Weekly Mixed Martial Arts & Kickboxing News – 01/13/2012
By PDG Staff
Anthony “Rumble” Johnson Misses Weight Again at UFC 142
I have personally lost count as to how many times this makes it that Anthony Johnson doesn’t understand the gamesmanship and contractual obligations that go along with professional fighters, making weight. After struggling to cut from 215 pounds down to welterweight (170 lbs.), Johnson moved up to middleweight to face Vitor Belfort at UFC 142 but he came in at 197 pounds (11 lbs over the limit).
Here is what Dana White had to say:
“Anthony Johnson is not on weight today, and when I say he’s not on weight, he’s way off weight, we went back, we sat with Vitor Belfort, called him. The way that this normally works is Vitor can come in on weight, Vitor is on weight and he would get 20 percent of Johnson’s purse. The stipulation is Vitor does not want him to weigh more than 205 pounds by tomorrow at like two o’clock in the afternoon. So we’re going to have to see how this thing plays out.”
Johnson’s camp responded with this excuse:
“‘Rumble’ woke up on Friday morning weighing 191.5lbs, only 5.5lbs away from the 186lb weight limit for middleweight. With three hours to go until weigh-ins, Johnson was only a pound and a half away from making weight when his body started feeling off.”
“Robinson says that Johnson started feeling sick and unstable, and so a local doctor came in to check him out to see what exactly was going on. The doctor gave Johnson fluids to see if it would improve his condition, and within a couple of hours, the Blackzilian fighter started to come back to life. Unfortunately, at this point it was too late to cut the weight back down to 186lbs.”
If Johnson loses tomorrow night to Belfort we could see him fighting Hector Lombard in Bellator as UFC President Dana White stated today that his job is on the line.
Chahid Oulad el Hadj and Danyo Ilunga out of January 28 It’s Showtime event due to Injuries
Unfortunately two fighters were forced to withdraw themselves due to injuries from the It’s Showtime event in Leeuwarden on January 28. Chahid Oulad el Hadj suffers from a dislocated shoulder, while Danyo Ilunga has a severe elbow injury.
It’s Showtime 70kg max world champion Chris Ngimbi will replace Chahid Oulad el Hadj. Ngimbi will face Harut Grigorian, who is responsible for a bad spot on Ngimbi’s record. Young prospect Grigorian, who left a long lasting impression against Andy Souwer in the It’s Showtime ‘Fast & Furious 70 max’ 8 man tournament of last September, defeated ‘The African Warrior’ by decision on October 24, 2009, in Lommel, Belgium. So for Ngimbi, this is his chance for revenge.
It’s Showtime is currently still in negotiation with several fighters to determine who will take the spot of Danyo Ilunga in the fight against Mourad Bouzidi. We hope to have informed everyone in time. At this moment there are no other injuries or changes on the fight card. For the entire fight card, click here.
Eddie Alvarez looking for another fight with Shinya Aoki
Bellator chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney told MMAjunkie.com Radio earlier this week that Alvarez won’t take the final slot in the organization’s season-six lightweight tournament. Instead, he’s working to book Alvarez for a rematch with DREAM champion Shinya Aoki.
“Ed won’t be part of the next tournament during the March kickoff, the decision was reached between us that the next right step wouldn’t be to jump back in the season-tournament right now. We’re still talking very regularly about the Aoki fight, we’ve been talking to DREAM about making it happen, so it could still happen as his next fight.” – Bjorn Rebney
The Top 10 UFC Salaries for 2011
According to mma-manifesto.com, who put the list together, here are the Top 10 earner’s in the UFC for 2011. These numbers are salary only and do not include undisclosed bonuses, PPV bonuses, etc.
Top 10 UFC Salaries 2011
1. Tito Ortiz – $1,495,000
2. Michael Bisping – $850,000
3. Jon Jones – $785,000
4. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira – $750,000
5. Vitor Belfort – $620,000
6. Lyoto Machida – $604,000
7. Frank Mir – $575,000
7. Rampage Jackson – $575,000
9. Mauricio Rua – $565,000
10. Donald Cerrone – $494,000
Nate Marquardt and BAMMA done after Zero Fights
Here is part of the press release from BAMMA CEO David Green:
The decision to move the BAMMA 9 event to March 24th 2012 was taken in the interests of the BAMMA promotion as a whole and we believe that this will result in the strongest BAMMA event to date. It is important to note that the decision to remove Nate from the BAMMA 8 card and to reschedule BAMMA 9 in no way is a result of any actions taken by him. Nate was originally to feature on the BAMMA 8 card in December and with this current date change it is only fair for us at this stage to honor Nate’s contract agreement and allow him to look for fights outside of the BAMMA promotion, I cannot speak highly enough of the professional manner in which Nate Marquardt and his team have conducted themselves. They have been an absolute pleasure to work with and we are just disappointed that we have not been able to work out a way to seeing Nate take his place on the BAMMA 9 card.
Kenny “Ken-Flo” Florian’s Career in Doubt
A herniated disc could spell the end of Kenny Florian’s fighting career following an injury suffered in training late last year. Florian stated that he has consulted two specialists who have told the TUF alumni and former lightweight and featherweight title contender to retire.
Here is what Florian had to say regarding the injury:
“It’s possible, unfortunately. I’ve kind of been going back-and-forth with some of the doctors, so it’s possible. I’m going to see. As of right now, obviously I can’t compete and train like I was at all. I’m just kind of doing what I can and hoping that things heal up and get better. I’m just kind of in a holding pattern. That’s why I decided to do this commentary for the time being and take this next six months to really heal up and try to make some money on the side. It sucks. The last couple of months I’ve just been figuring out what’s going on and what I’m going to do.”
“It’s not good. That’s why I’m trying to stay hopeful. We’ll see. I’ve been out here in (LA) doing this show every week for ‘UFC Tonight’ for Fuel TV and doing some other things. I’m just hoping that it can heal up and get better and then see if I can go back to doing what I was doing. So far, I still need to rest. If I go to do something physical, I’m just not able to do it. That pain is coming back.”
UFC 145, slated for March 2012 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada – Card Updates
Two of the most exciting strikers in the lightweight division have verbally agreed to throw down in Montreal, Canada at UFC 145 as Anthony “The Assassin” Njokuani takes on John “The Bull” Makdessi.” Both men are coming off of disappointing December losses to high-level wrestlers, but should be able to show off their kickboxing chops against one another.
Also on that fight card, Canadian welterweight Chris “The Menace” Clements has verbally agreed to make his UFC debut against crafty veteran Keith Wisniewski. Clements is on a four-fight win streak that includes victories over two UFC veterans.
Fight Card:
Rory MacDonald vs. Che Mills
Travis Browne vs. Chad Griggs
Mark Hominick vs. Eddie Yagin
Brandan Schaub vs. Ben Rothwell
Mark Bocek vs. Matt Wiman
Mac Danzig vs. Efrain Escudero
John Makdessi vs. Anthony Njokuani
Chris Clements vs. Keith Wisniewski
Bellator Signs World’s Top Welterweight Prospect Andrey Koreshkov
As Bellator Fighting Championships prepares for its highly anticipated sixth season, the promotion has once again added a premier talent from across the globe, this time signing undefeated Russian welterweight phenom Andrey “Spartan” Koreshkov. Last year, Bellator signed highly-touted Douglas Lima, who went on to win the Season 5 Welterweight Tournament and will face Ben Askren for the title.
Widely regarded as the top welterweight prospect in the world, Koreshkov joins Bellator under the tutelage of two-time Bellator Middleweight Tournament Champion Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko as the two dynamic strikers represent RusFighters in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Undefeated in nine professional fights, “Spartan” is a true finisher in every sense of the word. The 21-year-old prodigy has never had a fight move into the third round and is the owner of five knockout victories. While the competition will surely increase with Bellator, Koreshkov adds to an already dangerous welterweight field.
“The international market has produced some incredible talent for us, and Andrey is near the very top of that list,” said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney. “Our Talent Development team, lead by Sam Caplan continues to be at the forefront of international scouting, and we’ll continue bringing the best talent from across the world to Bellator.”
UFC on FX 1 – Card Finalized
January 20, 2012
Bridgestone Arena
Nashville, Tennessee
Main Card (FX):
Melvin Guillard vs. Jim Miller
Duane “Bang” Ludwig vs. Josh Neer
Mike Easton vs. Jared Papazian
Pat Barry vs. Christian Morecraft
Preliminary Card (FUEL TV):
Jorge Rivera vs. Eric Schafer
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Kamal Shalorus
Charlie Brenneman vs. Daniel Roberts
Fabricio Camoes vs. Reza Madadi
Daniel Pineda vs. Pat Schilling
Ryan Jimmo vs. Karlos Vemola
Nick Denis vs. Joseph Sandoval
SpikeTV Presents “UFC Unleashed: Melvin Guillard” Marathon
Spike TV will celebrate the career of one of mixed martial arts’ most exciting fighters, Melvin “The Young Assassin” Guillard, with a five hour primetime “UFC Unleashed: Melvin Guillard” marathon on Friday, January 20 (7:00pm-12:00 Midnight ET/ 4:00pm-9:00pm PT).
Guillard, a standout member of “The Ultimate Fighter 2” in 2005, has had an array of exciting fights throughout his career. The “UFC Unleashed: Melvin Guillard” marathon schedule includes the following bouts:
Friday, January 20:
7pm ET/ 4pm PT – Guillard vs Josh Neer
8pm ET/ 5pm PT – Guillard vs Rick Davis
9pm ET/ 6pm PT – Guillard vs. Shane Roller
10pm ET/ 7pm PT – Guillard vs Waylon Lowe
11pm ET/ 8pm PT – Guillard vs. Rich Clementi
From the PunchDrunkGamer Forums:
* Rashad Evans warns Belfort to be worried about “Scary” Johnson
* Hermes Franca sentenced for Sex Assault
* DARE Championship – 01/07/2012 *Results*
* Roufusport looks to build on 2011 success in 2012
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