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- Miguel Torres vs Brian Bowles WEC 42 video for Aug. 9
- ‘King Mo’ Lawal vs Don Frye booked for M-1 show in Los Angeles on Aug. 28
- Brian Stann vs Steve Cantwell 3 set for UFC Fight Night 19 on Sept. 16
- Rich Franklin vs Dan Henderson 2 will headline UFC 103 on Sept. 19
- Gina Carano vs Cyborg Santos video for Strikeforce Aug. 15
- DREAM 11: Joachim Hansen vs Shinya Aoki rematch set for Oct. 6
- UFC 102: Krzysztof Soszynski replaces injured Matt Hamill against Brandon Vera on Aug. 29
- DREAM 11: Featherweight grand prix semifinals announced for October 6
- UFC Quick Quote: Michael Bisping wants to rematch Dan Henderson after kicking some backside at UFC 105
- Just say no: Hawaiian funny business sours KenFlo on UFC 101 title fight
| Miguel Torres vs Brian Bowles WEC 42 video for Aug. 9 Posted: 21 Jul 2009 04:24 AM PDT |
| ‘King Mo’ Lawal vs Don Frye booked for M-1 show in Los Angeles on Aug. 28 Posted: 21 Jul 2009 04:23 AM PDT
Undefeated up-and-comer Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal (4-0) will lock horns with grizzled veteran Don Frye (20-7-1) at "M-1 Global Presents Breakthrough” from the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, Calif., on Aug. 28, according to HDNetFights.com. It will mark the United States debut for the decorated collegiate wrestling champion and Division I All-American from Oklahoma State University. Lawal has competed exclusively under the World Victory Road banner in Japan since his professional mixed martial arts debut just last year. The 28-year-old has show tremendous promise, defeating several veterans of the sport and stopping most of them. His biggest — and perhaps most surprising victory — came in his debut against Travis Wiuff at Sengoku: “Fifth Battle” — Lawal needed little more than two minutes to score a convincing technical knockout win via strikes. He most recently outpointed Ryo Kawamura via unanimous decision at Sengoku: “Seventh Battle” back in March 2009. Despite the 15-year difference in age, Lawal will certainly want to be careful against “The Predator” if he intends to keep his perfect record intact. Frye — who began his career way back in 1996 with an eight-second knockout win over Thomas Ramirez at UFC 8: “David vs. Goliath” — has spent most of the last seven years fighting overseas for the K-1 and Pride FC promotions. The self-professed beer lover has competed less frequently since Pride FC went out of business in 2007 — just three times to be precise. Frye has won two of those three bouts, including his most recent fight against Rich Moss at Shark Fights 4 back in May via submission (rear naked choke). Like Lawal, Frye boasts a very solid wrestling background. However, he has been known to throw caution to the wind recently and trade punches rather than shoot for takedowns. He clearly holds the edge in experience, as well as submissions. But Lawal has youth, and more than likely endurance on his side, making this one an interesting test to see where he stands in the grand scheme on things. Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more news and updates regarding “M-1 Global Presents Breakthrough.” |
| Brian Stann vs Steve Cantwell 3 set for UFC Fight Night 19 on Sept. 16 Posted: 21 Jul 2009 03:47 AM PDT
Former WEC light heavyweight champions Steve Cantwell (6-2) and Brian Stann (6-2) will duke it out in a rubbermatch inside the Octagon at UFC Fight Night 19 from the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Sept. 16. The 205-pound match up, which was originally supposed to take place back in Dec. 2008, was today confirmed by the promotion. Stann — a former Marine who earned a Silver Star for valor while serving his country in Iraq — defeated Doug Marshall early last year to capture the WEC title. However, his reign atop the weight class was short lived (just five months later) thanks to Cantwell and a second round technical knockout. In the process, Cantwell avenged the first loss of his career to the “All American” back in early 2007. He rebounded after the loss with a three-fight win streak, stopping all of his opponents to earn another shot at Stann. Stann and Cantwell were brought over to the UFC when the WEC eliminated its heavier divisions in late 2009. Both fighters have struggled a bit with the transition — Stann dropped his Octagon debut to Krzysztof Soszynski via first round submission (kimura) at UFC 97 earlier this year. And Cantwell dropped a lopsided unanimous to Luis Arthur Cane on the same card; however, “Robot” did win his debut with a first round submission (armbar) over Razak Al-Hassan at UFC Fight For The Troops in Dec. 2008. UFC Fight Night 19 features a main event between TUF 5 winner Nate Diaz tangling with Melvin "The Young Assassin" Guillard. It is also expected to feature a lightweight rumble between Roger "El Matador" Huerta and Gray "The Bully" Maynard. It will serve as the lead-in for the upcoming tenth season of TUF, which features Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson and a solid collection of 15 other heavyweight fighters competing in a tournament-style format to earn one "six-figure contract." For all the latest news on UFC Fight Night 19 check out our complete archive right here. |
| Rich Franklin vs Dan Henderson 2 will headline UFC 103 on Sept. 19 Posted: 20 Jul 2009 03:14 PM PDT
Former champions Rich Franklin (25-4) and Dan Henderson (25-7) will collide for the second time this year in the UFC 103 main event from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on Sept. 19. The promotion made the surprise announcement earlier today; however, the weight limit for the rematch is unclear at this time. The pair first battled to a somewhat controversial split decision at UFC 93: “Franklin vs. Henderson” with “Dangerous” earning the nod from the judges after three rounds of action. Perhaps the UFC felt as if there was some unfinished business. Or, it just needed a compelling main event to anchor its upcoming trip back to the “Lonestar State.” Regardless, it’s certainly odd timing with Henderson in the hunt for another middleweight title shot and “Ace” out to establish himself among the best in the 205-pound class. Henderson most recently put his stamp on Michael Bisping at UFC 100, knocking out the British posterboy with a crushing right hand that had “The Count” down and out. It was a highlight reel finish that will more than likely go down as one of the best ever inside the Octagon. The former Olympic wrestler earned a showdown with Bisping after defeating Franklin to earn a spot as coach on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9 mixed martial arts reality series. It marked his third consecutive win after returning to the promotion with back-to-back losses. And the highlight reel fashion on which he did it had most under the impression that he was on the short list to rematch 185-pound deity Anderson Silva … certainly not Franklin. For his part, Franklin scored a big win over the always dangerous Wanderlei Silva at UFC 99: “The Comeback” via unanimous decision back in June at a catchweight of 195 pounds. It was the third win in the last four attempts for the Cincinnati, Ohio, native, solidifying his position as a serious, and capable, light heavyweight contender. Once again, this is a curious booking with both fighters seemingly headed in the same direction albeit in different weight classes. Someone will get derailed on fight night … dare to venture who? Also confirmed for UFC 103 today is the heavyweight tilt between former Pride FC superstar Mirko Cro Cop and surging heavyweight prospect Junior Dos Santos. In addition, Martin Kampmann and Mike Swick will collide to determine the number one contender for Georges St. Pierre's 170-pound title. For the latest UFC 103 fight card click here. |
| Gina Carano vs Cyborg Santos video for Strikeforce Aug. 15 Posted: 20 Jul 2009 02:33 PM PDT |
| DREAM 11: Joachim Hansen vs Shinya Aoki rematch set for Oct. 6 Posted: 20 Jul 2009 02:32 PM PDT
Japan's Fighting and Entertainment Group (FEG) has announced that WAMMA lightweight champion Shinya Aoki is set to do battle with DREAM 2008 lightweight grand prix winner Joachim Hansen for the promotions lightweight strap at DREAM 11 from the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan, on Oct. 6. This will be the third showdown between the pair. Their first meeting would go down at Pride Shockwave 2006 which would see "Hellboy" succumb to the ground game of the "Tobikan Judan" and become part of the ever growing highlight reel of Aoki's by being victimized via gogoplata. However the second encounter would go a little differently. They would end up facing off again in the DREAM Lightweight Tournament Final at DREAM 5 in July of 2008. Aoki was trying to work his ground game as usual, when Hansen decided he wanted no part of it and got back to his feet and threw a earth shattering left punch to the jaw of the still grounded Aoki. This would leave him dazed and prepped for more punishment courtesy of some nasty strikes forcing the referee to jump in and save the helpless victim. Now a rubber match is in place for one of the combatants to get the upper hand on the scorecard. Hansen hasn't competed since his last clash with Aoki in the summer of 2008. He was set to throw down with highly regarded lightweight standout Gesias "JZ" Calvancante in a non-title bout at 'FieLDS Dynamite!! 2008′ on New Years Eve until Hansen failed pre-fight medicals and was forced to pull out of the fight with a mysterious "head injury" just hours before the event. He was apparently back to full fitness and ready to scrap at DREAM 10 which took place earlier today and was set to face off against Aoki. The bout was officially announced, but Hansen was abruptly pulled from the card by DREAM officials and inserted in his place was Vitor Ribeiro, who Aoki managed to garner a decision over. Now it appears whatever problems between Hansen and DREAM have now subsided, though it wouldn't be at all surprising if they re-emerged and more mysterious shenanigans take place before we reach October 6. DREAM 11 will also play host to the conclusion of the featherweight grand prix, the “Super Hulk” open weight tournament semifinals are also set for the event. Here is the current line-up for DREAM 11: DREAM Lightweight title: DREAM middleweight title: Featherweight grand prix semifinals: "Super Hulk" open weight grand prix semifinals: Non-tournament bout: For more on DREAM 11 click here . |
| UFC 102: Krzysztof Soszynski replaces injured Matt Hamill against Brandon Vera on Aug. 29 Posted: 20 Jul 2009 01:29 PM PDT
Krzysztof Soszynski has been tapped to face Brandon Vera in a light heavyweight bout at UFC 102 from the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon, after a knee injury has forced Matt Hamill to withdraw from the upcoming event on August 29, according to Sherdog.com. The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 8 semifinalist is no stranger to last minute call-ups. Soszynski replaced an injured Houston Alexander against Andre Gusmao at UFC 98 back on May 23, knocking out the IFL vet in the first round. "The Polish Experiment" made his homecoming at UFC 97 from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada, on April 18, defeating former WEC 205-pound champion Brian "All American" Stann via first round submission — his third straight finish by Kimura. Soszynski (18-8-1) trains under Dan Henderson in Temecula, Calif., along with training partner Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou. He has a strong wrestling base, powerful strikes and solid submission skills to boot. Vera (10-3) is a former heavyweight fighter who was considered a possible title contender until sustaining back-to-back losses to Tim Sylvia and Fabricio Werdum. He recently beat Mike Patt into submission with leg kicks to score a second round technical knockout at UFC 96: "Jackson vs. Jardine" earlier this year.
It was the second win in three attempts for "The Truth" at 205 pounds -– he has a unanimous decision win over Reese Andy at UFC Fight Night 14 and lackluster split decision loss to Keith Jardine at UFC 89: "Bisping vs. Leben" to his credit. Vera has re-dedicated himself to training and vows to do nothing but kick people's asses from this point forward to re-establish himself as a top fighter in 2009. He's off to a good start; however, he'll have to figure out a way to keep that momentum going against the surging Soszynski. UFC 102 is will feature a main event between Randy "The Natural" Couture (16-9) locking horns with Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira (31-5-1) in a dream match-up that most fans expected to see before Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir played spoiler roles in the opening round of the mini heavyweight tournament created in late 2008 to crown an undisputed division champion. Also slated for the main card is perennial light heavyweight contender Keith Jardine (14-5-1) who has been tapped to replace Forrest Griffin in a 205-pound slugfest against hard-hitting Brazilian import Thiago Silva (13-1). To check out the latest UFC 102 fight card and rumors click here . |
| DREAM 11: Featherweight grand prix semifinals announced for October 6 Posted: 20 Jul 2009 11:25 AM PDT
Japan's Fighting & Entertainment Group (FEG) recently announced the pairings for its featherweight grand prix semifinals which are set to go down at the DREAM 11 event scheduled for the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan, on Oct. 6. First up will be wrestling convert Joe Warren (2-0) taking on jiu-jitsu ace Bibiano Fernandes (5-2). Warren made his debut in mixed martial arts in the tournament opening round at DREAM 7 this March where he defeated former WEC bantamweight champion Chase Beebe (12-4) via TKO (cuts). Then in only his second professional bout he shocked the world when he bested featherweight superstar Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto (17-2) to a decision win at DREAM 9 this May. Fernandes path to the tournament consisted of garnering decision victories over Takafumi Otsuka (8-4-1) and Masakazu Imanari (16-7-1). On the other side of the brackets will be hard hitting slugger Hiroyuki Takaya (11-6-1) who is coming off a impressive annihilation of Yoshihiro Maeda (24-7-2) at DREAM 9. He takes on fellow countryman, fan favorite and general underdog Hideo Tokoro (22-16-1). The semifinal bouts for DREAM's open weight tournament, which has been dubbed the "Super Hulk" tournament, will also take place at the event. Japanese fan favorite Ikuhisa Minowa (42-30-8) has been put to the task of facing off against 7'2" Korean gargantuan Hong Man-Choi (2-2) in his semifinal fight, while the other side of the brackets will see Gegard Mousasi (25-2-1) doing battle against the dangerous Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (6-4). The "Super Hulk" tournament finalists will then do battle on New Years Eve at the annual Dynamite!! event. Also slated for the card is a clash to take care of some unfinished business and to crown a new DREAM middleweight champion between the charismatic Jason "Mayhem" Miller and grappling phenom Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza, when the two bitter rivals face off for a third time. Here is the current line-up for DREAM 11: DREAM middleweight title: Featherweight grand prix semifinals: "Super Hulk" open weight grand prix semifinals: Non-tournament bout: For more on DREAM click here . |
| Posted: 20 Jul 2009 09:21 AM PDT
– A fired up Michael Bisping talks to the Manchester Evening News about avenging his knockout loss to Dan Henderson at UFC 100 on July 11. “The Count” managed to avoid a lengthy suspension after going limp against “Hollywood” and should be cleared in time to exact his revenge at UFC 105 in Manchester on November 14. The question is, who gets the first crack at “The Clitheroe Kid?” We know The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 3 light heavyweight winner has talent, but we also know he’s not ready for the world’s best. So which mid-level fighter will be a good opponent for him at the UK show? Fantasy matchmakers — sound off. |
| Just say no: Hawaiian funny business sours KenFlo on UFC 101 title fight Posted: 20 Jul 2009 09:05 AM PDT
Props: Las Vegas Sun Quoteworthy:
Number one lightweight contender Kenny Florian shares his thoughts on earning the second title shot of his career against reigning 155-pound champion and MMA mercenary BJ Penn. "KenFlo" stopped Penn product Joe Lauzon at UFC Fight Night 13 in April 2008 with some nasty "Hellbows" despite some insider information "The Prodigy" may have given "J-Lau." Florian, who trained under BJ back in 2007, took it personally when his former master went on to train an opposing fighter. Now Florian looks to complete his revenge on Team Hawaii when he gets a second bite at the championship apple against Penn at UFC 101 on August 8 in Philadelphia. Sour grapes? Or does Kenny have a legitimate gripe? |
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