HDNET’S “FIGHTING WORDS WITH MIKE STRAKA” TO FEATURE GREG JACKSON
Jackson tells Straka: “The Octagon is nothing but a laboratory” – airing this Friday, September 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET on HDNet
MMA coach Greg Jackson is the featured guest on “Fighting Words with Mike Straka,” this Friday, September 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET on HDNet, Your Home for MMA.
Jackson, who trains some of the biggest names in MMA, from UFC Welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, to Light Heavyweight contender Rashad Evans to rising star Jon Jones, tells Straka that even though he is one of the best known coaches in the sport, it’s never about him.
“I’m there to help these guys achieve their dreams and come to their potential as fighters,” said Jackson. “The Octagon to me is nothing but a laboratory where I can test my ideas. You’re in this arms race against people…basically it’s a place where I get to evolve, get to figure things out and get to be a true artist.”
Jackson, known by many in MMA as “Yoda” or “The Maestro,” has been criticized recently for being too strategic, with some MMA observers pointing to Georges St. Pierre’s decision victory over Dan Hardy at UFC 112 and Rashad Evan’s decision over Rampage Jackson as examples of Jackson’s fighters fighting not to lose.
Jackson discusses his strategies for fighters with Straka, but also goes into his philosophy. “It’s not all about pragmatism,” says Jackson. “It’s not all ‘if I do A, B, C and D I’m going to win the fight.’ You have to have heart, you have to have fire… sometimes you have a broken hand, well, you have to have heart. This is a fight. You have to hit him with the hand,” said Jackson.
Also on this week’s episode, British fighter Ross Pearson, who takes on Cole Miller at UFC Fight Night 22 on September 15 talks about the evolution of Mixed Martial Arts in England, and his journey through the ranks of the UFC Lightweight division.
“Fighting Words with Mike Straka” airs this Friday night, September 3, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. ET on HDNet.
UFC STARS PREDICT THE OUTCOME OF COUTURE VS. TONEY
With the sports world buzzing about the UFC debut of former world boxing champion James Toney, some of the biggest names in boxing and MMA have come together to offer their opinions on his epic fight with Hall of Famer Randy Couture on Aug. 28. Before the two legends lock horns inside the Octagon® at TD Garden in Boston live on Pay-Per-View, we take a look at the thoughts, opinions, and predictions of some of the world’s finest fighters and personalities.
UFC light heavyweight Phil Davis. Prediction: Couture by Decision “It would be great for a guy like James Toney to build a name for himself in MMA but I’m going to have to go with Couture because of the cage experience that he has. It should be an entertaining fight. I feel like it could go the distance. I’m going to say it will go three rounds and Couture will win 29-28.”
Andre Berto – WBC welterweight champion – father Dieusel Berto fought in UFC 10 “I think it’s going be a good fight. Everybody knows Randy is not gonna stand up with James. If he does, it will be a short night. Most likely Randy is going to try to take James down and try to submit him so UFC can be glorified that they’re better than boxing. Hopefully James Toney has been working on his wrestling and ground skills. If so, it’ll be very entertaining.”
“Terrible” Terry Norris – Former world junior middleweight champion and pound-for-pound king “I just wish James luck and may the best man win. We know if it was just straight up boxing, James would knock Couture out, but James is fighting Couture’s fight and he’ll have his hands full.”
Dan Hardy, UFC Welterweight “I respect him greatly as a boxer, and I admire him for backing up his words by actually stepping into the Octagon. Floyd Mayweather talked a ton of crap about UFC fighters, but he ultimately didn’t have the balls to come and back his big mouth up. James Toney does have balls.”
WEC featherweight Chad Mendes. Prediction: Couture by TKO “Randy Couture will win this fight. I think he’ll win by first-round TKO.”
Miguel Cotto – reigning WBA junior middleweight champion. Prediction: Couture “Two great fighters, one trained in MMA and one in boxing. In a boxing match, I give it to Toney and in an MMA fight; I have to go with the MMA fighter (Couture).”
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans “(Toney’s) inside fighting capabilities could serve him well given Randy Couture’s clinch game. Look at the Frank Mir and Shane Carwin fight – most of the damage was done to Frank Mir against the cage. But if you get a guy like James Toney who knows how to strike off the cage, and who makes a living with inside fighting … I think that could lend some promise to James Toney. It could be a short night if a guy like James Toney lands one of those shots on the inside. He’s definitely the best true boxer out there in the UFC.”
Greg Haugen – former world lightweight champion – fought Vinny Pazienza, Ray Mancini, Julio Cesar Chavez, and Pernell Whitaker. Prediction: Toney “Unless Toney is fat and out of shape, he will destroy Randy. His standup game is way too strong for him. Remember, James is one of the most skilled guys out there if he is in good shape.”
Michael Bisping, UFC Middleweight “I can’t wait to see it to be honest. Can Randy double-leg him inside 10 seconds and do a number on him? Of course he can. But what if Toney lands one shot? That’s what makes this so interesting. What if?”
Paulie Malignaggi – Former world junior welterweight boxing champion. Prediction: Couture “The problem is, most boxers, even in their prime, would not last in MMA. These guys know how to grapple and kick, and the same could be said the opposite way – no MMA guy is gonna last in the ring with a boxer if they’re boxing. You’re going into somebody else’s domain. And not that Couture is a spring chicken, but if you look at James Toney, he’s always a guy who’s been a close-range fighter – shoulder rolls, dips, counterpunches. He never really had an outside game that was so special. He had slow feet and was plodding, but he had good upper body movement. You can’t do that in MMA, especially with Couture, who was a Greco-Roman wrestler. He’ll just wrestle him, take him down, choke him or ground and pound him. I don’t see how James Toney can win the fight, even if Couture is the older guy, but the best to both guys.”
WBA junior welterweight champion Amir Khan. Prediction: Couture “Toney has to make his punch count right away, but Couture will be watching for that. In any fight, you need a plan B and I don’t think Toney has one in a UFC fight.”
UFC welterweight Carlos Condit. Prediction: Couture “Wrestling will be the dominant force in this fight, regardless of how well James Toney can punch or how hard he can hit. He won’t be able to set up his shots like he would in boxing, and Randy Couture is the kind of fighter to capitalise on every little mistake he makes. Randy has made a whole career out of overcoming opponents with tactics and strategies, and Toney will probably be his easiest puzzle yet. We all know Toney has only his punching to fall back on, so Randy won’t have to work too hard to grab a hold of him and get him in his domain. Couture’s too experienced and too good at what he does.”
Sechew Powell – Number one IBF junior middleweight contender “I think if James can keep the fight on his feet he has a decent chance, but the minute they take the fight to the ground it’s over.”
WEC bantamweight contender Joseph Benavidez. Prediction: Couture by TKO “James Toney is just a boxer and MMA is a whole different sport. Your skills go down in boxing when you’re worried about being taken down. I don’t think someone can come in with just one background and fight a world-class MMA fighter.”
WBA heavyweight champion David Haye. Prediction: Couture via submission “I admire Toney’s courage, but six months of training isn’t going to be enough. As a UFC fan, I know two or three years wouldn’t be enough. He’s delusional here. Couture isn’t only going to end his UFC career inside a minute, he is most likely going to break James’s arm or leg and end his boxing career too.”
Christy “The Coal Miner’s Daughter” Martin – Women’s boxing pioneer. Prediction: Couture “I have never watched a UFC Pay-Per-View event, but I will be watching JT. I want James to win, but he’s stepping into Couture’s domain, therefore I think it will be Couture stopping James with his ground game.”
Steve “2 Pounds” Forbes – Former IBF super featherweight champion “It’s an interesting matchup. I think the question for Toney is, is he insane or is he a genius? He’s not taking on a regular MMA fighter; he’s taking on a legend in every sense of the word, but not only that, he’s doing it in Couture’s discipline and that takes guts. If Toney is successful, then he has opened up a whole new avenue for himself and other boxers to go into MMA. Toney has always been a risk taker and he’s fearless, and for that I root for him to do well. But I also love Captain America (Couture) because he’s from my birthplace of Oregon and has done great things in the sport. I hope it’s a good match.”
Steve Cunningham – IBF cruiserweight champion. Prediction: Couture “Toney’s got a puncher’s chance, but this isn’t boxing, and Couture’s not gonna stand and trade punches with him. This is Randy’s sport and I see him winning. Plus, he should be extra fueled to win this fight because of the disrespect from Toney, but I hope it’s an awesome fight either way.”
UFC welterweight Nick Ozipczak. Prediction: Couture “I’m just going to say what everybody’s thinking, and that’s that Toney only has a puncher’s chance here. That puncher’s chance will only last in the opening thirty seconds of the fight, too. Unless Toney lands something significant on Couture early, he’ll be taken down and it will be a definite first-round stoppage for ‘The Natural’. I can see Couture winning either via ground-and-pound for by submission but, whatever it is, it will happen early. If a miracle happens and Toney gets back to his feet at any stage, he’ll then find his punches won’t have much sting on them, as he hasn’t developed the muscles in his arms to cope with the grappling aspect and then the punching.”
UFC middleweight Patrick Cote. Prediction: Couture “If Randy underestimates his boxing skills it would be a big mistake. But how is James Toney going to react to wearing 4-ounce gloves because he’s used to the bigger gloves in boxing? He has some skills and he has punching power, but in MMA you have to be well-rounded so I think Randy will be too much for him.”
Fres Oquendo – heavyweight boxing contender – lost 12 round split decision to Toney in 2008 “James’ only chance is if he connects clean on Randy’s chin like Ray Mercer did against former UFC heavyweight champ Tim Sylvia. If not, I see Randy taking James down and that will be the beginning of the end of James’ MMA debut. Number one, because James has no legs, as I showed the world when we fought, and two, he has no ground game experience, which gives Randy the edge.”
UFC lightweight Terry Etim. Prediction: Couture “James Toney was a fantastic boxer, and one of the best to ever do it, but he’s a novice mixed martial artist. That’s the key in this fight and the reason why Randy Couture will dominate him. Toney probably still has one danger shot which can switch Randy’s lights out, but the likelihood is he won’t be in any position to land it at any stage in the fight. As soon as Randy gets a hold of him, the fight’s pretty much over. Randy won’t be foolish enough to stand and box with a guy like Toney, so he’ll be looking for his comfort zone from the off. Randy is the worst kind of opponent for Toney, because he’s a veteran guy, very experienced and knows how to execute game plans.”
WEC bantamweight contender Scott Jorgensen. Prediction: Couture by TKO “I’m a wrestler, man. Couture is going to double leg him, take him down and beat him until he taps to strikes. It’ll be Couture by first-round ground-and-pound. I’d like to see Randy drag it out for three rounds but I don’t think Toney has the heart for that.”
Former two-weight boxing champion Ricky Hatton. Prediction: Toney within a minute or Couture “James has a very good sense of timing, so there’s a chance he will land the one shot he needs and score a win right away. But, having been ringside at Randy’s fight with the much bigger Brock Lesnar, I think it is almost certain Couture will be able to maul Toney to the fence, take him down, and finish him there.”
UFC lightweight Paul Kelly. Prediction: Couture “It’s Randy Couture all the way for me, as I’m a massive fan of Randy and the way he goes about his work. He’s been an inspiration to me for many years, and I can’t see how James Toney walks into mixed martial arts and beats one of its greatest fighters. There’s no doubt Toney is a great fighter in his own right, as a boxer, but he’s done nothing so far as a mixed martial artist. Couture, on the other hand, has done it all and has experienced every single situation you can possibly confront in the Octagon. This sport is all new to Toney. He may have had nearly 100 boxing matches, but he hasn’t had one MMA match. I see Randy taking him down and finishing him quickly and in devastating fashion.”
Former WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown. Prediction: Couture by submission “Randy by rear-naked choke in the first round”
UFC lightweight Andre Winner. Prediction: Couture “I’ve been reading quotes from Toney on forums and websites, and he’s saying he’s going to come out in a normal boxing stance and won’t change his game at all. If that’s the case, unless he catches Randy very early on, he’s just going to end up on his back. If he’s not willing to learn or adapt, he’ll get pummelled. I think he’s a great boxer, but my money is on Randy, so long as he plays it smart and exposes Toney’s weaknesses. If they get into a clinch, Toney will struggle with Randy’s sheer strength and size. Toney’s a big guy, but he never started out as a big guy, and has gradually put on a lot of weight, but it’s fat weight. Randy’s a decent-sized guy and has that natural grappling strength that all great wrestlers I have. I believe that will shock Toney on the night.”
Jeff Mayweather – Renowned trainer and former pro boxer “I think it should be interesting. Toney has the advantage in a stand up match, but if he gets taken down Couture should win because he has way too much experience. I heard Toney was working with a top grappler and doing real well but I don’t think you can take a crash course in something like that and perfect it. And vice versa, there’s no way Couture could become a great boxer overnight, so I think a lot will be determined after the very first blow. I will be watching it for sure and I’m pulling for James Toney because I know him personally, not because he’s a boxer. These are two different sports and I think that they both have their own fanbase, but the two of them combined will make this a huge event.”
WEC bantamweight Brad Pickett. Prediction: Couture by TKO “Obviously Randy Couture will win by first-round TKO. He’s a wise, old dog and he won’t try to prove any points on his feet. He’s going to close the distance, push him against the cage and take him down, mount him and win by ground-and-pound. Now, it’s a funny game and things can happen but if I was going to bet my house on it that’s what I think will happen.”
Australian boxing champion Danny Green. Prediction: Couture “Toney is a slow starter and Randy will tear him apart.”
UFC FAN EXPO TO FEATURE TWO MEMBERS OF LEGENDARY GRACIE FAMILY IN GRAPPLING SUPERFIGHTS
Rolles Gracie vs. Roberto Abreu
Gregor Gracie vs. Pablo Popovitch
Hermes Franca vs. Ryan Hall
Penny Thomas vs. Tracey Goodell
They are known for putting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu on the map. Using revolutionary techniques that changed the face of combat sports forever, the legendary Gracie family consists of some of the best grapplers in the world. Now, as the Ultimate Fighting Championship® prepares for its debut in the city of Boston, the Gracie family returns with its sights set on further solidifying its grappling domination.
UFC President Dana White announced today that the UFC® FAN EXPO™ in Boston will feature four grappling superfights, two of which will feature high-level black belts Rolles Gracie and Gregor Gracie of the Renzo Gracie Academy based out of New York City.
On Friday, Aug. 27 at 2PM ET, ADCC world champion Penny Thomas, fresh off her grappling superfight victory over MMA veteran Shayna Baszler at the UFC Fan Expo in May, takes on Team Lloyd Irvin product Tracey Goodell in an exciting women’s matchup. Plus, former UFC star Hermes Franca, a dangerous Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt who owns submission victories over the likes of Nate Diaz, Mike Brown, and Jamie Varner, takes on 23-time Grapplers Quest champion Ryan Hall.
Then, on Saturday, Aug. 28 at 12:30PM ET, the Gracie family invades the UFC Fan Expo with two explosive contests. First, UFC veteran and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Rolles Gracie takes on undefeated Grapplers Quest champion Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu. If that wasn’t enough, Renzo Gracie black belt Gregor Gracie, a four-time Grapplers Quest champion, locks horns with reigning ADCC world grappling championPablo Popovitch.
UFC: FOR THREE BOSTON FIGHTERS, THE ARRIVAL OF THE ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP IS A DREAM COME TRUE
It’s almost every kid’s dream to score the game-winning goal for their hometown team. After spending most of their childhoods rooting for the players and teams of their beloved city, youngsters across the globe yearn for the opportunity to become a hometown hero.
For Bostonians Kenny Florian, Joe Lauzon, and Marcus Davis, the chance to realize their dream of competing on the biggest stage in their hometowns has finally arrived. All three will compete at UFC 118 from TD Garden in Boston on Aug. 28 live on Pay-Per-View. Knowing that the chance to perform in front of the die-hard Boston sports fans is upon them, the trio is doing their best to cherish the moment.
“Boston is where I started my career in MMA and it’s where I’ve lived my whole life,” lightweight Kenny Florian, who will take on Gray Maynard on Aug. 28, said. “To be fighting in the UFC in my hometown is a dream come true for me. This city is one of the biggest & most passionate sports towns in the world. With the UFC® Fan Expo™ and 118 here in that same weekend, it is truly going to be a special weekend that myself and the whole city of Boston and its visitors will never forget.”
For Lauzon, having the UFC in his hometown is more than just an opportunity to fight. Since the UFC® Fan Expo™ will be held on Aug. 27 and 28 at the John B. Hynes Convention Center, Lauzon believes fans in the Northeast will have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience all that the UFC has to offer.
“It’s been a long time coming, but the UFC’s arrival in Boston is going to be epic,” Lauzon, who will fight Gabe Ruediger in lightweight action at UFC 118, said. “While UFC is amazing on TV, it’s a whole different level being there in person. With the fights, and the UFC Fan Expo, the fans are in for something special.”
A former professional boxer who made a name for himself in the Northeast, Davis is equally fired up about the UFC’s arrival in Boston. As he gears up for an exciting welterweight clash with Nate Diaz, Davis admits that the anticipation of fighting in his hometown has fueled his training camp.
“It’s great to be able to fight so close to home knowing I train 10 minutes away from the venue,” Davis said. “I was on the last boxing event ever held at The Garden before they knocked it down and now I get to return as an MMA fighter. It’s an awesome feeling.
“The UFC Fan Expo will be a huge success too,” Davis added. “It’s a great thing to have to promote the sport and it gives all the businesses in the sport the opportunity to educate and gather more fans. We truly have surpassed boxing in popularity and this event will prove it.”
All the UFC Fan Expo activities will be planned in conjunction with UFC 118, which takes place at TD Garden on Saturday, Aug. 28. Headlined by a lightweight title rematch between champion Frankie Edgar and former division leader BJ Penn, UFC 118 also marks the mixed martial arts debut of three-time world champion boxer James Toney, who will take on UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture.
UFC FAN EXPO OFFERS FANS IN BOSTON OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN WITH MMA’S TOP STARS
Training & Development Sessions to Feature Forrest Griffin, Tito Ortiz, Clay Guida, and Urijah Faber
Plus, renowned coach Shawn Tompkins to lead seminar
Fans in the Boston area would probably love the opportunity to learn how to throw a fastball like Red Sox star pitcher Josh Beckett. They’d be equally excited to shoot from beyond the arc with Celtics’ sniper Ray Allen too. Well, at this summer’s UFC® FAN EXPO™, the opportunity to learn strategy and techniques from the most influential figures in mixed martial arts presents itself. The Ultimate Fighting Championship® announced today that the UFC Fan Expo Boston will feature five Training & Development sessions sure to thrill UFC fans.
On Friday, Aug. 27, former UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin heads to Boston to teach an intense session starting at 4pm. Former UFC light heavyweight champion, Tito Ortiz, will also lead a Training & Development session sure to reflect The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’s aggressive ground and pound style, as well as renowned coach Shawn Tompkins.
The action continues on Saturday, Aug. 28 with Training & Development sessions featuring UFC lightweight star Clay Guida and former World Extreme Cagefighting® featherweight champion Urijah Faber. With five of the sport’s most respected individuals offering Training & Development sessions, the UFC Fan Expo Boston continues to become the can’t miss fan event in the Northeast this summer.
“Fans have watched guys like Tito and Forrest coach on The Ultimate Fighter® and now this is their chance to train with them,” White said. “Whether you have been training for a long time or just beginning the sport, there is something for everyone at these Training and Development Sessions. Each one of these guys brings something unique to the table and it makes this a cool experience for fans.”
Tickets for UFC® FAN EXPO™ and Training & Development sessions are on sale now and can be bought exclusively at UFCFanExpo.com. Please note that tickets for each Training & Development Session are limited; the cost to participate in a session is $100 per person, per session.
Training & Development Session Schedule
(All Times Eastern)
Friday, Aug. 27
10am-12pm – Tito Ortiz
1pm-3pm – Shawn Tompkins
4pm-6pm – Forrest Griffin
Saturday, Aug. 28
10am-12pm – Clay Guida
2pm-4pm – Urijah Faber
RANDY COUTURE TO THROW OUT CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCH PRIOR TO OAKLAND A’S GAME ON SATURDAY, AUG. 7
Five-Time UFC World Champion to Throw Out Ceremonial First Pitch
On Saturday, Aug. 7, Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®) legend Randy “The Natural” Couture will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Oakland A’s vs. Texas Rangers 1:10 pm game. First pitch is set for 12:55 pm and will be caught by A’s first baseman and die-hard UFC fan, Daric Barton.
Couture, a three-time former heavyweight champion and two-time light-heavyweight champion, is the only five-time champion in UFC history. He is also the only athlete in UFC history to win a championship after becoming a Hall of Fame member and one of only two men to win UFC titles in two weight classes. At 47 years old, Couture is still one of the top fighters in the sport today.
Couture is town promoting UFC 117: SILVA vs. SONNEN held that night at Oracle Arena. His next fight is scheduled for Aug. 28 when he takes on boxing legend James Toney at UFC 118: EDGAR vs. PENN 2 at the TD Garden in Boston, Mass.
Saturday, Aug. 7
Oakland A’s vs. Texas Rangers, 1:10 pm (Ceremonial first pitch set for 12:55 pm)
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA 94621
UFC’s JON “BONES” JONES TO THROW OUT FIRST PITCH AT SAN DIEGO PADRES GAME
Just days before UFC’s Jon “Bones” Jones takes on Vladimir Matyushenko live on VERSUS, the San Diego Padres will honor the rising light heavyweight in the team’s Major League Baseball game this Friday, July 30 at 6:58 PM PT.
Jones, in town for his UFC fight at San Diego Sports Arena on Sunday, Aug. 1, will throw the ceremonial first pitch and kick off the Padres game against the Florida Marlins.
“I love San Diego and I’m excited to do the first pitch for the Padres,” Jones said. “I’m going to try to throw a strike for the fans on Friday, and then give them a knockout Sunday.”
WHO: UFC ON VERSUS HEADLINER JON “BONES” JONES
WHAT: Throws ceremonial first pitch prior to Padres vs. Florida game
WHERE: PETCO Park, 100 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101
WHEN: Friday, July 30, 2010
First Pitch: 6:58 PM PT
Guinness World Records’ Comic-Con Recap
Guinness World Records presented the following records at Comic-Con:
Most Successful Horror Movie Series – SAW – Producers Oren Koules and Mark Burg accepted the Guinness World Record for the ‘Most Successful Horror Movie Series’ with $732 million total global box office sales.
Most Successful Sports Movie Franchise – Rocky – Stars of the upcoming theatrical releaseThe Expendables and co-stars of Rocky IV, Sylvester Stallone and Dolph Lundgren, accepted the Guinness World Record for the ‘Most Successful Sports Movie Franchise for Rocky’, grossing $1,251,372,491 throughout its six installments, running from Rocky (November, 21 1976) to Rocky Balboa (December 20, 2006).
Highest Rated Animated Sci-Fi Television Series - Airing on Cartoon Network, the popular CGI series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, received the record for the ‘Highest Rated Sci-Fi Animation Show on TV’ averaging a viewership of 4 million at its launch. On hand to accept the award were Supervising Director Dave Filoni, CG Supervisor Joel Aron and Lead Designer Kilian Plunkett.
Most Ultimate Fighting Championships Heavyweight Championship Bouts Won – With seven wins between 1997 and 2008, Randy Couture accepted the Guinness World Record for the ‘Most Ultimate Fighting Championship Heavyweight Championship Bouts Won’.
Most WWE Royal Rumble Championships Won - ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin was presented with the Guinness World Record for the ‘Most Wins of the World Wrestling Entertainment Royal Rumble’ with three wins in 1997, 1998, and 2001.
Most Chocolate Bars Eaten in One Minute – The record-breaking bonanza continued with THQ setting the record for the Most Chocolate Bars Eaten in One Minute. The record of 3 Milky Ways was set jointly by Pat Bernaletti and Joey Chestnut to highlight the release of THQs Red Faction: Armageddon.
Highest Rated Animated Series (Current) – Futurama – With a favorable 80% rating on Metacritic.com, FUTURAMA creator Matt Groening and executive producer David X. Cohen accepted the award for the highest rated animated series currently on television.
Most Eisner Awards in One Category – Todd Klein accepted the record for the most Eisner Comic Award wins in one category. Klein received 15 wins in the Best Letterer/Lettering category from 1993 to 2008.
Tallest Structure Built With Interlocking Bricks – LEGO – Julie Stern, Brand Relations Manager for LEGO, accepted the award for the tallest structure built with interlocking plastic bricks. The structure was 99 ft 1 in high and was constructed by children and adults at an event organized by Lego Norway in Oslo, Norway, on April 24, 2010.
UFC CONFIRMS REMAINING BOUTS FOR UFC LIVE ON VERSUS – LIVE FROM SAN DIEGO, CA
MAIN EVENT
JON “BONES” JONES vs. VLADIMIR “THE JANITOR” MATYUSHENKO
MARK MUNOZ vs. YUSHIN OKAMI
JOHN HOWARD vs. JAKE ELLENBERGER
TAKANORI GOMI vs. TYSON GRIFFIN
PAUL KELLY vs. JACOB VOLKMANN
DAMARQUES JOHNSON vs. MATTHEW RIDDLE
JAMES IRVIN vs. IGOR POKRAJAC
BRAIN STANN vs. MIKE MASSENZIO
THIAGO TAVARES vs. WILLAMY FREIRE
DARREN ELKINS vs. CHARLES OLIVEIRA
ROB KIMMONS vs. STEVE STEINBEISS
SUNDAY, AUGUST 1, 2010
Live from the San Diego Sports Arena– Tickets on Sale Now
Jon “Bones” Jones will attempt to continue his meteoric rise within the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s light heavyweight division when he steps into the Octagon® to face veteran fighter Vladimir “The Janitor” Matyushenko at UFC LIVE on VERSUS, live from the San Diego Sports Arena. “Bones” Jones defeated Brandon Vera in March to improve his record to 10-1, while Matyushenko has been victorious in his last two fights since his return to the UFC. The main event will be supplemented by riveting matchups featuring various stars such as Mark Munoz, Yushin Okami, John Howard, Jake Ellenberger, Takanori Gomi and Tyson Griffin. The fights will air live on VERSUS at 9 p.m. ET, marking the second time a UFC event will be televised on a national sports cable network.
The prelude to the main event features Mark Munoz (fighting out of Vallejo, Calif./8-1), winner of five of his last six fights, including three in a row over the likes of Ryan Jensen and Kendall Grove. With a background in wrestling, the heavy-handed fighter also has knockout power to coincide with a well-versed ground game which could prove dangerous for his opponent Yushin “Thunder” Okami (fighting out of Kanagawa, Japan/25-5). The veteran fighter out of Japan has been victorious in eight of his ten fights within the UFC. One of the most physically imposing fighters at 185-pounds, Okami will be a true test for his latest opponent.
A boxing background has been beneficial for Boston native John Howard (fighting out of Boston, Mass./14-4) while in the UFC. His last two victories have come via knockout, most recently against Daniel Roberts at the first UFC on Versus. Overall, this welterweight fighter is undefeated in his UFC career, but Jake Ellenberger (fighting out of Omaha, Neb./22-5) will try to tarnish that record. A recent addition to the UFC, the native from the Cornhusker State scored a TKO over Mike Pyle at UFC 108, just 22 seconds into the second round. Ellenberger’s granite chin and heavy hands will guide him in this welterweight matchup.
Former PRIDE lightweight champion Takanori Gomi (fighting out of Tokyo, Japan/31-6) will make his second appearance in the UFC after his slugfest with Kenny Florian at UFC Fight Night in March of 2010. The accomplished wrestler has a terrific ground game, complemented by tremendous knockout power. Standing across the Octagon from Gomi will be Tyson Griffin (fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev./14-3). The native of Sacramento, California employs an aggressive ground and pound attack, which should match up well with Gomi’s wrestling background. The winner of six of his last eight fights, Griffin looks to get back in the title race with a win over “The Fireball Kid”.
The toughness and conditioning of Paul Kelly (fighting out of Liverpool, England/11-2) has never been questioned, as half of his six fights within the UFC have gone the distance and each time, Kelly has been the unanimous victor. Kelly has excelled at the ground and pound, which will be tested against Jacob Volkmann (fighting out of White Bear Lake, Minn./10-2), who has a stellar wrestling background. The former Big Ten wrestling champion most recently won a split decision over Ronys Torres at UFC Fight Night in March, after consecutive battles with Paulo Thiago and Martin Kampmann.
The versatile DaMarques Johnson (fighting out of Salt Lake City, Utah/16-7) is on a two fight win streak within the UFC, defeating Edgar Garcia and Brad Blackburn via submission and TKO, respectively. The Utah native faces a tough matchup with Matthew Riddle (fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev./4-1), who has had all of his professional fights within the UFC. A wrestling background, with a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, has helped this young fighter excel inside the Octagon.
A veteran fighter who has fought in both the UFC and WEC, James “The Sandman” Irvin (fighting out of Sacramento, Calif./14-6, 1 NC) doesn’t often spend much time in the Octagon during his fights. Of his 13 fights between the two organizations, nine have ended in the first round. His matchup against Igor Pokrajac (fighting out of Zagreb, Croatia/21-7) is important for both fighters, as they are both in need of a victory. A top-10 fighter on the European scene, Pokrajac is coming off hard-fought scraps against Vladimir Matyushenko and James Te Huna.
Former WEC light heavyweight champion Brian Stann (fighting out of Scranton, Pa./8-3) began developing his combative mindset as an Infantry Officer in the Marine Corps. Stann has won two of his last three fights within the UFC and plans to make it three out of four against former National junior college wrestling champion Mike Massenzio (fighting out of Paterson, N.J./11-3). The well-rounded New Jersey native has not fought in the UFC since 2008, but Massenzio will utilize his brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu to prolong his stay within the organization.
Brazil native Thiago Tavares (fighting out of Florianopolis, Brazil/18-3-1) has four wins in the UFC and has battled some of the elite names in lightweight division such as Tyson Griffin, Matt Wiman, and Kurt Pellegrino. On August 1st, he battles Willamy “Chiquerim” Freire (fighting out of Fortaleza, Brazil/17-3). Making his UFC debut, the fighter out of Brazil has won eleven consecutive fights, five by submission. The young fighter has had twenty professional fights and he has finished 13 of them.
The first lightweight matchup for UFC on VERSUS features two rising stars as Darren Elkins (fighting out of Hobart, Ind./12-1) will face Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira (fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil/12-0). Elkins made his debut in March for the premiere of UFC on VERSUS and was victorious over Duane Ludwig via TKO stoppage. Oliveira will make his debut for the UFC after amassing a tremendous unbeaten professional record.
The first fight of the evening features Rob Kimmons (fighting out of Liberty, Mo./22-5) who is a 3rd degree black belt in American jiu-jitsu. The Kansas City native has won two of his last four fights in the UFC and will be tested when he faces Steve Steinbeiss (fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz./4-3) on August 1st. Steinbeiss is a durable fighter with speed and power who is seeking his first victory in the UFC.
UFC CONFIRMS REMAINING BOUTS FOR UFC 117: SILVA vs SONNEN LIVE FROM ORACLE ARENA IN OAKLAND, CA ON AUG. 7
JON FITCH vs. THIAGO ALVES
MATT HUGHES vs. RICARDO ALMEIDA
CLAY GUIDA vs. RAFAEL DOS ANJOS
ROY NELSON vs. JUNIOR DOS SANTOS
THIAGO SILVA vs. TIM BOETSCH
DUSTIN HAZELETT vs. RICK STORY
STEFAN STRUVE vs. CHRISTIAN MORECRAFT
JOHNY HENDRICKS vs. CHARLIE BRENNEMAN
BEN SAUNDERS vs. DENNIS HALLMAN
RODNEY WALLACE vs. STANISLAV NEDKOV
The middleweight title fight at UFC 117 between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen will be accentuated by one of the most stacked cards in UFC history. The main card features the long-awaited rematch between welterweight contenders Jon Fitch and Thiago Alves, as well as such notable fighters such as recent UFC Hall of Fame inductee Matt Hughes, the electrifying Clay Guida, and a heavyweight matchup between two fast rising stars in the division Roy Nelson and Junior Dos Santos. With all of the intriguing fights lined up on the fight card, the championship ramifications in the main event will add the icing to the cake.
The co-main event of UFC 117 will be a showdown to elevate one fighter to the top of contention for the welterweight championship. UFC veteran Jon Fitch(fighting out of San Jose, Calif./ profesional record – 25-3, 1 NC) has had a remarkable career in the organization. One of the division’s most consistent fighters, Fitch has won four fights in a row and has an overall record of 12-1 in the UFC. His lone loss came at the hands of welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre via unanimous decision at UFC 87. The durable fighter from Indiana wrestled collegiately at Purdue University and has the endurance to battle until the end. This decisive battle will be a long awaited rematch as Thiago “The Pitbull” Alves (fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla./22-5) aims to seek revenge on Fitch. The 26-year old fighter has elevated himself to the top of the division by winning nine of his last eleven fights in the UFC. Alves believes he has improved as a fighter more than Fitch has since their last fight in 2006, which he hopes will lead him to victory. The ramifications of this fight extend beyond a statistic on their career record.
The “swing” bout of the evening is an early favorite to garner Fight of the Night honors. The always-exciting Clay “The Carpenter” Guida (fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M. by way of Johnsburg, Ill./26-8) is renowned for his memorable battles in the Octagon. Coming off a submission victory over Shannon Gugerty, Guida has won four of his last six fights. The former collegiate wrestler is set to lock up with the winner of three fights in a row, Rafael Dos Anjos (fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil/14-4). The Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion has entered the Octagon twice already in 2010, most recently for UFC 112 when he was able to submit Terry Etim with an armbar at the end of the second round. The young fighter has only had five fights in the UFC, but is steadily climbing the ladder in the lightweight division.
The context of the first welterweight matchup on the main card extends beyond a typical fight, as honor and history are on the line. Recent UFC Hall of Fame inductee Matt Hughes (fighting out of Hillsboro, Ill./45-7) is a legend of the UFC, with 22 fights and a UFC record 17 victories. The two-time UFC welterweight champion has defeated future champions in Georges St-Pierre and BJ Penn, but in the context of this fight, Hughes has defeated Royce Gracie, Matt Serra and Renzo Gracie. Both Serra and Ricardo “Big Dog” Almeida (fighting out of Hamilton, N.J./12-3) are coached by the legendary Renzo Gracie, which sets up the opportunity for Almeida to defend the honor of the Gracie clan. Almeida is on a three fight win streak and a winner of five of his last seven. The four-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu National Champion not only has his own reputation to defend, but the reputation of an entire legendary MMA family.
The Ultimate Fighter® Heavyweights Finale winner Roy Nelson (fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev./16-4) has only two UFC fights under his belt, but has scored a first-round knockout in both of them. A grappler with world-class experience and a black belt under Renzo Gracie, he has quickly elevated himself as a worthy heavyweight contender. His matchup with Junior Dos Santos (fighting out of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil/11-1) provides a glimpse into the exciting future of the heavyweight division. Dos Santos has been victorious in his five fights within the organization by way of four knockouts, and a submission victory over Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 103. The Brazilian native’s boxing and jiu-jitsu background have helped establish Dos Santos as a legitimate contender for the heavyweight title.
Thiago Silva (fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil/14-2) started his UFC career with a bang, winning his first four fights (three by TKO), dating back to UFC 71 in 2007. He has since battled the elite fighters in the light heavyweight division, including former champions Lyoto Machida and Rashad Evans. His latest opponent, Tim “The Barbarian” Boetsch (fighting out of Lincolnville, Maine/11-3), makes a return to the UFC after a short hiatus. Previously, Boetsch had four fights in the UFC, establishing a record of 2-2.
Of the five victories that Dustin Hazelett (fighting out of Cincinnati, Ohio/14-5) has obtained in the UFC, four have come via submission. The submission specialist has a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and hopes to secure a win over Rick Story (fighting out of Vancouver, Wash./10-3).The young fighter out of Washington has been on a roll lately, winning his last three fights. Story’s supreme conditioning is exemplified by the fact three of his four fights have gone all three rounds.
In one of the tallest matchups in recent UFC history, the 6’11” Stefan Struve (fighting out of Beverwijk, Netherlands/23-4) is set to face the 6’5 ½ Christian Morecraft (fighting out of Plymouth, Mass./6-0). Known for his height and length, the 22-year-old Struve has utilized his skills in kickboxing and submissions to secure three wins in his five fights in the UFC. Morecraft is making his UFC debut after establishing a solid professional record.
Two-time NCAA Division I national wrestling champion Johny Hendricks (fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev./8-0) has split time between the UFC and World Extreme Cagefighting®(WEC®). After winning his first two fights in the WEC, Hendricks made a smooth transition to the UFC and continued his winning ways through his first three fights. His opponent, Charlie Brenneman (fighting out of Whippany, N.J. by way of Hollidaysburg, Pa./12-1), improved his already solid professional record after winning his UFC debut against Jason High last March at UFC Fight Night Live®. Also a former Division I wrestler, this matchup could very well be decided on the ground.
Welterweight striker Ben Saunders (fighting out of Orlando, Fla./8-2-2) has been successful in his UFC career thus far. The aggressive fighter has won four of his six fights, and is the only man to knock out veteran contender Marcus Davis. Although Saunders has had a relatively short fighting career, his opponent Dennis Hallman (fighting out of Yelm, Wash./64-13-2, 1 NC) has had 80 professional fights. Hallman made a return to the UFC at The Ultimate Fighter Heavyweights Finale in December of 2009 after a four year hiatus. The gritty fighter has the experience and knowledge required to secure a longer stay in the UFC.
The opening fight for UFC 117 features two up-and-coming light heavyweights. Rodney Wallace (fighting out of Charlotte, N.C./9-2) made his debut against Brian Stann at The Ultimate Fighter Heavyweights Finale and has since fought Jared Hamman at UFC 111. On August 7th, Wallace is seeking his first victory in the UFC against Stanislav Nedkov (fighting out of Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria/11-0). Nedkov is an impressive light heavyweight fighter with a background in wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, who is making his UFC debut at UFC 117.
UFC ANNOUNCES FIRST EVER UFC FIGHT NIGHT LIVE IN AUSTIN – TICKETS GO ON SALE SATURDAY, JULY 17 AT 10AM CT
Main Event
DEMIAN MAIA vs. ALAN BELCHER
Featured Bout
MATT WIMAN vs. MAC DANZIG
Live from the Frank Erwin Center on Sept. 15 – Tickets on Sale Saturday, July 17 at 10AM CT
The Ultimate Fighting Championship® will feature two of the most dominant middleweight fighters in the world at UFC Fight Night Live®, live from the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas on September 15. Submission specialist Demian Maia will step into the Octagon® to face red-hot Alan Belcher in the evening’s main event. The records of these two fighters exemplify their elite caliber; however, both will try to prove their supremacy to each other as they attempt to improve their standing in the stacked 185-pound class.
UFC Fight Night Live also features a highly anticipated rematch in the lightweight division, as Mac Danzig seeks revenge against Matt Wiman. In the first fight between The Ultimate Fighter alumni at UFC® 115, Wiman was declared the winner after an erroneous call by the referee as Danzig was caught in a submission hold near the end of the first round.
Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT LIVE at the Frank Erwin Center Wednesday, September 15 are $30, $50, $75, $125 and $185 and GO ON SALE Saturday, July 17 at 10AM CT. Tickets available at all Texas Box Office outlets including select H-E-B stores, Ft. Hood ITR and Renaissance Records in Killeen, by phone at 512-477-6060 or 1-800-982-2386 or online at TexasBoxOffice.com. Convenience charges may apply. All information is subject to change. Suites at the Frank Erwin Center provide a unique environment to entertain your clients, family and friends. For more information, call 512-471-4713 or email suites@erwin.utexas.edu.
UFC® Fight Club™ members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Thursday, July 15 starting at 10 a.m. CT via UFCFightClub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers on Friday, July 16 starting at 10am CT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.
In his last fight, Demian Maia (fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil/professional record 12-2) proved himself worthy of the number one contender’s slot, as he battled the reigning middleweight champion, Anderson “The Spider” Silva, for 25 minutes in their title bout. In eight fights with the UFC, Maia has also defeated some of the most recognizable names in the middleweight division, including Chael Sonnen, Dan Miller and Ryan Jensen. Maia’s greatest attribute is his ground game, as the Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion was able to submit his first five UFC opponents, but in the Miller and Silva fights, he has shown the ability and willingness to stand with anyone.
“Alan Belcher has a very exciting style and I think together we will put on a fight to remember for the fans,” said Maia. “I’m looking to get back to a title shot, and the first step for me is beating Alan impressively.”
With wins in four of his last five fights, Alan Belcher (fighting out of Biloxi, Miss./15-5) is quickly rising up the UFC ranks. Most recently, Belcher defeated Patrick Cote via submission at UFC 113, a Submission of the Night victory that set up his showdown with Maia. Add in his dynamic striking and exciting style, and Belcher is moving ever closer to a shot at Anderson Silva should he turn back the challenge of Maia.
“I am very appreciative of this opportunity to fight as the main event in the UFC,” Belcher said. “I have a ton of respect for Demian Maia and am excited to be fighting one of the top guys in the middleweight division. I will definitely bring it September 15th as I always do and I hope to gain more fans. I have my eye on the belt and can’t wait to get back in the Octagon. I feel like I will be fighting in my home town with Austin being so close to where I live in Biloxi, Mississippi.”
Before the controversial victory over Danzig at UFC 115, Matt Wiman (fighting out of San Francisco, Calif./12-5) had won five of his last seven fights, dating back to 2007. The native of Denver, Colorado has a background in jiu-jitsu and has an impressive standup game as well.
The highly experienced Mac Danzig (fighting out of Los Angeles, Calif./20-8-1) has endured battles with the best of the lightweight division in Jim Miller, Clay Guida and Kurt Pellegrino. After defeating Justin Buchholz at UFC 109, the matchup with Wiman at UFC 115 was important for him to gain momentum, and because of the controversial way the fight ended, the rematch has an increased value attached to it for Danzig’s career.
HDNET TO BROADCAST “HDNET FIGHTS: DREAM 15″ LIVE
HDNet will feature LIVE coverage of “HDNet Fights: DREAM 15″ from the Saitama Super Arena in Japan early morning Saturday, July 10 at 3:00 a.m. ET. A primetime replay will follow on Friday, July 16 at 10:00 p.m. ET.
After DREAM 14 was hailed as one of the most exciting MMA shows of the first half of
2010, all eyes now turn to DREAM 15′s stacked card this Saturday. All ideas of good sportsmanship and the revered Bushido code of respect will be thrown out when the heated rivalry between two of the world’s top 5 ranked Lightweight fighters finally explodes at DREAM 15.
Submission ace Shinya Aoki defends his DREAM lightweight title against arch-nemesis Tatsuya “Crusher” Kawajiri in a blockbuster main event that can be seen exclusively on HDNet!
“The matchups are stacked from top to bottom at DREAM 15,” said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights. “With the LIVE broadcast on HDNet, DREAM 15 is a chance to prove to North America that the Japanese MMA community is still at the top of its game and features the best fighters in the world.” The showdown between Japan’s two leading lightweights comes after many months of ill will between the two. Kawajiri has long demanded a showdown with Aoki, promising to knock out the submission specialist. Aoki, who comes off a loss to Gilbert Melendez in the USA, needs to win this match to both silence Kawajiri and reaffirm his standing as one of the world’s best Lightweights.
In more DREAM 15 action, former DREAM Middleweight GP champion Gegard Mousasi looks to rally back from a loss to Muhammed Lawal, as he takes part in the four-man DREAM Light Heavyweight Grand Prix. Mousasi takes on six-time UFC veteran Jake O’Brien, who has gone 7-3 in his last 10 bouts including wins over Heath Herring, Christian Wellisch and Dave Hess.
On the other side of the DREAM Light Heavyweight Grand Prix draw, Holland’s Melvin Manhoef, who boasts 23 KO’s in his 24 MMA career victories, takes on tough Tatsuya Mizuno
Also on the card, brilliant Brazilian JZ Cavalcantereturns to action for the first time in more than a year when he takes on Katsunori Kikuno.Cavalcante, a former two-time Hero’s Middleweight Champion looks to put injuries and inactivity behind him as he takes on the masterful DEEP champion Kikuno.
In another highly-anticipated match, M-1 star Karl Amoussou makes his DREAM debut against Kazuhiro Nakamura, who retired the great Hidehiko Yoshida in his last fight. Amoussou is a ferocious talent who has stopped opponents in 11 of his 12 career wins.
And, for a special treat, Sengoku star Michihiro Omigawa makes his DREAM debut against Young Sam Jung of Korea.
UFC CONTINUES ANTI-PIRACY EFFORTS
500 BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS REACH SETTLEMENT WITH UFC OVER ILLEGAL VIEWING AND BROADCASTING OF UFC EVENTS
As a part of its ongoing efforts to combat piracy, the Ultimate Fighting Championship® announced today that it reached confidential settlements with over 500 businesses and individuals as a result of illegal broadcasts and views of UFC events.
The settlements, reached over the past two years, are only part of the UFC’s campaign to combat piracy, which includes working closely with Federal and state law enforcement agencies.
“We are committed to standing toe-to-toe with anyone trying to illegally broadcast or stream UFC events,” UFC President Dana White, said. “Today’s announcement further drives home the fact that we are fully prepared to pursue any business or individual that steals our programming.”
UFC CONFIRMS REMAINING BOUTS FOR UFC 116: LESNAR vs CARWIN
SATURDAY, JULY 3, 2010
YOSHIHIRO AKIYAMA vs. CHRIS LEBEN
CHRIS LYTLE vs. MATT BROWN
KRZYSZTOF SOSZYNSKI vs. STEPHAN BONNAR
GEORGE SOTIROPOULOUS vs. KURT PELLEGRINO
BRENDAN SCHAUB vs. CHRIS TUCHSCHERER
KENDALL GROVE vs. GORAN RELJIC
SETH PETRUZELLI vs. RICARDO ROMERO
DAVE BRANCH vs. GERALD HARRIS
FORREST PETZ vs. DANIEL ROBERTS
JON MADSEN vs. KARLOS VEMOLA
Live from MGM Grand Arena – Las Vegas, NV
This year, the Ultimate Fighting Championship® provides another reason to look forward to the Fourth of July weekend as the remaining bouts of UFC 116: LESNAR vs. CARWIN, presented by Bud Light, is now confirmed. UFC 116, which will consolidate the heavyweight titles held by Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin, will be accentuated by some of the most notable fighters in the UFC®.
Only two weeks after his impressive second-round TKO victory over previously undefeated Aaron Simpson, UFC veteran Chris Leben (fighting out of Oahu, Hawaii / 20-6) steps right back into the Octagon™ for the injured Wanderlei Silva and faces one of his toughest tests to date. The 29-year-old Portland, Oregon native has won his last two fights and four of his last six with three knockouts in the process. With legitimate KO power and a chin to go with it, Leben is a nightmare for many middleweight fighters. After a spectacular UFC debut a year ago, Yoshihiro Akiyama (fighting out of Osaka, Japan/13-1, 2 NC professional record) is set to make his long-awaited return to the Octagon. In his first fight, Akiyama won a split decision over Alan Belcher, while also taking home “Fight of the Night” honors in the middleweight contest. Throughout his mixed martial arts career, Akiyama has been known for his submissions and knockout power, and now he’ll definitely be getting another fighter that will test the power in those fists.
Featured in the “swing” bout of UFC® 116, Matt “The Immortal” Brown (fighting out of Cincinnati, Ohio/13-8) has been victorious in three of his last four fights, including a TKO of James Wilks. Brown has excelled in his striking ability and conditioning, however his tenacity will be tested when he battles Chris “Lights Out” Lytle (fighting out of Indianapolis, Ind./38-17-4). Lytle, a former professional boxer and a very experienced welterweight, is coming off two consecutive wins over Kevin Burns and Brian Foster. This fight should be very entertaining as both fighters do not fear exchanging blows for three rounds.
In a highly anticipated light heavyweight rematch, “The American Psycho” Stephan Bonnar (fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev./14-7) looks to avenge his TKO loss at UFC® 110, which came due to a cut. Bonnar has been a highly recognized fighter in the UFC® since 2005 after his battle with Forrest Griffin in the finale of the first season of The Ultimate Fighter®. This fight is important for Bonnar to gain some much needed momentum. Krzysztof “The Polish Experiement” Soszynski(fighting out of Temecula, Calif. via Winnipeg, MB, Canada/20-10-1) is not only coming off the victory over Bonnar, but he has also won four of his five fights in the UFC. Not only does he possess the power that he displayed against Bonnar, but he also has an impressive set of submission skills, as two of his four UFC victories have come by way of arm-lock submissions.
Riding a four fight win streak that dates back to September of 2008, Kurt “Batman” Pellegrino (fighting out of Point Pleasant, N.J./21-4) has been a very successful fighter in the UFC®. Pellegrino’s background in wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu have enabled him to become a highly technical fighter, with four of his seven UFC® wins coming by way of submission. His opponent George Sotiropoulos (fighting out of Vancouver, Wash./12-2) has also proved to be an Octagon standout, as he has defeated all five opponents he has faced. Making his debut at The Ultimate Fighter ® Finale 6, The Australian-born lightweight has shown to be a well-rounded fighter who can win through striking or submissions.
Chris “The Crowbar” Tuchscherer (fighting out of Fargo, N.D./18-2, 1 NC) has been able to translate a successful collegiate wrestling background into an impressive MMA record. A two-time Division II All-American and current training partner to UFC heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar, Tuchscherer is coming off a victory over Tim Hague at UFC® 109. With only two fights under his belt in the UFC®, Tuchscherer hopes a win over the up-and-coming Brendan “The Hybrid” Schaub (fighting out of Denver, Colo./6-1) could be a stepping stone to future successes. In his short career, Schaub has impressed many after being the runner-up on the 10th season of The Ultimate Fighter®. Schaub is coming off a TKO of Chase Gormley, who he defeated in just 47 seconds. This fight between these two prospects will be an intriguing heavyweight matchup.
After an intense battle with CB Dollaway at UFC® 110, Goran Reljic (fighting out of Zadar, Croatia/8-1) is up against another tough fighter at UFC® 116. Reljic has an impressive overall record, with two bouts in the UFC®. The Croatian fighter is a counter striker, with knockout power from his hands and feet, which is a dangerous combination for his opponent Kendall “Da Spyder” Grove (fighting out of Maui, HI/13-7, 1 NC). At 6-foot-6, Grove has a reach that makes him a tough matchup for most middleweights. The veteran Hawaiian fighter has shown to be well-rounded, as his last three wins have come from three different methods (decision, TKO, submission).
Ricardo Romero (fighting out of North Brunswick, N.J./10-1) will be making his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut at UFC 116 in an attempt to take his MMA career to another level. Romero has accumulated 10 wins in his career and has shown he is not fond of leaving his fate in the hands of the judges, as nine of those wins have come by way of knockout or submission. “The Silverback” Seth Petruzelli (fighting out of Orlando, Fla./14-5) is a training partner of UFC veteran Tom Lawlor and makes his return back to the UFC. With a notable win over Kimbo Slice, Petruzelli’s first fight back has garnered plenty of buzz among fight fans.
Another fighter making his UFC debut is Dave Branch (fighting out of Brooklyn, N.Y./6-0), who is undefeated in his short MMA career. He has a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is a member of the Renzo Gracie fight team. His opponent Gerald “Hurricane” Harris (fighting out of Tulsa, Okla./15-2) has a wrestling background and uses powerful slams. Harris has defeated his last two opponents by TKO, most recently taking down Mario Miranda at UFC® Fight Night in March.
Daniel “Ninja” Roberts (fighting out of Tulsa, Okla./9-1) is a very athletic fighter who is a former college wrestler. He has combined his wrestling background with jiu-jitsu to post an impressive record, with most of his victories coming via submission. Now the Oklahoma product looks to get his 10th professional win against a very experienced opponent. Forrest Petz (fighting out of Cleveland, Ohio/24-7) will be making his return to the UFC. “The Meat Cleaver” has won five out of seven fights since 2007 and the Cleveland native looks to continue his winning ways back in the UFC.
With only seven professional fights under his belt, Karlos “The Terminator” Vemola (fighting out of Prague, Czech Republic/7-0) is not only a newcomer to the UFC, but also to the sport itself. Vemola has won all of his fights in his career, with three by knockout and four by submission. Jon Madsen (fighting out of Granite City, Ill./5-0) is another fighter who is undefeated through his short career. A former Division II National wrestling champion, Madsen has two victories in the UFC, most recently a unanimous decision win over Mostapha Al Turk at UFC 112.
MMA Expo – Important Celebrity Update
TWO UNFORTUNATE LAST MINUTE CANCELLATIONS –
Allastair Overeem – Great for Allastair – Not so great for his Toronto fans. This week he signed with DREAM to fight in July and is heading right into camp. But how’s this for “I’m REALLY sorry I had to cancel” – a personal video from Allastair to Paradise Warrior Seminar attendees and MMA Expo fans that he sincerely regrets that he cannot attend. Classy guy and a great jesture. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfvjopluUgo
Andrei Arlovski – forced to cancel due to “a significant personal reason”. Also very disappointing for Andrei, read the letter from his management:http://toronto.mixedmartialartsexpo.com/?cmd=contentPages&sec=Arlovski
Our apologies for the last minute cancellations… But Hey! It’s the fight game, baby! It happens. But we didn’t just sit back and say “Oh Well”. No way! Overnight we worked our butts off and secured THREE GREAT REPLACEMENTS!
1) Karo “The Heat” Parisyan – (18-5-0) After 18 months off Karo an awesoe competitor is in the midst of preparing for his comeback fight in Australia on July 10. He is actually taking a break from camp so he can fly in to appear at MMA Expo!!! Drop by the Victory Sports & Fitness/ Katsu-Do Fight Gear Booth, welcome him back to the game, and get your photo and autograph.
2) Anthony “Rumble” Johnson – (8-3-0) Anthony had to pull out of his highly anticipated March 21 “UFC on Versus” bout with John “Doomsday” Howard (13-4) due to a knee injury. He’s a promising talent and will no doubt be on many more UFC PPVs to come. Meet “Rumble” personally this weekend. Great guy and he’s totally pumped about coming up to Toronto for the weekend.
3) Vladimir “The Janitor” Matysushenko – (24-4-0) UFC powerhouse Vladimir is also in camp preparing for his upcoming July fight with Jon “Bones” Jones. But when contacted in California late last night he jumped at the chance to take a short break to fly up north to meet his Canadian fans on Sunday. Great guy, Vlad. And an awesome competitor! Let’s show Vlad a great Canadian welcome.
We have a great celebrity line-up for MMA Expo 2010 and all fighters are available for free autographs and photos. For the updated list click here:
http://toronto.mixedmartialartsexpo.com/?cmd=contentPages&sec=Celebs_2010
See you at the show!
MMA Expo Toronto THIS Weekend – Highlights
MORE FIGHTERS ADDED:
The MMA Expo fighter line-up continues to grow. Check the latest additions from TCB Fightwear and Headrush! And we still have a few more fighters to come!
CELEBRITY SEMINARS:
All fighters are available for free autograph sessions but for REAL bragging rights you can also train with some of the top celebrities at the Paradise Warrior Retreat Seminars. An awesome opportunity!
BOXING MATCH:
Don’t miss the Otis Grant Boxing Invitational on Saturday afternoon. Never been to a boxing match? This is a great opportunity to catch a great 12-bout card.
KICKBOXING MATCH:
Sunday afternoon Twin Dragon Kickboxing hosts a 12-bout action-packed card. Known for putting on great shows this is another hard-hitting event that you really don’t want to miss.
ABU DHABI TOURNAMENTS:
Literally non-stop action all day, both days, on six competition mats. Up-close bleacher seating available – all included in your general admission. And if you ever wanted to compete in these world-renowned tournaments this is an amazing opportunity to do so.
COMBAT TAI CHI:
Easy to get to location across from Lester B. Pearson Airport. Free parking included.
Private MMA Expo Celebrity AfterParty – Win VIP Passes
We have arranged for a SMALL PRIVATE PARY near MMA Expo Toronto at the International Centre on Saturday, June 12. It’s a private get-together for some of our MMA celebrities that have been signing autographs with fans all day. They LOVE their fans… but they also need a break.
If you have MMA friends that have NOT already entered our free draws you might want to send them this link so they can enter as well:http://toronto.mixedmartialartsexpo.com/?cmd=contentPages&sec=Draw
FYI – There’s no point in entering more that once because all multiple entries are automatically deleted.
GOOD LUCK at the draw! You just might be spending this Saturday evening having an absolute blast with these MMA champs and the MMA Expo Hotties! Winner will be notified on June 10.
Sorry – We cannot accommodate any individual requests for tickets as all other passes have been allocated to celebrity guests.
W-1′s Judgement Day Tickets Now on Sale
W-1 is proud to present Judgement Day live from the Colisée de Laval in Laval, Quebec on Saturday June 19th, 2010. Get your tickets now at www.admission.com – this is an event no MMA fan will want to miss!
The night will be highlighted by the much anticipated W-1 debut of Denis Kang as he takes on Korean sensation Dae Won Kim.
After being robbed at his shot at the Featherweight Title in Bad Blood, John “Haggis Basher” Fraser proved he is ready to be a W-1 Champion – this time facing off against a familiar foe, Montreal MMA legend Thierry “The Surgeon” Quenneville.
Judgement Day will also feature the return of the legendary Ivan Menjivar, fan favourite Antonio Carvalho, and Canadian MMA’s “Next Big Thing” Misha Cirkunov.
ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP® TO MAKE MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT IN CANADA
UFC® to Hold Press Conference in Toronto on Tuesday, May 25th at 1pm ET
Las Vegas, NV (USA) – The UFC announced a major announcement will be made at a press conference scheduled for Tuesday, May 25th at 1pm ET in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Lorenzo Fertitta, UFC Chairman and CEO and Dana White, UFC President will attend and host the event.
Interviews and photo-ops will be made available; the press conference will also be available for news stations live via satellite.
WHO:
· LORENZO FERTITTA, UFC CHAIRMAN AND CEO
· DANA WHITE, UFC PRESIDENT
W-1 Partners with TapouT Energy Drink
Warrior One MMA (W-1) has signed an exclusive agreement with TapouT Energy.
The partnership between W-1 and TapouT ENERGY features two organizations that have built their success around the fastest growing sport in the world, mixed martial arts.
W-1, as the premier mixed martial arts promotion in Canada, provides TapouT ENERGY the necessary exposure, both through its live events and international television coverage, to launch the product in Canada and beyond.
Together, W-1 and TapouT ENERGY aim to capitalize on the success and rapid growth of the MMA industry in Canada and around the world.
According to Upper 49thImports Director of Marketing Craig Stevenson, “New TapouT ENERGY is a desired extension of the global TapouT brand and is set to take North America by storm. Not only are the drinks filled with TapouT culture, they taste amazing and are sugar free. TapouT ENERGY is launching with three delicious flavours; Peach Mango, Cran Orange, and Cherry Citrus. The connection between W-1 and TapouT ENERGY is a logical fit as W-1 is rising quickly to the top of the MMA world and is a perfect way to promote the drink. TapouT ENERGY will be launching with Canadian distribution in 7-11 across Canada in June 2010.”
“We are happy that TapouT ENERGY chose W-1 as a top tier partner to promote new TapouT ENERGY. The partnership will certainly expose the TapouT culture further across Canada. We are excited to grow hand in hand with this world-leading brand”, says Jack Bateman President of W-1.
HDNET TO BROADCAST “HDNET FIGHTS: MARK BURNETT PRESENTS KING OF THE CAGE – HONOR”
Three Title Fights Highlight Network’s LIVE coverage - Friday, May 14 at 10:00 p.m. ETHDNet will feature LIVE coverage of “HDNet Fights: Mark Burnett Presents King of the Cage – Honor” from the Inn of the Mountain Gods in New Mexico this Friday, May 14 at 10:00 p.m. ET.
The KOTC title will also be on the line in the Flyweight division as Abel Cullum (17-3) defends his title against Josh Montoya (5-3). In the Bantamweight division, Angelo Sanchez (8-2) defends his title against interim champion Donald Sanchez (19-10) in a rematch that has been more than a year in the making. Both men enter the bout riding winning streaks of six and four fights, respectively.
In other action on the LIVE card, KOTC Welterweight Champion Quinn Mulhern (11-1) meets Joey Gorczynski (17-8) in a non-title bout, Sam Oropeza (3-0) faces off with Koa Ramos (6-1) in a battle of Welterweight prospects, and Nick “Afrozilla” Gaston (3-0) takes on Darrill Schoonover (10-1) in a matchup of Heavyweight contenders.
MMA DAY – Queen’s Park – Saturday, May 22 (TORONTO)
The First Annual MMA Day, organized by Toronto-based Mixed Martial Arts Expo, will bring together the Ontario citizens, families and businesses that see great benefit in having Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) recognized as another combative sport in Ontario, as boxing has been for over eighty years.
The event will be hosted by Ontario businessman, radio announcer and mixed martial artist instructor and competitor, Jeff Joslin. Also in attendance on the dais will be representatives from the tourism and hospitality industries, local and provincial politicians and many of the brightest stars in the Ontario MMA community including:
- “Showdown Joe” Ferraro ~ MMA Analyst; Host of MMA Connected on Rogers Sportsnet
- Loudon Owen ~ Chairman of the Fight Network
- Carlos Newton ~ Business Owner; First-ever Canadian UFC Champion
- Mark Hominick ~ Business Owner; professional MMA fighter
- Shah Franco – BJJ and MMA Instructor; Pro Fighter Coach
- Sam Stout ~ Business Owner; UFC Lightweight Contender
- Sean Pierson ~ Bellator Welterweight Pro Fighter
- and more…
MMA Day organizer and president of Mixed Martial Arts Expo, Gerald Chopik, states that, “MMA Day on May 22 gives Ontario families, related industry workers and MMA athletes and fans and the opportunity to raise awareness about not only how they – but the province at large – will benefit from MMA being sanctioned in Ontario.”
Demonstrate YOUR support for MMA in Ontario by inviting all your MMA-oriented friends to meet up with you at MMA Day.