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News Flash
July 2009Patrick Smith Makes N.E. Debut!
July 31 In NH.
UFC pioneer Patrick Smith was there at the beginning and 16 years later the ageless wonder is still going strong as he prepares to fight another UFC veteran, super heavyweight Kevin “The Shamnan” Jordan (11-8-0), in the Super Fight on American Steel Cagefighting’s (ASC) first professional mixed martial arts show, July 31 at the Icenter in Salem, New Hampshire.
Smith (16-13-0), now fighting out of Milburn, Oklahoma, was a UFC pioneer, losing a tough fight to Ken Shamrock in UFC1. He came back strong in UFC 2, winning three fights in a row, before eventually losing in the championship match to legendary Royce Gracie. Patrick’s most notable wins have been against Rudyard Moncayo in UFC6 and last year versus Eric “Butterbean” Esch.
Reflecting on his MMA career that Smith believes has taken off again, Patrick clearly is proud of where he’s been, as well as confident about where he’s headed.
“I look at it and say, ‘Wow,’ because this sport is now the fastest growing in the country,” Patrick said.
“I’m still here and doing very well. I’m more of an all-around fighter now, not just a good Muay Thai fighter and kick boxer. My body’s still good. (UFC president) Dana (White) keeps telling me to beat somebody more accomplished. I just beat Brad Imes in 28 seconds (TKO, March 13). I busted him up and did a lot of things to him in 28 seconds. I don’t know what more I can do. I’m outweighed by a lot every time I fight, but I’m still willing and able to fight anybody. Tim Sylvia, Chuck Lidell, Anderson Silva……they’re terrible strikers. They can’t hit me.”
Smith has fought all over the world – Russia, Japan, Brazil and Canada – and across the United States, but never before in New England.
“I’m looking forward to coming up there,” Smith added. “I don’t talk trash because anything can happen in the heavyweight division. I’ll be in good shape and will bring my best.”
IFL veteran Nate “The Future” Lamotte (10-4-0), of Manchester (NH), battles dangerous Doug “Flash” Gordon (9-7-0). Also scheduled to clash on the explosive 10-fight ASC card is undefeated New York lightweight Pat Audinwood (7-0-0) vs. “Mr. Big” Al Buck (6-7-0), former Cage Fury Fighting champion; lightweight Damien “The Omen” Trites (2-3-0) vs. Joe Dechaves (3-1-0); pro debuting featherweights Al Germain Sterling vs. Albert Reccio; welterweight Carlos Nieves (3-6-0) vs. Ryan Schieding (3-1-0); Worcester featherweight Evan Parker (1-0-0), Boston welterweight Aaron McKenna in his pro debut, and Boston middleweight John Clark (7-2-0) against opponents to be determined.
All fights are scheduled for three, three-minute rounds; fighters and fights are subject to change. Tickets, priced at $50.00, $75.00, and $100.00, are available to purchase at Stateline Ticket Agency in Salem (NH) and all Two Guys Smoke Shop stores in Salem, Nashua and Seabrook (NH), as well as by calling toll free 888.224.4272 or going on line to www.AmericanSteelCagefighting.com.
Doors open at 6 PM, first fight at 8 PM. Go to www.AmericanSteelCagefighting.com for additional information.
News Flash
June 2009SOBRAL V MOUSASI!
Trilogy PPV Aug. 1.
Gegard Mousasi has declared his fight against Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion, Renato “Babalu” Sobral an all-out war.
“Sobral is so tough. When he comes, he comes to fight,” says Mousasi, as he trains for one of the biggest challenges of his career.
Babalu Sobral ranks in the top ten of light heavyweights and has been training since Mousasi was a newborn. Besides the ten years difference in age and experience, Mousasi will have to contend with Sobral’s explosiveness and dangerous Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills in the ring.
Sobral, on the other hand, prepares for the power and athleticism that comes with Mousasi’s youth. Although Babalu is well aware of the dangers Mousasi presents, he fully intends on continuing his current winning streak.
“On the ground,” Babalu contemplates his possible advantage over Mousasi, “…probably that’s where I can take advantage (of him). Whatever it takes.”
“It will be a good test for me,” asserts Mousasi. “With Sobral, I will try to fight (a) stand up game. If it goes to the ground, I will take top position and work him over with my ground and pound. Sobral will have to watch out for my elbows; I want to use them in this fight. If I end up on my back, I can defend myself and eventually we will stand back up again.”
Although he has other plans for the fight’s outcome, Babalu is ready for Mousasi to try to keep the fight on his feet and to adapt to whatever the fight may bring. Sobral (32-8), enters the bout as one of the division's most compelling fighters, with five consecutive wins and notable victories over Jeremy Horn, Tsuyoshi Kohsaka, “Shogun” Rua, Trevor Prangley, and Maurice Smith.
Babalu is always ready to fight, saying he is “on the top of the wave” right now “waiting to drop.” And although he won’t reveal it in interviews, he has some tricks up his sleeve for his upcoming bout with Gegard “The Dreamcatcher” Mousasi, who made the majority of last year’s “Fighter of the Year” lists. But the seasoned Sobral is ready, bringing to the bout the same passion and ferocity he brings to all his fights, along with a tried and true game plan.
“Whenever I see a space, I’m gonna push the fight,” Sobral states. “When he makes a mistake, then I’m going to finish.”
The Affliction M-1 Global “Trilogy” card, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and presented by Affliction and M-1 Global, in association with Donald J. Trump, has been separated into two live broadcasts on the same night. A one-hour special will air on HDNet starting at 7:30 PM/ET (4:30 PM/PT), followed by the sensational Pay-Per-View event, “Trilogy,” commencing at 9 PM/ET (6 PM/PT).
Tickets for Affliction M-1 Global’s “Trilogy,” ranging between $50.00 and $600.00, go on sale June 8th at Honda Center Box Office (1.714.704.2500), and also online at Ticketmaster.com and at all Ticket Master outlets (1.714.740.2000).
News Flash
June 2009Weatherby fighting for New Hampshire!
July 31 At Icenter In Salem, New Hampshire.
When U.S. Navy veteran Woody “The Dynasty” Weatherby (7-1-0) enters the cage July 31 to fight Lance Everson (11-6-0) in the main event on the inaugural American Steel Cagefighting (ASC) professional mixed martial arts show, Nashua resident Weatherby will be fighting for all of New Hampshire’s MMA fans, fighters and clubs.
ASC is promoting an explosive 10-fight card July 31 at the Icenter in Salem, New Hampshire.
Weatherby, born in Tacoma (WA), has lived in Nashua for the past 14 years. He represents Renzo Gracie NH, out of Derry (NH), where he earned a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to complement his boxing skills learned and developed in the Navy. Woody spent 4-years active duty in the Navy, including two stints fighting in the Iraq War on a ship, serving as a search-and-rescue swimmer and operations specialist.
“I was privileged to serve and the Navy matured me enough to handle MMA, plus I boxed in the Navy,” the Hillsboro County correction officer said. “I really want to put New Hampshire on the MMA map, big-time. Massachusetts has Kenny Florian and Joe Lauzon; Maine has Marcus Davis (all well known UFC fighters). I want to be like that for New Hampshire. When I go into the ring or cage, I bring the whole state with me.”
Weatherby has been an MMA fighter for five years, starting right out as a pro, and his fight against Everson is a classic match-up of contrasting style MMA fighters.
“I’m now an established grappler,” Weatherby explained, “but I know I have good hands with knockout power in both. I like to ground-and-pound, too. But I’m a fighter who likes to brawl. He’s going to try and throw me down and then use his ground-and-pound game. My plan is to make it a stand-up fight and make him pay every time he shoots. I know I can submit him if we go down, but I won’t be surprised if he stands and I knock him out. He’s a good fighter and sometimes he likes to bang, but then he’ll try a takedown, like Matt Hughes’ style. I’ll make him eat a jab, right, and then another jab. When he comes in close,, I’ll use an uppercut. I hope he stands and fights.”
The co-feature pits IFL veteran Nate “The Future” Lamotte (10-4-0), of Manchester (NH), against troublesome Doug “Flash” Gordon (9-7-0). The Super Fight is a match between a paIr of former UFC fighters, super heavyweight Kevin “The Shamnan” Jordan (11-8-0) and UFC pioneer Patrick Smith (16-13-0).
Also scheduled to fight on the ASC card is undefeated New York lightweight Pat Audinwood (7-0-0) vs. “Mr. Big” Al Buck (6-7-0), former Cage Fury Fighting champion; lightweight Damien “The Omen” Trites (2-3-0) vs. Joe Dechaves (3-1-0); pro debuting featherweights Al Germain Sterling vs. Albert Reccio; welterweight Carlos Nieves (3-6-0) vs. Ryan Schieding (3-1-0); Worcester featherweight Evan Parker (1-0-0), Boston welterweight Aaron McKenna in his pro debut, and Boston middleweight John Clark (7-2-0) against opponents to be determined.
All fights are scheduled for three, three-minute rounds; fighters and fights are subject to change. Tickets, priced at $50.00, $75.00, and $100.00, are available to purchase at Stateline Ticket Agency in Salem (NH) and all Two Guys Smoke Shop stores in Salem, Nashua and Seabrook (NH), as well as by calling toll free 888.224.4272 or going on line to www.AmericanSteelCagefighting.com.
Doors open at 6 PM, first fight at 8 PM. Go to www.AmericanSteelCagefighting.com for additional information.
News Flash
June 2009The Challenge Of A Lifetime!
Facing FEDOR EMELIANENKO In The Ring.
Watching Fedor Emelianenko “made me nervous tonight,” said Josh Barnett about Fedor’s bout with Andrei Arlovski at Afflictions “Day of Reckoning”.
Barnett will face Fedor on August 1st at Affliction M-1 Global’s “Trilogy.” He is probably wondering, like all fight fans and fighters on earth: can Fedor be beaten or is he invincible?
The single loss on Fedor’s record is often disregarded as evidence of his vulnerability, since it was due to a cut resulting from an accidental (and illegal) elbow by Tsuyoshi Kohsaka. Even with this one debatable blemish on his record (he went on to later beat Kohsaka in a follow-up match), Fedor is the most revered heavyweight in the world by fighters and fans alike.
Fedor is one of those rare fighters that has staying power who consistently outperforms his competition. One of the things that makes Fedor a legend is his resilience.
Fedor takes a beating and keeps on beating his opponents—he has been dazed by Kazuyuki Fujita's right hook, broken his hand on Gary Goodridge’s head, been suplexed by Kevin Randleman, fought off the impressive ground skills of Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, recovered from Mirko Filipovic’s brutal lefts to the face, endured Mark Hunt’s keylock, reversed Matt Lindland’s attempted bodylock takedown, overcome the giant Tim Sylvia, and survived the boxing skills of Andrei Arlovski.
In the end, whether or not he has taken some blows, Fedor prevails over his opponents and deals out the final punishment.
Fedor always has the better game plan, and more importantly, he sticks to it. Besides great strategizing and level-headedness in the ring, what makes him such an effective fighter?
The heavyweight doesn’t seem to have any discernible weaknesses to exploit. He offers equal parts of technique, adaptability, calmness under pressure, toughness, resilience, stamina, aggressiveness, patience, and commitment.
Perhaps more than anything, Fedor is a master of capitalizing on his opponents’ lapses in judgment, finding a sliver of an opening and blowing it up into defeat. But Fedor does not stop there; he tends to stop challengers where they are most dangerous.
A favorite pastime for fight fans is to engage in long conversations (or message threads) contemplating this question: just what would it take to take this guy down? Many who have had to face the champion have found this pursuit futile. No one has been able to break Fedor’s complete control in the ring.
According to his friend and up-coming opponent, Josh Barnett, “Fedor is a great thinker in the ring. And he always keeps control of the other fighter. It is all within his control. If he wants to take a break he can. If he wants to push the pace he can. He is in complete control.”
The Affliction M-1 Global “Trilogy” card, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and presented by Affliction and M-1 Global, in association with Donald J. Trump, has been separated into two live broadcasts on the same night. A one-hour special will air on HDNet starting at 7:30 PM/ET (4:30 PM/PT), followed by the sensational Pay-Per-View event, “Trilogy,” commencing at 9 PM/ET (6 PM/PT).
Tickets for Affliction M-1 Global’s “Trilogy,” ranging between $50.00 and $600.00, go on sale June 8th at Honda Center Box Office (1.714.704.2500), and also online at Ticketmaster.com and at all Ticket Master outlets (1.714.740.2000).
News Flash
June 2009CARANO & CYBORG SPEAK!
CARANO vs. CYBORG – Saturday, Aug. 15th.
After an eight-month hiatus, Mixed Martial Arts’ (MMA) leading lady, the undefeated and extremely popular Gina “Conviction” Carano (7-0) will compete in the first fight of her multi-fight agreement with STRIKEFORCE when she squares off with rival powerhouse Cris “Cyborg” (7-1) in what is being billed as a milestone event in women’s MMA history.
The undefeated Carano and once-beaten Cyborg are slated to battle five, 5-minute rounds in the first-ever fight for the STRIKEFORCE Women’s 145-Pound World Title, Saturday, Aug. 15, live on SHOWTIME® at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Tickets, starting at $30, are available NOW at the HP Pavilion box office (408-287-7070), all Ticketmaster locations (800-745-3000), Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com), and the official STRIKEFORCE website (www.strikeforce.com).
The most-desired matchup in the history of women’s MMA is also one that is undeniably the most dangerous assignment to date for a pair regarded as the preeminent female fighters in the world.
Carano, who will be trained for this fight by MMA legend Randy “The Natural” Couture, has achieved larger than life status over the course of the last year. In a Yahoo! online poll that named the “Top 10 Influential Women of 2008,” the 27 year-old Las Vegas resident ranked fifth, placing ahead of First Lady Michelle Obama and famed journalists Katie Couric and Barbara Walters. Carano has also been featured in the pages of Maxim and profiled by ESPN’s newsmagazine show E:60.
Confident of ruining Carano’s eagerly awaited return to the cage is the talented 23-year-old Cyborg, who has been known to devastate foes with brute strength and has been calling out Carano for several months. Cyborg, along with her husband and fellow STRIKEFORCE competitor Evangelista Cyborg, is a member of Brazil’s famed fight squad, Chute Boxe.
OPENING COMMENTS:
SCOTT COKER:
“This isn’t just the biggest female fight in MMA history; I really believe it’s one of the largest female fights of all time. I can’t remember when a women’s fight has had No. 1 vs. No. 2 fight.”
“To me, the fight is historic on a number of levels. It’s the first time a woman has been on a main event on SHOWTIME. And secondly, the winner of this fight will be crowned the first ever Women’s 145-pound STRIKEFORCE Champion.”
KEN HERSHMAN:
“Gina has a long history of “firsts” on SHOWTIME. She was on our first-ever MMA card back in February, 2007. She was the first female fighter on CBS. And now, she’s the first female athlete to headline a major fight card on SHOWTIME against Cris Cyborg. We couldn’t be prouder to be associated with these two athletes.”
“I think we’re going to redefine what it is to be a female Mixed Martial Arts athlete.”
“Not since 1996 when Christy Martin was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, have we seen a female fight or event like this.”
GINA CARANO:
“This is an honor on so many different levels. It’s an honor to be fighting on STRIKEFORCE . I’m really impressed with the cards they’ve put on.”
“I’m honored to fight such a great opponent and to fight for the first-ever female MMA title. This is just all-around a huge honor.
“I’m really training hard and I’m looking forward to fighting Cyborg. I think it’s going to be the toughest fight of my life. I appreciate all the love and support. It’s going to be a tough fight, but I’m looking forward to it.”
CYBORG:
“I’d like to thank STRIKEFORCE and everybody else. I am extremely honored to fight Gina. I don’t think there is anybody else out there that is better than Gina.”
“What happened on the Internet with me choking out that interviewer, that was just a joke. It was a part of the scheme and there was nothing serious to it.”
How much do you weigh right now and how confident are you that you can get down to 145 pounds in time for the weigh in?
CARANO:
“I’d rather keep to myself how much I weigh right now, but I’ve never had any troubles getting down to 145. I’ve had trouble making 130 and 135.
“I think 145 is a perfect weight for me and Cyborg and I don’t see any problem for either of us getting down to it.”
CYBORG:
“I’m not weighing too much heavier than what I usually walk around at. Making 145 pounds is not a problem at all.”
How does the change to five, 5-minute rounds affect your training?
CARANO:
“I think this is going to be a tough fight. It’s going to be tough even if it was three rounds or 3-minute rounds. Cyborg is such an amazing athlete and amazing fighter. This is all getting compounded by three: there’s a title, I’m fighting Cyborg and its 5-minute rounds. So, for me, mentally, this has done nothing but focus me and bring back the passion that I need to train. When I have an awesome opponent to train for I’m in the gym and I’m really excited for it. All I want is for it to be a good fight and for us to do our best out there. I think that’s what will happen. The 5-minute rounds are definitely going to intensify it, but we’re going to go for it. I know we can do it.”
CYBORG:
“In Brazil, my fights down there were three, 5-minute rounds, so this is really no change for me. When I came to the U.S., I was relieved that they were only three, 3-minute rounds because my cardio couldn’t be any better. My training hasn’t really changed at all.
“I’m happy that we’re getting the respect we deserve.”
Why did you start training with Randy Couture?
CARANO:
“Originally, when I first met Randy, it was before that SHOWTIME fight against Julie Kedzie. He just came into the locker room and said two sentences to me and it screwed my head on straight. I haven’t really gotten to work with him for the last two years I’ve been a part of Extreme Couture. We both had different things going on. I knew he would be in Las Vegas for the months leading up to this fight, so I thought it might be important for me to really not try to manage all this high level of intensity. I just didn’t want to have to deal with that all by myself, like I had to in the past. I’m not taking anything away from the managers that I’ve had, but there aren’t a lot of people that can put it straight and organize you like Randy Couture. He’s had the experience since the beginning of the sport. It was nice to not have to do it by myself and to have someone who has been through it before.”
What were you doing to keep yourself busy in the past few months?
CARANO:
“When I first came into this sport I was looking around for somebody who had come in before me and had paved the way, and I just didn’t see it at that time. I figured I would do it how I wanted to do it.”
CARANO:
“I don’t understand why everyone focuses on my looks. There are a lot of beautiful women out there. It’s just kind of thrown me off my feet with the attention that I’ve gotten. Now, I’m getting more organized and I’m taking a break from all the hype and everything so I can be more true to myself. I’m trying to do my best with the opportunities I’ve been given and I think I’m really maturing. It will be nothing but better from here on out.”
Why did you want to make this the headline fight?
COKER:
“The thought process was very simple. If you look at the caliber of this fight as being the No. 1 vs. No. 2 female fighters in the world, it was a no-brainer.”
What does it mean to be fighting as the main event above all the male fights?
CARANO:
“A fight is a fight when it comes down to it and I know that it’s going to be a very difficult fight. The fact that STRIKEFORCE put this on is a complete honor to once again have another first in history.
“I know that women’s MMA is going to do nothing but get bigger from here on out. To have the first main event in MMA history, against Cyborg of all people, is just going to be amazing for me. It’s such an honor, and since it’s such an honor I just don’t feel the added pressure. I think it’s a win-win situation.”
“I’m just so excited. I’ve never been so excited for a fight.”
CYBORG:
“This isn’t my first main event. Of course, there’s always some added pressure. But, the added pressure is overcome by the happiness and the opportunity to showcase women’s MMA with one of the best fighters of the time in Gina Carano.
“Perhaps one day we might even fight men!”
How deep is the women’s fight division?
CARANO:
“I just think that the problem has been exposure for women.”
“People walk away from female fighting and they talk about it like it’s the main event. It’s just a matter of exposure.”
“It’s blowing up from here and I’m so honored to be a part of it from the beginning.”
CYBORG:
“Gina and I are just the blueprints of what future MMA stars will follow.”
“I’m excited for the potential for women’s MMA and its potential to grow. I’d like to see that happening in the near future.”
What did Randy Couture say to you?
CARANO:
“He sat down, and I’d never met him before. He sat down and my head was wound up a little bit too tight. He looked at me and said, ‘You know why we do this.’ And I looked at him like, ‘No, why am I doing this.’ And he said, ‘because we love it, right?’ His presence and his coolness completely took any anxiety that I was feeling and turned it into passion. I was ready to go from then. After that fight, I said if somebody can affect me that strongly I want to go train with them.”
What was the first thing that your dad said to you when he found out you were fighting for the title?
CARANO:
“Jab, jab, jab. He’s been supportive, but he hasn’t been saying too much.”
“At first, he didn’t really like it, but now he’s definitely one of my biggest supporters.”
Have you guys had a chance to meet each other?
CARANO:
“Our rooms were right across from each other at one of the fights. I don’t speak the same language as her, but it’s been nothing but smiles. She seems like a great girl and I’m excited and honored to fight her. I couldn’t have a better opponent to make history with.”
CYBORG:
“I was very happy and loved the opportunity to meet her a few times. There was nothing but an exchange and a smile like, ‘Hello, hi, how are you?’
“There’s nothing personal against Gina. We’re both going after the same thing and only one can come out on top. It is what it is. I think Gina is a great person. She lives up to everything her image stands for.”
Is there a day that goes by that you don’t think about each other?
CARANO:
“No, there’s actually not. I’ve been thinking about this fight for a long time. And now, more than ever, I think about her every day.”
CYBORG:
“I think about Gina pretty much every day. She’s on my mind whether I’m on the treadmill or training in the gym. Gina is on my mind constantly because she is such a great athlete and such a great woman.”
How do you see this fight going in terms of the balance between striking and grappling?
CARANO:
“I’m prepared for everything because I know that Cris is good at everything. She’s great standing, she’s great on the ground. I’m prepared for wherever this fight goes. I think in the past I’ve been labeled as a standup fighter, but I’m not afraid to take it to the ground either.”
“I’m going to be prepared for everything, however it goes, and, hopefully, I’ll come out the winner in it.”
CYBORG:
“I have no problem where the fight goes. Wherever it goes, it’s going to be explosive, it’s going to be fast and it’s going to be happening. It’s not going to be a boring fight.”
How do you manage all the attention Gina gets?
CYBORG:
“I love being feared because that’s one less thing I worry about when I step in there that the other lady is scared.”
“I would hope that I can be known as Cyborg. I’d like to be the face of women’s MMA, not just boxing and Muay Thai.”
How do you plan on handling Cyborg?
CARANO:
“I’m just going to fight my game plan and try to be in the best shape possible. And, hopefully, just do my best and fight my fight and not anybody else’s fight. She’s explosive. We’re going to find out how I handle it, I guess.”
CLOSING COMMENTS:
CARANO:
“I’m honored to be a part of such a great sport. I think that it has changed my life in a lot of ways and redirected me. I’ve learned so much about the world through this sport.”
“For this fight, it’s one of the biggest honors and it almost makes me choke up to say that I’m going to be able to fight such a wonderful opponent. It’s such a big deal for females in this sport. There are so many of them out there and there are going to be so many more in the years to come.”
“I really feel like we’re a part of something huge. I hope I make everybody proud and I’m looking forward to all the great fights in the future.”
News Flash
June 2009Trilogy PPV Card Loaded!
F. Emelianenko-J. Barnett Headline August 1 PPV Extravaganza In Anaheim.
Affliction M-1Global’s star-studded “Trilogy” is stacking-up as one of the all-time best shows from top to bottom in professional mixed martial arts fighting history.
The marquee performer is Russian combat fighting legend Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko, who defends his WAMMA heavyweight title against No. 1 contender Josh “The Babyfaced Assassin” Barnett, August 1 live on Pay-Per-View from Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
The Affliction M-1 Global “Trilogy” card, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and presented by Affliction and M-1 Global, in association with Donald J. Trump, has been separated into two live broadcasts on the same night. A one-hour special will air on HDNet starting at 7:30 PM/ET (4:30 PM/PT), followed by the sensational Pay-Per-View event, “Trilogy,” commencing at 9 PM/ET (6 PM/PT).
Fedor (30-1-0) is the undisputed “Baddest Man on the Planet,” the most lethal fighter on earth. The Russian fighting machine is 7-0 in fights against UFC® heavyweight champions – Andrei Arlovski (KO1 – overhand right), Tim Sylvia (SUB1 – naked choke), Mark Coleman twice (SUB2 – arm-bar, SUB1 – arm-bar), Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira twice (DEC3 and DEC1) and Kevin Randleman (SUB1 – arm-bar) – to go along with victories against world-class MMA fighters such as Mirko Filipovic, Matt Lindland, Renato Sobral and Heath Herring.
Barnett (24-5-0), however is another former UFC® Heavyweight Champion, who is 2-1 versus UFC® heavyweight title-holders, by decision twice against Nogueira and defeating 3-time heavyweight champion Randy Couture by second-round TKO in 2002 to become the UFC®’s youngest Heavyweight Champion ever at 24. The popular Barnett has also defeated MMA monsters such as Jeff Monson and Dan Severn, as well as one Emelianenko—Fedor’s brother Aleksander—back in 2006 by second-round submission (key-lock).
The co-main event features former UFC® Light Heavyweight Champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral (32-8-0) against Armenian kick-boxing specialist, Gegard “The Dream Catcher” Mousasi, (25-2-1) making his American debut.
Also on the PPV card is Brazilian knockout specialist Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort (18-8-0), another former UFC® Light Heavyweight Champion, versus Sengoku middleweight title-holder Jorge Santiago (21-7-0); heavyweight Paul “The Headhunter” Buentello (27-10-0) against an opponent to be determined; ex-IFL® Welterweight Champion Jay “The Thoroughbred” Hieron (17-4-0) takes on former Cage Rage belt-holder, British brawler Paul “Semtex” Daley (21-8-2).
The undercard on HDNet features a pair of exciting, young lightweight prospects, Chris “The Polish Hammer” Horodecki (12-1-0) vs. Dan “The Upgrade” Lauzon (12-2-0); former IFL® heavyweight titlist “Big” Ben Rothwell (30-6-0) vs. hot, unbeaten prospect Chase Gormley (6-0-0); former IFL® lightweight challenger Deividas Taurosevicius (10-3-0) and welterweight fan-favorite Brett Cooper (9-4-0) against opponents to be determined.
Fans in attendance will also be treated to two off-television matches between heavyweights Jessie Gibbs (7-2-0) and Rob Broughton (10-4-1), in addition to Brazilian light heavyweights Lucio Linhares (12-4-0) and Givanildo “The Arm Collector” Santana (12-1-0)
All fights and fighters are subject to change. For more information go online to www.aflictionclothing.com.
Tickets for Affliction M-1 “Trilogy,” ranging between $50.00 and $600.00, go on sale June 8 at Honda Center Box Office (1.714.704.2500) and also online at Ticketmaster.com and all Ticket Master outlets (1.714.740.2000).
News Flash
June 2009Josh Barnett!
All-American Superhero.
With his chiseled jaw and Mr. Incredible looks, Josh “The Babyfaced Assassin” Barnett could be the leading man in a Hollywood film or a character straight out of the anime that he loves so much.
He has a superhero frame—at 6’3”, 250 pounds, one can almost picture the “Babyfaced Assassin” wrapped in a cape, standing atop a tall building, scanning the city below for any evil doers. He is a well-spoken, charismatic figure whose persona is as compelling as his impressive fight record.
Josh’s showmanship has won him many exuberant fans, making him a kind of cult icon to his admirers. But it’s his down-to-earth behavior that has gained him a reliable supply of die-hard followers.
A self-proclaimed nerd, the heavyweight is a big fan of video games, comic books, anime, and muscle cars, much like his fan base, who easily relate to him and his favorite pastimes. He often speaks frankly and has been known in the past to get on message boards and debate with fans and other fighters.
Barnett’s easy smile and conversation make him a favorite of interviewers, and his trademark humor and bravado make him an always entertaining performer for audiences to watch. And Josh pulls no punches in front of a microphone, either. He is always armed with a number of jokes and a large dose of playful sarcasm to keep things from becoming predictable.
But Barnett is not all image—he’s also full of substance. Ranked number two on Sherdog’s top ten heavyweights of the world list, Barnett is a force to be reckoned with. The youngest UFC® Heavyweight Champion of all-time, he is one of the most respected heavyweights in MMA and a celebrated wrestling star in Japan.
In Japan, Barnett is idolized and considered the ultimate American warrior. And although he has a deep fondness for Japanese culture, he always represents his home country with great pride.
On August 1st, Barnett will be on home turf, playing a starring role at Affliction M-1 Global’s Trilogy opposite his costar and opponent, the reigning WAMMA Heavyweight Champion, Fedor Emelianenko. The two personas couldn’t be any more different. Difference in personality aside, these two powerful heavyweights will surely bring an explosive performance to their bout at Honda Center in Anaheim.
And Barnett is ready to face the number one ranked mixed martial artist in the world. He has been studying the fighting of his opponent for years, as he does all potential opponents. The former UFC® Heavyweight Champion and current King of Pancrase is a highly tactical, sound fighter whose world-class submission wrestling skills are notorious.
Although his grappling base comes from catch-wrestling, he has an evolved fighting style that combines a well-rounded standup and ground game. Barnett also has size, strength, and conditioning on his side. He’ll be utilizing all of his assets to win the recognition of all in MMA, and to score the role of a lifetime—the baddest man on the planet.
Tickets for Affliction M-1 “Trilogy,” ranging between $50.00 and $600.00, go on sale June 8 at Honda Center Box Office (1.714.704.2500) and also online at Ticketmaster.com and all Ticket Master outlets (1.714.740.2000).
News Flash
June 2009MMA EQUALITY!
STRIKEFORCE WOMEN TO FIGHT 5-MINUTE ROUNDS.
Late last week, leading mixed martial arts promoter STRIKEFORCE received approval from the state athletic commissions supervising its upcoming events—Washington (Friday, June 19); and California (Aug. 15)—to have its female professional mixed martial arts bouts contested at the professional standard of five-minute rounds.
Until now, three-minute rounds were the norm for most female fights in the United States.
“We are proud to be leading this movement in Mixed Martial Arts,” said Scott Coker, Founder and CEO of STRIKEFORCE. “This will allow the women competing at the elite professional level ample time to set up and fully execute a particular fight strategy. This is another great day for all of us in MMA.”
An internal statement from STRIKEFORCE Rules Director Cory Schafer, announcing the news to the company, read in part: “...limiting each round to three minutes in duration was designed (by state athletic commissions) as a safety measure for the protection of less experienced fighters, with no designation for gender. It was never intended as a gender bias against female professionals…”
Schafer’s statement continued, “Use of this standard will level the playing field for (the) female athletes in providing them with the time necessary to develop and execute their striking and grappling strategies in each round.”
“It is great that the largest stage females have in MMA is setting a solid foundation in implementing five-minute rounds,” said Gina Carano, who is set to face Cris Cyborg in the first women’s main event, a championship fight (five, 5-minute rounds) on August 15 on SHOWTIME. “I feel Strikeforce is taking female fighters seriously, which means we will be seeing some amazing fights in the future and I am honored to be a part of it.”
“This is a great opportunity for Shayna (Baszler) and me to have this happen before our fight,” said Sarah Kaufman (9-0 of Victoria, B.C.) who will face Baszler on Friday night’s Strikeforce Challengers card in Kent, Wash. (SHOWTIME, 11 p.m. ET/PT). “I am always ready to go five-minute rounds and I know Shayna will also be ready. More importantly, this is long-awaited recognition that we are competing at the highest level of the sport.”
News Flash
June 2009CARANO VS. CYBORG!
Tickets On Sale.
Tickets for Strikeforce: “Carano vs. Cyborg,” the mixed martial arts (MMA) mega fight card that will be highlighted by the long-awaited showdown between superstar Gina Carano and Brazilian brawler and powerhouse Cris Cyborg at HP Pavilion on Saturday, Aug. 15, are officially on sale.
Tickets start at $30 and are available at the HP Pavilion box office (408-287-7070), all Ticketmaster locations (800-745-3000), Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com), and the official STRIKEFORCE website (www.strikeforce.com).
The undefeated Carano (7-0) and her top rival, Cyborg (7-1), are slated to battle five, 5-minute rounds in the first-ever fight for the STRIKEFORCE Women’s 145-Pound World Title.
The most-desired matchup in the history of women’s MMA is also one that is undeniably the most dangerous assignment to date for a pair regarded as the preeminent female fighters in the world.
Carano, who will be trained for this fight by MMA legend Randy “The Natural” Couture, has achieved larger than life status over the course of the last year. In a Yahoo! online poll that named the “Top 10 Influential Women of 2008,” the 27 year-old Las Vegas resident ranked fifth, placing ahead of First Lady Michelle Obama and famed journalists Katie Couric and Barbara Walters. Carano has also been featured in the pages of Maxim and profiled by ESPN’s newsmagazine show E:60.
Confident of ruining Carano’s eagerly awaited return to the cage is the rugged 23-year-old Cyborg, who has been known to devastate foes with brute strength and has been calling out Carano for several months. Cyborg, along with her husband and fellow Strikeforce competitor Evangelista Cyborg, is a member of Brazil’s famed fight squad, Chute Boxe.
In the Aug.15 semi-main, Josh “The Punk” Thomson (16-2), of San Jose, will put his STRIKEFORCE lightweight belt and eight-fight winning streak on the line against current interim titleholder, Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez (15-2), of San Francisco. Thomson won a decision to dethrone Melendez on June 27, 2008.
SHOWTIME will televise the two world title fights and up to three more bouts during a telecast that will begin at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
A formal announcement regarding the other SHOWTIME fights, the non-televised undercard bouts and additional live event information will be made soon.
News Flash
June 2009American Steel Cagefighting!
Everson-Weatherby Headlines.
American Steel Cagefighting makes its professional mixed-martial-arts promotional debut July 31 with an explosive 10-fight card scheduled at the Icenter in Salem, New Hampshire.
The main event pits Lance Everson (11-6-0), fighting out of Mansfield (MA) for The Boneyard, against U.S. Navy veteran Woody Weatherby (7-1-0), of Nashua (NH), representing Reno Gracie NH.
“I’ve been an MMA fan since UFC1,” co-promoter Dave Garofalo said. “New England is becoming a hot bed for MMA with a lot of young, talented fighters. We’re giving them an opportunity to fight on a professional show in front of passionate MMA fans. I’ve been in the promotional business most of my life and I love MMA like a lot of people I know. I’m happy we have one of the best MMA matchmakers in the business, Gary Marino, who is an encyclopedia of MMA.”
The co-feature matches IFL veteran Nate “The Future” Lamotte (10-4-0), of Manchester (NH), and dangerous Doug “Flash” Gordon (9-7-0). The Super Fight is between super heavyweights who both fought in the UFC, veteran Kevin “The Shamnan” Jordan (11-8-0) and pioneer Patrick Smith (16-13-0).
“Back in 1999,” co-promoter Sal LoNano added,” I promoted a boxing show on ESPN at the Icenter. I always wanted to go back there but it never happened. When I partnered with David to form American Steel Cagefighting, the first thing we did was contact the Icenter to have our first show there. We’re all very excited and we hope that the Icenter will become a home-base for ASC. MMA is the fastest growing sport in the country and I’ve left boxing for good to promote MMA shows with David. We’d like to thank the state of New Hampshire, Commissioner Bobby Stephen and his staff for their assistance.”
Also scheduled to fight on the ASC card is unbeaten New York lightweight Pat Audinwood (7-0-0) vs. “Mr. Big” Al Buck (6-7-0), former Cage Fury Fighting champion; lightweight Damien “The Omen” Trites (2-3-0) vs. Joe Dechaves (3-1-0); pro debuting featherweights Al Germain Sterling vs. Albert Reccio; welterweight Carlos Nieves (3-6-0) vs. Ryan Schieding (3-1-0); Worcester featherweight Evan Parker (1-0-0), Boston welterweight Aaron McKenna in his pro debut, and Boston middleweight John Clark (7-2-0) against opponents to be determined.
All fights are scheduled for three, three-minute rounds; fighters and fights are subject to change. Tickets, priced at $50.00, $75.00, and $100.00, are available to purchase at Stateline Ticket Agency in Salem (NH) and all Two Guys Smoke Shop stores in Salem, Nashua and Seabrook (NH), as well as by calling toll free 888.224.4272 or going on line to www.AmericanSteelCagefighting.com.
Doors open at 6 PM, first fight at 8 PM. Go to www.AmericanSteelCagefighting.com for additional information.
News Flash
June 2009GINA CARANO IS BACK!
Carano V Cyborg.
After an eight-month hiatus, mixed martial arts’ (MMA) leading lady, the undefeated and extremely popular Gina “Conviction” Carano (7-0) will compete in the first fight of her multi-fight agreement with STRIKEFORCE and is set to square off with rival powerhouse Cris “Cyborg” (7-1) in what is one of the most eagerly anticipated battles of all time, Saturday, August 15, live on SHOWTIME® at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Carano and Cyborg, the consensus two best female fighters in the world, will be the first women in MMA history to headline a major MMA fight card. In addition, they will fight for the first STRIKEFORCE 145-pound Female Championship.
“I’m really excited to be coming back and to have a new home with STRIKEFORCE,” said the 27-year-old Carano, whose combination of stunning looks and athleticism have cemented her role as the face of women’s MMA. In a Yahoo! online poll that named the “Top 10 Influential Women of 2008,” Carano ranked fifth, placing ahead of First Lady Michelle Obama and famed journalists Katie Couric and Barbara Walters.
“I’ve wanted this fight with Cyborg for a long time and so have the fans so it was important to me that it happen in my first fight back. I’ve been training hard the last few months and come Aug. 15, I will be in the best shape of my life. This fight will absolutely deliver on all the hype.”
The live SHOWTIME telecast of STRIKEFORCE: “Carano vs. Cyborg” will begin at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT (tape delayed on the west coast) and will include up to five bouts.
Tickets for STRIKEFORCE: “Carano vs. Cyborg,” priced from $30, go on sale Monday at 10 a.m. PT at the HP Pavilion box office (408-287-7070) as well as at all Ticketmaster locations (800-745-3000), Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com), and the official STRIKEFORCE website (www.strikeforce.com).
Carano has soared to superstardom over the last two years while dominating opponents live on CBS and SHOWTIME. She raised her profile further during a stint as “Crush” on NBC’s athletic competition series American Gladiators. Carano is represented by Wasserman Media Group.
The matchup with Cyborg will be the second start of Carano’s career under the STRIKEFORCE banner. On Dec. 8, 2006, she turned the tides on a determined Elaina Maxwell, a protégé of Cung Le, and pulled out a unanimous judges’ decision at STRIKEFORCE: “Triple Threat.”
The media has emphatically shown its appreciation for Carano’s individuality. She has been prominently featured in a number of national magazines including Muscle And Fitness and Maxim. Big Biz Magazine voted her “The Hottest Woman In America” in its Spring 2008 issue and Maxim ranked her No. 16 in its Hot 100 list published in May 2009. Carano has also been profiled in the popular ESPN documentary series E:60.
The 23-year-old Cyborg, who hails from Brazil, has established herself as Carano’s top rival by leveraging her superior strength and striking skills to pummel opponents. In her last start, also her STRIKEFORCE debut, Cyborg manhandled Hitomi Akano on April 11, stalking and battering the Japanese fighter before finishing Akano at the 35 second mark of the third round.
Cyborg is a member of Brazil’s famed Chute Boxe fight squad and trains alongside her husband and fellow Strikeforce competitor, Evangelista “Cyborg.”
After co-promoting two events live on SHOWTIME in 2007 and 2008, STRIKEFORCE in March 2009 signed a multi-year agreement to stage live MMA events on the premium cable television network.
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