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2010
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WEC 48 preview show, "Countdown to WEC: Aldo vs. Faber," debuts April 21
As World Extreme Cagefighting gears up for its pay-per-view debut next
month, Versus has set the broadcast schedule for the event's official
preview show.
Versus debuts "Countdown to WEC: Aldo vs. Faber," which covers the
two top fights - WEC featherweight champion Jose Aldo vs. Urijah Faber and WEC lightweight title-holder Benson Henderson vs. Donald Cerrone - from WEC 48, on April 21 at 4 p.m. ET (1 p.m. PT).
Replays air April 23 at 5 p.m. ET and April 24 at 6 p.m. ET.
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2010
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WEC 47 draws $401,000 live gate
This month's WEC 47 event at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, drew an official live gate of $401,000.
Ohio Athletic Commission Executive Director Bernie Profato today confirmed the total with MMAjunkie.com.
The March 6 event, which drew an initially estimated attendance of 8,345, had extremely affordable ticket prices that started at just $25 and topped off at a surprisingly low $125 for floor seats.
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2010
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WEC 47 drug tests come back clean
All six fighters who underwent drug testing at this month's WEC 47 event tested clean for drugs of abuse and performance-enhancing drugs.
Ohio Athletic Commission Executive Director Bernie Profato today confirmed the results with MMAjunkie.com.
Those fighters tested at the March 6 event included newly crowned WEC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, fellow headliner Brian Bowles, and main-card winners Joseph Benavidez, Javier Vazquez, L.C. Davis and Bart Palaszewski.
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2010
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Strikeforce boss: With proper training camp, Jose Canseco could get fight
Have the floodgates opened?
Mere weeks after former Jose Canseco's potential foray into U.S. mixed martial arts appeared to be a dead issue, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said he's not entirely opposed to the former baseball star entering the cage.
That's not to say Coker is actively campaigning to sign Canseco, a former MLB All-Star. But as Coker said - half-jokingly - after the Ultimate Fighting Championship's recent signing of 41-year-old boxer James Toney, all bets are off.
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2010
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Despite fan-favorite status, UFC on Versus 1's Jon Jones knows fans can be fickle
Few prospects have entered the Ultimate Fighting Championship and found the kind of immediate stardom that Jon Jones has.
But the self-proclaimed "MMA geek," who next fights Brandon Vera this weekend in the headliner of UFC on Versus 1, knows combat-sports fans can be a fickle bunch.
So while he appreciates the support and accolades, the 22-year-old Jones knows winning fights and improving his game are the only ways to assure his future prospects remain bright.
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2010
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MMAjunkie.com Radio: HDNet Fights' Andrew Simon, Michael Schiavello, Joe Warren
After a Bellator-themed day on Monday, MMAjunkie.com Radio today turns its focus to HDNet Fights and welcomes to the show CEO Andrew Simon, who gives the latest updates from HDNet's fight division.
Also joining the show are HDNet Fights broadcaster Michael "The Voice" Schiavello and Joe Warren, an HDNet Fights/DREAM veteran who next fights Eric Marriott in Bellator's upcoming season-two featherweight tourney.
MMAjunkie.com Radio begins at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino's Race & Sports Book. Listen to
and watch a video stream of the two-hour show at www.mmajunkie.com/radio.
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2010
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Bellator CEO says Roger Huerta at top of 155-pound tourney, not opposed to UFC signings
Acquiring the services of an athlete who's graced the cover of Sports Illustrated is a big deal by any standard.
After an extended negotiation period, Bellator Fighting Championships
scored Roger Huerta for its second season of
tournament action - which begins April 8 in Hollywood, Fla. - in one of
its highest-profile signings to date.
Huerta was a breakout star of 2007 for his gutsy performances
inside the UFC's octagon. The Las Vegas-based promotion was quick to
recognize his marketability and gave him a major push, which led to his
appearance on the cover of the renowned magazine.
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2010
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Enson Inoue makes return at ASTRA, Makoto Takimoto announces retirement
Next month's ASTRA event, which is expected to feature the retirement fight of Japanese star Hidehiko Yoshida, today had a couple significant changes.
For the first time since April 2004, Enson Inoue, an early Shooto champion who owns a 1998 victory over Randy Couture, enters professional mixed-martial-arts competition and meets New Zealand kickboxer Antz Nansen.
Additionally, Japanese Olympic Judo gold medalist Makoto Takimoto, a
PRIDE and World Victory Road veteran expected to compete on the ASTRA
card, instead announced his retirement from the sport.
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2010
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Lyle Beerbohm vs. Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro targeted for May 15 Strikeforce event
A lightweight bout between fast-rising prospect Lyle "Fancy Pants" Beerbohm (13-0 MMA, 2-0 SF) and established veteran Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro (20-3 MMA, 0-0 SF) is likely to take place at a May 15 Strikeforce event.
A source close to one of the competitors told MMAjunkie.com verbal agreements are in place for the matchup and that bout agreements should soon be distributed.
The event takes place at the Scottrade Center and airs on Showtime.
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2010
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Roger Huerta explains why he chose Bellator, guarantees tournament championship
Roger Huerta says he still has a lot of fight left in him.
The former UFC lightweight is officially bound for Bellator Fighting Championships and joins its season-two lightweight tournament with a chip on his shoulder.
"I've fought my whole life to get to where I am today, and this is a point where I honestly believe this is like a second chance for me," said Huerta, who guaranteed a tournament championship and an eventual fight with Bellator champ Eddie Alvarez.
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2010
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WEC executive: DirecTV-Versus deal is a victory for fans, fighters
World Extreme Cagefighting officials obviously were relieved when DirecTV today announced their longtime cable home, Versus, has returned to the satellite cable provider's channel lineup.
More than six months has passed since the all-sports channel was pulled from the lineup after a dispute between DirecTV and Versus parent company Comcast.
WEC Vice President Peter Dropick today told MMAjunkie.com the deal will benefit the fight promotion and its fighters. But he said the real winners are the fans, who will get the usual event broadcasts and even a special countdown show for next month's WEC 48 event.
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2010
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Wanting "name" opponents, UFC's Maynard didn't hesitate to call out Florian-Gomi winner
Gray Maynard is tired of fighting tough guys who do little for his career. He's looking for a name that pushes him toward a title shot with UFC lightweight champ B.J. Penn.
"That's just where I'm at," Maynard today told MMAjunkie.com. "The last three or four (fights) I've had tough ones, but they're just not that name. It's like, 'Ah well, he beat Nate (Diaz), but he was supposed to. He beat (Rich) Clementi, but he was supposed to.'"
That's why today on Twitter he called out the winner of a UFC Fight Night 21 headliner between two-time title challenger Kenny Florian and Japanese import Takanori Gomi.
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2010
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DirecTV and Versus strike deal, WEC/UFC events returning to satellite provider's lineup
After more than a half-year blackout, the Versus channel is returning to DirecTV.
DirecTV and Comcast, owner of the all-sports Versus channel, today made the announcement stating, "Versus will return to the same DirecTV programming packages it was in at the end of August 2009."
Versus, home to World Extreme Cagefighting and now the Ultimate Fighting Championship, was dropped from the satellite-cable company's lineup on Sept. 1, 2009, after a dispute over carrier fees. The new deal means DirecTV customers will have access to Sunday's UFC on Versus 1 broadcast.
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2010
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UFC champ B.J. Penn featured in latest "UFC 2010 Undisputed" videogame trailer
Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion B.J. Penn is featured in a new "UFC 2010 Undisputed" videogame trailer released by gamemaker THQ.
The 80-second spot explores Penn's background while near-seamlessly alternating between real footage of the fighter and game play.
"UFC 2010 Undisputed," a follow-up to the hit debut version that hit stores in 2009, is set for a May 25 release on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable platforms.
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2010
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Bellator confirms signing of Roger Huerta for season-two lightweight tourney
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight Roger Huerta officially has joined Bellator Fighting Championships.
MMAjunkie.com first reported the expected signing over the weekend, and during a press conference that today streamed live on bellator.com, Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney made the official announcement.
Huerta (21-3-1), one of Bellator's highest-profile signings to date, joins the season-two eight-man lightweight tournament field.
His first fight takes place at Bellator 13 on April 8 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.
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2010
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Scott Smith or Frank Shamrock could be next for ex-Strikeforce champ Cung Le
Former Strikeforce middleweight champion Cung Le suffered the first loss of his MMA career this past December but could be back in the cage at a Strikeforce event planned for June.
Le has already begun a campaign to rematch the man who handed him his first loss, Scott Smith, who scored a come-from-behind TKO victory when they met at "Strikeforce: Evolution."
But Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker recently told MMAjunkie.com that Le, who vacated the middleweight prior to the December fight due to a blossoming film career, could face former champion Frank Shamrock instead.
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2010
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Bellator CEO says Eddie Alvarez vs. Josh Neer "super fight" set for Bellator 17
The long-expected non-title fight between Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez and UFC veteran/recent signee Josh Neer now has a date.
While a guest on today's edition of MMAjunkie.com Radio, Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney said the fight takes place May 6 at Bellator 17.
Bellator announced last month that the fight was being targeted for a May card, though an exact date wasn't mentioned. It's now set for the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre in Boston, which is a half day's drive from Alvarez's Philadelphia home.
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2010
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Anthony Morrison vs. Mackens Semerzier targeted for WEC 48 preliminary card
Verbal agreements are in place and bout agreements should be signed shortly for a WEC 48 featherweight matchup between Anthony Morrison (15-8 MMA, 0-1 WEC) and Mackens Semerzier (5-1 MMA, 1-1 WEC).
Sources close to the event alerted MMAjunkie.com of the matchup and said it'll be part of the night's un-aired preliminary card.
WEC 48 marks the organization's pay-per-view debut and takes place April 24 at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif.
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2010
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Former WWE "Diva" Maria Kanellis joins HDNet Fights broadcast team
Former World Wrestling Entertainment "Diva" Maria Kanellis has joined the HDNet Fights broadcast team and will make her broadcast debut with this month's "King of the Cage: Legacy" event, HDNet officials today announced.
Kanellis, who also appears on this season's edition of "Celebrity Apprentice" on NBC, will serve as a backstage correspondent.
Kanellis, 28, served as a broadcaster and performer for the WWE from 2004 until this past month, when she was released from her contract.
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2010
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MMAjunkie.com Radio: Bellator's Bjorn Rebney, Eddie Alvarez, Dan Hornbuckle (700th show!)
With Bellator Fighting Championships today hosting a major press conference, MMAjunkie.com Radio celebrates its 700th show with some of the promotion's biggest names.
Joining us are Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney, lightweight
champion and season-one tournament winner Eddie Alvarez, and season-two
welterweight tournament participant Dan Hornbuckle, who meets Sean Pierson on April 22 at Bellator 15.
MMAjunkie.com Radio begins at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino's Race & Sports Book. Listen to
and watch a video stream of the two-hour show at www.mmajunkie.com/radio.
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2010
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Ask the Fight Doc: Is the Massachusetts commission's double-weigh-in rule enough?
With the adoption of MMA legislation, the Massachusetts Boxing Commission recently became the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission.
But one remnant of the boxing-only days has stuck: a double weigh-in procedure that limits the amount of weight MMA fighters can cut for fight night.
In our latest "Ask the Fight Doc" installment, MMAjunkie.com medical columnist and combat-sports specialist Dr. Johnny Benjamin explains why the rule - which has been adopted for a 90-day trial run - should become permanent and what other details will assure the safest weight cuts possible.
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2010
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Spike TV replays UFC 108 PPV event tonight
A replay of the Ultimate Fighting Championship's first event of 2010, "UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva," re-airs tonight on Spike TV at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT.
The event initially aired on pay-per-view and took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Featured bouts from the event, which had been decimated by injuries in the months leading up to fight night, included Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva, Paul Daley vs. Dustin Hazelett, and Joe Lauzon vs. Sam Stout.
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2010
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Despite altitude, UFC on Versus 1's Shannon Gugerty never balked at Clay Guida fight
It's a daunting proposition to fight UFC lightweight Clay Guida at sea level, but to fight him at a mile high? You've got to have guts.
Shannon Gugerty was depressed after a second-round submission loss to Terry Etim this past November at UFC 105 and needed a new challenge, quickly.
"I just wanted to get back into the gym as soon as possible and get another fight," said Gugerty, who now meets the high-energy lightweight this weekend at UFC on Versus 1.
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2010
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Reminder: Bellator announces major news at 3 p.m. ET, Roger Huerta signing expected
As a reminder, Bellator Fighting Championships today hosts an online
press conference at 3 p.m. ET (noon PT) at www.bellator.com.
As MMAjunkie.com first reported over the weekend, officials are
expected to announce the acquisition of former UFC fighter Roger Huerta
for Bellator's season-two lightweight tourney.
Huerta instantly would become a tournament favorite in the eight-man
field, which kicks off the opening round of the tourney next month.
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2010
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The Sunday Junkie: March 14 edition
Next week kicks off one of the busiest periods of mixed martial arts
events in recent memory, but this week went without a major card.
As such, this week's edition of The Sunday Junkie, MMAjunkie.com's
weekly reader-feedback feature, touched on a variety of subjects.
While the success of the UFC, WEC and Strikeforce were all topics for
debate, this week's winner, Mike Rice, took what may prove an unpopular
stance on counter-programming tactics.
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2010
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UFC 111's Mir says Carwin more dangerous than Lesnar, OK if Velasquez gets first crack
After splitting a pair of bouts with UFC heavyweight champion Brock
Lesnar, former title holder Frank Mir has made little effort to hide his current
motivation.
As such, some have labeled Mir a "stalker" because of his singular focus
on a rubber match with the champ.
Nevertheless, Mir carries on in search of facing Lesnar once again. But
standing in his way at UFC 111 is undefeated challenger Shane Carwin,
who Mir says may actually be a tougher opponent.
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2010
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Hardy predicts UFC 111 finish, but he'll let St-Pierre decide which round
UFC welterweight title challenger Dan Hardy won't bring too many
surprises to the cage when he faces champion Georges St-Pierre at UFC
111 on March 27.
The British slugger's striking attack has earned him a perfect mark in
the UFC, so why change things now?
In fact, Hardy said the only surprise will be finding out what round he
knocks out his Canadian foe, and "The Outlaw" is just fine with letting
St-Pierre choose his own fate.
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2010
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Ray Mercer vs. Ron Sparks set for April 16 King of the Cage event in Michigan
Olympic gold medalist and former world champion boxer Ray Mercer will put on the four-ounce gloves once again on April 16 and face
undefeated super heavyweight Ron Sparks at a recently announced
King of the Cage event at Cobo Arena in Detroit.
The matchup was announced on the most recent edition of HDNet's "Inside
MMA," and the same network will air the event's main card.
Mercer is best known to MMA fans as the man who knocked out former UFC
heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia at a June 2009 Adrenaline MMA event, while Sparks has fought exclusively on the local circuits since his 2006 debut.
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2010
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UFC on Versus 1's Paul Buentello talks "huge move" to Grudge Training Center
Heading into his UFC 107 contest with Stefan Struve, much of the talk
surrounding Paul Buentello's training camp - or rather, his lack of one.
Forced out of his normal routine at California's American Kickboxing
Academy, Buentello scrambled to find a suitable training home.
But as his UFC on Versus 1 bout with Cheick Kongo approaches, little
word has escaped about where "The Headhunter" was getting ready.
Buentello recently said there's a reason for that.
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2010
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Bellator calls Monday press conference, expected to announce signing of Roger Huerta
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight Roger Huerta (20-3-1
MMA, 0-0 Bellator) is set to test his mettle in Bellator Fighting
Championships' season two eight-man lightweight tournament.
Sources close to the situation confirmed to MMAjunkie.com that the popular lightweight received his formal
release from the UFC this week, which opened the door to finalize a deal
with the upstart promotion.
Bellator has called a video press conference for Monday at 3 p.m. ET that
will stream live at Bellator.com.
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2010
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Strikeforce boss sees DREAM co-promotion as key component of future operations
In the early years of the new millennium, with the UFC struggling for
U.S. acceptance and PRIDE in its Japanese heyday, the companies toyed
around with the idea of co-promotion through fighter sharing.
The UFC has since changed courses on that thought, and you're unlikely
to see a fighter under Zuffa contract ever appearing in another promotion.
But Strikeforce has recently partnered up with DREAM to exchange
fighters across the Pacific Ocean, and Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker
recently told MMAjunkie.com that he envisions a
flourishing relationship moving forward.
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2010
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Daniel Cormier vs. John Devine planned for Strikeforce Challengers VII
Strikeforce is targeting a heavyweight matchup between Daniel Cormier
(1-0 MMA, 1-0 SF) and newcomer John Devine (5-1 MMA, 0-0 SF) at
Strikeforce Challengers VII.
The potential preliminary card matchup was first reported by
Sherdog.com, and MMAjunkie.com has since learned
that the promotion is simply waiting on approval from the California
State Athletic Commission before announcing the matchup.
Featuring a heavyweight contest between Lavar Johnson and Lolohea Mahe,
Strikeforce Challengers VII takes place March 26 in Fresno, Calif.
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2010
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Nate Quarry promises barnburner at UFC Fight Night 21, eyes contender status
The month of March is loaded with high-quality MMA fight cards, and with
a number of exciting matchups planned, it's difficult to look forward
to just one.
UFC middleweight contender Nate Quarry (12-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) thinks you'd
best not sleep on his bout with Jorge Rivera (17-7 MMA, 7-5 UFC) at
UFC Fight Night 21 on March 31.
"I think this is really just a fan-favorite kind of fight," Quarry
recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio. "Both of us
just go in there and throw."
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2010
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Josh Barnett vs. Siala "Mighty Mo" Siligia signed for DREAM.13 in Japan
A rumored heavyweight matchup between Josh Barnett (24-5 MMA, 0-0 DREAM)
and Siala "Mighty Mo" Siliga (3-1 MMA, 0-0 DREAM) is signed for
DREAM.13.
Siligia's manager, Steve Rusich of Triple Crown Fighter, on Saturday
confirmed the bout's status to MMAjunkie.com.
DREAM.13 takes place March 22 at Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan and
features a featherweight championship bout between titleholder Bibiano
Fernandes and top-ranked veteran Joachim Hansen.
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2010
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Brazilian lightweight Charles Oliveira offered multi-fight deal with UFC
Undefeated Brazilian lightweight Charles Oliveira (12-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC)
will soon be the UFC's newest commodity.
MMAjunkie.com today learned from sources close to the promotion that Oliveira has been
offered an exclusive agreement and is expected to debut in the near
future.
Though the contract has yet to be finalized, the process appears to be a
mere formality at this point.
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2010
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Rich Franklin vs. Chuck Liddell in the works for UFC 115, not rumored April show (Updated)
Light heavyweights Rich Franklin and Chuck Liddell are penciled in for a
June showdown.
MMAjunkie.com has learned from sources close to the
promotion that the two have verbally agreed to face each other in June
at UFC 115, though contracts have yet to be finalized.
The new matchup replaces a planned third meeting between Liddell and
Tito Ortiz that had been expected for the promotion's first trip to
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and may have been arranged as a result of Franklin's unexpected
involvement in "TUF 11."
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2010
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"Inside MMA" poll results: Which boxer is most likely to have a notable MMA career?
Smile, Art Jimmerson. You've now got company.
While professional boxer Jimmerson and his one-gloved attack will
forever be a part of mixed martial arts and UFC history, not many of
his fellow pugilists have followed in his tracks and tried their hand (so to speak)
at the booming sport - until now.
With the recent MMAjunkie.com/"Inside MMA" poll, we asked our
readers to determine, "Which of the following notable boxers is most
likely to have a successful MMA career?"
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2010
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The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale targeted for June 19 at the Palms Casino Resort
The UFC has officially requested approval for a June 19 event at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
As MMAjunkie.com first reported in January, the
card is expected to serve as the live finale of "The Ultimate Fighter
11," and a formal request for the date will now be considered by the
Nevada State Athletic Commission on March 17.
The process is generally a mere formality for the UFC, who have
successfully promoted several events under the NSAC's supervision.
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2010
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No longer a prospect, UFC on Versus 1's Vera predicts epic fight with Jones
Four years ago, Brandon Vera (11-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) was the new kid on the block that everyone talked about.
But as his March 21 fight with Jon Jones (9-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) at UFC on Versus 1 nears, Vera
is now the veteran, and "Bones" is the new fast-rising
hotshot.
At 32, Vera remembers being in that position and liked the pressure it
brought. And while he knows can't get that time back, he's trying to go
back to that mindset - in spirit if not in reality.
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2010
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NSAC confirms May 29 event at MGM Grand, expected to serve as UFC 114
It's official: The Ultimate Fighting Championship will own the South end of the Las Vegas Strip on Memorial Day weekend.
With the second-annual UFC Fan Expo already announced for the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, the coinciding UFC 114 event is now set for the nearby MGM Grand Garden Arena.
The location was first reported by MMAjunkie.com,
and though not yet officially announced by the promotion, the Nevada
State Athletic Commission recently approved the UFC's application to
host an event for the date and venue.
[ more ] |
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