to then-champion Rich Franklin at UFC 58 back in March 2006. After the loss to Franklin, Loiseau dropped three of his next four and fell of the radar. He was cut from the promotion rather abruptly after a unanimous decision loss to Mike Swick at UFC 63 later that year. He battled hard to get back into the UFC, going 4-2 outside of the promotion, but unfortunately couldn’t capitalize on the second-chance opportunity, coming up on the wrong end of a decision to Ed Herman at UFC 97 on April 18.
Chonan and Bielkheden on the other hand, just couldn’t seem to get things going. “The Piranha” went 1-3 and recently dropped two straight after a unanimous decision loss to Karo Parisyan in his UFC debut back in November of 2007. Like Chonan, Bielkheden came up short his first time out, succumbing to the punches of Diego Sanchez at UFC 82. He rebounded with a unanimous decision win over Jess Liaudin last October, but got choked out by Mark Bocek at UFC 97 just last month. The only positive to being released is that opportunities to fight still exist outside of Zuffa. Don’t be surprised to see any one of these talents reappear in competing promotions sooner rather than later. If nothing else this latest news puts more pressure on fighters to not only win, but perform well if given the chance to fight for the UFC. It also ensures that, hopefully, we see more of the top fighters competing against better competition more often. |
| Strikeforce Challengers announces June 19 event from the ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington Posted: 05 May 2009 04:46 PM PDT
NEW YORK (May 5, 2009) — Strikeforce mixed martial arts (MMA) will return to Washington State in style when it visits the all-new ShoWare Center in Kent with a Strikeforce Challengers series event on Friday, June 19. Already enlisted for the card are lightweight fan-favorite Jorge Gurgel (12-5), wrestling ace Dennis "Superman" Hallman (40-12-2), and Hallman protégé Cory "The One" Devela (9-2). Tickets for the event, priced from $32, go on sale at 10 a.m. PT this Friday, May 8 at the ShoWare Center Box Office (253-856-6999 or 877-840-0457), online at ShoWareCenter.com, and at www.strikeforce.com. The live SHOWTIME® telecast of the event will begin at 11 p.m. ET/PT (tape delayed on the west coast) and will include up to five bouts. Making his Strikeforce debut, the 32-year-old Gurgel, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt better known for his explosive, go-for-broke punching style, starred in the second season of Spike TV's smash hit reality series, The Ultimate Fighter. Gurgel's start will be his first since he dropped a three-round unanimous judges' decision to Aaron Riley at UFC 91 on November 15, 2008. Hallman, a former UFC championship challenger is, perhaps, best remembered for his two, first-round conquests of MMA legend Matt Hughes. After a year and a half hiatus, the 33-year-old Hallman rekindled his rich, 12-year history in the sport with a first round submission of Danny Ruiz on March 21, 2009. In his sole Strikeforce appearance to date, Hallman made similar, quick work of Jeremiah Metcalf, forcing Metcalf to tap out to a heelhook at 1:39 of the first round of their meeting at San Jose, California's HP Pavilion on November 16, 2007.
Hallman's protégé, the 24-year-old Devela is looking to return to the win column after being stopped by Terry Martin at Strikeforce's second event at the world-famous Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, California on September 20, 2008. The loss brought the middleweight's seven-fight win streak to an end. Devela pulled off a stunning upset of Joe "Diesel" Riggs at the first-ever Strikeforce event in Washington State on February 23, 2008. With a single slam in the first round of battle, Devela rendered Riggs unable to continue their matchup at Tacoma Dome. Strikeforce's affair at the Tacoma Dome marked the largest live gate in the history of any boxing, MMA, or kickboxing event in Washington State. ShoWare Center doors will open for the Strikeforce Challengers event at 5:30 p.m. PT on June 19 and the first preliminary bout will begin at 6 p.m. PT. |
| UFC Quick Quote: Brock Lesnar is like a heavyweight Sean Sherk Posted: 05 May 2009 04:27 PM PDT
Greg Nelson of Minnesota Martial Arts Academy tells MMAWeekly.com that UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar is growing ‘leaps and bounds’ and that the extra few months afforded to him in training camp courtesy of Frank Mir’s bum knee will only serve to improve the champ’s overall game. Mir was dazed and confused in their first fight before Lesnar left a hamhock drying on the clothesline — allowing Mir to squeeze his way to victory. Will history repeat itself? Or is Lesnar wise to Mir’s tricks? We’ll find out on July 11. |
| MFC 21 fight card confirmed for May 15; Lashley, Prangley headline HDNet telecast Posted: 05 May 2009 04:12 PM PDT
Maximum Fighting Championships (MFC) has finalized the fight card for its “Hard Knocks” event set to go down from the River Cree Resort and Casino on Friday, May 15. The event will air LIVE at 10pm ET throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico on HDNet Fights. Prior to his June 27 pay-per-view fight against Bob Sapp for Prize Fight Promotions, former WWE star Bobby "The Dominator" Lashley (2-0) will step into the ring against Frank Shamrock-trained Mike Cook (7-3). In the main event, reigning light heavyweight champ Emanuel Newton (13-3) will defend his title for the first time against the well-accomplished Trevor Prangley (19-5). "The Hardcore Kid" captured the 205-pound crown at MFC 19 with a convincing five-round decision over former champion Roger "The Hulk" Hollett. That victory stretched Newton's undefeated streak to 11 straight fights and the Norwalk, California, native has not lost since 2004. Meanwhile Prangley, who is originally from Cape Town, South Africa, has won eight of his last nine fights and holds career wins over such notables as Ultimate Fighter reality show winner Travis Lutter, Yuki Kondo, and Chael Sonnen.
In a superfight that is sure to create waves throughout the entire mixed martial arts world, two star welterweights will clash as Jake Ellenberger (19-4) takes on fan favorite John "The Natural" Alessio (24-13). Ellenberger's well-established career includes a victory over current MFC welterweight champion Pat Healy, while Alessio, who is trained by Hall of Famer Randy Couture, has excelled throughout his career and holds wins over such veterans as Pete Spratt and Gideon Ray. Ellenberger is coming off back-to-back decisive wins in Asia. Meanwhile, Alessio is looking to rebound following the first knockout loss of his career against Paul Daley at MFC 19 in December. Two light heavyweight bouts will be front and center at Hard Knocks. David Heath (11-4), who is coming off an electrifying victory over former MFC champion Roger Hollett at MFC 20, will match up against rugged Travis "The Gladiator" Galbraith (16-6). Heath is looking to get back into the title picture and the opportunity for a rematch with reigning MFC light heavyweight champ Emanuel Newton, while Galbraith returns to the MFC mix with aspirations of championship gold as well. Galbraith's previous three wins in the MFC have all come inside the first round - two by knockout. The second light heavyweight encounter is sure to spark plenty of fireworks as the always-explosive Aron "The Poster Boy" Lofton (6-1) takes on heavy-handed Marvin "The Beastman" Eastman (15-9). Lofton set the stage for this showdown with a devastating one-punch knockout of Dwayne Lewis at MFC 17 - a victory that earned him the MFC's Knockout of the Year in 2008. The ever-dangerous Eastman has a solid pedigree that includes two fights against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. In a dynamic middleweight bout, fast-rising contenders will do battle as Bryan Baker (9-1) makes his second appearance inside the MFC ring to face the multi-talented and undefeated Brad Zazulak (6-0). Both fighters were impressive in their respective bouts at MFC 20. Baker showed his submission defense before dealing out a TKO destruction of Rory Singer, while Zazulak extended his unbeaten run with the third first-round finish of his blossoming career. Here is the complete lineup for MFC 21: “Hard Knocks:” MFC World Light Heavyweight Championship: Main Card: Undercard: For more on Maximum Fighting Championships click here. |
| Tomasz Drwal vs Mike Ciesnolevicz set for TUF 9 Finale with Eric Schafer hurt Posted: 05 May 2009 12:06 PM PDT
Tomasz Drwal (15-2) will tangle with Mike Ciesnolevicz (17-3) — not Eric Schafer (11-3-2) as previously reported — in a light heavyweight match up at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9 Finale at "The Pearl" at the Palms Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 20. NWI.com was the first to pass along the news, indicating that the Miletich-trained fighter would replace "Red" on the Spike TV special presentation. Ciesnolevicz made his Octagon debut at UFC 95: "Sanchez vs. Stevenson," submitting Neil Grove via heel hook in a heavyweight tilt. He was supposed to return to action against Eliot Marshall last month at UFC 97: "Redemption;" however, he sustained an injury of his own during training and was forced to bow out of the 205-pound contest. The former Quad Cities Silverbacks team member back in the International Fight League (IFL) heyday is a very well rounded competitor with a balanced five stoppages and seven submissions. Five of those seven subs have come by way of guillotine choke, which the heavy-handed "Polish Gorilla" will need to be weary of if Ciesnolevicz feels the need to take the fight south. Drwal has been plagued with injuries since his Octagon debut in September 2006 — a second round technical knockout loss to Thiago Silva at UFC 75: "Champion vs. Champion" in an all-out brawl. Prior to that loss — just the second of his 17-fight career – Drwal had reeled off 13 straight victories. He got back in the win column by making quick work of Ivan Serati earlier this year, smashing him silly and putting him to sleep in little more than two minutes of work. Drwal will more than likely do his best to do the same to Ciesnolevicz, but he'll need to be weary of submission attempts while doing it. TUF 9 Finale features a lightweight match between Diego Sanchez and Clay Guida, as well as a co main event that pits and Joe Stevenson against Nate Diaz in another fantastic 155-pound showdown. Naturally, the Spike TV special will also host the lightweight and welterweight finales for the ninth season of TUF, which is currently in progress. Coach Dan Henderson is leading a U.S. team against coach Michael Bisping and his British squad. For more on TUF 9 Finale click here. |
| Diego Sanchez on Clay Guida TUF 9 Finale fight (Video) Posted: 05 May 2009 07:48 AM PDT |
| Demian Maia: Fighting for the title would be ‘do or die’ Posted: 05 May 2009 07:39 AM PDT
Props: SuperLutas.com
Top undefeated middleweight contender Demain Maia looks to assure skeptics that he would not be content with a decision win over the middleweight champion, which is currently none other than Anderson Silva. His remarks come on the heels of Thales Leites’ uninspiring losing performance against “The Spider” at UFC 97: “Redemption” last month. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt seemed more concerned with surviving the 185-pound contest rather than winning it, which did not go over well with the fans or UFC brass. In fact, it prompted UFC matchmaker Joe Silva to book Anderson against a light heavyweight, Forrest Griffin, at UFC 102 on August 8, rather than have him defend his title against another ground specialist such as Maia. He’ll more than likely earn a crack at the belt if he can topple Nate Marquardt at UFC 102 at the end of August, but he’ll have to get in line behind the winner of the fight between Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping. And he can thank Mr. Leites for essentially delaying his opportunity at championship glory … whenever that may be. |
| UFC 98 video preview trailer for ‘Evans vs Machida’ (Extended) Posted: 05 May 2009 07:15 AM PDT |
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