Weekly Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing News – 08/09/2013
By PDG Staff
Andy Souwer and Henri Van Opstal Officially Enter the K-1 World MAX Final 16 in Spain
Following the landmark announcement of K-1 Global signing international superstar Buakaw Banchamek (formerly Por. Pramuk), K-1 Global would also like to announce that another former K-1 World MAX Champion will be returning to the K-1 World MAX tournament this year as well. Two-time K-1 World MAX Champion Andy Souwer is among the elite Final 16 which will compete on September 14th in Mallorca, Spain. Alongside of Souwer will be Team Souwer instructor Henri Van Opstal, a name that should be familiar to Kickboxing fans across the globe.
The addition of four-time finalist and two-time champion Andy Souwer helps to flesh out the already exciting tournament, as there are now officially two former K-1 World MAX Champions competing within the tournament. The 30 year old Souwer’s run as a top level Kickboxer began back in 2002 and has shown no signs of slowing down. Souwer was a semi-finalist in last year’s K-1 World MAX Tournament and has his sights set on winning for a record third time, but will have to contend with a motivate Buakaw Banchamek who is looking to do the same.
Henri Van Opstal has been competing at a high level for a number of years now, flying the Team Souwer banner as he also works as an instructor when he’s not fighting. Van Opstal is no stranger to fighting against top level competition, either, as he has squared off against his mentor Andy Souwer as well as Buakaw Banchamek in Japan before, as well as a host of other big names. Van Opstal will be looking to make a big impact at the K-1 World MAX Final 16 and as we’ve seen before, he has no problem going toe-to-toe with his mentor and good friend, Andy Souwer, either.
UFC Fight Night 27: Condit vs. Kampmann – Fight Card Update
According to several sources, UFC women’s bantamweight Sara McMann has had to withdrawal from UFC Fight Night 27 and the UFC is currently looking for a replacement. Headlining the card, former interim UFC welterweight champion Carlos Condit returns to the Octagon to face top contender Martin Kampmann on Wednesday, August 28 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. The two previously met in 2009, with Kampmann earning a razor-thin split decision. Now the two meet again to settle the score in the UFC’s first event in Indianapolis since UFC 119 in 2010.
UFC Fight Night 27: Condit vs. Kampmann 2
August 28, 2013
Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Indianapolis, Indiana
Main Bouts (Fox Sports 1):
Carlos Condit (28-7) vs. Martin Kampmann (20-6)
Donald Cerrone (20-5) vs. Rafael dos Anjos (19-6)
Kelvin Gastulem (6-0) vs. Brian Melancon (7-2)
Sarah Kaufmann (16-2) vs. TBA
Court McGee (14-3) vs. Robert Whittaker (11-2)
Brad Tavares (10-1) vs. Bubba McDaniel (21-6)
Preliminary Bouts (Fox Sports 2):
Takeya Mizugaki (17-7-2) vs. Erik Perez (13-4)
Dylan Andrews (17-5, 1NC) vs. Papy Abedi (9-2)
Justin Edwards (8-2) vs. Brandon Thatch (9-1)
Darren Elkins (16-3) vs. Hatsu Hioki (26-6-2)
Preliminary Bouts (UFC Facebook):
James Head (9-3) vs. Jason High (16-4)
Zak Cummings (15-3) vs. Ben Alloway (12-4)
Roger Bowling (11-4) vs. Abel Trujillo (10-5)
SUPERKOMBAT New Heroes Romania Announced
After Croatia, Brazil, Austria and the United Arab Emirates , SUPERKOMBAT New Heroes world series arrives in Romania on August 30, in Targoviste, a city known because of legendary Vlad Tepes “Dracula”, the former prince of Wallachia. The brothers Andrei Stoica and Bogdan Stoica , but also the Romanian star Ionut ”Pitbull” Atodiresei will be leading the way for the new generation.
“Since February till June, we have had no less than ten events, so we had two months of pause, but only for the purpose of preparing the autumn season. SUPERKOMBAT New Heroes Targoviste will open the way for the four World Grand Prix which are scheduled by the end of this year”, said Eduard Irimia, president of Superkombat.
Romania has always been a conducive place to discover sportsmen, who subsequently became main-stream stars, the most eloquent examples being Catalin Morosanu, Ionut Iftimoaie and Ionut Atodiresei, the last is going to fight in Targoviste too.
“Just as it happened at the edition in Wien when we have organised gala Azerbaijan vs. Europe, this time, it will be Romania vs. Europe. We will have six matches with sportsmen from the new generation , but also three other matches with SUPERKOMBAT stars, the Stoica brothers and Ionut Atodiresei”, added Mr. Irimia.
In addition to athletes outside Romania, who will be announced next week, the following have been confirmed: Amansio Paraschiv (Local Kombat champion -67 kg and two times WAKO amateur european champion), Cristian Milea (Local Kombat champion -71 kg), Danut Hurduc (Local Kombat champion – 91 kg), Claudiu Badoi (Superkombat challenger), Cristian Ristea, Ciprian Schiopu, Stefan Szomoru, Catalin Sacagiu, Flavius Boiciuc and Daniel Lazar. Targoviste is also known because it was the capital of Wallachia at the time of Vlad the Impaler, also known by his patronymic name Dracula. The weigh-in , before the SUPERKOMBAT New Heroes, will be held at ChindiaTower, the city symbol of Targoviste, built in the 15th century by Vlad the Impaler.
Tyrone “King of the Ring” Spong WSOF 4 Promo
GLORY Signs Hesdy Gerges, Ben Edwards and JZ Cavalcante
GLORY has announced the addition of three elite fighters to its roster of world-class talent. Hesdy Gerges and Ben Edwards will join the heavyweight division while Gesias ‘JZ’ Cavalcante will enter the lightweight ranks. Hesdy Gerges (42-12-1, 19 KO’s) is the former heavyweight champion of Its Showtime, formerly Europe’s top kickboxing organization before being absorbed by GLORY in 2012. The 29-year-old came up via Amsterdam’s Chakuriki Gym, formerly the home of Peter Aerts, and now fights out of the Vos Gym, where he is coached by Remy Bonjasky’s trainer Ivan Hippolyte. Gerges holds wins over Daniel Ghita, Badr Hari and Ruslan Karaev.
Ben ‘The Guvner’ Edwards, (36-8-2, 32 KO’s), fights out of the Bulldog Gym in Canberra, Australia. A former professional rugby player, he took up kickboxing ten years ago and has won two ISKA titles. He also has a 3-0-1 professional boxing record. A big hitter, Edwards, 28, holds KO wins over the likes of Mighty Mo, Raul Catinas and fellow GLORY heavyweight Daniel Sam. In 2010 he stopped three opponents in a combined 3:28, breaking Jerome Le Banner’s long-held record of 4:04.
‘JZ’ Cavalcante, 30, is a training partner of Tyrone Spong, Alistair Overeem and others at The Blackzilians team in Florida, USA. He is well known in the MMA world for his fights in the Strikeforce and DREAM organizations. Cavalcante has had one professional kickboxing match, losing a decision to top-ranked Japanese fighter Masato in a 2007 fight in Tokyo. His 17-7-1 record in Mixed Martial Arts includes victories over Nam Phan, Bart Palazewski and TJ O’Brien.
Gerges enters the rankings at #13 while Edwards slots in one below him at #14. Cavalcante is not yet ranked. GLORY debut dates and opponents for all three combatants will be announced in the near future. GLORY’s next event takes place Saturday, September 28 at the Citizens Bank Arena in Los Angeles, California. The stacked GLORY 10 card includes a one-night, four-man middleweight tournament and a heavyweight superfight between Jerome Le Banner and Sergey Kharitonov.
Cosmo Alexandre vs. Nampon Announced for Lion Fight 11 Main Event
Lion Fight Promotions and the D Las Vegas today announced that international Muay Thai superstar and Blackzilian Cosmo Alexandre vs. WMC Champion and Rajadamnern Stadium Champion Nampon will headline “LION FIGHT 11,” the first ever live nationally televised sports event at the Fremont Street Experience. LION FIGHT 11 full rules Muay Thai will take place at the Third Street Stage in downtown Las Vegas Friday, September 20 and will be broadcast live on AXS TV.
“Lion Fight 11 is bringing together two international champions and two of the biggest stars in Muay Thai with the main event Cosmo Alexandre vs. Nampon,” said Scott Kent, owner and chief executive officer of Lion Fight Promotions. “We are thrilled to deliver this world class matchup as Lion Fight 11’s main event, especially as the D Las Vegas, AXS TV and Lion Fight make history in presenting the first ever live nationally televised sports event at the Freemont Street Experience.”
In Lion Fight 11’s co-main event, American Muay Thai star Kevin Ross will square off against former WBC Muay Thai Japan Champion Tetsuya Yamato. Lion Fight will hold events free and open to the public the week leading up to LION FIGHT 11 including fighter autograph signings, a public press conference and weigh-in event. Details, fighters and more bouts for LION FIGHT 11 will be announced in coming weeks.
M-1 Challenge 41 Announced
Two M-1 Heavyweight GP semifinals and featherweight title fight will be the headliners of M-1 Challenge 41 that will take place on August 21 in St-Petersburg, Russia. The first semifinal will be the battle between two Baltic heavyweights, Latvian Konstantin Glukhov and Estonian Denis Smoldarev. Young giant from Narva won in the first round against Ibragim Ibragimov, while Latvian kickboxer won by split decision in a highly entertaining and very close match against current M-1 heavyweight champion Kenny Garner. French prospect Chaban Ka will take on a Polish fellow heavyweight and reserve match winner Marcin Tybura. Tybura took semifinal spot when it was announced that Magomed Malikov will not be able to compete in Grand Prix semifinal.
M-1 featherweight champion and one of the best European grapplers Marat Gafurov will try to defend his title for the first time against M-1 well-known veteran and M-1 Challenge team world champion Yuri Ivlev, who makes his debut in the new weight class. Russian and French lightweights Islam Makhachev and Mansour Barnaoui were the heroes of M-1 Challenge 38, when their fantastic fight was declared the fight of the night. Now they make comeback to M-1 ring, Mansour will try to get back on winning track against seasoned veteran Zulfikar Usmanov. The name of Makhachev’s opponent wil be announced soon.
FOX Sports 1: Live August 17
Bisping vs. Munoz headline UFC on FOX Sports 2 in England
On Oct. 26, top 10 middleweights Munoz and Bisping will meet at a UFC Fight Night event held at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. The fight will air on FOX Sports 2 (the channel soon-to-be renamed from FUEL), and the winner will suddenly thrust himself right back into limelight as a potential title challenger to the winner of December’s Silva vs. Chris Weidman rematch.
UFC Fight Night 30: Bisping vs. Munoz
October 26, 2013
Manchester Arena
Manchester, England
Michael Bisping (24-5) vs. Mark Munoz (13-3)
Ross Pearson (15-6) vs. Melvin Guillard (31-12-2)
Paul Taylor (11-6-1) vs. Anthony Njokuani (16-7)
Phil Harris (22-10) vs. John Lineker (22-6)
GLORY 10 Los Angeles – Fight Card Update
A heavyweight superfight between Jahfarr Wilnis and Brice ‘Nectar’ Guidon was confirmed for the GLORY 10 card taking place in Los Angeles, California on Saturday September 28. The fight pits hard-hitting knockout artist Wilnis (17-3-1, 4 KO’s), a Dutchman of Surinamese descent, against French technician Guidon (28-9-0, 13 KO’s). With Wilnis ranked at #17 in the official heavyweight rankings and Guidon at #12, the fight is crucial for the top-ten ambitions of both men.
Glory 10 Los Angeles
September 28, 2013
Citizens Bank Arena
Los Angeles, California
Jerome Le Banner (88-20-2, 68 KOs) vs. Sergio Khartinov (3-3-0, 3 KOs)
Artem Levin (69-5-1, 31 KOs) vs. Jason Wilnis (19-2-1, 4 KOs)
Stephen Wakeling (37-4-1, 15 KOs) vs. Joe Schilling (13-5, 10 KOs)
Robin van Roosmalen (29-5-0, 19 KOs) vs. Shemsi Beqiri (72-8-0, 31 KOs)
Randy Blake (31-2, 13 KO’s) vs. Brian Collette (20-1, 16 KOs)
Andy Ristie (38-3-1, 19 KO’s) vs. Sanny Dahlbeck (25-5, 15 KO’s)
Murthel Groenhart (53-15-3, 28 KO’s) vs. Davit Kiria (20-8, 10 KO’s)
Jordan Watson (42-5-2, 28 KO’s) vs. Albert Kraus (75-16-3, 45 KO’s)
Brice Guidon (28-9, 13 KO’s) vs. Jahfarr Wilnis (17-3-1, 4 KO’s)
UFC 165: Jones vs. Gustafsson – Fight Card Update
UFC officials have announced that Roland Delorme will face Alex Caceres at UFC 165 in Toronto. In the main event, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones returns to Air Canada Centre in Toronto on Saturday, September 21 to defend his title against Swedish contender Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson.
UFC 165: Jones vs. Gustafsson
September 21, 2013
Air Canada Centre
Toronto, Canada
Jon Jones (18-1) vs. Alexander Gustafsson (15-1) – UFC light heavyweight title bout
Renan Barão (30-1) vs. Eddie Wineland (20-8-1) – UFC interim bantamweight title bout
Brendan Schaub (9-3) vs. Matt Mitrione (6-2)
Pat Healy (29-16) vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov (20-0)
Costa Philippou (12-2-1) vs. Francis Carmont (21-7)
Mike Ricci (8-3) vs. Myles Jury (12-0)
Ivan Menjivar (25-10) vs. Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto (18-6)
Chris Clements (11-4) vs. Stephen Thompson (7-1)
Mitch Gagnon (9-2) vs. Dustin Kimura (10-0)
John Makdessi (11-2) vs. Renee Forte (8-2)
Mark Bocek (11-5) vs. Michel Prazeres (16-1)
Nandor Guelmino (11-4-1) vs. Daniel Omielanczuk (15-3-1)
Roland Delorme (9-1) vs. Alex Caceres (8-5)
Bellator MMA Inks Wolfslair’s Sterritt, Graham, Vassell
On the heels MMA icon and Wolfslair alum Quinton “Rampage” Jackson joining Bellator, the promotion announced today the signing of Gavin Sterritt, Peter Graham, and Linton “The Swarm” Vassell from the preferred UK agents Wolfslair team (www.wolfsagency.com). All three Wolfslair products will compete for Bellator during the promotions ninth season live on Spike and Spike.com.
“Wolfslair’s produced some of the best talent in MMA over the last 10 years, and as Bellator continues expanding internationally and particularly with our huge new TV partnership with Viva in the UK, Wolfslair will be a tremendous asset and partner for our brand in the future,” Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney said.
Sterritt will look to make is mark in Bellator’s Welterweight division and carries an impressive 6-1 record. The submission ace is the current holder of the UCC British Welterweight Championship and the ISKA British Welterweight Championship. Sterrit will make his Bellator debut on September 13th from Southern California’s Pechanga Resort and Casino when he faces the undefeated Andy Murad.
Graham joins Bellator with an eight-fight win streak in hand, all coming by knockout. Graham is a two-time NSW Heavyweight Champion in Australia, was named the ISKA Kickboxing Heavyweight Champion and the Draka Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion, along with a long career fighting for K-1 during his illustrious kickboxing career. Known for a strong wrestling background, UK Light Heavyweight Champion Linton “The Swarm” Vassell has a professional record of 11-3-1. Vassell was a late starter, only beginning to train MMA at 23. Now a seven-year veteran to the sport, Vassell will step into the Bellator cage and make his US debut November 8th from Winstar World Casino in Thackerville, Okla.
From the PunchDrunkGamer Forums:
* Overeem Breaks Silence on ‘UFC Tonight’ on Fuel TV
* K-1 and Buakaw Banchamek Secure Long Term Deal
* Font, Foster Waging Historic Battle at CES MMA: Gold Rush
* The Ultimate Fighter 19 Tryouts Details Announced
* K-1 Signs Maximo Suarez and Elam Ngor to Long Term Contracts
Bonus Video: Jay Matias vs Arwood Phetchompu at Muay Thai Combat Mania Pattaya 2012
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