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• Bellator 34 results and recap for 'Lombard vs Shlemenko' on Oct. 28 in Hollywood
• 22-1. The streak is over as Zoila Frausto upsets Megumi Fujii via split decision at Bellator 34 on...
• WEC-ya: Reed Harris 'really happy' about UFC merger
• Binge and Merge: Is Urijah Faber one step closer to his dream of becoming a UFC champion? (Video)
• Gabriel Gonzaga released by the UFC
• It's a package deal! WEC cage girl Brittney Palmer will also be absorbed in the UFC/WEC merger...
• Ben Henderson has a 'Smooth' message for the 'other' UFC lightweights ...
• Strikeforce: Are you 'Down with Diaz?' (Video)
• Vitor Belfort: 'Wanderlei Silva has a big mouth'
• Strikeforce: Mike Kyle vs Roger Gracie postponed until January 2011
• UFC Quick Quote: Chris Lytle wants Carlos Condit
• UFCs big announcement: WEC to merge into UFC by January of 2011
• Dana White announcement reveals WEC will merge completely into UFC (Video)
• Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid embraces UFC endorsement from Dana White; top MMA fighters
• Strikeforce results and LIVE fight coverage for 'Henderson vs Babalu' on Dec. 4 in St. Louis
• Shane Carwin's surgery to repair his injured back has been set for Nov. 2, 2010. A return date has...
• Jason 'Mayhem' Miller talks new season of Bully Beatdown, Nick Diaz, Brock Lesnar and more (Video)
• Jon Fitch: Moving up to middleweight would be 'like a two-year process'

Bellator 34 results and recap for 'Lombard vs Shlemenko' on Oct. 28 in Hollywood Posted: 28 Oct 2010 07:51 PM PDT Bellator Fighting Championships held event number 34 tonight (Oct. 28) at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL. With the explosive hands of Hector Lombard and the sweeping submissions of Megumi Fujii, it was expected the night would be a veritable highlight reel. Instead, the judges were called on to decide all three televised fights. In the main event, Lombard was defending his 185-pound championship against season three middleweight tournament winner Alexander Shlemenko. "Shango" was a ball of fire from the opening bell but slowed down considerably once "Storm" proved to be a tough out. His takedowns controlled the fight throughout and angered the crowd considerably. Shlemenko tried to make it exciting, throwing plenty of spinning back fists and kicks. Had he landed one, what ended up being a rather pedestrian affair could have been a classic. Alas, it was not to be. Lombard extends his winning streak to 21 and called out Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza in the post fight interview. He may want to be careful what he wishes for. The other championship fight of the evening was highly anticipated and featured what many are calling a monumental upset. Season three women's junior flyweight tournament winner Zoila Frausto battled her way to a split decision victory over undefeated wrecking machine Megumi Fujii. The victory earned the "Warrior Princess" the first ever Bellator Women's 115-pound title.  Fujii commented before the fight that she was scared of Frausto's physical strength. It was painfully clear from the beginning the size disparity would play a rather large part in the bout. "Mega Megu" was reluctant to use her considerable grappling skills and paid a mighty price for it. Frausto felt she was the underdog and couldn't help but get emotional when asked about her victory. Tears fell freely although they were exclusive to her right eye, as her left eye was swollen shut. "I earned this," she said of her split decision win.  In the opener, Mike Bernhard was able to counter punch his way past Dragan Tesanovic to a unanimous decision. He said he didn't like being the guy to welcome the Russian to the U.S.A. and he would show him Americans do it better. For the purposes of this fight, he was right. It may not have been a night of barn burning action as many were anticipating, but it was entertaining nonetheless. Here are the Bellator 34 complete results: Main Card: Hector Lombard def. Alexander Shlemenko via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) Zoila Frausto def. Megumi Fujii via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-46) Mike Bernhard def. Dragan Tesanovic via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) Preliminary Card: Frank Carrillo def. Moyses Gabin via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Dan Cramer def. Igor Almeida via TKO (doctor stoppage) - Round 1, 2:36 Raphael Davis def. Tony Lopez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) J.P. Reese def. Bomnay Somchay via TKO (punches) - Round 1, 3:32

22-1. The streak is over as Zoila Frausto upsets Megumi Fujii via split decision at Bellator 34 on... Posted: 28 Oct 2010 06:33 PM PDT 22-1. The streak is over as Zoila Frausto upsets Megumi Fujii via split decision at Bellator 34 on Oct. 28 in Hollywood.

WEC-ya: Reed Harris 'really happy' about UFC merger Posted: 28 Oct 2010 04:56 PM PDT Props: MMA Weekly Quoteworthy: "It’s kind of like when you’re kid goes off to college, at first you’re not happy, but after you think about it for a while, you’re really happy. At the end of the day, I never imagined this thing would be where we’re at today. I’m extremely proud and happy that I was involved with something that will now be part of what may be, some day, the largest sports organization in the world. .... My goal wasn’t even to make money at this thing. I was a martial artist and I wanted to bring that honor that martial arts has into the sport. To be honest, today, I’m really proud of what we did, man. And Dana’s proud of what we did. We were so successful that the UFC had no other option than to bring these guys in and put them in their show. The UFC is obviously by miles the largest MMA organization in the world. The WEC built these divisions to a point where they are now going to be featured on the largest stage in MMA. Dana and Lorenzo and Frank are obviously extremely happy about what we were doing. This was a huge success." Current, but soon to be former, WEC General Manager and founder Reed Harris speaks lovingly about his promotion hitting the big time. Harris started the organization back in June of 2001 and with the recent announcement of a merger with it's parent company, the UFC, will also close it's doors after it's final event, WEC 53: "Henderson vs Pettis." Harris initially sold the WEC to Zuffa in 2006 but remained the face of the organization and is largely responsible for it's tremendous growth over the years. Although the WEC has folded into the UFC, he will still get the chance to see his fighters continue their careers as he will be given an undisclosed position with the UFC once the merger is complete.

Binge and Merge: Is Urijah Faber one step closer to his dream of becoming a UFC champion? (Video) Posted: 28 Oct 2010 01:27 PM PDT

Gabriel Gonzaga released by the UFC Posted: 28 Oct 2010 12:47 PM PDT Former number one heavyweight contender, Gabriel Gonzaga, has been released from his UFC contract after being defeated for the third time in his last four bouts, a unanimous decision loss to Brendan Schaub at UFC 121: "Lesnar vs. Velasquez" on Oct. 23 in Anaheim, California. "Napao" passed along the unfortunate news via his official twitter page. Gonzaga made his Octagon debut at UFC 56 back in November 2005 when he knocked out Kevin Jordan. The Brazilian went on to win two more fights before viciously knocking out Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic with a head kick, one that earned him a shot at then UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture at UFC 74. The title match-up didn't go Gonzaga's way The BJJ black belt was not able to answer Couture's onslaught of attacks and the fight was finished in the third round. It was the first and only title shot "Napao" would receive. Gonzaga would return to action at UFC 80, only to be stopped again, this time getting finished by Fabricio Werdum when he couldn't answer "Vai Cavalo's" punches. Wins over Justin McCully and Josh Hendricks were much needed for Gonzaga, but he would once again find himself on the losing end when Shane Carwin knocked him senseless with one punch at UFC 96.  Many wondered if "Napao" would go back to his BJJ roots after three disappointing losses, but fans soon found out that Gonzaga was still devoted to his stand-up. With a KO loss to Junior dos Santos and a unanimous decision loss to "The Hybrid," Gonzaga finds himself looking for work. One has to think Gonzaga won't be out of a job for long. The question is, who will pick him up? Strikeforce? Bellator? Does he even want to compete? What do you think about the UFC's latest roster cut?

It's a package deal! WEC cage girl Brittney Palmer will also be absorbed in the UFC/WEC merger... Posted: 28 Oct 2010 12:38 PM PDT It's a package deal! WEC cage girl Brittney Palmer will also be absorbed in the UFC/WEC merger reports Fighters Only (via Bloody Elbow).

Ben Henderson has a 'Smooth' message for the 'other' UFC lightweights ... Posted: 28 Oct 2010 12:01 PM PDT He ... is ... coming ... according to his latest Facebook update: Just heard about the merger, I was out running and when I got home had a hundred missed calls and a thousand texts...I'm excited that's really cool but I have a dance on Dec.16th to get ready for first, that's the only thing I care about right now...BUT all of you other '55ers out there consider this your official notice, I'M COMING, it was always a matter of when but now we know and it's a lock, train hard... Where do you rank the WEC Lightweight Champion in the UFC's 155-pound division now that the promotions are merging? Does he make your top five? Top ten? "Smooth" will face the winner of Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard to unify the WEC and UFC lightweight titles -- if he can get past Anthony Pettis at WEC 53 on Dec. 16.

Strikeforce: Are you 'Down with Diaz?' (Video) Posted: 28 Oct 2010 12:01 PM PDT Nick works the nunchucks at the 0:22 mark.

Vitor Belfort: 'Wanderlei Silva has a big mouth' Posted: 28 Oct 2010 11:28 AM PDT Props: Tatame.com Quoteworthy: Anderson is very versatile so you can’t have one settled game plan. The important thing is to be prepared for anything because he’s a great fighter. You can get there thinking things will go one way, but it can suddenly change. I know he’s the best in the world, but I can get intimidated by it. I don’t think anything (about Wanderlei Silva's comments), he’s a spectator and he can think whatever he wants to. If you have a mouth, you can say whatever you want and Wanderlei has a big mouth. But it’s about cheering, everyone can cheer for their favorite, and the important is to be respectful and know how to choose the right words. In February I’ll have my chance for the belt and let’s see how it’ll be. Is there a Brazilian beef brewing between Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva? Apparently "The Phenom" doesn't like "The Axe Murderers" comments that he'll be "freaked out" by "The Spider" at UFC 126 on February 5. Will the Silva double-team rattle Belfort mentally on fight night? Or is he destined to do what no other UFC middleweight has done when he fights for the title over the Superbowl weekend?

Strikeforce: Mike Kyle vs Roger Gracie postponed until January 2011 Posted: 28 Oct 2010 11:19 AM PDT Looks like these two light heavyweight combatants will have to wait until 2011 to get back into the cage. Multiple time BJJ champion Roger Gracie and current King of the Cage champion Mike Kyle were scheduled to meet at Strikeforce: "Henderson vs Babalu" on Dec. 4 in St. Louis, Missouri, but apparently those plans have changed. The two light heavyweight contenders will still meet, but not until Jan. 29. Gracie weighs in on the postponement (via Graciemag): "Now I'll need to bring down the load in training. I was close to peaking, and now this happens. According to them, the fight will still be against Kyle, but I don't know the reason for the postponement. What can you do? Christmas and New Year's are done for me. Great present." Not much is known about a Strikeforce card in January other than a possible bout featuring Fedor Emelianenko. Gracie will come into this contest with a record of 3-0. His most recent bout was in May when he defeated Kevin Randleman with a rear naked choke in his Strikeforce debut. Kyle enters the contest at 17-7-1. "MAK's" most recent match-up was against "Abongo" Humphrey last July. Kyle finished the fight with a rear naked choke, and Strikeforce commentator Mauro Ranallo went as far as calling for a title shot for the 30-year-old light heavyweight. Could the winner be knocking on Rafael Cavalcante's door in the very near future? Or will they have to get through "King" Mo first? Stay tuned.

UFC Quick Quote: Chris Lytle wants Carlos Condit Posted: 28 Oct 2010 10:25 AM PDT "Even before he fought, I said basically I want to fight a top contender and a good, exciting fighter. I wanted to fight the winner of the Condit-[Dan] Hardy fight. After seeing Carlos knock Hardy out, it made me want it even more. He's looking really good right now, beating good people and he's a really exciting fighter. That's what I'm looking for." Chris Lytle is interested in facing former WEC welterweight champion Carlos Condit (via MMA Fighting). "Lights Out" is on a four fight winning streak. Most recently, Lytle defeated Matt Serra by unanimous decision at UFC 119, picking him apart in the standup. Condit is coming off a devastating knockout victory over former number one contender Dan Hardy in the first round at UFC 120. What do you think? Will "Lights Out" and the "Natural Born Killer" lock horns in the near future?

UFCs big announcement: WEC to merge into UFC by January of 2011 Posted: 28 Oct 2010 09:51 AM PDT Looks like Dana White's three-year plan for World Extreme Cagefghting (WEC) has been cut short by about two-and-a-half years. That's because Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will finish what it started back in 2008, as the promotion today officially announced a company merger that will see the dissolution of the WEC with the last fight taking place in December of this year. But the WEC's loss will be the UFC's gain. The world's largest fight promotion will increase its number of weight divisions by two, adding the bantamweight (135-pounds) and featherweight (145-pounds) classes as well as doubling the roster of its already stacked lightweight (155-pound) division. Jose Aldo will now be recognized as the UFC Featherweight Champion and make his first title defense of the newly branded championship at UFC 125: "Resolution" on Jan. 1, 2011. The winner of the Dominick Cruz vs. Scott Jorgensen fight at WEC 53 will officially be recognized as the UFC Bantamweight Champion while the winner of Benson Henderson vs Anthony Pettis on Dec. 16 will face the winner of Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard to unify the WEC and UFC lightweight titles. Get ready for some truly stacked events in Zuffa's 2011 fight campaign. The WEC first began downsizing a little more than a year ago, following a Sept. 2008 announcement that it would no longer support light heavyweight (205-pound), middleweight (185-pound) and welterweight (170-pound) divisions, instead focusing on lighter weight classes. In fact, WEC 37: "Torres vs. Tapia" on Dec. 3, 2008, was the last event to feature the heavier divisions -- nearly two years to the date of their final event, WEC 53: "Henderson vs. Pettis" on Dec. 16, 2010. The move enabled the promotion to showcase more lighter fighters more often on its cards and build more stars. Under the old format, several talented up-and-comers either didn't fight frequently enough or were buried on the non-televised portion of the cards. While this sudden influx of talent could cause many of the same problems early in the merger, the UFC's global expansion and increased televisions schedule will likely remedy that problem sooner rather than later. And perhaps the days of stretching out a pay-per-view fight card or scrambling to fill last-minute injury gaps may be reduced to a minimum. Like the first wave of ex-WEC fighters, including Chael Sonnen, Carlos Condit and Mark Munoz, a dozen or so fantasy match-ups that just a few months ago seemed impossible may finally come to fruition. Can Ben Henderson be just as "smooth" in the UFC? Who would win in a scrap between "Cowboy" Cerrone and Kenny Florian? Will Jose Aldo finally test the waters at 155? Let's not forget that more events with more fighters also translates into increased exposure and sponsorship opportunities, especially on a pay-per-view fight card. It's going to be an exciting 2011. Let's hear your take -- the good and the bad -- on today's big announcement.

Dana White announcement reveals WEC will merge completely into UFC (Video) Posted: 28 Oct 2010 09:41 AM PDT RIP World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) | June 30, 2001 - December 16, 2010 (Last event is WEC 53)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid embraces UFC endorsement from Dana White; top MMA fighters Posted: 28 Oct 2010 07:33 AM PDT Don't call it a cockfight -- they've been here for years. Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), once a political buzzword used to rally support from the terrified masses, has now become a powerful ally in Senator Harry Reid's 2010 campaign. What a difference a few years (and a few key demographics) can make. From the Senate Majority Leader (via Politico.com): "These, to me, are a fair street fight, and I've been around a few of those in my day. They have 31 different rules. That's a fair street fight. Of course people get hurt, but you get hurt playing basketball or football or baseball. I've just enjoyed this so much, and it's so good for Nevada." Showing their love, aside from UFC President Dana White, were former heavyweight champions Randy Couture, Frank Mir as well as former light heavyweight champion and MMA megastar Chuck Liddell. Even boxing's top draw, Manny Pacquiao, is getting in on the action. Whether or not the backing of combat sports will have a definitive impact at the polls, if nothing else, it's sure to have the liberals shaking in their boots. Or as Harry Reid alluded to, number 29 in the 31 different rules: "Timidity, including, without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent."

Strikeforce results and LIVE fight coverage for 'Henderson vs Babalu' on Dec. 4 in St. Louis Posted: 28 Oct 2010 06:55 AM PDT Strikeforce is close to putting the finishing touches on its upcoming Showtime-televised fight card on Saturday, December 4, 2010, from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. "Henderson vs. Babalu" will feature a light heavyweight rematch between longtime veterans of the sport, Dan Henderson and Renato Sobral. "Hendo" defeated "Babalu" via majority decision under the RINGS banner way back in 1999. Also strapping on the gloves will be former NFL great and MMA sophomore Herschel Walker against an opponent to be named while welterweight sluggers Paul "Semtex" Daley and Scott Smith hook 'em up in "Hands of Steel's" 170-pound debut. In addition, newly-signed heavyweight Valentijn "The Python" Overeem will throw hands with heavyweight contender Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva. Here is the current Strikeforce: "Henderson vs. Babalu" line up: Main event: 205 lbs.: Dan Henderson vs. Renato Sobral Main card (Televised): 205 lbs.: Herschel Walker vs. TBA 185 lbs.: Robbie Lawler vs. Matt Lindland 265 lbs.: Valentijn Overeem vs. Antonio Silva 170 lbs.: Scott Smith vs. Paul Daley Under card (May not be broadcast): 170 lbs.: Jesse Finney vs. TBA MMAmania.com will provide LIVE blow-by-blow, round-by-round coverage of Strikeforce: "Henderson vs. Babalu," beginning with the Showtime telecast at 10 p.m. ET on Dec. 4. In addition, we will deliver up-to-the-minute quick results of all the under card action much earlier on fight night. We're still a couple of weeks away from showtime; therefore, feel free to share your thoughts and predictions for "Henderson vs. Babalu" in the comments section below. And remember that MMAmania.com will be the spot for the latest news and event-related highlights before, during and after the event. For the latest Strikeforce news and notes click here.

Shane Carwin's surgery to repair his injured back has been set for Nov. 2, 2010. A return date has... Posted: 28 Oct 2010 06:27 AM PDT Shane Carwin's surgery to repair his injured back has been set for Nov. 2, 2010. A return date has not been determined, according to MMA Fighting. For more on Carwin's sudden withdrawal from his UFC 125 fight against Roy Nelson click here.

Jason 'Mayhem' Miller talks new season of Bully Beatdown, Nick Diaz, Brock Lesnar and more (Video) Posted: 28 Oct 2010 06:22 AM PDT Will Miller and Diaz ever throw down? Or is one of these homies too scared?

Jon Fitch: Moving up to middleweight would be 'like a two-year process' Posted: 27 Oct 2010 05:36 PM PDT Props MMA Weekly: Quoteworthy: "It would be like a two year process for me to move up a weight class because I have unfinished business at 170. The thing is I would move up if Josh would win the title and defend it. So he’d have to hold on to it for a while. You’re talking about almost a year right there, with a win and defense. In that time I could fight GSP non-title, I could fight Jake Shields, I could fight Martin Kampmann, I could fight Carlos Condit. All those guys could be fought already, and after that there’s not much left to do in front of me. Then that would be the optimum time I would be looking for other challenges if I want to move up a weight class. If there’s no one else for me to compete with at 170 other than Koscheck, I’m going to move up." Former welterweight number one contender Jon Fitch makes it known that he still has no plans to fight his friend and training partner, Josh Koscheck. In fact, he believes that even if "Kos" defeats Georges St. Pierre for the title at UFC 124, there would still be a few fights left for him in the 170-pound division. Since making his way into the UFC in 2005, Fitch has racked up an impressive 13 wins with just one loss, all but one of which was contested at welterweight. Is the fact that there are a few fights left for him enough reason to stay in the division? Or should he move up a weight class and try his luck with the middleweights of the promotion sooner rather than later?

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