RING OF FIRE: Live Wire - TOUGH TALK IN GRUDGE MATCH
11-25-2009
Denver, CO
ROF News

While a lot of the hype for the upcoming ROF 36 event is focused on the main event between Vinny Magahales and BIG Mike Nickels, the main trash talking seems to be coming from the "GRUDGE" match on the main card.

Not one to shy from the spotlight or a microphone, Kit Cope was recently asked about his ROF debut against TUF Season 8 veteran Cameron Dollar.

"I can tell you this. I 100% WILL NOT LOSE THIS FIGHT" stated a confident Cope.

"As for the bad blood between me and "Penny Man", it stems from us signed to fight on another card. He pulled off because he was afraid, but then went around telling everyone I was afraid of him. Me afraid of him?
Whatever. How in the world can I lose to faux hawk wearing, Emo-wannabe, excuse for a fighter? I'll tell you what I'm gonna beat him black and blue and the rest of the 30 seconds To Mars too!"

Seemingly unfazed, a calm Cameron Dollar replied; "I could care less what kit Cope thinks. Talking is his thing. It's what he's good at, so him spouting off doesn't mean a thing to me. He should care more about training and less about talking. I am in the best shape of my life. I have had a great camp for this fight and I am entirely focused on beating Cope on December 4th. He can say whatever he wants but he bleeds red just like I do. I am going to prove that to the fans in denver next week."

The Cope-Dollar match is part of the 12 bout ROF 36: DEMOLITION event to be held Friday December 4th in Denver, Colorado. The event features 7 UFC veterans and will be produced live at Denver's Magness Arena.

For ticket info and for VIP seating call 303-521-0966

 

UFC 105 - Results

11-15-2009

Denver, CO

 

From the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England.

 

Main Card Bouts:
1. Randy Couture defeated Brandon Vera by unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
2. Dan Hardy defeated Mick Swick via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
3. Michael Bisping defeated Denis Kang by TKO at 4:24 of rd 2
4. Matt Brown defeated James Wilks by TKO at 2:23 of rd 3
5. Ross Pearson defeated Aaron Riley by TKO due to stoppage from cut at 4:38 of rd 2

Preliminary Bouts:
6. John Hathaway defeated Paul Taylor by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
7. Terry Etim defeated Shannon Gugerty by guillotine choke at 1:24 of rd 2
8. Nick Osipczak defeated Matt Riddle by TKO at 3:52 of rd 3
9. Dennis Siver defeated Paul Kelly by TKO at 2:56 of rd 2
10. Alexander Gustafsson defeated Jared Hamman by KO at 0:41 of rd 1
11`. Andre Winner defeated Roli Delgado by KO at 3:22 of rd 1

 

LOCAL NEWS - Colorado MMA

KING OF CHAMPIONS "Rage 2009" - Results

11-15-2009

Denver, CO

 

From the Ritchie Center in Denver, Colorado

 

1. Chris Camozzi defeated UFC veteran Chad Reiner
2. Ryan Davis defeated Santana Martinez
3. Joe Guiterrez defeated Jarrod Lopez
4. Matt Vigil defeated James Smith
5. Joey Banks defeated Geoff Brokx
6. Jimmy Soiland defeated Eric Moya
7. Carlos Huerta defeated Ronnie Whitee
8. Gomez defeated Calvin Smedes
9. Andrew Alverez defeated Dustin Walters
10. Raymond Duran defeated Julian Gonzales

 

UFC 105 - Tonight

11-14-2009, Denver, CO

Event date: November 14, 2009

Venue: M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, England

 

UFC 105, which is headlined by the light heavyweight bout between Randy Couture and Brandon Vera and the welterweight battle between Mike Swick and Dan Hardy, airs on Spike TV in the United States beginning at 8pm ET / PT and live on ESPN in the UK at 8pm.
 

Main Event:
1. Brandon Vera (204) VS Randy Couture (204)
 

Main Card:
2. Dan Hardy (171) VS Mike Swick (170)
3. Denis Kang (185) VS Michael Bisping (186)
4. Matt Brown (170) VS James Wilks (169)
5. Aaron Riley (155) VS Ross Pearson (156)
 

Preliminary Bouts:
6. John Hathaway (170) VS Paul Taylor (170)
7. Shannon Gugerty (155) VS Terry Etim (155)
8. Matthew Riddle (171) VS Nick Osipczak (170)
9. Dennis Siver (155) VS Paul Kelly (156)
10. Jared Hamman (204) VS Alexander Gustafsson (203)
11. Roli Delgado (156) VS Andre Winner (155)

 

LOCAL NEWS - Colorado MMA
No Mercy Extreme Fighting Presents: "Annihilation 21" - Mixed Martial Arts Cage Fights
11-13-2009. Denver, CO
Event date: Friday November 13th, 2009
Venue: Colorado Springs City Auditorium, 221 E. Kiowa

 

Fight Card:

1. Manuel Gallardo vs. Shawn Ramsey

2. Gabe Marquez vs. Josh Bowens

3. Ken Henry vs. Matt Swortwood
4. Tj Nunnely vs. Xavier Saccomanno

5. Kevin Madrid vs. David Reid
6. James DeHerrera vs. Matt Manzanares

7. Daniel Gumez vs. Ty Duggan

8. Dan Aberle vs. Micheal Martinez
9. Celecino Torres vs. Thad Hendricks
10. Eric Selch vs. Evan Conver
11. Matt Miller vs. Alonzo Labotos

 

LOCAL NEWS  - Colorado MMA

K.O.C: "Rage 2009" - Fight Card

11-11-2009, Denver, CO

Event date: November 14, 2009

Venue: Richie Center, University of Denver

 

Fight Card:

1. Camozzi VS. Chad Reiner
2. Ryan Davis VS. Santana Martinez
3. Nick Macias VS. Cory Grant
4. Lannon Quintana VS. Matt Vigil
5. Joey Banks VS. Geoff Brokx
6. Carlos Huorta VS. Josh Kissle
7. Jimmy Soiland VS. Eric Moya
8. Dustin Martin VS. Ian Chavez
9. Bobby Cassada VS. Jesus Melendez

10. Isahs Gomez VS. Calvin Smeds
11. Joe Guiterez VS. Jarrod Lopez
12. Brendon Downing VS. Julian Gonzolez

 

No Holds Barred: Kevin Jackson Previews 2009-10 Iowa State Wrestling
11-11-2009
Denver, CO

http://nhbnews.podOmatic.com/entry/2009-11-10T17_37_55-08_00

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with Kevin Jackson, the Olympic gold medalist and two-time world champion freestyle wrestler, who is starting his first season as head wrestling coach for the legendary Iowa State Cyclones (http://www.cyclones.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&KEY=&SPID=4248&SPSID=46632).

The 2009-2010 college wrestling season for the Cyclones officially starts this Thursday, November 12, with a home dual meet against South Dakota State, at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. Highly-anticipated as always will be the annual showdown between Iowa State and the defending NCAA Div. I national champions, the Iowa Hawkeyes, which takes place Sunday, December 6, also at home for Iowa State. The Iowa-Iowa State wrestling rivalry has historically been one of the greatest in all of American sports.

We spoke at length with Kevin Jackson about what to expect this season. Iowa State has a strong returning team, with several All-Americans including 2009 NCAA Div. I national champion Jake Varner, who wrestles at 197 pounds. We discussed who are the likely starters at this point, the prospects for Iowa State to unseat Iowa as national champions, and the importance of many college wrestlers having wrestled freestyle for their college performance. We also discussed Kevin's own wrestling career, his adjustment from coaching freestyle for USA Wrestling to heading a college program, and the lessons he gained from finishing second at the 1987 NCAA Div. I National Championships which prepared him to win an Olympic and two world championships in freestyle.

And, of course, we also discussed mixed martial arts. Kevin was one of the first elite wrestlers to compete in Extreme Fighting and UFC in the 1990s. He explained why he believes that freestyle wrestling is actually a better preparation than Greco-Roman for mixed martial arts, how another wave of elite wrestlers are set to dominate that sport, and what can be done to keep top wrestlers from leaving wrestling prematurely.

We also discussed the ongoing failure of wrestling to promote itself properly, the need to master technology to get the story out, and much more.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=150801513&s=143441

The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.

 

No Holds Barred: John Perretti Deconstructs Strikeforce and Fedor-Rogers
11-09-2009
Denver, CO

http://nhbnews.podOmatic.com/entry/2009-11-08T15_57_54-08_00

On this edition of No Holds Barred, the second of two back-to-back shows, host Eddie Goldman speaks with our senior correspondent John Perretti about the November 7 Strikeforce mixed martial arts show, headlined by the second-round TKO by Fedor Emelianenko over Brett Rogers at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, IL, near Chicago.

This discussion is one of the most impassioned ever to take place on No Holds Barred. In it, John Perretti argued that the commentating on the CBS broadcast of this show was "an injustice to mixed martial arts." He said that the announcers generally failed to explain what was really going on during these fights, including the lack of proper technique and conditioning of many fighters on that card. This show "upset me," he said, as he offered numerous examples of how this presented "a caricature of mixed martial arts."

The mediocrity in and out of the cage represents a "demise of mixed martial arts," he continued, one which he lamented since he had played such a key role in developing the current structure of this sport when he was matchmaker for Extreme Fighting and UFC in the 1990s.

We also discussed the place of Fedor Emelianenko in mixed martial arts history, how sloppy his technique was, how he has obvious conditioning problems, how a top heavyweight boxer like Cris Arreola could defeat Fedor in mixed martial arts if he learned how to defend the takedown, and much more.

This is a highly controversial interview, even for No Holds Barred, and you do not want to miss this provocative but timely and essential discussion on mixed martial arts.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=150801513&s=143441

The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.

 

STRIKEFORCE: "Fedor vs. Rogers" - Results

11-08-2009

Denver, CO

 

From the Sears Centre Arena in Chicago, Illinois.

 

Main Bouts:
1. Main Event: Fedor Emelianenko defeated  Brett Rogers by TKO due to strikes at 1:48 of rd 2
2. Jake Shields defeated Jason Miller by unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
3. Gegard Mousasi defeated Sokoudjou by TKO due to strikes at 3:43 of rd 2

4. Fabricio Werdum defeated Antonio Silva by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Preliminary Bouts:
5. Marloes Coenen defeated Roxanne Modafferi by armbar at 1:05 of rd 1

6. Jeff Curran defeated Dustin Neace by TKO due to knees to the body at 1:39 of rd 1

7. Shamar Bailey defeated John Kolosci by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)

8. Nate Moore defeated Louis Taylor by TKO (tap out due to strikes) at 3:24 of rd 2

9. Christian Uflacker defeated Jonatas Novaes by unanimous decision (29-26, 30-25, 30-25)

 

RING OF FIRE 36 "Demolition"- ROF SIGNS MAIN EVENT FOR DEC CARD

11-07-2009

Denver, Colorado

 

On Friday, December 4th one of MMA's premiere organizations returns to action with RING OF FIRE 36: DEMOLITION.

The card will feature Seven UFC veterans and is headlined by two fomer stars of SPIKE TV's Ultimate Fighter.

TUF Season 8 finalist Vinny Magalhaes will make his ROF debut when he clashes with TUF Season 3 star and local fan favorite BIG Mike Nickels.

Magalhaes is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and hails from Gracie Humaita in Rio de Janeiro, the school founded by Helio Gracie. He now resides in Las Vegas and trains and teaches out of the Tapout Training Center. Magalhaes is a three time world champion in BJJ, and is a Pan American grappling Champion. On TUF Season 8 he defeated Lance Evans, Jules Bruchez and Krzysztof Soszynski. He then moved on to the finale against Ryan Bader losing by knockout. He is coming off a first round submission victory at CFP in North Carolina in October.

BIG Mike Nickels is a brown belt in Machado Jiu-Jitsu. He is the owner and Instructor of Colorado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Highlands Ranch, CO. After going 3-1 in fights at ROF, Nickels went on to be part of Ken Shamrock's team on Season 3 of the Ultimate fighter. He lost in his first fight to Matt Hamill by unanimous decision; however, he returned on the undercard for the finale, defeating previously undefeated Wes Combs by rear naked choke in the first round. Nickels then returned to ROF for one fight and scored one of the quickest K.O.'s in the promotions history dropping Carpacio Owens in just under 7 seconds. The victory earned him a match against Stephan Bonnar at UFC 73. Nickels has gone 3-0 in his last 3 fights, most recently defeating UFC veteran David Heath at MFC 22 in Canada. He scored both Fight of The Night a Submission of the night awards in the match. The bout was heralded as one, if not the best fight in MFC history.

The remainder of the card feature one of the best lineups in the RING OF FIRE 10 year history. It is stacked with UFC, Strikeforce, and K-1 Veterans and highlighted by promotion stand outs Duane BANG Ludwig and Alvin KID Robinson.

MAIN EVENT 205 lbs:
BIG Mike Nickels (Highlands Ranch, CO) vs. Vinny Magalhaes (Las Vegas, NV)

Feature Bout 155 lbs:
Duane BANG! Ludwig (Thornton, CO) vs. Ryan Roberts (Omaha, NE)

Feature Bout 145 lbs:
Alvin KID Robinson (Thornton, CO) vs. Anthony Morrison (Philadelphia, PA)

Feature Bout 155 lbs:

Cameron Dollar (Colo Springs, CO) vs. Kit Cope (Las Vegas, NV)

ROF YOUNG GUNS CHAMPIONSHIP 205 lbs:
Cody Donovan (Aurora, CO) vs. Eric Smith (Las Vegas, NV)

Feature Bout 185 lbs:
Chilo Gonzalez (Denver, CO) vs. Ian Berg (Denver, CO)

Feature Bout 185 lbs:
Andre Walker (Denver, CO) vs. Andreas Spang (Las Vegas, NV)

The undercard will feature 5 amateur matches including two women's bouts. Jen LIL ICE Berg will return to ROF. At ROF 35 Berg and her opponent Diana Rael earned both a standing ovation from the crowd and the Fight of The Night award.

 

STRIKEFORCE "Fedor vs. Rogers" - Weigh-In Results for Tonight's Event

11-07-2009, Denver, CO

Event date: November 7, 2009 - 8:00 PM/CT (Prelims AT 6:00 PM), Live on CBS

Venue: Sears Centre Arena, Chicago, IL

Main Card:
1.  Main Event - 265: Fedor Emelianenko (232) vs. Brett Rogers (264)
2. 185: Jason “Mayhem” Miller (184) vs. Jake Shields (184.5)
3. 205: Gegard Mousasi (205) vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (204)
4. 265: Antonio Silva (263) vs. Fabricio Werdum (242)

Prelimuinary Bouts:
5. 145: Marloes Coenen (145) vs. Roxanne Modafferi (140)
6. 170: Deray Davis (170.5) vs. Mark Miller (171)
7. 135: Jeff Curran (145) vs. Dustin Neace (150.5)
8. 170: Shamar Bailey (170) vs. John Kolosci (171)
9. 185: Nate Moore (184) vs. Louis Taylor (185.5)
10. 155: Jonatas Novaes (155.5) vs. Christian Uflacker (156)

 

STRIKEFORCE "Challengers" - Results

11-07-2009

Denver, CO

 

Billy Evangelista Defeats Jorge Gurgel, Shane Del Rosario Remains Undefeated At STRIKEFORCE Challengers


FRESNO, CALIF. (November, 6, 2009) – One night before the monumental CBS/ STRIKEFORCE/M-1 GLOBAL SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS Fedor vs. Rogers event LIVE on the CBS Television Network, hometown favorite Billy Evangelista defeated Jorge Gurgel via unanimous in the main event of Strikeforce Challengers on Friday night on SHOWTIME.

The two lightweights traded punches from the opening bell until the waning seconds of the first round when Evangelista (10-0) took Gurgel to the mat. But, in the final 30 seconds of the second round, Gurgel landed a powerful left kick that sent Evangelista to the mat. Just when it looked as if Gurgel (13-6) was about to submit get Evangelista with a guillotine choke, the Fresno native was able to escape with just a few tics remaining.

The third round featured some back-and-forth action, and Evangelista won by scores of 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.

”The guy is tough, it was exactly what I expected,” Evangelista said. “He was very aggressive; I have to take my hat off to him. He almost had me with the guillotine, but I was able to get out. It was a great fight, what else can I say?

Gurgel was clearly disappointed with his performance.

“Billy fought a great fight,” Gurgel said after the fight to SHOWTIME MMA expert commentator Stephen Quadros. “I expected to get booed. I just wanted to get some respect from the crowd, and I think I got that.”

While Quadros was impressed with Evangelista’s showing, he argued that Gurgel looked great, even in losing.

“It was everything we expected it to be,” Quadros said. “Evangelista showed a lot of guts in this because he had to fend off the wild hits and submission attempts from Gurgel. He showed a lot of heart in this fight.

“But, based on his performance, even in this loss, people still want to see Jorge Gurgel.”

In an explosive fight that few thought would go past the first round, Shane Del Rosario (9-0) defeated local favorite Brandon Cash “Money” (5-1) via first round submission in a matchup of two hard-hitting heavyweights.

After getting floored with a sweeping hook from Cash, Del Rosario was in trouble early, taking an onslaught of punches while on the mat. But, the undefeated prospect was able to get up and turn things around, getting the previously unbeaten Cash into an omoplata and ending things at 2:57 of the first round.

“That was pretty good,” Del Rosario said. “I knew he was going to come out swinging. He caught me pretty good, but I bounced back. I’ve been working on submissions a lot, and I was able to get one here.”

Rising middleweight star Luke Rockhold defeated fellow 185-pound prospect Jesse Taylor via rear naked choke in the first round in the third SHOWTIME televised fight of the evening. The fight almost immediately went to the mat, with both fighters attempting submissions. Rockhold (6-1) was able to get Taylor into the rear naked choke, and with Taylor (13-5) refusing to give up and unable to escape, the referee ended the fight at 3:42 of the first round.

“That was by far my toughest opponent, and I rose to the occasion,” Rockhold said. “I think I proved myself tonight, and I’m ready for whoever they give me next. I tried to keep the fight standing up, but I trained with a lot of wrestlers and I was ready for it. “

In the quickest fight of the evening, Merritt Warren (5-2) defeated Thomas Diagne (1-1) via heel hook submission. With both fighters grappling on the mat, Warren got Diagne, who initiated the takedown, in a heel hook, forcing the French San Shou champion to tap out at 3:49 of the first round.

“This guy had crazy kicks, but I was more technically sound,” Warren said. “I landed some really powerful shots on the floor. I went for it, he was really slick and I couldn’t get a hold of him, but I got the heel hook and I went for it.”

In a hard fought female MMA match, Fresno native Zoila Frausto (4-0) defeated Elisha Helsper (0-2) via unanimous decision. Both fighters wanted to stand and trade punches, but the fight turned in Frausto’s favor in the second round when she landed a devastating right leg kick to Helsper’s face.

“My head kick really turned it around for me,” Frausto said. “I knew she was going to be tough. She kept coming, but I fought back. We both wanted to stand there and trade.

“I’ve been working on my kicks forever and I’m just happy I landed it right.”

Also during the telecast, former Strikeforce middleweight champion Cung Le announced that he would return to the ring on the Dec. 19 STRIKEFORCE event on SHOWTIME.

“I’ve been staying in good shape and I’m ready to get back in there for the fans,” Le said. “I’ll be fighting for Strikeforce on Dec. 19.”

STRIKEFORCE Challengers is a proving ground for up-and-coming MMA fighters. The series is designed to provide today’s top prospects with the opportunity to step-up their level of competition and demonstrate their ability in a nationally televised event.

Friday's fights will re-air on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 11 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME 2. The telecast will also be available On Demand beginning Monday, Nov. 9, and running through Dec. 6.

Saturday, Nov. 7 on CBS, the World’s No. 1 MMA Heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, will face undefeated American powerhouse Brett “The Grim” Rogers on Saturday, Nov. 7 LIVE on CBS Television Network (9:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) from Sears Centre Arena in Chicago.

Simply referred to as "Fedor" by fans around the world, the Russian is one of the most dominant fighters in the sport. He is a master of the Russian military combat system Sambo and boasts a record of 30 wins, one loss, no draws with 16 wins by submission, seven knockouts and seven decisions. The 28-year-old Rogers (10-0) is a massive physical specimen standing 6-feet, 5-inches tall and weighing 265 pounds. He possesses two of the heaviest hands in the sport of MMA, an attribute that has helped him knock out all 10 of his professional opponents.

In other broadcast fights, Jason “Mayhem” Miller, also known for hosting of MTV’s hit reality series Bully Beatdown, will face fellow submission specialist Jake Shields for the STRIKEFORCE Middleweight Championship. STRIKEFORCE Light Heavyweight Champion Gregard Mousasi, who is riding a 13 fight win streak, will face light heavyweight Judo expert Rameau Thierry Sokoudjo in a non-title matchup of two, hard-hitting KO artists. Plus, heavyweights Antonio “Big Foot” Silva returns to action against Fabricio Werdum.



Complete STRIKEFORCE Challengers Results:


Main Card:

Billy Evangelista def. Jorge Gurgel – Unanimous decision (3 Rounds) (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Shane Del Rosario def. Brandon Cash “Money” – Submission (omoplata) – 1st Round 2:57

Luke Rockhold def Jesse Taylor – Submission (rear naked choke) – 1st Round 3:42

Merritt Warren def. Thomas Diagne – Submission (heel hook) – 1st Round (3:49)

Zoila Frausto def. Elisha Helsper – Unanimous Decision (3 Rounds) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)



Preliminary Card:

Ben Holscher def Johnny Goh – Unanimous Decision (3 Rounds) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Casey Olson def. Chris Culley – TKO (Punches) – 1st Round (2:36)

Cole Escovido def. Maurice Eazel – TKO (Punches) -1st Round (1: 47)

Rico Altamirano def. Alex Trevino - Unanimous Decision (3 Rounds) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

 

WORLD VICTORY ROAD - "Sengoku 11th Battle" - Results

11-07-2009

Denver,  CO

 

From Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan.

 

Results:
1. Michihiro Omigawa defeated Hatsu Hioki by split decision
2. Mamed Khalidov defeated Jorge Santiago by TKO in rd 1
3. Jorge Masvidal defeated Satoru Kitaoka by knockout in rd 2
4. Tomoaki Ueyama defeated Hirokazu "Bull" Konno by rear choke in rd 1
5. Kazunori Yokota defeated Eiji Mitsuaoka by unanimous decision
6. Stanislov Nedkov defeated Kevin Randleman by split decision
7. Akihiro Gono defeated Yoon Young Kim by unanimous decision
8. Marlon Sandro defeated Yuji Hoshino by KO in rd 1
9. Dave Herman defeated Jim York by KO in rd 1
10. Ronnie Mann defeated Shigeki Osawa by unanimous decision
11. Ryota Uozomi defeated Yuichiro Yajima by armbar in rd 1

 

PANCRASE 2009 "Changing Tour " - Fight Card
11-05-2009, Denver, CO
Event date: November 8, 2009, doors open at 15:00, fights start at 16:30
Venue: Azelea Taisho Hall, Osaka, Japan

Pancrase Amateur Gate Bouts:
1. Welterweight: Shinji Shimamura vs. Yu Kitada
2. Lightweight: Morita vs. Masayuki Ino
3. Bantamweight: Ken Ishida vs. Daiki Nakahara
4. Bantamweight: Sho Nonaka vs. Yuji Ogawa
5. Flyweight: Yuya Ono vs. Hideaki Tanaka

Main Card Bouts:
1. Bantamweight: Nobuhiro "Punch" Yamauchi 6-5-0 vs. 3-6-1 Nobuhiro Yoshitake
2. Featherweight: Soyu Tanabe 4-3-1 vs. 1-1-1 Hiroshi Tomita
3. Welterweight: Yu Shiori 7-2-0 vs. 8-7-2 Yuta Nakamura
4. Welterweight: Kiichi "Strasser" Kunimoto 7-3-0 vs. 1-7-1 Yoshifumi Dogaki
5. Lightweight: Daisuke "13" Hanazawa 12-11-5 vs. 1-1-0 Koji Nakamura

Main Event:
6. Lightweight: Takafumi Ito 33-29-10 vs. 10-10-4 Takahiro Kajita

 

No Holds Barred: King Mo on Strikeforce, Weekend Previews of Fedor-Rogers,

Dawson-Johnson 2, and More
11-06-2009
Denver, CO

http://nhbnews.podOmatic.com/entry/2009-11-05T19_12_48-08_00

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman begins by commenting on some of the latest dirty business in the combat sports. We discuss the lawsuit filed by top mixed martial arts heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko and his M-1 promotional company against Affliction over the cancellation of the August 1 Affliction card and the subsequent closing of the Affliction mixed martial arts promotion, along with the simultaneous renewal of a sponsorship deal of Affliction with UFC. We also comment on some of the latest but typical nonsense emanating from the WBC and WBO, two of boxing's major sanctioning bodies.

We next discuss the incredibly busy weekend of important fights in both mixed martial arts and boxing taking place around the world.

On Friday, November 6, two separate boxing cards in Northern Ireland will feature popular light welterweight Paul McCloskey against Daniel Rasilla for a European belt, and heavyweights Sam Sexton against Martin Rogan in a rematch of their fight in May when Sexton stopped Rogan in eight rounds. Two former boxing world champions, Zab Judah and Joel Casamayor, return to action in separate bouts on a pay-per-view from Las Vegas. And the Strikeforce Challengers mixed martial arts series on Showtime features unbeaten lightweight Billy Evangelista facing veteran Jorge Gurgel on a card in Fresno, Calif.

The action continues Saturday, November 7, with the Sengoku 11 mixed martial arts card from Tokyo, Japan, headlined by a featherweight fight between Hatsu Hioki and Michihiro Omigawa. The seven-foot Russian giant, WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev, will defend his belt against the former cruiserweight champion, David Haye of the UK, in Nuremburg, Germany.

The Strikeforce-M-1 Global mixed martial arts card will be televised live in the U.S. on CBS Saturday, November 7, from the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, near Chicago. It will of course be headlined by the showdown between the top mixed martial arts heavyweight in the world, Fedor Emelianenko, and the unbeaten Brett Rogers. The televised card is also scheduled to include bouts between heavyweights Antonio Silva and Fabricio Werdum, light heavyweights Gegard Mousasi and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, and a middleweight title fight between Jake Shields and Jason "Mayhem" Miller for Shields's belt.

Also this very busy Saturday night, November 7, two of the top light heavyweight boxers in the world, Chad Dawson and Glen Johnson, have a rematch of their April 2008 fight, won by Dawson by a highly-disputed unanimous decision. This takes place at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut, and will be televised live in the U.S. on HBO.

We discuss all these events, as well as give some advice to those who would like to see them online through various streaming video sites and services.

We spoke with both Chad Dawson and Glen Johnson on a media conference call to get their views on what to expect this Saturday night. We also spoke with Strikeforce promoter Scott Coker about how the Fedor-Rogers fight has been marketed. You can hear those discussions on this edition of No Holds Barred.

Last but not least, we have an in-depth preview of the November 7 card with the undefeated mixed martial arts fighter and freestyle and college wrestling champion, "King" Mo Lawal (http://kingmo.us/). He joins us to analyze the four main fights on that Strikeforce card, plus discuss wrestling, boxing, and mixed martial arts technique. He is also scheduled to make his Strikeforce debut December 19 against an opponent to be named.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=150801513&s=143441

The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.

 

Fighter Search for Dec. 26 Show in Europe Live
11-06-2009
Denver, CO

LAS VEGAS – FightEngine.com is searching for one male fighter and one female fighter for featured kickboxing events to air live Dec. 26 on FOX in Istanbul.

Female fighter Seyda Daygun (120 lbs, 54.9 kg) is a 3-time WKN European Champion, while male fighter Adem Bozkurt (155 lbs, 69.9 kg) is a 3-time WKN World Champion. Both are looking for legitimate opponents to challenge them on the upcoming Dec. 26 show in Istanbul.

As a result of the need for fighters, FightEngine.com is conducting a worldwide search for fighters (novice and professional) to post their videos onwww.FightEngine.com and ramp-up traffic and ratings in order to gain extra sponsors and worldwide fights for fighters and promoters.

Purses for upcoming shows may be as large as $35,000 for qualified candidates.

MMA fighters shouldn’t shy away from fighting on kickboxing cards because they could follow the footsteps of a lot of top headline fighters such as Bob “The Beast” Sapp and KIMO Leopoldo, who fought on kickboxing or MMA shows, pending on the promoter. “Remember fighting is your business and diversifying your fight style is your portfolio,” one Nevada promoter recommended. “The more fights you can get into, the more value you add to your career.”

To apply go to www.FightEngine.com and click on the “Register” link in the Member Login section on the right-hand side of the website.

FightEngine.com works with kickboxing and MMA fighters to gain International notoriety. Registered fighters from around the world do not have to be “name” or even veterans of the fight world. Unknowns or even novice fighters may be discovered by posting his or her video and challenge other registered fighters, allowing each participant to accept or deny challenges, as well as express their semi-uncensored opinions about any posted challenges.

Registered fighters may gauge their popularity through one web site, at one location, through www.FightEngine.com and its fan feedbacks.

Kickboxing and MMA promoters and managers have a brand new way to scout talent. Fans become real matchmakers, publicly criticizing video-posted fighters as well as arguing with other fans regarding which fighters they want matched against each other.

A non-discriminatory source providing male and female fighters, as well as ring girls, FightEngine.com also offers opportunities to gain invaluable exposure on its popular website. Promoters and managers have started closely monitoring fightengine.com to scout and discover their next streetfighting prospects and future MMA stars.

For a few selected fighters, Fightengine.com offers a unique opportunity to earn a guaranteed five-figure purse, sign a potential six-figure promotional contract from a top rated promoter, paid travel expenses.

Fans can get in on the action simply by registering on the website to become quasi-matchmakers, picking fighters they’d like to watch in matches, in addition to commenting about fights other spectators propose.

Registered fighters on the FightEngine.com website are scouted by some of the world’s top promoters in addition to competing for an opportunity to fight on a super card guaranteeing purses of $10,000, $25,000, $50,000 and $100,000.

The “KO the Pro” section is where top-level fighters post action videos as other fighters battle for selection in a “KO the Pro” match-up. The first “KO The Pro” features legendary kickboxing and MMA superstar Bob Sapp, one of the key advisors for www.fightengine.com.

The growing list of “name” fighters registered at Fight Engine with their posted videos, challenging combat fighting legend Bob “The Beast” Sappthrough the site’s “KO The Pro” section, include members Jeff Monson, Jimmy Ambriz, David “Tank” Abbott, former UFC heavyweight championRicco “Suave” Rodriguez (34-10-0), and former UFC heavyweight contender Wes Sims (22-12-1).

All promoters wishing to benefit from www.FightEngine.com may contact Fight Engine by sending emails to promoter@fightengine.com with “Fighter Search Request” posted in the subject line of the e-mail. A FightEngine.com representative will contact you at that point to determine your search needs. This service is provided to promoters worldwide for FREE!!! It is just one more way www.FightEngine.com is looking to help revolutionize the fighting world.

Go to www.fightengine.com for additional information.

 

STRIKEFORCE "Fedor vs Rogers" - Lineup

11-05-2009, Denver, CO

Event date: November 7, 2009 - 8:00PM/CT (Prelims AT 6:00 PM), Live on CBS

Venue: Sears Centre Arena, Chicago, IL

 

Hard-hitting MMA action hits Chicago! It's the most anticipated event of the year when the world's #1 heavyweight fighter and Russian legend, Fedor Emelianenko, goes to war with undefeated American knockout artist, Brett Rogers! Strikeforce, M-1 Global and Rockstar Energy Drink present Fedor vs. Rogers - Live at Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, IL on Saturday, November 7 at 8:00PM/CT! Also on the card, Gegard Mousasi battles Sokoudjou in a light heavyweight bout, heavyweights collide when Fabricio Werdum goes toe-to-toe with Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva - And, Jake Shields takes on "Mayhem" Miller for the Strikeforce middleweight championship! Get tickets now!
 

MAIN CARD:

FEDOR "THE LAST EMPEROR" EMELIANENKO (30-1) VS BRETT "THE GRIM" ROGERS (10-0)

JASON "MAYHEM" MILLER (29-6) VS JAKE SHIELDS (28-4) - MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

GEGARD "THE DREAMCATCHER" MOUSASI (29-2) VS RAMEAU THIERRY "THE AFRICAN ASSASIN" SOKODJOU

FABRICIO "VAI CAVALO" WERDUM (12-4-1) VS ANTONIO "BIGFOOT" SILVA (13-1)

UNDERCARD:

MARLOES COENEN (16-3) VS ROXANNE MODAFERRI (13-4)

MARK MILLER (9-5) VS DERAY DAVIS (5-1)

JEFF CURRAN (31-12) VS SAM THAO (5-1)

JOHN KOLOSCI (10-5) VS SHAMAR BAILEY (9-1)

LOUIS TAYLOR (4-0) VS NATE MOORE (5-1)

CHRISTIAN UFLACKER (1-0) VS JONATAS NOVAES (4-2)

 

No Holds Barred: Fedor Emelianenko, Brett Rogers, Frank Shamrock
11-03-2009
Denver, CO

http://nhbnews.podOmatic.com/entry/2009-11-02T22_57_25-08_00

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman previews the showdown between the top mixed martial arts heavyweight in the world, Fedor Emelianenko, and the unbeaten Brett Rogers. This fight takes place Saturday, November 7, at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, IL, near Chicago, as the main event of a card jointly promoted by Strikeforce and M-1 Global. It will be televised live in the U.S. on CBS.

This will be the debut fight for Fedor Emelianenko in Strikeforce, on CBS, and in a cage rather than a ring.

We spoke with both Fedor Emelianenko and Brett Rogers on a media conference call to get their evaluations of the techniques and action we can expect this coming Saturday night.

One of the CBS announcers for this fight will be mixed martial arts legend Frank Shamrock (http://frankshamrock.com). We spoke at length with Frank about what to expect in this fight, what type of chance the underdog Brett Rogers has in it, what is the best strategy to use against Fedor, how Fedor can be beaten if at all, how he would fight Fedor, his plans and when he wants to return to fighting, and much more.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=150801513&s=143441

The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.

 

No Holds Barred: Rich Clementi and Patrick Mooney of Cage Wars, Crissy Linzy of US Grappling

11-02-2009

Denver, CO

http://nhbnews.podOmatic.com/entry/2009-11-02T01_28_08-08_00

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman presents the final set of interviews conducted at the MMA World Expo (http://www.mmaworldexpo.com), held Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25, in New York City.

One of the mainstays of the mixed martial arts scene for many years has been the UK-based Cage Wars Championship (http://www.cagewars.co.uk). Their next card, entitled Nightmare, will be held Sunday, November 29, at Kings Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The main event will feature veteran American fighter Rich Clementi facing local favorite Chris Stringer in a three-round super fight.

To preview that show, and to discuss the state of Cage Wars and mixed martial arts in the UK, Europe, and the world, we spoke with Rich Clementi and Patrick Mooney, the creative operational officer of Cage Wars.

One of the growing number of circuits which run Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and submission grappling tournaments is US Grappling (http://www.usgrappling.us/). They have tournaments coming up December 5 in Ashland, Virginia, near Richmond, and December 12 in Henderson, North Carolina.

To learn more about US Grappling, we spoke with Crissy Linzy.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=150801513&s=143441

The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.

 

No Holds Barred: Future of MMA Panel, Day Two, and Re-Legalization of MMA in New York

11-01-2009

Denver, CO

 

http://nhbnews.podomatic.com/entry/eg/2009-10-31T21_25_11-07_00

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman presents the second day of the "Future of MMA" panel, held Sunday, October 25, at the MMA World Expo in New York City.

The panelists on the second day of this two-day event and discussion were attorney Michael Kim, who has been active in the legislative battle to re-legalize mixed martial arts in the State of New York; MMA journalist Jim Genia; and Eddie Goldman. The discussion was moderated by Keisha Morrisey. The audio from the first day of this panel has already been posted.

The second day of this panel discussion picked up where we left off, and allowed us to elaborate on many new topics. Besides reviewing the history of the struggle to re-legalize MMA in New York, and to overturn the regressive 1997 law banning it, which still stands today, we discussed such topics as the dangers of unregulated, underground fights, who has been against mixed martial arts in New York and why, and much more.

Clarity on these types of issues is important if this battle to re-legalize MMA in New York is to be successful, which it thus far has not been.

 

No Holds Barred: Mark Schultz, Rhadi Ferguson, Reviews of MMA World Expo, Dream, UFC
10-28-2009
Denver, CO

http://nhbnews.podOmatic.com/entry/2009-10-26T15_46_11-07_00

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman begins with a commentary on the MMA World Expo (http://www.mmaworldexpo.com), the first such event in New York City, which was held Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25, at the Javits Center. This event was deemed a success by just about everyone involved, and you will get an idea why.

We then continue our commentary by discussing and comparing the levels of technique, action, and drama in the Dream and UFC mixed martial arts events of this past weekend. If the pursuit of happiness, a goal in life espoused for millennia, from Aristotle to the United States Declaration of Independence, is our measure, Dream was the certain winner in this respect.

We next present two of the several interviews we conducted at the MMA World Expo, with more to come.

We spoke with wrestling legend Mark Schultz (http://markschultz.com), a 1984 Olympic gold medalist and two-time world champion in freestyle wrestling for the U.S., and a three-time NCAA Div. I wrestling champion at Oklahoma. He is also 1-0 in mixed martial arts, and he explained why some records which indicate otherwise are inaccurate. We discussed wrestling, the role of grappling, MMA, and more in a candid interview.

And we spoke with Dr. Rhadi Ferguson (http://rhadi.com), a 2004 U.S. Olympian in judo, and a motivational speaker, trainer, and coach. We discussed the role of grappling in mixed martial arts, his approach to grappling, and much more.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=150801513&s=143441

The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.

 

PANCRASE 2009 Changing Tour - Results

10-26-2009

Denver, CO

 

From Differ Ariake in Tokyo, Japan.

 

Pancrase Gate (Amateur) Bouts:
1. Lightweight Nobuhito Sakurada vs.Kenta Okuyama was judged a draw
2. Lightweight: Yuta Aoyama vs. Daisuke Shimoyama was judged a draw
3. Featherweight: Kazuyoshi "Chaplin" Kiyama defeated Taketo Noguchi by TKO at 1:05 of rd 2
4. Featherweight: Masaaki Hasegawa defeated Kenichi Ogura by TKO at 0:09 of rd 1
5. Bantamweight: Kazuki Itaya vs. Yuki Kishitaka was judged a draw
6. Bantamweight: Yuta Numakura defeated Masaki Kobuchi by rear choke at 1:23 of rd 1

 

Main Card Bouts:
1. Bantamweight: Manabu Inoue defeated Masahiro Oishi by decision (3-0)
2. Welterweight: Takuya Wada vs. Kengo Ura was judged a draw
3. Middleweight: Ichiro Kanai defeatedKeiichiro Yamamiya by KO at 0:52 of rd 1
4. Featherweight: Kenji Arai vs. Tomonari Kanomata was judged a draw
5. Featherweight: Tashiro "Akai" Nishiuchi defeated Jung Jin Suk by choke at 3:39 of rd 1
6. Light-Heavyweight: Shunsuke Inoue defeated Kazuhiro Hamanaka by TKO at 0:52 of rd 1
7. Bantamweight: Seiya Kawahara defeated Ryota Sasaki by decision (3-0)
8. Flyweight: Kiyotaka Shimizu defeated Takuya Eizumi by decision (3-0)
9. Lightweight: Isao Kobayashi defeated Hiroki "AB" Aoki by disqualification at 0:50 of rd 1
 

10. Flyweight - King of Pancrase title fight:
Mitsuhisa Sunabe defeated Isao Hirose by decision (3-0)

11. Main Event - Middleweight Bout:

Yuki Kondo vs. Yuji Hisamatsu was judged a draw

 

K-1 World MAX 2009 FINAL - Lineup

10-25-2009, Denver, CO

Event date: October 26, 2009

Venue: Yokohama Arena, Yokohama, Japan

 

Opening Bouts - K-1 Koshien (Highschool) Tournament Final 8 (62kg, 3x3min):

1. Keisuke Miyamoto vs. Masaaki Noiri
2. Shota Shimada vs. Hiroki Akimoto
3. Tsukasa Fuji vs. Katsuki Ishida
4. HIROYA vs. Ryuya Kusakabe
 

K-1 World MAX 2009 - Semi-Finals (3x3min, 1x3min Ext.):
1. Super-Fight: Yuichiro "Jienotsu" Nagashima vs. Xu Yan
2. Semi-Final 1: Giorgio Petrosyan vs. Yuya Yamamoto
3. Semi-Final 2: Andy Souwer vs. Buakaw Por. Pramuk
4. Reserve: Yoshihiro Sato vs. Yasuhiro Kido
 

Superfights (3x3min, 1x3min Ext.):

5. 62kg: Kazuhisa Watanabe vs. Jae Hee Cheon
6. Kozo Takeda vs. Albert Kraus
7. Taishin Kohiruimaki vs. Drago
8. Artur Kyshenko vs. Toofan “Storm” Salafzoon
9. Hinata vs. Mike Zambidis
 

Main-Event - K-1 World MAX 2009 FINAL (3x3min, 1x3min Ext.):
10. Winner Semi-Final 1 vs. Winner Semi-Final 2

 

UFC 104 - Results

10-25-2009

Denver, CO

 

From the Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California

 

 

Results:

 

1. Main Event: Lyoto Machida defeated Mauricio “Shogun” Rua by unanimous decision

2. Cain Velasquez defeated Ben Rothwell by TKO at 0:58 of rd 2

3. Gleison Tibau defeated Josh Neer by unanimous decision

4. Joe Stevenson defeated Spencer Fisher by submission due to elbow strikes at 4:03 of rd 2

5. Anthony Johnson defeated Yoshiyuki Yoshida by TKO at 0:41 of rd 1

6. Patrick Barry defeated Antoni Hardonk by TKO at 2:30 of rd 2

7. Ryan Bader defeated Eric Schafer by unanimous decision

8. Chael Sonnen defeated Yushin Okami by nanimous decision.

9. Jorge Rivera defeated Rob Kimmons by TKO at 1:53 of rd 1

10. Kyle Kingsbury defeated Razak Al-Hassan by unanimous decision

11. Stefan Struve defeated Chase Gormley by triangle choke at 4:04 of rd 1

 

DREAM 12 - Results

10-25-2009

Denver, CO

 

From the Osaka Castle Hall in Osaka Japan.

 

Results:

1. Main Event: Alistair Overeem defeated James Thomson by guillotine choke in rd 1

2. Eddie Alvarez defeated Katsunori Kikuno by arm triangle in rd 2

3. Marius Zaromskis defeated Myeon Ho Bae by KO from a kick in rd 1
 

4. Kazushi Sakuraba defeated Zelg Galesic by kneebar in rd 1
 

5. Katsuyori Shibata defeated Tokimitsu Ishizawa by TKO from strikes in rd 1
 

6. Yoon Dong Sik defeated Tarec Saffiedine by split decision (2-1)
 

7. Yoshiro Maeda defeated Chase Beebe by rear choke in rd 1
 

8. Kuniyoshi Hironaka defeated "Parky" Won Sik Park by TKO (corner threw in towel) in rd 1
 

9. Tomoya Miyashita defeated Keisuke Fujiwara by unanimous decision

 
PANCRASE 2009 CHANGING TOUR - Lineup

10-24-2009, Denver, CO

Event date: Sunday, October 25, 2009

Venue: Differ Ariake, Tokyo, Japan

 

FIGHT CARD:
 

1. Main Event - Middleweight, 3x5 min rounds:
YUKI KONDO vs. YUJI HISAMATSU

2. Flyweight K.O.P. title defense, 3x5 min rounds:
MITSUHISA SUNABE vs. ISAO HIROSE

3. Bantamweight, 3x5 min rounds:
MANABU INOUE vs. MASAHIRO OISHI

4. Welterweight, 2x5 min rounds:
TAKUYA WADA vs. KENGO URA

5. Open-weight, 2x5 min rounds:
ICHIRO KANAI vs. TENSHIN MATSUMOTO

6. Featherweight, 2x5 min rounds:
KENJI ARAI vs. TOMONARI KANOMATA

7. Featherweight, 2x5 min rounds:
TASHIRO AKAI vs. JUNG JIN SUK

8. Light-heavyweight, 2x5 min rounds:
KAZUHIRO HAMANAKA vs. SHUNSUKE INOUE

9. Bantamweight, 2x5 min rounds:
SEIYA KAWAHARA vs. RYOTA SASAKI

10. Flyweight, 2x5 min rounds:
TAKUYA EIZUMI vs. KIYOTAKA SHIMIZU

11. Lightweight, 2x5 min rounds:
AB vs. ISAO

 

UFC 104: MACHIDA vs. SHOGUN - Tonight
10-24-2009, Denver, CO
Event Date: Oct-24-2009 7pm PT / 10pm ET / 2am GMT
Event Type: PPV Live
Venue: Staples Center, California

 

Main Card:

 

1. Main Event: Lyoto Machida (202.5) vs Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua (204.5)

2. Cain Velasquez (238) vs Ben Rothwell (265)

3. Spencer Fisher (155) vs Joe Stevenson (155.5)

4. Yoshiyuki Yoshida (170) vs Anthony Johnson (176)

5. Gleison Tibau (157) vs Josh Neer (156.5)

 

Preliminary Bouts:

6. Ryan Bader (205) vs Red Schafer (205.5)- LIVE ON SPIKE TV

7. Antoni Hardonk (249.5) vs Pat Barry (237) - LIVE ON SPIKE TV

8. Chael Sonnen (185) vs Yushin Okami (185)

9. Rob Kimmons (185) vs Jorge Rivera (185)

10. Razak Al-Hassan (204.5) vs Kyle Kingsbury (205.5)

11. Chase Gormley (262) vs Stefan Struve (243.5

 

USA GRAPPLING TRAILS - Results

10-24-2009

Denver, CO

 

Askren tops Volkmann, as U.S. No-Gi team is set in U.S. Grappling World Team Trials

PHOENIX, Ariz. – 2008 Olympic freestyle wrestler Ben Askren (Tempe, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) defeated 2008 Grappling World champion Jacob Volkmann (White Bear Lake, Minn./MMMA) for the 84 kg/185 lbs. title at the U.S. Grappling World Team Trials in No-Gi Grappling on Friday.

Askren scored two one-point takedowns and a four-point back mount to shut down Volkmann.

It was the first meeting between the two in any style. Askren was a two-time NCAA champion and four-time finalist for Missouri, while Volkmann was a three-time All-American for Minnesota, but they competed at different weight divisions.

“I am going to the World Championships. I’m going to try to win. We will see what happens. My Grappling has become a lot better in the last year,” said Askren.

Volkmann, an All-American wrestler for the Univ. of Minnesota, returned to repeat as a Grappling World Team Trials champion. The weight classes are different this year, as Volkmann won his World title last year at 80 kg/176 lbs. Volkmann is currently also competing in Mixed Martial Arts.

Askren, who took a year off from wrestling last year to compete in Mixed Martial Arts, is entering his first USA Grappling event. He has experience in Grappling, competing in the Abu Dhabi Championships earlier this year. Askren announced that he will also compete in freestyle wrestling in Sunday’s Sunkist Kids International Open.

The U.S. Grappling World Team Trials is the qualifying event for the U.S. team which will compete at the FILA Grappling World Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., December 11-13.

The champions in each weight class will receive funding to compete for the U.S. team at the World Championships. Three athletes in each weight class will compete at the World Championships, with the second and third competitors having the self-fund their trip. A fourth athlete may be selected for the U.S. team through a petition process.

Only one member of the 2008 U.S. Grappling Team which captured the team title at the World Championships in Switzerland won a gold medal in the men’s division, Tom LeCuyer (Plano, Ill./Atlas XT/Torres MA) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

LeCuyer, who won a bronze medal at the Grappling World Championships in No-Gi last year, defeated talented Dennis Prokopos (Milbrae, Calif./10th Planet Jiu Jitsu), 1-0 in a very competitive battle. LeCuyer gained the only point on a takedown.

Scoring a three-point technique in the closing seconds to break a 3-3 tie for the victory at 60 kg/132 lbs. was Zachary Makovsky (Philadelphia, Pa./Philadelphia Fight Factory), who beat Matt Kucala (Frankfort, Ill./Gilbert Grappling), 6-3.

Other individual champions in the men’s division were Alex Pacheco, Mesa, Ariz. (American Top Team) at 74 kg/163 lbs., Ryan Gillespie (San Diego, Calif./Takedown Elite) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs., Kelly Anundson (Columbia, S.C./Black Knight WC) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. and Mario Rinaldi (Port St. Lucia, Fla./American Top Team) at Open (Absolute)

All seven individual champions in the men’s division had a wrestling background. Six of them were college wrestlers: Makovsky (Drexel), LeCuyer (Northern Illinois), Askren (Missouri), Gillespie (Portland State), Anundson (Newberry) and Rinaldi (Delaware State). The other champion, Pacheco, was an Arizona high school state champion in wrestling, but did not wrestle when he attended Arizona State.

The most competitive weight class in the women’s division was 63 kg/138.75 lbs. There was a four-athlete roundrobin, with three of the competitors finishing with a 3-1 record.

Winning the weight class based on scoring the most classification points was Shayna Baszler (Sioux Falls, S.D./CSW/Next Edge), who had two submissions during the tournament. Placing second was Miesha Tate (Tacoma, Wash./Victory Athletics) and third was 2004 Olympic silver medalist freestyle wrestler Sara McMann (Gaffney, S.C./Sunkist Kids).

Tate defeated Baszler in their bout, then Baszler beat McMann by submission. In the final round of matches, McMann edged Tate, forcing the division to be determined by tie-breaking criterion.

Baszler placed third at the 2007 Grappling World Team Trials, her last event with USA Grappling. Tate won a silver medal at the 2008 Grappling World Championship. McMann was competing in her first Grappling event.

Capturing the 55 kg/121 lbs. division was 2001 World freestyle wrestling silver medalist Stephanie Murata (Minden, Nev./Sunkist Kids), who was competing in her first Grappling event. Murata scored a pair of submission wins in a three-athlete roundrobin.

Capturing a gold at 50 kg/110 lbs. during the first session was Felicia Oh (Big John McCarthy’s Ultimate Training Academy) won in two straight matches over Lisa Ward (Victory Athletics). Oh won the first match, 9-8, and won the second match, 3-0. Ward won a gold medal and Oh won a silver medal at the World Championships last year at different weight classes.

Other individual women champions who were uncontested were Tara LaRosa (Woodstown, N.J./Philadelphia Fight Factory) at 59 kg/130 lbs. and Tori Adams (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 67 kg/147 lbs.

Competition on Saturday will include Gi Grappling for both men and women. Also on the mats will be the Sunkist Kids International Open competition for Greco-Roman and women’s freestyle. The Sunkist International concludes on Sunday with men’s freestyle.

U.S. GRAPPLING WORLD TEAM TRIALS

Men’s No-Gi Grappling

60 kg/132 lbs.
1st - Zachary Makovsky, Philadelphia, Pa. (Philadelphia Fight Factory) dec. Matt Kucala, Frankfort, Ill. (Gilbert Grappling), 6-3
3rd – Brian Peterson, Valencia, Calif. (Big John McCarthy’s Ultimate Training Academy)
dec. Matt Betzold, Phoenix, Ariz.(Gracie Barra Lions Den), 2-1
5th – Anthony Frank, Orange County, Calif. (Lighting MMA) submission Jose Coronel, Anthem, Ariz. (American Pankration), 3:17

66 kg/145.5 lbs.
1st - Tom LeCuyer, Plano, Ill. (Atlas XT/Torres MA) dec. Dennis Prokopos, Milbrae, Calif. (10th Planet Jiu Jitsu), 1-0
3rd – Bryan Caraway Goldendale, Wash. (Victory Athletic) submission Ryan Komich, Springfield, Mass. (New England All-Stars), 3:36
5th –Rudy Fischmann, Glendale, Calif. (Wander Braga) inj. dft. Pedro Torres, Orlando, Fla. (unattached)

74 kg/163 lbs.
1st - Alex Pacheco, Mesa, Ariz. (American Top Team) dec. Ian McAlpine, Chandler, Ariz. (American Pankration), 7-2
3rd – Michael Kelly, Hebron, Ill. (Gilbert Grappling) dec. Jesse Valdez, Las Vegas, Nev. (Team Prasara), 1:27
5th – Matthew Scott, Brockton, Mass (American Top Team) inj. dft Cale Errigo, Glendale, Calif. (Siege MMA)

84 kg/185 lbs.
1st - Ben Askren, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Jacob Volkmann, White Bear Lake, Minn. (MMMA), 6-0
3rd – Shane Cross, Denver, Colo. (Grappler’s Edge) dec. Jeff Funicello, Mesa, Ariz. (American Pankration), 2-1
5th – Kyle Bracey, Amarillo, Texas (Roughrider Wrestling) inj. dft. Shannon Ritch, Coolidge, Ariz. (Siege MMA)

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
1st - Ryan Gillespie, San Diego, Calif. (Takedown Elite)
2nd - Dan Griffith, Tempe, Ariz. (unattached)
3rd - Largus Brock, Oklahoma City, Okla. (USAStars)

120 kg/264.5 lbs.
1st - Kelly Anundson, Columbia, S.C. (Black Knight WC)
2nd - Bobak Ranjbaran, Belleview, Wash. (Demon Jiu Jitsu)
3rd - Kenny Lester, Longwood, Fla. (Sunkist Kids)
4th - Kellan Fluckiger, Gilbert, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids)

Absolute
1st - Mario Rinaldi, Port St. Lucia, Fla. (American Top Team)
2nd - John Bagget, Tempe, Ariz. (unattached)
3rd - Shane Cross, Denver, Colo. (Grapplers Edge)
4th - Kenny Lester, Longwood, Fla. (Sunkist Kids)
5th - Robert Redman, San Jose, Calif. (San Jose State WC)


Women’s No-Gi Grappling

50 kg/110 lbs.
1st - Felicia Oh, Valencia, Calif. (Big John McCarthy’s Ultimate Training Academy) dec. Lisa Ward (Victory Athletics), 2 matches to 0

55 kg/121 lbs.
1st - Stephanie Murata, Minden, Nev. (Sunkist Kids)
2nd - Danielle Hobeika (Overtime MMA)
3rd - Shasta McMurry, Tempe, Ariz. (American Pankration)

59 kg/130 lbs.
1st – Tara LaRosa, Woodstown, N.J. (Philadelphia Fight Factory), uncontested

63 kg/138.75 lbs.
1st - Shayna Baszler (CSW/Next Edge)
2nd - Miesha Tate, Tacoma, Wash. (Victory Athletics)
3rd - Sara McMann, Gaffney, S.C. (Sunkist Kids)
4th - Angelic Rein, Littleton, Colo. (Grappler’s Edge)

67 kg/147 lbs.
1st – Tori Adams, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), uncontested.

U.S. Grappling World Team Trials Special Section, with 25 videos from Friday
http://www.themat.com/events/default.php?page=default&EventID=21817

 

DREAM 12 - Final Fight Card

10-24-2009, Denver, CO

Event date: Sunday, October 25, 2009

Venue: Osaka Castle Hall, Osaka Japan

 

Event to air live in North America on HDNet

 

Fight Card:

 

1. Featherweight - 63kg
Tomoya Miyashita (63kg / 138.9 lbs) vs. Keisuke Fujiwara (62.8 / 138.5 lbs)
 

2. Lightweight - 70kg
Won Sik "Parky" Park (71kg / 156.5 lbs - re-weighing) vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka (70kg / 154.3 lbs)
 

3. Featherweight - 63kg
Chase Beebe (63kg / 138.9 lbs) vs. Yoshiro Maeda (62.8kg / 138.5 lbs)
 

4. Middleweight - 84kg
Tarec Saffiedine (83kg / 183 lbs) vs. Dong-Sik Yoon (84kg / 185.2 lbs)
 

5. Middleweight - 84kg
Tokimitsu Ishizawa (84kg / 185.2 lbs) vs. Katsuyori Shibata (83.3kg / 183.6 lbs)
 

6. Middleweight - 84kg
Zelg Galesic (85kg / 187.4 lbs) vs. Kazushi Sakuraba (84kg / 185.2 lbs)

7. Welterweight - 76kg
Myeon Ho Bae (75.8kg / 167.1 lbs) vs. Marius Zaromskis (76kg / 167.6 lbs)
 

8. Lightweight - 70kg
Katsunori Kikuno (70kg / 154.3 lbs) vs. Eddie Alvarez (69.8kg / 153.9 lbs)
 

9. Heavyweight
James Thompson (126kg / 277.8 lbs) vs. Alistair Overeem (115kg / 253.5 lbs)

 

LOCAL NEWS - Colorado MMA

CLASH OF TITANS 5 - Fight Card

10-23-2009, Denver, CO

Event date: October 24, 2009

Venue: Island Grove Exhi9bition Building, Greeley Colorado

 

Fight Card:

 

1. 270 lbs.: Ryan Martinez vs. Louis Loyd
Top Notch 6-0 Pro, Kongo Do 8-0

2. 130 lbs.: Kyan Hampton vs. Raquel Pennington
Team Prophecy,  Kongo Do

3. 205 lbs.: George Ashaur vs. Rory O’Farrell
Combat Zone, Title Infinite MMA
 

4.145 lbs.: Ricardo McKeney vs.Nick Laney
Combat Zone, Title Infinite MMA

5. 270 lbs.: Anthony Alirez vs. George Morgan
Top Notch, Wy GnP

6. 170 lbs.: Carlos Marquez vs. Michael Martinez
Top Notch, Black Dragon

7. 145 lbs.: Andrew Alirez vs. Calvin Smeds
Top Notch, Serial Boxe

8. 135 lbs.: Matt Manzanares vs. Jesus Melendez
Black Dragon, Freedom Fighters

9. 195 lbs.: TJ Nunnely vs. Nick Meyer
Black Dragon,Top Notch

10. 145 lbs.: Ryan Fotheringham vs. Andrew Yates
Colo MMA, Aredz Currahee

11. 112 lbs.: Diana Real vs. Alyx Luck
Serial Boxe, Wyo

12. 260 lbs.: Jose Martinez vs. Dennis Maes
Freedom Fighters, PWIA

13. 155 lbs.: Terry Vergol vs. Jeron Aragon
A-1 Boxing, Art of War

14. 135 lbs.: Julian Gonzalez vs. Raymond Duran
Serial Boxe, Team Agoge

 

No Holds Barred: King Mo Lawal Signs with Strikeforce
10-23-2009
Denver, CO

http://nhbnews.podOmatic.com/entry/2009-10-22T12_05_56-07_00

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with the undefeated mixed martial arts fighter and freestyle and college wrestling champion, "King" Mo Lawal (http://kingmo.us/).

With a record of 5-0 in mixed martial arts, last week "King" Mo signed a four-fight deal to compete in Strikeforce over the next 18 months.

In another comprehensive interview, Mo Lawal spoke with us about mixed martial arts, boxing, and a little wrestling. He explained why he signed with Strikeforce and when he is likely to fight next. We discussed his options about fighting as a heavyweight or light heavyweight, and how he believes he matches up with top fighters including top heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, and Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi. We again discussed the sport of boxing, including the Carl Froch-Andre Dirrell and Arthur Abraham-Jermain Taylor fights from the first round of the super middleweight tournament this past Saturday, October 17. He discussed his love of Japan as a place to fight, and commented on the unwarranted negative views some people have of mixed martial arts fighters who are not in the UFC, and of those fighters who are past their primes. He reiterated his desire to compete in pro boxing, analyzed the reason for the longevity of the boxing career of 44-year-old Bernard Hopkins, and explained that he has no plans to return to wrestling now. He also talked about the plans to popularize Team Thirsty, which includes himself, Daniel Cormier, Rashad Evans, and Shawn Bunch, and much more.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=150801513&s=143441

The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.

 

FIGHT CAMP 360°: Fedor vs. Rogers

SHOWTIME SPORTS® SHINES SPOTLIGHT ON MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

10-23-2009

Denver, CO

Premieres Tuesday, Nov. 3, 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME®;

For The First Time Ever, Film Crew Captures The Athlete, The Family Man

and The Mystique of MMA's # 1 Fighter, Fedor, in Russian Training Camp


NEW YORK—In the wake of the critically acclaimed debut of FIGHT CAMP 360°: Inside The Super Six World Boxing Classic, SHOWTIME Sports® turns the spotlight to mixed martial arts with FIGHT CAMP 360°: Fedor vs. Rogers.

FIGHT CAMP 360°: Fedor vs. Rogers will feature unrestricted access to one of the most enigmatic professional athletes of today, Fedor Emelianenko and his next opponent, the undefeated Brett Rogers, as they prepare to headline "STRIKEFORCE/M-1 Global Saturday Night Fights" to be broadcast LIVE on Saturday, Nov. 7 (9:00 PM, ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

FIGHT CAMP 360°: Fedor vs. Rogers will premiere on SHOWTIME® on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT. The CBS Television Network will also make the show available to its 203 affiliated stations for broadcast in advance of the fight.

From director Ron Yassen, who is embedded in Fedor’s training camp in Stary Oskol, Russia: “Fedor is beyond captivating as a fighter, and more so, as a man. It's a pure joy to film him so intimately as he strives for perfection in life and sport with grace and charm. While training for this most important match, he kindly opened up his life to us in and out of the ring, without the ego that often comes with being the very best at one's craft.”

Produced in conjunction with Roadside Entertainment, FIGHT CAMP 360°: Fedor vs. Rogers will showcase both fighters as they prepare for this historic fight. Nov. 7 marks the first time Fedor, widely considered the sport’s No. 1 fighter, will appear in front of a national broadcast television audience. Despite his iconic status within the sport, Fedor (30-1) remains shrouded in mystery, living and training in seclusion in a remote mining village in Russia far away from the spotlight afforded the sports’ very best.

Rogers lives and trains in Minneapolis, and enters the fight with an impressive 10-0 record after most recently dismantling former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski. Rogers, a quiet, soft-spoken giant outside the cage, who earlier this year quit his job as a tire technician at Sam’s Club, has the opportunity of a lifetime to dethrone the sport’s greatest in front of a national television audience.

“The response to our inaugural episode of Fight Camp 360°: Inside The Super Six World Boxing Classic chronicling the boxing tournament has been overwhelming,” said SHOWTIME Sports General Manager Ken Hershman, who commissioned the project. “Because of the subjects involved—the mysterious world champion set to fight a man living the American dream—we had to turn our lens in this direction. Special thanks to M-1 Global and STRIKEFORCE for affording us a level of access to both men that has been unparalleled in their respective careers.”

Scott Coker, president of STRIKEFORCE, added, ”This is a one of a kind opportunity for fans to go behind the scenes and take a close look at the extraordinary, number one fighter in the world - Fedor - and his opponent who has become a symbol of The American Dream."

Below are the air dates and times for FIGHT CAMP 360°: Fedor vs. Rogers on SHOWTIME and SHOWTIME 2®.

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 9:30p (premiere) SHO

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 10:00p SHO2

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 11p SHO2

Thursday, Nov. 5, 10p SHO2

Friday, Nov. 6, 10p SHO2

Saturday, Nov. 7, 4:30p SHO

Note: all times ET/PT

 

CARSON'S CORNER - WEC champion Mike Thomas Brown

10-23-2009

Denver, CO

 

Carson's Corner is back with another huge interview! On this episode, WEC champion Mike Thomas Brown enters the ultimate probing ground for a revealing and entertaining discussion.

Mike and Bob look back over his journey from military school to the championship and how he overcame obstacles including a fondness for twinkies and a serious neck injury to become a world-class athlete.

Brown has faced some of the best fighters in the sport and gives his thoughts on battles against Hermes Franca, Urijah Faber and Masakazu Imanari, including the sickening leg lock which threatened to derail his career.

As well as his in-ring highlights, Mike gives some insights into his fondness for action figures, losing four figures on Thiago Alves vs. GSP, the potential absorption of the WEC brand into the UFC and his next fight against 16-1 knockout artist Jose Aldo.

Bob Carson + Mike Brown = a great time, so don't miss it!

To listen to the show, click here:
http://carsonscorner.podomatic.com

 

No Holds Barred: Bjorn Rebney of Bellator Fighting Championships on Upcoming Seasons Two and Three
10-21-2009
Denver, CO

http://nhbnews.podOmatic.com/entry/2009-10-20T15_57_04-07_00

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with Bjorn Rebney, the founder and CEO of the mixed martial arts company, the Bellator Fighting Championships (http://bellator.com/).

After a successful 2009 debut season on the Spanish-language ESPN Deportes network, it was announced Tuesday, October 20, that Bellator would be returning for their second and third seasons in 2010, on an alliance of Fox Sports Net, NBC, and the Spanish-language Telemundo network, in the U.S.

Beginning Thursday, April 8, 2010, Fox Sports Net will telecast a 12-week series of live Bellator fight shows in prime time in each market. Each Saturday night in the overnight time slot, NBC will air a 30-minute highlight show from the live fights of that week. Telemundo will also air a highlight show every Saturday night, from midnight to 1 AM local time. The third season for Bellator is scheduled to commence in August 2010.

In a lengthy interview, we discussed with Bjorn Rebney this step forward for Bellator. We examined the media aspects in depth, including when and how each network would telecast these shows, as well as their Internet strategy, including possible posting of fights on the NBC-Fox video site Hulu. We discussed the return of their champion fighters for the next seasons, the continuing use of the tournament format to determine number one contenders for their titles, why Bellator is very open to co-promoting events with other mixed martial arts companies, the likeliest locations for their 2010 events, and much more.

This new deal for seasons two and three solidifies the position of the Bellator Fighting Championships in the mixed martial arts world, and this interview analyzes all the main points about this important development.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=150801513&s=143441

The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.

 

LOCAL NEWS - Colorado MMA

STEEL CITY RUMBLE 4 - Results

10-19-2009

Denver, CO

 

From the Colorado State Fairground Event Center in Pueblo, Colorado.

 

Results:

 

1. Jeremy Oshium defeated Josh Bair by rear choke in rd 1

2. Nick Portillos defeated Louis Gaudy by armbar in rd 2

3. James DeHerrera defeated Ray Orasco by TKO due to injury in rd 1

4. Curt Barr defeated Alex Espindola by gulliotine choke in rd 1

5. Forrest Clouse defeated Jose Caro by triangle choke in rd 21

6. Tambora Gerl defeated Justin Shrewsbury by TKO in rd 1

7. John Chacon defeated Adam Soto by rear choke in rd 2

8. Greg Hartle defeated Andre Llamas by rear choke in rd 1

9. Prentice Ingram defeated Gabe Gonzales by KO in rd 2

 

PANCRASE 2009 Changing Tour - Results
10-18-2009, Denver, CO

From Sihnjuku Face Arena in Tokyo, Japan

1. Flyweight Bout:
Ryousuke Tanuma defeated Keiji Nakamura by TKO at 2:24 of rd 2

2. Lightweight Bout:
Zyuniti OOta defeated Katsunori Takahashi by TKO at 2:09 of rd 1

3. Bantamweight Bout:
Daisuke Endo defeated Susuma Akira Sato by majority decision (2-0)

4. Featherweight Bout:
Yusuke Kanako defeated Tomoyuki Miyazi by majority decision (2-0)

5. Bantamweight Bout:
Shimizu Hayato defeated Makoto Saitou by TKO at 4:25 of rd 1

6. Flyweight Bout:
Yuuitirou Yashima defeated Katsuo by TKO at 4:47 of rd 1

7. Middleweight Bout:
Kenji Nagai defeated Go by TKO at 1:28 of rd 1

8. Featherweight Bout:
Shigeyuki Utiyama defeated Toshihiro Saito by unanimous decision

9. Lightweight Bout:
Takashi Satoshi Hirayama defeated Eriya by KO at :20 of rd 1

10. Welterweight Main Event Bout:
Shingo Suzuki defeated Tomoyoshi Iwamiya  by TKO at 2:16 of rd 1

 

WEC 43: Cerrone vs. Henderson - Final Lineup

10-10-2009, Denver, CO

Event date: Oct-10-2009 10:00 PM ET

Venue: AT&T Center, TX

Venue Doors Open to Ticket Holders: 5:00PM CT. First Fight Scheduled to Begin: 6:00PM CT. First Main Card Fight Begins: 9:00PM CT

Watch the fights Saturday at 6pm PT / 9pm ET LIVE on Versus!

 

Preliminary Bouts:
1. Javier Vazquez (145) vs. Deividas Taurosevicius (144.5)
2. Cody “Ox” Wheeler (135) vs. Charlie Valencia (134.5)
3. Manny Tapia (135.5) vs. Eddie Wineland (135.5)
4. Mackens Semerzier (146) vs. Wagnney Fabianno (145.5)
5. Noah Thomas (136) vs. Scott Jorgensen (136)
6. Anthony Njokuani (156) vs. Mushin Corbbrey (156)
 

Main Card:

7. Damacio Page (136) vs. Will Campuzano (135)
8. Raphael Assuncao (146) vs. Yves Jabouin (146)
9. Rich Crunkilton (156) vs. Dave Jansen (156)
10. Donald Cerrone (154.5) vs. Benson Henderson (155)

"CBS/STRIKEFORCE/M-1 GLOBAL SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS" - Primetime MMA Fight Card Announced

10-10-2009

Denver, CO

SATURDAY, NOV. 7 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

Fedor Emelianenko, the #1 Ranked MMA Heavyweight in the World, To Be Seen for the First Time by a Broadcast Television Audience, Squares Off Against Undefeated American Brett Rogers

Middleweights Jake Shields and Jason "Mayhem" Miller Battle for the Recently Vacated Strikeforce Middleweight Title; Gegard Mousasi and Heavyweight Fabricio Werdum Will Also Appear on the Four-Fight Primetime Card

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 9 — CBS, Strikeforce, M-1 Global today officially announced the fight card for mixed martial arts’ (MMA) return to primetime with CBS/ STRIKEFORCE/M-1 GLOBAL SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS, Saturday, Nov. 7 (9:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

"We’re looking forward to delivering an explosive night of world class MMA action on CBS," said Scott Coker, Founder and CEO of Strikeforce. "We have the world’s # 1 fighter, Fedor, making his network primetime debut against an undefeated powerhouse in Brett Rogers and, with the stars lined up for the remainder of the card, it is bound to be an exciting night of television."

The following four primetime matchups are confirmed for CBS/ STRIKEFORCE/ M-1 GLOBAL SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS on Nov. 7:

Fedor "The Last Emperor" Emelianenko vs. Brett "The Grim" Rogers
Jake Shields vs. Jason "Mayhem" Miller (Middleweight Title Fight)
Gegard "The Dreamcatcher" Mousasi vs. Rameau Thierry "The African Assassin" Sokoudjo
Fabricio "Vai Cavalo" Werdum vs. Antonio "Big Foot" Silva
(All bouts are pending approval by the Illinois Athletic Commission.)

FEDOR "THE LAST EMPEROR" EMELIANENKO vs. BRETT "THE GRIM" ROGERS:

Simply referred to as "Fedor" by fans around the world, the 6-foot, 235-pound Russian is one of the most dominant fighters in the sport. A master of the Russian military combat system, Sambo, he boasts a record of 30 wins, one loss, no draws with 16 wins by submission, seven knockouts and seven decisions. His opponent, undefeated American, 28-year-old Brett Rogers (10-0) stands 6-feet, 5-inches tall, weighs 265 pounds and brings two of the heaviest hands in the sport to the cage. Both Fedor and Rogers’ last victories came against former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski.

JAKE SHIELDS vs. JASON "MAYHEM" MILLER

In the night’s middleweight title fight (185 pounds), Jake Shields (23-4-1) squares off against Jason "Mayhem" Miller (22-6). Shields, widely considered one of the best fighters in the world, brings an impressive 12-fight win streak to the cage, six of his last seven coming by way of first round submission. Most recently, he defeated world-ranked middleweight "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler in his Strikeforce debut on June 6. His opponent, Miller, a fellow submission expert, is one of MMA’s most exciting fighters. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai specialist is the host of MTV’s reality series "Bully Beatdown" and trains with two of the sport’s most recognizable fighters, Randy "The Natural" Couture and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. He currently has 13 submission victories on his resume.

GEGARD "THE DREAMCATCHER" MOUSASI vs. RAMEAU THIERRY "THE AFRICAN ASSASSIN" SOKOUDJOU

Gegard Mousasi and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou will face one another in the night’s light heavyweight (205 pounds) bout. Mousasi (26-2-1) of Leiden, Netherlands, recently scored his 13th consecutive victory on August 15, 2009 by winning his US debut and the Strikeforce light heavyweight title in a first round victory over defending champion Renato "Babalu" Sobral on SHOWTIME®. Sokoudjou (7-4), known to his fans as "The African Assassin," has scored six of his seven wins by knockouts and brings an impressive striking game to the cage.

FABRICIO "VAI CAVALO" WERDUM vs. ANTONIO "JUNIOR" SILVA

Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum will face Antonio “Junior” Silva in a matchup of two promising Brazilian heavyweights. Werdum is a two-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion and a submission expert while Silva has nine KOs in his 13 victories. Werdum, a former PRIDE and UFC standout, is coming off an impressive first round submission victory in his Strikeforce debut on Aug. 15 over veteran Mike Kyle. Silva, a fellow 6-foot-4 Brazilian, will be making his Strikeforce debut after compiling a remarkable 13-1 record since he turned pro in 2005.

SHOWTIME Sports will produce the four-fight event with host Gus Johnson calling the action and MMA legend Frank Shamrock and Mauro Ranallo serving as color analysts. The executive producer is David Dinkins, Jr.

 

Still time to attend U.S. Grappling Trials in Phoenix, Oct. 22-24

10-10-2009

Denver, CO

Grappling athletes can still sign up to compete in the U.S. Grappling World Team Trials, which will be held in Phoenix, Ariz., October 22-24.

The U.S. Grappling World Team Trials is the qualifying event for the U.S. team which will compete at the FILA Grappling World Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., December 11-13.

There will be competition in both No-Gi and Gi Grappling at the U.S. Grappling World Team Trials, and divisions for both men and women.

Men’s No-Gi and Gi Division weight classes: 60 kg (132 lbs), 66 kg (145.5 lbs), 74 kg (163 lbs), 84 kg (185 lbs), 96 kg (211.5 lbs), 120 kg (264.5 lbs), and OPEN.

Women’s No-Gi an Gi Division weight classes: 50 kg (110 lbs), 55 kg (121 lbs), 59 kg (130 lbs), 63 kg (138.75 lbs), 67 kg (147.5 lbs), and OPEN.

The No-Gi Grappling competition will be held Friday, October 23. The Gi Grappling competition will be held Saturday, October 24.

USA Grappling National Coach Ricardo Liborio has challenged the nation’s best Grapplers to try out for the U.S. team. Liborio hopes to put together a very strong team to defend the World Team title in both styles. The United States was the World Team champions in both No-Gi and Gi competitions at the FILA Grappling World Championships in Switzerland in 2008.

On-line registration ends Tuesday, October 20 at 6:00 PM Central Standard Time. The entry fee to register online is $75 per style.

Click here to register online for the U.S. Grappling World Team Trials http://www.trackwrestling.com/tw/registration/BasicPreReg1.jsp?TIM=1249515062416&twSessionId=luzudtqkxnhdade&tournamentGroupId=842009

Athletes may also register onsite, but will pay a $10 service charge, making the entry fee $85 per style.

All participants in the U.S. Grappling World Team Trials must be U.S. citizens.

More information is posted on the official event website http://www.themat.com/events/default.php?page=default&EventID=21817

The event will be held alongside the Sunkist Kids International Wrestling Open, as a high-quality international competition, featuring many athletes who have won medals on the World level.

Competition at the Sunkist Kids International Open will be held in Greco-Roman and women’s freestyle wrestling on Saturday, October 24. Competition will be held in men’s freestyle on Sunday, October 25.
 

Schedule for U.S. Grappling World Team Trials in Phoenix, Ariz.

Thursday, October 22
5:00PM to 6:00PM – No-Gi Grappling Registration
6:00PM to 6:30PM – No-Gi Grappling Weigh-ins

Friday, October 23
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM – Session I: No-Gi Grappling Preliminaries, Quarterfinals, and Consolations
3:00 PM to Conclusion – Session II: No-Gi Grappling Semifinals, Consolations, Semi-consolations, and All Medal Matches
6:30PM to 7:00PM – Gi Grappling Registration
7:00PM to 7:30PM – Gi Grappling Weigh-ins

Saturday, October 24
9:00AM to 1:00PM – Session I: Gi Grappling Preliminaries, Quarterfinals, and Consolations
3:00PM to Conclusion – Session II: Gi Grappling Semifinals, Consolations, Semi-consolations and All Medal Matches
 

2008 U.S. Grappling World Team Trials champions

Men’s No-Gi division
136.5 pounds - Matt Sanchez of Ultimate Fitness
154 pounds - Ricky Lundell of Grappler`s Edge
176 pounds - Jacob Volkmann of MMAA
202.5 pounds - Raphael Davis of Caique BJJ
275 pounds - Jeff Monson of Victory Athletics

Women’s No-Gi division
105.5 pounds - Lisa Ward of Victory Athletics
121 pounds - Felicia Oh of BJMUTA
138.75 pounds - Molly Helsel of NCFC
158.5 pounds - Miesha Tate of Victory Athletics

Please note that the weight classes are different this year.

 

No Holds Barred: Fight against Corruption in Sport; Paul Paone of MMA World Expo

10-09-2009

Denver, CO

http://nhbnews.podOmatic.com/entry/2009-10-08T16_43_35-07_00

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman begins with a discussion of the "Call for action against all forms of corruption in sport" (http://www.playthegame.org/news/detailed/call-for-action-against-all-forms-of-corruption-in-sport-4543.html). This was issued by the Play the Game organization (http://www.playthegame.org) and signed by numerous major sports figures and journalists from around the world. It is obvious that such a struggle against corruption is particularly urgent in the combat sports, and we thus urge all honest fans, media, athletes, and anyone else in the combat sports world to support it.

There will be an important event for the mixed martial arts on October 24 and 25 in New York, where this sport, thanks to the politicians of all species and the mainstream media, is still illegal. The MMA World Expo (http://www.mmaworldexpo.com) takes place those dates at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, and will offer hands-on instruction from top trainers and athletes in the combat sports. There will also be discussion panels, including one each day on the future and history of mixed martial arts, at which I will be one of the speakers. There will be numerous exhibits from mixed martial arts vendors. And this will be a great place to network and meet with people from this sport.

To preview this event, we spoke with Paul Paone, the creator and event director of the MMA World Expo.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=150801513&s=143441

The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.