Weekly Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing News – 08/04/2012
By PDG Staff
It’s Showtime in Japan Postponed
Here is what Simon Rutz announced this week and although he says “postponed”, I would probably check it up as canceled.
“As a result of the acquisition of It’s Showtime by GLORY Sports International and all necessary internal adjustments associated with this acquisition, we’ve both, GLORY Sports International and Showtime Japan concluded that the necessary period for the preparation is too short to ensure the desired quality for our show, which was scheduled for September 17, 2012, in the Pacifico National Convention Hall in Yokohama, Japan. For this reason we decided to postpone this event until further notice.
We regret that we’re forced to make this decision, but we’re sure that we need and want to stick to the high quality of our shows. In this case we couldn’t ensure and guarantee the required quality to our TV channels, viewers, visitors and participants. In the near future we will discuss the possibility to plan a new date for cooperation with Showtime Japan.”
UFC 153: Aldo vs. Koch – Fight Card Update
Three of Brazil’s biggest talents have landed on the UFC 153 fight card in Rio. One of the top prospects in the welterweight division will get his toughest test to date as Erick “Indio” Silva faces top-five-ranked Jon Fitch. Also at welterweight, BJJ master Demian Maia takes on Rick “The Horror” Story. TUF 14 winner Diego Brandao will meet the once-defeated prospect Joey “The Raging Warrior” Gambino in a featherweight clash between two go-for-broke finishers.
UFC 153: Aldo vs. Koch
October 13, 2012
HSBC Arena
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
– Jose Aldo (21-1) vs. Erik Koch (13-1) – UFC Featherweight Championship
– Alan Belcher (18-6) vs. Vitor Belfort (21-9)
– Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (32-10) vs. Glover Teixeira (18-2)
– Rony “Jason” Mariano Bezerra (11-3) vs. Sam Sicilia (11-1)
– Demian Maia (16-4) vs. Rick Story (14-5)
– Gabriel Gonzaga (13-6) vs. Geronimo dos Santos (31-14)
– Gleison Tibau (25-8) vs. Francisco Trinaldo (11-1)
– Diego Brandao (14-8) vs. Joey Gambino (9-1)
– Luiz Cane (12-4) vs. Chris Camozzi (17-5)
– Reza Madadi (12-2) vs. Cristiano Marcello (12-4)
– Sergio Moraes (6-2) vs. Renee Forte (7-1)
Alexander Emelianenko vs. Konstantin Gluhov on September 30 in Moscow
Russian and Latvian heavy-handed giants will clash at the next M-1 Challenge tournament in Moscow. 3-time world combat sambo champion Alexander Emelianenko will be looking for another victory to extend his current three-fight winning streak. He won two previous M-1 fights against Tadas Rimkevicius and Ibragim Magomedov, both by TKO.
Latvian heavyweight Konstanstin Gluhov will try to get back on winning track after his recent loss to Alexei Kudin that ended his four-fight winning streak, and there is no doubt that Konstantin will try to knock out his opponent like he always does: 19 of his 24 victories were either by KO or TKO. This entertaining slugfest will become the main event of M-1 Challenge on September 30.
K-1 Rising 2012 World Grand Prix Los Angeles – Fight Card Update
K-1 Rising World Grand Prix series has announced the fight card for fans across the United States. K-1 is bringing its world class fighting experience back to the American stage. “K-1 Rising” will head west to the City of Angels and hold its U.S. Grand Prix Championships at the LA Sports Arena on Saturday, September 8, 2012.
– Mighty Mo vs. Rick Roufus
– Seth Petruzelli vs. Xavier Vigney
– Dewey Cooper vs. Randy Blake
– Jarrell Miller vs. Jack May
– Chaz Mulkey vs. Kit Cope
– Michael Mananquil vs. Scotty Leffler
– Bryce Krause vs. Justin Greskiewicz
– Ben Yelle vs. Joey Pagliuso
– Lerdsilla Chumpairtour vs. Gabriel Varga
– Andy Howson vs. Romie Adanza
– Justin Buchholz vs. Zhipeng Zhou
– Markhaile Wedderburn vs. Jeremiah Metcalf
*The undercard will consist of 6 fighters selected from the K-1 Tryouts that were held in LA on July 19, 2012.
Eight Heavyweights Invade Hammond for Bellator 75 on October 5th
After hosting one of the most memorable nights of fights in Bellator history, the promotion is heading back to The Venue at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana on Friday, October 5. The night will feature the quarterfinals of the Season 7 Heavyweight Tournament, as well as a host of local talent.
“From the sold out crowd to the incredible fights, our first visit to Horseshoe Casino in Hammond was something I will never forget, so getting back to The Venue was something I wanted to get done immediately,” said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney. “Our heavyweights always bring a great show with huge power and big KO’s, so our fans in the Chicago area should be in for a great night of fights October 5.”
The night will be headlined by a long awaited rematch nearly a year in the making as Eric Prindle will finally meet former Bellator Heavyweight Tournament Finalist Thiago “Big Monster” Santos in opening round action. The two giants were scheduled to fight at Bellator 62, but weigh issues forced Santos out of the fight. With those problems in the past, Santos and Prindle are both ready for a slugfest at Bellator 75 on October 5.
After making a strong statement in his Bellator debut, Brett “Da Grim” Rogers is set for his first taste of tournament action when he takes on Bellator newcomer and top Russian heavyweight Ruslan Magomedov. While both fighters are armed with heavy hands, Rogers is ready for the challenge he will soon face.
“I love to fight, and after the win against Kevin [Aslpund], it gave me even more motivation to keep training hard and getting in there and do exactly what I know I can do, and give the fans a show,” said Rogers. I want all the fans to know Brett Rogers is back. I’m training the hardest I ever have at ATT in Coconut Creek, and just getting ready to show everyone what I can do.”
The preliminary fight card will be highlighted by Chicago’s own Chase Beebe, who returns to the Bellator cage after a close split decision loss over a year ago to now Bantamweight Tournament Finalist Marcos Galvao. Armed with a slick arsenal of submission skills that have earned Beebe 16 submission victories in his young career, the Chicago native is looking to put on show in front of friends and family at Bellator 75.
UFC 151: Jones vs. Henderson – Fight Card Update
Verbal agreements are in for welterweight wunder-wrestler Charlie “The Spaniard” Brenneman to welcome Aussie Kyle Noke to the weight division later this summer at UFC 151 in Las Vegas. Also announced, lightweight fighter Abel Trujillo will be riding a four-fight win streak as he enters the UFC to face Tim “The Dirty Bird” Means. Means most recently wowed fans with a 66-second knockout of Justin Salas at UFC on FX 3.
UFC 151: Jones vs. Henderson
September 1, 2012
Mandalay Bay Events Center
Las Vegas, Nevada
– Jon Jones (16-1) vs. Dan Henderson (29-8) – UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
– Jake Ellenberger (27-6) vs. Josh Koscheck (17-6)
– Dennis Siver (20-8) vs. Eddie Yagin (16-5-1)
– Takeya Mizugaki (15-7) vs. Jeff Hougland (10-5)
– Danny Castillo (14-4) vs. Michael Johnson (11-6)
– Dennis Hallman (51-14-2) vs. Thiago Tavares (17-4-1)
– John Lineker (19-6) vs. Yasuhiro Urushitani (19-5-6)
– Daron Cruickshank (11-2) vs. Henry Martinez (9-2)
– Kyle Noke (19-6-1) vs. Charlie Brenneman (15-4)
– Abel Trujillo (9-4) vs. Tim Means (18-3)
– Jacob Volkmann (14-3) vs. Shane Roller (11-6)
Alvarez versus Pitbull Slated for Bellator 76 in Windsor
Former Bellator Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez is set to return to the Bellator cage when he battles “The Brazilian Highlight Reel” Patricky Pitbull at the Colosseum at Caesars Windsor on Friday, October 12. The night will also feature the quarterfinals of the Season 7 Featherweight Tournament, as well as a host of International and Canadian talent looking to collect big wins inside the Bellator cage.
After holding the Bellator Lightweight Title for over two years, Alvarez was submitted by reigning Bellator Champion Michael Chandler is the consensus 2011 Fight of the Year. Alvarez quickly rebounded, as the Top 10 lightweight collected one of the most fulfilling wins of his career after earning a long awaited win over submission ace Shinya Aoki at Bellator 66. With momentum on his side, Alvarez is primed for an explosive showdown at Bellator 76.
Bellator 73 Features Curran versus Freire and Two Tournament Fights
Bellator’s Summer Series will come to close as the world’s top tournament-based MMA promotion features three championship fights in one night at Bellator 73: Curran vs. Pitbull on Friday, August 24 from Harrah’s Tunica Hotel and Casino in Tunica Resorts, Mississippi. In one of the most highly anticipated fights of the year, Bellator Featherweight World Champion Pat Curran makes his first title defense against the explosive Brazilian phenom, Patricio Pitbull, plus the Season 6 Bantamweight Tournament Championship will be on the line as submission aces Marcos Galvao and Luis Nogueira square off. The night will also feature the Summer Series Light Heavyweight Tournament Championship, as 68 win MMA veteran Travis Wiuff battles Attila Vegh and a stacked preliminary card with some of the best local talent in the area.
Heavyweight Ryan Martinez will make his Bellator debut on August 24 when he battles Mike Wessel in a Bellator Season 7 Heavyweight Tournament Qualifier fight. Martinez, The Infinite MMA product, joins Bellator with a dominating 7-1 record including an impressive victory over former two-time NCAA heavyweight champion Mark Ellis.
Headlining the preliminary card will be a battle of Tennessee natives who already have the area buzzing with their long awaited rematch. After a controversial decision victory in 2009 that earned Clarksville native Chris Coggins his first career win, Zach Underwood is ready for a rematch that can only be described as a lightweight grudge match. Both competitors will be looking for the finish, and both fight camps will have a ton of support in their respective corners.
Kickboxing sensation Cosmo Alexander will continue his MMA journey at Bellator 73 as the Muay Thai expert will battle Memphis native Harry Johnson in a lightweight affair. With only three professional MMA fights under his belt, Alexander is riding a two fight win streak and will look to continue his winning was from Harrah’s Tunica on August 24.
Welterweights collide as undefeated California product Joe “Mongo” Williams takes on Memphis native Andy Uhrich. With both fighters always looking for the knockout, Bellator fans should expect fireworks on August 24.
Capoeira sensation Marcus “Lelo” Aurelio will make his long awaited Bellator debut on August 24 when he takes on Amaechi Oselukwue in catchweight action. After beginning his professional career in 2005, “Lelo” has compiled an impressive 6-1 record, including five highlight-reel knockouts. Marcus, who is a practitioner of the Brazilian martial art Capoeira, is well known for using his unpredictable and violent art to confuse and devastate opponents that choose to step in the cage with him.
Light Heavyweights square off as Brian Albin battles the pride of Tennessee Jacob Noe, who brings an impressive 8-1 record into the contest. With a strong local following, Noe looks to have the fans on their feet.
The night rounds out with two fights sure to have the Tunica crowd buzzing as Memphis bantamweights Jay Black and Brian “The Law” Hall square off in a three round battle, while Maurice Jackson and Chris Miller lock horns in heavyweight action.
UFC on FX 5: Browne vs. Silva – Fight Card Update
In the wake of the UFC’s announcement of Browne vs. Bigfoot, a handful of fights have been verbally agreed to for the October 5 event. The headlining heavyweights won’t be the only big guys going to work as heavyweight sluggers Rob Broughton and Matt Mitrione will finally meet after their original bout, slated for UFC on FOX this weekend, was scrapped due to visa red tape. At welterweight, TUF 13’s Justin “Fast Eddy” Edwards and seasoned veteran Josh “The Dentist” Neer will meet in a submission specialist vs. TKO artist match-up.
UFC on FX 5: Browne vs. Silva
October 05, 2012
Target Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota
– Travis Browne (13-0-1) vs. Antonio Silva (16-4)
– Matt Mitrione (5-1) vs. Rob Broughton (15-7-1)
– Jussier da Silva (14-1) vs. John Dodson (13-5)
– Bart Palaszewski (36-15) vs. Diego Nunes (17-3)
– Josh Neer (33-11-1) vs. Justin Edwards (7-2)
– Carlo Prater (30-11-1) vs. Marcus LeVesseur (21-6)
– Mike Pierce (14-5) vs. Aaron Simpson (12-3)
– Louis Gaudinot (6-2) vs. Darren Uyenoyama (7-3)
One FC 5: Pride of a Nation – Fight Card Update
ONE Fighting Championship has announced that Filipino Mixed Martial Arts sensation Eduard “Landslide” Folayang will battle Japan’s Felipe Enomoto at ONE FC: Pride of a Nation. Three other local Filipino MMA heroes will also be representing the Philippines when ONE FC hosts the largest MMA event in Filipino history on 31 August at the historic SMART ARANETA Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines. Reigning URCC Flyweight Champion Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon is set to take on top Korean prospect Soo Chul Kim, while two more Filipino warriors, Honorio Banario and Andrew Benibe, have agreed to face each other in a battle for featherweight supremacy.
One FC 5: Pride of a Nation
August 31, 2012
Smart Araneta Coliseum
Quezon City, Philippines
– Eduard Folayang (11-2) vs. Felipe Enomoto (6-4)
– Bibiano Fernandes (11-3) vs. Gustavo Falciroli (12-3-2)
– Andrei Arlovski (17-9) vs. Tim Sylvia (31-7)
– Jens Pulver (26-16-1) vs. Eric Kelly (7-0)
– Shinya Aoki (30-6-1) vs. TBA
– Gregor Gracie (6-2) vs. Nicholas Mann (4-1)
– Rolles Gracie (6-1) vs. Tony Bonello (16-1-1)
– Igor Gracie (5-2) vs. Jung Hwan Cha (8-6-1)
– Phil Baroni (14-15) vs. Rodrigo Ribeiro (9-9)
– Mitch Chilson (3-1) vs. Shannon Wiratchai (2-0)
– Soo Chul Kim (5-4) vs. Kevin Belingon (9-1)
Sneak Peak for the Upcoming Documentary featuring Tyrone Spong
With his 26 years he is already a veteran kickboxer with over 100 fights and numerous titles. The documentary will feature his fight with K-1 Legend Peter Aerts and the past, present and future of Tyrone Spong.
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