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• Anthony Johnson video talks UFC 104 bout against ‘Zenko’ Yoshida
• Wagnney Fabiano: Injury helped faciliate WEC 43 submission loss to Mackens Semerzier
• XFO 33: Jeff Curran vs Tomohiko Hori on tap for Dec. 5
• UFC Quick Quote: Spencer Fisher is going to make Joe Stevenson pay at UFC 104
• Shawn Tompkins: Chris Horodecki expected to sign with WEC
• Chuck Liddell considering a return to the Octagon — even if it means fighting Kimbo Slice to do it
• UFC Quick Pic: Lyoto Machida chasing Anderson Silva’s record for consecutive wins inside the Octagon
• Report: Alistair Overeem vs James Thompson for DREAM 12
• Kazushi Sakuraba and Marius Zaromski added to Oct. 25 DREAM 12 event
• TUF 10: ‘The Aftermath’ now available on Spike.com (Episode 5)

Anthony Johnson video talks UFC 104 bout against ‘Zenko’ Yoshida Posted: 19 Oct 2009 07:30 PM PDT Check out part two with “Rumble” after the jump.

Wagnney Fabiano: Injury helped faciliate WEC 43 submission loss to Mackens Semerzier Posted: 19 Oct 2009 07:25 PM PDT Props: Tatame.com (via Bloody Elbow) Quoteworthy: “My mistake was to fight. I was passing by problems, I didn't want to say, to don't keep giving excuses, my mistake. He got me on the triangle and I don't know when was the last time that someone got me on that position in Jiu-Jitsu and Sumission's career, even in training. Nobody ever caught me on this position because I stand up fast. Because of a little injury, my rib cracked when I was going to stand up and I came back. My mistake was to fight, but he did his work and I congratulate him.” WEC featherweight jiu-jitsu ace Wagnney Fabiano faults an injury for his shocking upset loss to promotional newcomer Mackens Semerzier at WEC 43: “Cerrone vs. Henderson” on Oct. 10. The former International Fight League (IFL) standout also mentions a possible move down to the 135-pound bantamweight division in order to avoid a potential match up with friend and training partner Jose Aldo, which could be a smart move on several accounts.

XFO 33: Jeff Curran vs Tomohiko Hori on tap for Dec. 5 Posted: 19 Oct 2009 07:24 PM PDT Former WEC featherweight number one contender Jeff Curran’s next fight is all set to take place in Lakemoore, Ill., on December 5 against Japanese veteran Tomohiko Hori (10-7-5), according to The Fight Network. The interesting news is that it won’t be on a WEC card. Instead, Curran (29-12-1) will headline an event of his own, under the Xtreme Fighting Organization (XFO) banner — a promotion owned and operated by “The Big Frog.” Curran has dropped back-to-back decisions to Takeya Mizugaki and Joseph Benavidez since making the move from the 145-pound division down to the 135-pound bantamweight class earlier this year. Before that he had lost his last two contests as a featherweight as well. Of course, those fights were against former champ Urijah Faber and current title holder Mike Thomas Brown, neither of which is anything to be ashamed of. Regardless, the switch down in weight was supposed to rejuvenate him, but instead it’s done nothing but prolong the longest losing streak of his nearly twelve year long career. His opponent is a training partner of Mizugaki, who beat Curran by split decision this summer at WEC 42. The Japanese product should be able to build a formidable gameplan around that, but he’s still going to have his hands full facing, not only the owner of the organization, but also a well respected fighter coming off four extremely hard fought defeats. Hori has also lost his two most recent fights by decision over in Japan. However, before that he had put together three straight wins. This fight will mark his fifth of 2009 and his debut on U.S. soil. No other fights have been made official for the December 5 fight card.

UFC Quick Quote: Spencer Fisher is going to make Joe Stevenson pay at UFC 104 Posted: 19 Oct 2009 07:02 PM PDT “Everybody who’s fought Joe and beat Joe has fought for the title after that so I’d imagine myself to be right there in that top division. I think Joe’s the same fighter. He doesn’t like to get punched, he doesn’t like to get hit. The reason he stood the last couple of times was because he was forced to, couldn’t take the guys down. (He) couldn’t deal with Diego so he was forced to stand with him. I think he’s going to be looking to take me down absolutely this time. Every time, every time, every time. I know he’s looking for that single-leg (takedown). That’s his thing and I’m going to try and make him pay for it every time.” Lightweight veteran Spencer Fisher drops a few not-so-subtle hints to 680 News about his gameplan for his upcoming fight with Joe Stevenson at UFC 104: "Machida vs. Shogun" on October 24. "The King" is coming into this fight having won three straight — but will that momentum be enough to stop the takedowns of Joe “Daddy” — even if he knows they’re coming? I guess we'll find out soon enough. Who ya' got?

Shawn Tompkins: Chris Horodecki expected to sign with WEC Posted: 19 Oct 2009 06:41 PM PDT Former International Fight League (IFL) lightweight champion Chris Horodecki (13-1) is in talks to join the World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) lightweight roster, according to FightHype.com. From trainer and mentor, Shawn Tompkins: “It looks like Chris Horodecki will be showing up in the WEC. We are really close to solidifying the rumor and within the next day or two.” Horodecki made his IFL debut in June 2006, going 8-1 and looking sensational in the process. He has just one career loss in mixed martial arts — a lopsided beatdown courtesy of Ryan Schultz at the IFL World Grand Prix Finals in December 2007 (His Shootbox loss at S-Cup 2008 is not classified as MMA). The baby-faced "Polish Hammer" was expected to face Dan Lauzon at Affliction: “Day of Reckoning” back in January, however the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) denied him a license as a result of a bulging disc in his neck, which sapped 80 percent of the strength in his right arm. Horodecki eventually got himself on the mend and competed at the “Ultimate Chaos” pay-per-view in Biloxi, Miss., on the undercard of “Sapp vs. Lashley.” He needed just one round to choke out King of the Cage (KOTC) veteran William “The Bull” Sriyapai. If he finds his way to the UFC sister-promotion, the talented 21-year-old phenom could easily make some waves in an already crowded 155-pound division. Anyone care to start playing matchmaker? Stay tuned to MMAmania.com in the coming days for updates on Horodecki’s anticipated move to the WEC.

Chuck Liddell considering a return to the Octagon — even if it means fighting Kimbo Slice to do it Posted: 19 Oct 2009 04:26 PM PDT Props: Sherdog.com Quoteworthy: “I still love fighting. I don't know what we're going to come up with. I'm going to start spending a lot of time training guys or get back in there –- one of the two. I needed some time off. “Dancing” actually gave me something to concentrate on and get in shape on. I just want to get back in shape and stay in shape and start training with people and see what I want to do. [And] why would anyone even want to see me fight Kimbo? I have no interest in that fight. Whatever. It is what it is. I guess I'd do it, if that's who I had to fight to come back.” Former light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell mulls a potential return to the cage that made him famous after getting booted from Dancing with the Stars on ABC. "The Iceman" is coming off a technical knockout loss to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 97 back in April, marking his fourth loss in his last five fights. Company president Dana White has pressed his good friend and big time money-making machine to hang up the gloves, saying he has made a ton of cash and has nothing left to prove. Liddell — who will be 40 years old by the time April 2010 rolls around — clearly needs more time make up his mind — but would apparently do whatever it takes to get back inside the cage. Even if that means fulfilling a rumor gone wild about hooking them up with the grappling deprived Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson.

UFC Quick Pic: Lyoto Machida chasing Anderson Silva’s record for consecutive wins inside the Octagon Posted: 19 Oct 2009 04:08 PM PDT Seven straight for “The Dragon,” ten straight for “The Spider.” Who stays perfect and who gets dethroned? Check out more pictures of Lyoto Machida’s rise through the ranks of the UFC over at MSG’s Fight Club by clicking here.

Report: Alistair Overeem vs James Thompson for DREAM 12 Posted: 19 Oct 2009 11:57 AM PDT Strikeforce heavyweight champion (cough) Alistair Overeem (30-11) will make his previously scheduled appearance at DREAM 12 on Oct. 25 against former PRIDE heavyweight bruiser James Thompson (14-10), according to MMA Fanhouse. Yes, the same James Thompson who was stopped by Kimbo Slice at Elite XC: “Prime Time” in 2008 and yes, the same James Thompson who’s dropped four straight and eight of his last ten. Looks like another quick pit-stop on the Overeem World Tour. Pull the bus over, recycle a few cans, continue heading East. Rinse and repeat. Following a hand injury that booted him from two summer events, Strikeforce officials informed MMAmania.com last month that "Demolition Man" was expected to make separate appearances outside of the San Jose-based promotion prior to defending his belt. One of those stints involved a trip to the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009, the other was for Golden Glory in his native Amsterdam, where he bulldozed the hapless Tony Sylvester on Oct. 17. Following his bout with “The Colossus,” as well as the remaining fights in K-1, Overeem is expected to return to Strikeforce to defend his heavyweight title (cough). And with Brett Rogers, Fabricio Werdum and Fedor Emelianenko all gunning for first dibs, don't expect him to receive a very warm welcome.

Kazushi Sakuraba and Marius Zaromski added to Oct. 25 DREAM 12 event Posted: 19 Oct 2009 08:38 AM PDT With a week out from the first caged fight card in the promotional history, DREAM has announced additional bouts for DREAM 12, scheduled for Oct. 25 at Osaka Castle Hall in Osaka, Japan. DREAM welterweight champion, Marius Zaromskis (12-3), who has been prominently featured in the promotional poster and trailer for the event, returns to action in a non-title bout against a Korean prospect, Myeon Ho Bae (8-4). In the Middleweight department, Katsuyori Shibata (3-6-1) takes on Tokimitsu Ishizawa (7-1-3) in a showdown between pro-wrestlers, and Kazushi Sakuraba (25-12-1) returns for the second consecutive appearance this month to replace Melvin Manhoef against Zelg Galesic (9-4). Moving down the scale, Keisuke Fujiwara (4-0-1) squares off with Tomoya Miyashita (12-5-6). Zaromskis makes his first DREAM appearance since winning the organization’s welterweight grand prix at DREAM 10. A Lithuanian native training out of London Shootfighter, Zaromskis cut his teeth in UK’s Cage Rage before making his DREAM debut. He entered the welterweight tourney as a virtual unknown and considerable underdog: He sent a shockwave through the MMA world by upsetting tournament favorite, Hayato “Mach” Sakurai in the semi-final round with a high-kick TKO before dispatching Jason High with high-kick yet again to snatch the inaugural DREAM welterweight title. His opponent, Bae is a veteran of M-1 and MARS who makes his DREAM debut. Having won seven of his last eight fights, Bae looks to maintain his momentum against Zaromskis. Katsuyori Shibata recently snapped his losing streak with a unanimous decision victory over Ikuhisa Minowa at DREAM 8. His opponent and fellow pro-wrestler, Tokimitsu Ishizawa, returns to MMA for the first time in nearly three years. A veteran of now defunct K-1 Hero’s and PRIDE, Ishizawa notched the most significant victory of his career in 2000 when he defeated the outlaw of Gracie clan, late Ryan Gracie. Fujiwara, a featherweight ZST prospect, makes his leap to the big stage to take on DEEP veteran, Miyashita. Despite having only five professional bouts under his belt, Fujiwara has been rising through the ZST ranks with undefeated streak. Miyashita, on the other hand, has won four of his last five fights. Finally, Japanese MMA legend, Sakuraba, who returned to action at DREAM 11 after a 10-month layoff, now breaks a two-and-half week hiatus to take on Mirko Cro Cop understudy, Zelg Galesic. Sakuraba scored a quick submission victory over MMA debutant, Rubin Williams, at DREAM 11, while Galesic last fought at DREAM 6 more than a year ago. Galesic lost to Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in the semi-final round of DREAM Middleweight grand prix via submission. Following is an updated line-up for DREAM 12: * Zelg Galesic vs. Kazushi Sakuraba * Tokimitsu Ishizawa vs. Katsuyori Shibata * Marius Zaromskis vs. Myeon Ho Bae * Keisuke Fujiwara vs. Tomoya Miyashita * Paulo Filho vs. Yoon Dong Sik * Chase Beebe vs. Yoshiro Maeda * Eddie Alvarez vs. Katsunori Kikuno * Kuniyoshi Hironaka vs. Won Sik Park For more on DREAM 12 click here.

TUF 10: ‘The Aftermath’ now available on Spike.com (Episode 5) Posted: 19 Oct 2009 08:32 AM PDT In case you didn't get your fill of episode five of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 10 last Wednesday night, the UFC and Spike.com are presenting "The Aftermath," a 15-minute Webisode that airs every Monday on Spike.com. "The Aftermath" will recap the previous week's show, as well as get insight from some of the contestants and recurring Spike host, Amir Sadollah. In addition, the Webisodes will feature unaired content, exclusive bonus material and a sneak peek of the upcoming televised episode. TUF fans can go to the Spike.com message boards after each Wednesday episode to submit questions and sound off on the events that occurred during the show. Questions will be selected at random and answered on the following Monday's "Aftermath." To check out this week's webisode: "Rude Awakening," which features Justin Wren and Wes Sims discussing their fight as well as the criticisms surrounding the coaching style of Team Rampage, click here. And be sure to check out our TUF recap every Wednesday night following the show. To get up to speed on last week's episode click here.

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