Weekly Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing News – 11/9/2012
By PDG Staff
GLORY Combines DREAM 18 and Heavyweight Grand Slam into Historic New Year’s Eve Event in Tokyo
Following Glory Sports International’s (GSI) recent announcement that it would be producing the annual DREAM MMA event at Saitama Super Arena on New Year’s Eve, the company has announced today that it will merge its GLORY 4 Tokyo Heavyweight Grand Slam championship kickboxing event with DREAM 18 to create one mega-night of world-class professional martial arts fighting on Dec 31, 2012.
The GLORY 4 Tokyo Heavyweight Grand Slam event was originally scheduled to take place on Dec 2 at Makuhari Messe. After a thorough exploration process, however, GSI concluded that it would be possible to combine the two shows, creating the largest possible impact for re-launching the Japanese martial arts fight scene with an event of unprecedented magnitude.
“As a company, we want to create the most spectacular martial arts show Japan has ever seen. After taking over DREAM 18, it just made natural sense to look at the opportunity to revive the traditional New Year’s Eve date and create a mega-show,” Pierre Andurand, Chairman of GSI, commented.
“We looked at the pros and cons and it was clear that a combined show is the way to go. We are extremely proud and excited to deliver this mega-show to the Japanese fans and to the world at large.”
Marcus Luer, Managing Director of GSI, remarked, “We are confident that the fans will see our intentions to create the best possible show ever and, once they see the details of the New Year’s Eve show, they will be blown away by the caliber of fighters and fights we have lined up that night.
“We apologize for any inconvenience caused to the fans who have bought tickets for Dec 2, but we are certain they will be happy with what we will create on Dec 31. We will provide fans who have bought tickets for GLORY 4 Tokyo with a full refund, which can be easily obtained at the outlets where they bought the tickets. At the same time, those same outlets will also sell the new tickets for the Dec 31 show.”
The event, ‘GSI presents DREAM 18 and GLORY 4 Tokyo – New Year’s Eve Special’, will commence at 4 p.m. Tokyo time on Dec. 31 and roll through to a midnight grand finale. DREAM 18 will see an amazing line up of top Japanese and international MMA superstars. Further details of the cards will be released next week.
GLORY 4 Tokyo will feature the best heavyweight kickboxers in the world battling it out in a16-man, single-elimination tournament. The winner of the one-night tournament will be crowned the GLORY Heavyweight Grand Slam Champion and receive a grand prize of US $400,000 – the biggest prize in the sport.
Among the superstar fighters that have accepted a place in the invitation-only line-up are Semmy Schilt, Daniel Ghita, Remy Bonjasky, Gokhan Saki, Peter Aerts and Errol Zimmerman. Sixteen world class fighters will enter, but only one can emerge victorious in what is the toughest tournament the fighting world has ever seen.
Broadcast details of the event at Saitama Super Arena will be announced shortly.
Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate Sign with the UFC “supposedly”
According to multiple reports across the internet media led by TMZ.com, Ronda Rousey has signed a contract with the UFC and will make her move to the organization in 2013. Several possible opponents have been leaked including Sara McMann, Cris Cyborg and Miesha Tate, who is also rumored to have already signed with the UFC.
Although, there has been no confirmation from the UFC, Strikeforce or Rousey.
UCMMA 31 – A Christmas Cracker
Dave O’Donnell is not Santa Claus, but without a doubt, he has brought Christmas early. On December 1st at the Troxy, we will be unwrapping title fights like never before.
Neil Grove is back, a UFC, Bellator, Super Fight League and a Cage Rage veteran, he has returned to get his belt back from current UCMMA heavyweight champion, Darren Towler. Stepping up after his amazing win against Dayman Lake at UCMMA 30, Towler is hungry for victory and a struggle for power is inevitable like a steam roller to a concrete wall. Then, out of the Christmas fog, emerges the middleweight title showdown with Lloyd Clarkson taking on Ben Callum. This is going be a real banger of a fight as both of these guys are huge for their weight; both fighters are incredibly explosive and athletic. It may be impossible to tell who will win, but this is a match that promises to be a one of a kind spectacle of greatness.
The next amazing present gifted to us is a vacant bantamweight title fight. A UCMMA favorite is on show again as Cory Tait takes on the unbeaten Jody Collins. The unstoppable force meets the immovable object and a new champion will emerge from this war for the UCMMA bantamweight belt.
Beyond the title fights, the greatest fighters return to show the world what they’ve got. Nick Chapman returns with fire in his eyes as he stars down the barrel at Aurelijus Kerpe. And the great Paul ‘Tellies’ Kelly, a UFC veteran, prepares to do battle against Richard ‘K1 King’ Griffin in a Lightweight showdown. Griffin in his last outing defeated TUF star, Ross Pointon at UCMMA: Punta Cana at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
When your planning this year’s Christmas, remember to deck the halls with reminders to see this amazing event that is scheduled to be the greatest UKMMA show to date. So back a champ, strap yourself in and get ready for the ride for your life.
Nogueira and Werdum to coach TUF Brasil 2
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has announced that UFC heavyweights “Minotauro” Nogueira and Fabricio Werdum will serve as coaches for the second Brazilian edition of the UFC’s reality TV show, The Ultimate Fighter.
The Ultimate Fighter Brasil 2 returns to Rede Globo in 2013 after a successful first season, which featured coaches Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort and crowned middleweight Cezar Mutante and featherweight Rony Jason as season winners.
This season, Minotauro and Werdum will each lead a team of welterweights (170lbs) who will compete for a lucrative contract with the organization. At the end of the show, the coaches will face off in a rematch in the making since 2006, when Minotauro defeated Werdum via unanimous decision at an open-weight PRIDE Grand Prix battle.
Strikeforce Oklahoma City Announced – The Final Strikeforce Event
Strikeforce heads to the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Saturday, Jan. 12 with three championship fights, plus the return of Oklahoma State University star Daniel Cormier, all televised live on SHOWTIME. With a collection of some of the best fighters in the world today, Strikeforce has put together a memorable and historic card for the fans in the Sooner State.
The action-packed night includes the following bouts:
Gilbert “El Niño” Melendez (champion) vs. Pat Healy for the Strikeforce lightweight title
Luke Rockhold (champion) vs. Lorenz Larkin for the Strikeforce middleweight title
Nate Marquardt (champion) vs. Tarec Saffiedine for the Strikeforce welterweight title
Daniel Cormier (Grand Prix champion) vs. Dion Staring
Ryan Couture vs. K.J. Noons
“We’ve built an absolutely stacked card for Oklahoma City and the SHOWTIME viewers,” Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said. “We have three awesome title fights featuring some of the best fighters to ever grace the Strikeforce cage. Plus, we have Daniel Cormier, one of the fastest-rising heavyweight stars today, returning to his roots in Oklahoma to fight Dion Staring. January 12 is going to be a really special night.”
“The biggest stars in Strikeforce are putting their titles on the line in competitive fights,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports, “and that is precisely what fans of Strikeforce on SHOWTIME have come to expect. We are excited to be part of the event.”
Brittney Palmer in Sexy Behind the Scenes Video for FHM
Spike TV Presents “Bellator: Vote For The Fight”
Bellator and Spike TV are giving fans a chance to select the first fight to air on Spike Network inside the Bellator cage as the promotion prepares to move to Spike TV in January.
Fans can log onto Spike.com to the “Bellator: Vote For The Fight” section, where they will be able to select the two fighters they want to see square off in the first ever Bellator bout on Spike TV. MMA enthusiasts will be able to choose between four of the most exciting MMA fighters at 170lbs in the world, including Paul Daley, Ben Saunders, Douglas Lima, and the infamous War Machine.
In an effort to promote “Bellator: Vote For the Fight,” Spike.com will premiere a webseries showcasing the welterweight competitors on Thursday, November 8. Spike.com will debut a new webisode each Thursday evening and each installment will include behind-the-scenes profiles of the four fighters featuring their training, personal life, and the prep work it takes to mentally and physically prepare for the fight.
“As we prepare for our long awaited debut on Spike TV this January, we’ve assembled four of the most exciting welterweights on the planet, and we’re letting our fans vote on who they want to see kick off the first ever Bellator fight on Spike TV,” said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney.
*Click here to voteforthefight.spike.com*
UFC on FOX 6: Johnson vs. Dodson – Fight Card Update
The first UFC on FOX card of 2013, announced yesterday for January 26 at Chicago’s United Center, will feature a fast-paced title fight as its main event. Demetrious Johnson, who was crowned the UFC’s first-ever flyweight champion at September’s UFC 152 event, will put his belt on the line against TUF 14 winner John Dodson. Dodson won The Ultimate Fighter at bantamweight, dropped to 125 pounds once the flyweight division was added to the UFC and has won both of his bouts at the weight class. Also at that event, WEC standouts and lightweight contenders Donald Cerrone and Anthony Pettis will finally meet in a bout that both fighters and their fans have been agitating for in recent months.
UFC on FOX 6: Johnson vs. Dodson
January 26, 2013
United Center
Chicago, Illinois
Demetrious Johnson (16-2-1) vs. John Dodson (14-5) – UFC flyweight championship
Anthony Pettis (15-2) vs. Donald Cerrone (19-4)
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (32-10) vs. Glover Teixeira (19-2)
TJ Grant (19-5) vs. Matt Wiman (15-6)
Erik Koch (13-1) vs. Ricardo Lamas (12-2)
Clay Guida (29-13) vs. Hatsu Hioki (26-5-2)
Shawn Jordan (13-4) vs. Mike Russow (15-2)
Muay Thai Combat Mania 2012 Pattaya
Following the success of “Muay Thai Combat Mania 2012 Riccione” that was been held in Italy on July 2012, we are glad to announce the next Muay Thai Combat Mania event in Pattaya on December the 30th at Pattaya World Boxing Stadium.
The main event will feature the Fight of the Year 2012 between the top ranked fighters Yodsanklai Fairtex and Kem Sitsongpeenong. Yodsanklai is the winner of the best World Championship titles at 72kg including WMC, King’s Cup and many others. He comes with an impressive record of 252 fights with 177 wins.
Kem Sitsongpeenong is considered the best Muay Thai fighter in Thailand at 70kg with 138 fights (115 wins). He won the Toyota Vigo Tournament on 2012, the WBC World Title 2012, the Thai Fight Tournament on 2011 and many other world titles during his career.
Kem and Yod are the top fighters in Thailand for the categories -70 and -72kg. They both decided to fight at the weight of 71kg in 5 rounds x3minutes. The weigh in will be done the same day of the fight, in the morning.
The event will be broadcasted on live streaming at http://www.yokkao.com and http://www.muaythaicombat.com
UFC and FOX Announce 2013 Schedule and More 2013 Events
The Ultimate Fighting Championship and FOX Sports gear up for an exciting new year of UFC coverage by unveiling the 2013 UFC on FOX broadcast schedule featuring four live events on FOX. Next year, UFC on FOX kicks off on Saturday, Jan. 26 at the United Center in Chicago, with additional events planned on April 20, July 27 and Dec. 14.
Other highlights from the 2013 FX, FUEL TV and Pay-Per-View schedule include UFC: Jones vs. Sonnen, which will be held at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. on Saturday, April 27. Charismatic star Chael Sonnen will get a shot at UFC champion Jon Jones’ light heavyweight title on April 27 after the two serve as coaches opposite each other on Season 17 of The Ultimate Fighter, which will debut in January 2013 on FX.
“2013 is shaping up to be a huge year for the UFC and we can’t wait to bring more great fights to FOX!” said UFC President Dana White. “We’re going to continue to take the UFC all over the world putting on the biggest and best fights. FOX is an amazing broadcast partner and we’re going to do some big things next year.”
UFC 2013 Schedule Highlights:
Saturday, Jan. 19, Brazil, UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Bisping
Saturday, Jan. 26, United Center, Chicago, Ill., UFC on FOX 6
Saturday, Feb. 2, Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nev., UFC 156: Aldo vs. Edgar
Saturday, Feb. 16, International Event, UFC on FUEL TV
Saturday, April 20, City to be announced, UFC on FOX 7
Saturday, April 27, Prudential Center, Newark, N.J., UFC: Jones vs. Sonnen
Saturday, July 27, City to be announced, UFC on FOX 8
Saturday, Dec. 14, City to be announced, UFC on FOX 9
* Please note this is not the full 2013 schedule. Additional FX, FUEL TV and Pay-Per-View events and on-sale dates will be announced at a later time.
Saenchai MuaythaiGym vs. Diesellek Aoodonmuang at Yokkao Extreme 2013
Earlier this week it was announced that Saenchai MuayThaiGym will fight versus Diesellek Aoodonmuang at Yokkao Extreme 2013! The fight was already scheduled as the main event at a well known Thai stadium, but it has been moved to Italy only for Yokkao Extreme 2013! The fight will take place on January 26th and is rumored that the entire event will be available in HD with multiple camera angles.
Round 5 Releases Hall of Fame Edition Figures of Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, and Royce Gracie
Round 5 President Damon Lau has announced the release of three new Hall of Fame Edition figures as part of the Ultimate Collector Series 11 lineup.
The Hall of Fame release includes former UFC light heavyweight champion and the UFC’s first mainstream cross-over star, Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell, five-time champion, Randy “The Natural” Couture, and the first ever UFC tournament champion and the man who put MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on the map, Royce Gracie.
All three Hall of Fame figures are individually numbered, with a limited run of 500 units per character. As a bonus for collectors, the Hall of Fame figures are constructed out of a clear plastic, something completely new for Round 5.
“When I first become a fan of MMA, Chuck, Randy, and Royce were up and coming stars and larger than life characters,” says Lau. “I wanted to create a release for these guys that puts them up on a pedestal, exactly where they should be. I think we nailed it.”
Each Hall of Fame Edition figure in Ultimate Collector Series 11 arrives on shelves in collectible and protective UFC-themed packaging that includes a short bio detailing the individual fighter, as well as the date of their Hall of Fame Induction.
The Hall of Fame Edition figures will be available only at specialty boutiques and select online retailers around the world. For more information go to round5.com.
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