Weekly Mixed Martial Arts & K-1 News Recap – 09/16/2011
By PDG Staff
Fedor vs. Monson Set to Meet This Fall
Mixed martial arts heavyweight legends Fedor ‘The Last Emperor’ Emelianenko (31-4, 1 NC) and Jeff ‘The Snowman’ Monson (42-12) will meet as the headline bout at M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Monson. The event will take place Sunday November 20th from the Olympic Arena in Moscow, Russia with details on broadcast availability announced soon.
“Fedor has been very vocal about wanting to continue his fighting career,” said Evgeni Kogan, Director of Operations for Europe’s leading MMA promotion M-1 GLOBAL. “Fedor vs. Monson is a classic fight that had been in crosshairs for year. All parties have come together to make this fight a reality.”
Regarded as one of MMA’s greatest heavyweight fighters of all time, Emelianenko has been challenged as late, losing his last three bouts after going undefeated for nearly a decade. The losses came at the hands of Fabricio Werdum, Antonio Silva and Dan Henderson. Hungry to compete, ‘The Last Emperor’ still has the drive to battle top competitors. “I cannot wait to compete again. Monson is a great athlete who is skilled in many areas. He is a very worthy opponent,” said Fedor.
Coming of a loss to Daniel Cormier, the 40-year-old Monson is a two-time Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships gold medalist and considered extremely dangerous on the ground with more than half of his 42 career wins coming by way of submission.
Even though Emelianenko is coming off three straight losses, Monson holds Fedor in high regard; “Fedor is the best heavyweight of all time… It’s an honor to be fighting him.” Asked about what a win would mean, Monson didn’t mince words; “A win would be a highlight to my career. My trainers at American Top Team will prepare me for all possibilities. I’ll be prepared.”
K-1 World Grand Prix FINAL 16 in Nanjing, China
K-1 has announced that “K-1 WORLD GP 2011 IN NANJING FINAL16” will be held in Nanjing, China on October 29th.
In the streaming conference, K-1’s EP Sadaharu Tanikawa announced that “K-1 WORLD GP 2011 IN NANJING FINAL16” will be held on October 29th in Nanjing, China. “WGP 2011 FINAL 8” is also planned to be held in China or other Asian area.
EP Tanikawa also confirmed that this is a joint event between FEG and one of the best ranked Chinese broadcasting company “JSBC / Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation ” . The venue of this event is “Nanjing Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium” which contains 13,000 people.
A message from It’s Showtime representative Simon Ruts was read in the program, then Mr.Rutz’s cooperation for this event and “The Golden Boy” Badr Hari’s comeback has become clear. Also fighters like Tyrone Spong, Daniel Ghita, Hesdy Gerges, Ruslan Karaev, Melvin Manhoef, Ben Edwards, Sergii Lashchenko and so on are expected to compete in this event in Nanjing.
Here is the Message from Simon Rutz:
Dear,
Hereby I declare that I will have the following fighters available for the “K-1 WORLD GP 2011 IN NANJING FINAL 16” on October 29.
Badr Hari, Tyrone Spong, Daniel Ghita, Hesdy Gerges, Ruslan Karaev, Melvin Manhoef, Ben Edwards, Sergii Lashchenko, Rico Verhoeven, Anderson ‘Braddock’ Silva, Paul Slowinski, Dzevad Poturak, Mourad Bouzidi, Rustemi Kreshnik.
All of those fighters are already preparing and ready to fight on October 29. I would also like to emphasize that my company fully supports the plans to get K-1 back to the top. Considering the fact that my company has most of the leading fighters under contract, and that they are all available to FEG, I look forward to a relaunch of FEG with great confidence.
I send you my regards,
Simon Rutz European Fighting Network (IT’S SHOWTIME)
Strikeforce “Barnett vs. Kharitonov” Medicals & Salaries
Fighter Salaries:
Josh Barnett: $150,000 (no win bonus) def. Sergei Kharitonov: $100,000
Daniel Cormier: $100,000 (includes $50,000 win bonus) def. Antonio Silva: $100,000
Luke Rockhold: $50,000 (includes $25,000 win bonus) def. Ronaldo Souza: $70,000
Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal: $85,000 (no win bonus) def. Roger Gracie: $80,000
Pat Healy: $17,500 (includes $5,000 win bonus) def. Maximo Blanco: $13,000
Mike Kyle: $44,000 (includes $22,000 win bonus) def. Marcos Rogerio de Lima: $5,000
Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante: $60,000 (includes $30,000 win bonus) def. Yoel Romero: $10,000
Jordan Mein: $16,000 (includes $8,000 win bonus) def. Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos: $20,000
Alexis Davis: $6,000 (includes $3,000 win bonus) def. Amanda Nunes: $7,500
Dominique Steele: $5,000 (includes $3,000 win bonus) def. Chris Mierzwiak: $3,000
Total Disclosed Fighter Payroll: $942,000.00
Medical Suspensions:
Antonio Silva suspended 60 days following a knockout
Roger Gracie suspended 60 days following a knockout
Yoel Romero suspended 60 days following a knockout
Evanglista ‘Cyborg’ Santos suspended 30 days following a TKO
Amanda Nunes suspended 30 days following a TKO
Bobby Lashley signs with Shark Fights
According to FoxSports, former WWE wrestler and Strikeforce Heavyweight Bobby Lashley has signed a three-fight deal with Shark Fights.
“It’s going to give me the opportunity to get some more fights under my belt, I am looking to put my past behind me and show people that I am here to fight.” – Bobby Lashley
Fight For Japan “K-1 World Max 2011 -70kg Japan Tournament Final” Card Finalized
Sunday, September 25th, 2011
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, JAPAN
70kg Japan Tournament FINAL Quarterfinal (1): K-1 Rules:
Albert Kraus vs. Yuji Nashiro
70kg Japan Tournament FINAL Quarterfinal (2): K-1 Rules:
Hiroki Nakajima vs. Takafumi Morita
70kg Japan Tournament FINAL Quarterfinal (3): K-1 Rules:
Yuya Yamamoto vs. Shintaro Matsukura
70kg Japan Tournament FINAL Quarterfinal (4): K-1 Rules:
Yasuhiro Kido vs. Kenta
70kg Japan Tournament FINAL Reserve Fight: K-1 Rules:
Go Yokoyama vs. YOSHI
Super Fight: K-1 Rules/-63kg:
Kizaemon Saiga vs. Valdrin Vatnikaj
Super Fight: K-1 Rules/-78kg:
Yuichiro “Jienotsu” Nagashima vs. Kenmun
Super Fight: K-1 Rules/-63kg:
Yuta Kubo vs. Andre Bruhl
M-1 Challenge: Guram vs. Garner II Announced
M-1 GLOBAL has announced today upcoming mixed martial arts event titled M-1 Challenge: Guram vs. Garner II featuring the rematch between current M-1 Global Heavyweight Champion Guram Gugenishvili (11-0) and 2010 M-1 Selection Americas Tournament heavyweight winner Kenny ‘Deuce’ Garner (7-3). The bouts from the new 5,550 seat Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix, Arizona will air LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, October 14 at 11 p.m. ET/PT.
In co-main event action, Light Heavyweight Champion and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu specialist Vinny Magalhaes (8-5) will make his first title defense against versatile Russian fighter Mikhail Zayats (14-5).
“Our Champions are hungry to defend their titles and this is shaping up to be our strongest, most exciting card of the year.” said Vadim Finkelschtein, co-founder of M-1 GLOBAL. “This marks our third event with SHOWTIME; there’s no better TV network for M-1 than SHOWTIME and no better market to seriously compete in than the U.S.”
“Garner has been extremely vocal about wanting a rematch with Guram and he’s put the work in to get this opportunity,” said Evgeni Kogan, M-1 Global’s Director of operations. “This is a great title fight between two fierce opponents.”
Ranked as the sport’s #1 Heavyweight prospect by Bloody Elbow, Gugenishvili has left a long list of opponents in his wake of destruction since coming on the scene in July, 2009. The winner of the inaugural 2010 M-1 Selection Eastern European tournament and Europe’s leading MMA promotion’s reigning heavyweight champion, Guram’s most notable characteristic is his agility; at 6’4” and 250lbs, he moves around the ring lightly, maintaining precise offensive ring positioning.
Gugenishvili was sidelined from his July title defense after suffering a wrist injury during a training session; now recovered and ready for action, Guram is more than accepting of Garner’s challenge, “Garner knows where to find me if he wants my belt; I will defend it.”
Kenny ‘Deuce’ Garner’s first run-in with Guram was in October 2010 and it ended unpleasantly, being choked unconscious via standing guillotine in the second round. Since then Garner has won back-to-back bouts via knockout.
Garner is best known for his relentless self-marketing which he backs up with one-punch power as evidenced by his five knockout wins. Hidden behind the heavy leather is also a potent submission arsenal and solid wrestling base which makes this rematch a potentially explosive outing for both men.
“I always said I’d get another chance to claim MY belt!” said Garner. “I made a mistake in my last fight with Guram and I know it. It cost me my title. This time out – no mistakes! This is my opportunity to chase down my belt! I’ve been training hard and I’m not losing to Guram; he’s not making it out of the first round.”
Vitor Belfort vs. Cung Le – UFC 139
This fight was first announced by Belfort and later confirmed by the UFC:
“After Belfort’s last explosive win in UFC 133 against Yoshihiro Akiyama, UFC is quickly putting him back in the ring and this time against martial arts master Cung Le for UFC 139 on November 19th in San Jose, California.
His next step back to the top goes by the name of Cung Lewith an undefeated kick boxing record and only suffering only one loss in MMA which he avenged with extreme force.
This champion Sanshou kick boxer is entering UFC for the first time after a reign in Strikeforce. He took some time after his win against Frank Shamrock to become the second Strikeforce Middleweight Champion before vacating the title to further pursue an acting career.
Cung Le fights for UFC a desire that has been expressed greatly. “I know for a fact that if I do fight again, it’s going to be in the UFC. I’ve never fought in the UFC, but I would love to fight in the UFC. But right now because of my contract with Showtime and Strikeforce, hopefully things can work out because there is a show in San Jose that Cain Velasquez is the main event. I would love to fight in San Jose for the UFC….” said Le.
With Ray Sefo on Vitor’s side we aim to see him pick up some new tricks. Prepare to see the same dedication he takes to creating his fists the fastest in MMA to his powerful trunks. This is going to be a battle!”
Chris Camozzi Returns to the Octagon at UFC 137
Here is what Camozzi had to say this week on his website:
“Everything happens for a reason they say. I am not sure what reason (s) I had given but my life was going from bad to worse all week. Until I got a call from my manager saying the UFC had made me an offer.
For a young up and coming fighter there really is only one place that you are trying to reach and the UFC is that place.
I have been fighting for Shark Fights since my release from the UFC. I have been focusing on making sure I will make the most of the opportunity the next time I get it. I can’t thank the team at Shark Fights enough for giving me a home and treating my sponsors and I so good. I know this opportunity has a lot to do with them allowing me to fight for them.
This is my third chance at the big stage. Dana invited me back for the Finale because I got sent home with a broken jaw after I earned my spot int he house with a win. So from making TUF to getting the invite back and now a invite from UFC Matchmaker I feel I am on The Price is Right MMA style.
For a guy like me life changing chances do not come everyday. I have been working hard to make sure if they do I would be in a position to capitalize. From getting beat up as a sparring partner for Brendan Schaub to teaching the sport I love to the future of the sport.
I have no doubt I will be ready for whatever the UFC offers me. My focus has been to earn a spot back on the UFC’s roster. Now the goal is to show them that I belong in that spot.
I am honored to be a part of the sport and honored to fighting on the biggest stage in the sport.
For the guys at FactoryX that train with me and the ones that take my classes, this is what the sacrifices are for keep training and you too can reach all of your goals.”
It’s Showtime – Tenerife
We are pleased to announce that It’s Showtime will organize its second beautiful event of this year in Spain. The event is scheduled for November 12 on Tenerife. This event will be a cooperation with Street Culture, Fight Club Group & Canary Kickboxing Federation. This event will also mark the return of Giorgio Petrosyan, who will be ready to fight again after his injury.
The fight card so far:
Zeben Diaz vs Giorgio Petrosyan
Moises Ruibal vs Amir Zeyada
Jonay Risco vs William Diender
Loren Javier Jorge vs Danyo Ilunga (It’s Showtime World Title 95kg max)
Sergio Wielzen vs Javier Hernandez
Santi Gonzales vs Murthel Groenhart
Lozano, Saunders, Santos and Lima Advance to Semifinals
Returning to the boardwalk to open Bellator’s highly-anticipated fifth season, the promotion hosted an explosive night of fights as the Season 5 Welterweight Tournament kicked off inside a packed house at Caesars. The first leg of the eight-man tournament aired LIVE on MTV2 and in HD on EPIX as Chris Lozano, Ben Saunders, Luis Santos and Douglas Lima all punched their tickets to the Welterweight Semifinals. The next round will feature Lima vs. Lozano and Saunders vs. Santos.
In the night’s main event, Lozano and Weedman went right at each other from the start, but it was Weedman who knocked down Lozano during the first exchange. Weedman earned a knockdown and a slam in the first round, but Lozano owned the next ten minutes with heavy-handed combinations and a solid ground game. Lozano took over the fight and never looked back, winning by unanimous decision, 29-28, on all three judges’ scorecards.
“That was a war,” said Lozano after defeating Weedman. “I was ready for a war, and Brent brought it, so I have to thank him for the toughest fight of my life.”
Ben “Killa-B” Saunders made quite a statement in his Bellator debut against Matt Lee, but his TKO win at Bellator 49 sent a bigger statement to opposing welterweights as it moved him one step closer to a tournament championship and a world title shot.
Saunders dominated his battle with Chris Cisneros, advancing on his feet as well as the ground. He gained full mount on his opponent early in their fight and never stopped moving forward, nearly ending the match in the first round with a triangle choke. However, once he applied a Muay Thai clinch to Cisneros in the third and final round, it took just 29 seconds and three-to-four hard knees to the head and body to force an end to their fight by TKO.
“I didn’t get to watch the other fights because I was too busy getting in the zone,” Saunders said. “But I’m looking forward to getting through the next round and on to the finals so I can bring back one of my best weapons,” Saunders said while he waived his elbow at the crowd.
Fan favorite Dan “The Handler” Hornbuckle entered his third Bellator Welterweight Tournament and while he may have made it to the finals opposite Ben Askren his first time around, the last two seasons he hasn’t made it out of the quarterfinals. This time it was Luis Santos standing in his way and while Hornbuckle may be a great striker and an excellent submission specialist, Santos had his number. He out-struck Hornbuckle on his feet while setting up plenty of kicks with an offensive barrage. Santos also took “The Handler” to the mat more than once to earn a unanimous decision and his 50th career victory. Santos looks to pose big problems for the remaining welterweights in this eight-man tournament.
Douglas Lima was victorious in his Bellator debut as he defeated Steve Carl by unanimous decision in the quarterfinals. Carl was in it until the very end, attempting a triangle in the first round and finishing the third on top, but Lima dictated the pace of the fight. He out-struck Carl and took him down often spending the majority of each round on top and in dominant position.
The final four in this Tournament are hugely talented fighters and any one of the four could win this whole thing,” said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney. “The Lozano-Weedman fight was really spectacular and Saunders looked great as well. I can’t wait to see these guys back in the cage on October 8th.”
Bellator also announced a highly anticipated fight between long time UFC veteran Kurt Pellegrino and Patricky Pitbull, which will take at Bellator 59 back at Caesars on November 26th.
Bellator Fighting Championships will also return to New Jersey on Oct. 15 for Bellator 54 as Bellator Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez takes on the Season 4 Lightweight Tournament winner Michael Chandler inside of Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.
