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  Sunday - October 1, 2006
Combat in the Cage III: Marked Territory
Report by Jim Genia – Photos by Tom DeFazio

(September 30th, Lincroft, New Jersey) The Collins Arena at Brookdale College was rocking tonight, as some of the best fighters in the North East threw down and fans and family alike cheered them on. Promoter Ed Hsu's Combat in the Cage III had a roster filled with almost every local favorite, and it was a sure-fire recipe for success. There were submissions and strikes, wars and upsets -- and before it was all over, three champs were crowned. Highlights of the night included:
  • Jersey Shore BJJ superstar Greg Soto, who faced his toughest and most skilled opponent yet in Dave Church. But Soto pounded out the win - and looked impressive as hell while doing it.
  • The return of Rhino Fight Team's Jose Rodriguez, who faced a game Tenyeh Dixon. Okay, who taught the hard-hitting slugger that leg scissor-takedown/heelhook combo?
  • John Doyle, who survived the more-experience Todd Going's submission onslaught to muscle out the win. This was Doyle's first pro fight (after two amateur bouts), and he showed a ton of grit and determination en route to snagging the light-heavyweight belt. Respect!
Combat in the Cage 3: Dante Rivera pounding his way to a TKO victory over Eric Tavares - Photo by Tom DeFazio
Rivera pounding his way to a TKO victory

Results:
Combat in the Cage 3: Chris Ligouri wins the welterweight title - Photo by Tom DeFazio
Ligouri
  • Anthony Montenaro (Pitts Penn-152lbs) vs. Khristian Geraci (Pittsburgh Fight Club-153lbs)
    Montenaro via tap out at 1:04 of R2 - Geraci injured his foot (possibly from throwing a kick)

  • Branden Bice (PA Posse-231lbs) vs. Glen Sandull (Cornerstone MA-224lbs)
    Sandull via tap out due to exhaustion at 1:53 of R3.

  • Tom Pursell (ProPain-182lbs) vs. Sergio Vignare (Team Renzo/Almeida-182lbs)
    Vignare via tap out due to strikes at 1:57 of R1.

  • George Sullivan (Rhino Fight Team-170lbs) vs. Marc Stevens (TaiKai-172lbs)
    Stevens via rear choke at 2:58 of R3.

  • Dave Church (Team PKA-168lbs) vs. Greg Soto (Jersey Shore BJJ-167lbs)
    Soto via TKO - Church was unable to answer the bell for the second round.

  • Jay Coleman (Rhino Fight Team-169lbs) vs. Dave Drago (166lbs)
    Coleman via tap out due to strikes at 2:12 of R1 - total domination.

  • Andre Soares (ATT/IM Sports-135lbs) vs. Matt McCabe (Jorge Gurgel-134lbs)
    Soares via armbar at 1:09 of R1.

  • Tom Galechio (Rhino Fight Team-170lbs) vs. Jose Sulsona (Ultimate Dragon MMA-175lbs)
    Galechio via rear choke at 3:41 - a complete, one-sided beating.

  • Eddy Rolon (Team Endgame-182lbs) vs. Jerry Spiegel (Team Lionkill-185lbs)
    Rolon via armbar/triangle combo at 3:14 of R2.

  • Jim Miller (Planet JJ-154lbs) vs. Binky Jones (Ground Control-154lbs)
    Miller via triangle at 1:55 of R2 - an outstanding performance by Miller.

  • Jerome Smith (freestyle-265lbs) vs. Jon Murphy (Shamrock Submission Team-242lbs)
    Murphy via ref stoppage due to unanswered strikes at 1:20 of R2 - Murphy looked great, and Smith deserves a ton of credit for taking this fight on less than 24 hours notice.

  • Jose Rodriguez (Rhino Fight Team-180lbs) vs. Tenyeh Dixon (Ground Control-184lbs)
    Rodriguez via heelhook at 1:19 of R1.

  • Combat in the Cage Light-Heavweight Championship
    John Doyle (Sparta Athlima-203lbs) vs. Todd Going
    Doyle via guillotine at 1:36 of R1 - the upset of the night! Doyle is now the light-heavyweight champ.

  • Combat in the Cage Welterweight Championship
    Chris Ligouri (Rhino Fight Team-169lbs) vs. Matt Brown (Jorge Gurgel-170lbs)
    Ligouri via rear choke at 0:42 of R2 - Ligouri is the new welterweight champ.

  • USKBA Cruiserweight Title Fight
    Eric Tavares (ATT/IM Sports-184lbs) vs. Dante Rivera (Team Renzo/Almeida-189lbs)
    Rivera via ref stoppage due to unanswered strikes at 4:44 of the R1. Rivera is the new USKBA Cruiserweight Champ.

Cage Rage 18: Battleground
Held Sep. 30, 2006 - Wembley Arena, London, England
By David West

Before a packed house of 8,000 people, Ian "The Machine" Freeman took the British Light-Heavyweight title from Mark "The Beast" Epstein by outwrestling his opponent and roughing him up on the floor. Freeman survived a knockdown early in the first round, when Epstein's left hook found the mark, and thereafter he chose to keep the fight on the canvas for the remainder of the match, grinding out the win over a frustrated Epstein who clearly would have preferred to stand and duke it out.

Mark "The Wizard" Weir and Murilo "Ninja" Rua delivered plenty of drama in their clash, with Weir twice escaping two arm triangles in the first round before blasting a tiring Rua at the start of the second. Weir's fast high kicks staggered Rua and a knee to the face had him reeling, but the Brazilian managed to score a takedown and his third arm triangle of the match finally sunk in tight, forcing Weir to tap out moments after he had been on the verge of knocking his man out.

British heavyweight champ Rob Broughton looked nervous coming down the ramp to make his first title defence against Robert "Buzz" Berry and when Berry came out swinging, Broughton initially looked unsure how to respond. However, he quickly found his confidence when he started getting the better of Berry as they traded haymaker for haymaker, until Broughton drove Berry to the fence and blasted him out cold with a barrage of huge punches. Broughton's star continues to rise and he has become a favourite of the London crowd.

Cage Rage 18: Vitor 'Shaolin' Ribeiro victorious over Adbul Mohamed - Photo by David West
Shaolin
Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro completed his first defense of his World Lightweight crown with another jujitsu clinic. After exchanging punches with Adbul Mohamed, Ribeiro took him down and passed to mount. When Mohamed tried to escape, Ribeiro smoothly slipped around for a Kimura and Mohamed had nowhere to turn after 4:27 of round one.

Tony Fryklund took Alex Reid down after some energetic milling in the clinch and when Fryklund dropped back for a heel hook, Reid kicked him twice in the face whilst they were both on the floor – a flagrant foul and an interesting one since at the rules meeting the day before Reid had specifically asked about the legality of kicking to the face in that situation. An enraged Fryklund cranked furiously on the heel hook leaving Reid no choice but to tap after 1:32.

Paul Daley confirmed his place at the top of the UK Welterweights knocking out Sol Gilbert to keep his British title in the second round with a display of brutal ground and pound, while Robbie Olivier totally dominated Brad "One Punch" Pickett to take the British Featherweight title in a devastating performance. Olivier scored numerous takedowns and punished Pickett on the floor, giving him a huge black eye by the third round. Pickett never stopped trying to turn the fight around, but Olivier was relentless and when he took Pickett's back in the third round he sunk in the choke that ended the fight and gave Olivier the title he had so fervently hungered for.
Cage Rage 18: James Evans-Nicolle (left) kicks as Zelg Galesic punches - Photo by David West
Evans-Nicolle (left) vs. Galesic

Full Results

Zelg Galesic def. James Evans-Nicolle - TKO (ref stoppage – strikes) 2:02 R1

Xavier Foupa-Pokam def. Alex Cook - Armbar 4:45 R1

Robbie Olivier def. Brad Pickett - Rear-naked choke 3:03 R3

Paul Daley def. Sol Gilbert - KO 2:58 R2

Alexandru Lungu def. Mark Buchanan - Key lock 1:5 R1

Mustapha Al-Turk def. Henry Miller - TKO (ref stoppage – strikes) 0:56 R1

Tony Fryklund def. Alex Reid - Heel hook 1:32 R1

Vitor Ribeiro def. Abdul Mohamed - Kimura 4:27 R1

Rob Broughton def. Robert Berry - KO 3:33 R1

Dave Legeno def. Kimo Leopoldo - Guillotine 3:21 R1

Murilo Rua def. Mark Weir - Arm triangle 1:15 R2

Ian Freeman def. Mark Epstein - Unanimous decision

Elite Fighting 2: The Ultimate Decision
Held Sep. 29, 2006 - PNE Agrodome
Vancouver, British Columbia
By Mike Neva

"I turned the triangle into an arm bar and I was taking that arm home with me," said an excited Blake Fredrickson following his submission victory at the second edition of Elite Fighting. Fredrickson battled Posener Pankration stand-out, George Kassimatis, for the honor of being the first Elite Fighting 155 lb world champion. Although Kassimatis did leave the ring with all limbs in tact, Fredrickson did take home a shinny belt and the title of Elite Fighting champion. After a brief feeling out period in which neither fighter was able to land any telling blows, Fredrickson rushed for bodylock and dumped Kassimatis to his back landing in the half guard. Fredrickson picked away with punches until backing out of the guard and bringing the fight back to the standing position. Following a number of back and forth exchanges it was Kassimatis that took Fredrickson to the mat. From his back the newest member of Team Revolution, Fredrickson, stayed patient and methodically slid his leg up for a triangle switching off to an arm bar for the tap out late in the first round.

"I sucked - pretty much, to be honest," said Fredrickson. "I'm a slow starter, I usually get beat up in the first round and need to get hit to know I'm in a fight. But hey, I'm the Elite Fighting 155 pound world champion."
Elite Fighting 2: Blake Fredrickson finishing off George Kassimatis with an armbar - Photo by Mike Neva
Fredrickson finishing off Kassimatis

In other action, Vernon White took on late replacement Victor Valimaki in what turned out to a slow paced the main event. The first round looked like a scene out of Dan Severn vs. Ken Shamrock 2, with neither man willing to engage, and as the round commenced the Vancouver crowd showed their displeasure with chorus of boos. Mercifully, Valimaki turned up the heat in the second round with multiple takedowns and some solid ground and pound, which lumped up the crafty White. During the third round it seemed that White had little to counter Valimaki's continued ground assault. As time ticked away White's cornerman, Kit Cope, pleaded with the Lion's Den fighter to do anything, but White seemed to have nothing left in the gas tank as the final bell sounded. Ultimately it was Valimaki who took the unanimous decision victory.



Results

Logan Boucher def. Pete Adamcik by TKO doctor stoppage from a cut at 2:28 of R3
Len Tam def. Bryan Edge by unanaimous decision after R3
Anthony Vagay def. Mike Grant by guillotine choke at 1:52 of R1
Marcus Vinicios def. Dave Pogson by arm bar at 1:40 of R1
Tim Thurston def. Gump Pheuneuth by headlock choke at 4:02 of R1
Liz Posener def. Karen Oliver by TKO referee stoppage from punches at 4:13 of R1
Asia Balliet def. Marcus Kicks by TKO doctor stoppage from a cut at 2:55 of R1
Adam Laporte def. Hardeep Singh by Kimura at 3:42 of R2
Blake Lirette vs. Jerry Elliot was a no contest due to an inadvertent poke to the eye at :23 of R1
Cesar Narita def. Sean Fewer by arm bar at 0:39 of R1
Chris Ade def. Leonard Carter by TKO referee stoppage from punches at 0:11 of R1
Garret Davis def. Myles Merola by unanaimous decision after R3
Blake Fredrickson def. George Kassimatis by arm bar at 4:46 of R1
Victor Valimaki def. Vernon White by unanimous decision after R3

  Wednesday - October 4, 2006
Podcast logo

New episode of FCF Radio

In our latest broadcast,
we talk with Joey Villasenor and Mac Danzig.

Click here to listen/download.  


Prelude to Cage Fury 2
By Jim Genia

When: October 6th. Where: the Tropicana, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. What: the Cage Fury Fighting Championships II. Hot on the heels of their well-produced debut event, CFFC returns to the Garden State for more action in the cage. Light-heavyweight champ Josh Rhodes returns to defend his belt, four other titles are up for grabs, and a roster of competitors from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and even Washington state are set to mix it up. Here's a look at some of the fighters:

Josh Rhodes
He's fought twice now in New Jersey, and both times he's put his opponents away with punches. Folks, Rhodes can brawl. This newly-crowned champ steps up to the plate to defend his belt against Team Balance grappler Lamont Lister, and you can guarantee Rhodes will be swinging for the fences. Don't blink during this one.

Dan Miller
Rock-solid grappling is what Miller is all about, and he's out-grappled some serious badasses. With the only blemish on his record a close decision-loss to Reality Fighting champ Mike Massenzio, Miller is considered one of the toughest middleweights in the North East – and at CFFC 2, he'll be facing one of the other toughest middleweights around: former Reality Fighting champ Lance Everson. This bout is going to play out on the ground. You can count on that.

Al Buck
With a lightweight belt at stake, you can bet Buck will be doing what he does best: throw leather. At CFFC 2, this seasoned striker will be taking on the scrappy submission fighter Malachy Friedman, and the person who imposes their will first will most likely come away the champ.

Doug Gordon
Heavy hands and a very competent ground game. Yeah, that sums up Gordon, who's coming of an impressive knockout victory at Sportfighting to face a Team Balance grappler on October 6th. Gordon is a fighter on the rise, so keep an eye on how he does in this one – if he wins, he should be due for a title shot sometime soon.

Anthony Morrison
Imagine Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, cloned and shrunk down to lightweight size. That's Morrison, who sports a chain and fists full of dynamite when he enters the cage. He faces his toughest opponent yet in top-ranked Deividas Taurosvicius. Will he come out on top?

The full card as of 10/3:

NABC Welterweight Title
Mike Littlefield (Boneyard) vs. Tamdan McCory (freestyle)

CFFC Light-heavyweight Title
Josh Rhodes (freestyle) vs. Lamont Lister (Team Balance)

CFFC Middleweight Title
Dan Miller (Planet Jiu-Jitsu) vs. Lance Everson (Boneyard)

CFFC Welterweight Title
Carlos Nieves (Ricardo Almeida) vs. Bobby Diaz (Boneyard)

CFFC Lightweight Title
Al Buck (Team Evolution) vs. Malachy Friedman (freestyle)

Main Card
Alexis Aquino (TNT Martial Arts) vs. Tim Deiturriaga (Advance Fighting Systems)
Brian DeMuro (Team Balance) vs. Doug Gordon (Rio Jiu-Jitsu)
Anthony D'Angelo (United MMA) vs. Josh Lydell (Team Invicta)
Rich Ashkar (Team PKA) vs. Ryan McCarthy (Rhino Fight Team)
Bill Bontcue (Team Balance/Austino) vs. Jim Sweeney (Team PKA)
Steve Sorbello (freestyle) vs. Erik Uresk (United MMA)
Anthony Morrison (Atlantic City MMA) vs. Deividas Taurosvicius (Team Panza)
Carlo Profico (TNT Martial Arts) vs. Spencer Paige (CNY MMA)

The Northern Touch

Victories for Bongfeldt and Day Highlight Rumble In the Cage 18

The Enmax Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta, once again hosted the eighteenth installment of Rumble In the Cage, Saturday night, September 30th, and the small Canadian city further entrenched its reputation as a MMA hotbed.

"The event was outstanding," says promoter Al Sabey. "We drew 2800 people at the Enmax Centre and they were all screaming and loving it. It was great to have Bas (Rutten) there again to; he is great in the corner and in the cage with interviews after."

One of the cities more notable fighters, lightheavyweight Jason "Dooms" Day, returned to action somewhat surprisingly on the card, just 22 days removed from his TKO loss, where he incurred a dislocated jaw against Victor Valimaki at MFC 10. Day took on Team Extreme fighter Shane Lightle, and seemingly unaffected by his recent injury, was able to get right back on the winning track by submitting Lightle with a rear-naked choke shortly into round one.

"My jaw has been okay," Day tells FCF. "A little sore in sparring and rolling, the chiropractor is still adjusting it, but it felt fine in the fight. It was good to get back in the cage so fast after Valimaki; I shook off the loss and went back to my game. I really didn't know what to expect with Shane. He came in way over weight at 216 and that is after cutting for 4 hours, so I didn't expect his gas to be very good. I didn't want to take any shots to my jaw so I used strikes to tie up and press him into the cage, he tried for a guillotine but I used it to take him down, reverse him and slip in the rear-naked. It was a good quick fight for me."

The win brings Day's combined pro-am record to 10-6, with six of those victories coming in the last 10 months, while the loss drops Lightle's record to 5-8. Day, who trains out of the Canadian Martial Arts Centre in Lethbridge, is looking, as always, to continue his extremely active fight career.

"I am not sure who or where I am fighting next," Day says. "I am going down to train in LA in a couple weeks to step it up a bit, and get tossed around. I am ready to go anytime. I am always in fight shape so if anyone is looking, I am good to go."

As for the night's main event, Jesse Bongfeldt won the event's welterweight championship by defeating Elmer Waterhen via a side choke at 2:12 on the second round. Despite the tough opposition, Bongfeldt, who also trains out of Lethbridge's CMAC, was able to treat the hometown fans to a championship victory.

"The main event once again showed how tough Elmer Waterhen is," says promoter Al Sabey. "That boy really pushed Jesse and even though Jesse had his back for what seemed like most of the first round he could not finish Elmer. Jesse did win the match due to a tap out in the second round but not until he had eaten one of Elmer's knees. Great main event and the crowd loved it."

Bongfeldt's combined pro-am record now stands at 14-6, while Waterhen's combined record falls to 8-6-1. In other notable action from Saturday night, Jordan Mein submitted Tommy Wupunne by rear-naked choke in round 1, Jared Kilkenny took only 12 seconds to knock out Brandon Quigley, and Johnny Laing defeated Mike Bell by TKO at 3:06 of round three.

As far as future Rumble in the Cage events go, promoter Al Sabey promises a full slate of shows are in the works for Lethbridge and Southern Alberta MMA fans.

"Next for Rumble in the Cage will be a couple of little shows at the bar," Sabey tells FCF. "We have so many names of fighters that need experience that it is really easy to just throw a quick card or two together in The Roadhouse. After that the next big show will be at the Enmax Centre New year's Eve. We are calling Rumble in the Cage 21 "Seasons Beatings". Ringing your bell in the New Year!"

Pride Supports Super Challenge in Brazil

Super Challenge poster After being described by the Japanese press as the "Brazilian Pride," Super-Challenge has just won the support that always inspired them. Impressed by the structure and production shown by the Brazilian event, which will pay $17,000 to the champions of each tournament (73kg and 83kg), Pride decided to cooperate with Super-Challenge. Pride is sending a referee and one of their executives to check out the Brazilian show live. In addition to officiating the main fights of the event, Pride's referee will give a technical seminar for referees and judges of Super Challenge. The president of West Promotion & Entertainment, Paulo Vasconcellos, has just released a note celebrating Pride's support. "Our proposal has always been to promote a different event in Brazil, just like the best events in the world, Pride felt this and decided to give us this very important support. We are very proud," says Vasconcellos.

The event will take place ay Barueri Gymnasium on Saturday, October 7, in São Paulo and is being touted as the best show ever promoted in the country. Check out the card to understand why:

Complete Card:

Under 73kg:

Alternate: Rafael Manteiga (Never Shake) vs. TBA

Bracket 1
Luciano Azevedo (RFT) vs. Luis Beição (Gracie Barra)
Mauro Xuxa (Never Shake) vs. Fabrício Morango (Gracie Humaitá/Tijuca)

Bracket 2
Jean Silva (Chute Boxe) vs. Leonardo Santos (Nova União)
Milton Vieira (BTT) vs. Jhonny Eduardo (Boxe Thai)

Under 83kg:

Alternate: Flávio Álvaro (Macaco Gols Team) vs. TBA

Bracket 1
Alexandre Cacareco (BTT) vs. Felipe Mongo (Pequeno Team)
Carlos Baruch (Belfort Team) vs. Fábio Negão (Lótus MMA)

Bracket 2
Demian Maia (Brasa) vs. Katel Kubis (Nogushi Team)
Leonardo Chocolate (RFT) vs. Gustavo Ximú (GBCT)

Superfight:
Jorge Patino Macaco (Chute Boxe) vs. Roberto Godoy (BTT)
Vanessa Porto (Iglesias Team) vs. Juliana Aguiar (Junior Aguiar Team)

From the event's promoter:
BodogFight Fans Ready for Ladies' Night
Two of the world's top female mixed martial arts competitors to battle in this week's episode of the hot new reality TV series

MMA fans, who have been riveted to the first two episodes of the groundbreaking reality TV series, will witness one of the greatest female duels ever waged as Tara LaRosa, an all-American South Jersey farm girl, takes on battle-tested martial arts instructor Amanda Buckner of rural Maine.

"Right from the bell in Round 1, these girls began writing a new definition for 'ferocity', says Calvin Ayre, who sits at the helm of the vast Bodog.com digital entertainment empire that includes BodogMusic, the international music label responsible for BodogFight's phenomenal soundtrack. "Tara and Amanda certainly come across as ladies outside the ring, but when the gloves go on, their transformation into ruthless competitors is undeniable. MMA fans are in for an amazing bout.

Well rounded in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai and Judo, LaRosa laughs when she says she is the son her father always wanted. With her recent tour in Japan, her popularity and recognition as an elite MMA competitor continues to grow at a feverish pace around the world. Her early athletic career was heavily devoted to hockey, which earned her a college scholarship, but after pursuing martial arts and receiving lessons under the legendary Royce Gracie, the love of the mat overpowered her passion for the ice. LaRosa has been on a dominating winning streak in women's competition and it's logical that her opponent in BodogFight will be the one woman who many observers of the sport view as her equal.
In less than six months, Buckner has become a top 10 female MMA fighter in her weight class. She puts her seven-fight winning streak on the line against LaRosa and one thing that's certain is Buckner will be prepared. Her pre-fight regimen includes relentless freestyle Brazilian Jiu Jitsu sessions with training partner and husband, Jay Jack. With many identifying Buckner as the slight underdog, she has worked hard to make up whatever little ground separates her and LaRosa, setting the stage for what will be an amazing test of spirit and will.

To learn more about how viewers can cast their vote for the $50,000 BodogFight favorite fighter award and for biographies of all the fighters, exclusive footage, and unedited interviews and confrontations, go to www.bodogfight.com. Each episode will air simultaneously on the Men's Outdoor and Recreation channel and on Bodog Fight.com broadband network.

Elimination battles, behind-the-scenes training, interviews with fighters, a soundtrack featuring Bodog Music artists, and lifestyle segments compose the weekly one-hour Bodog Fight episodes, with the finale leading into the PPV main event. The three massive super fights and the spectacular USA vs. Russia event will take place later this year.

From DSE/Pride:
Pride FC logo
Pride FC Real Deal logo

PRIDE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPS ADDS EASTMAN/NAKAMURA & VILLASENOR/LAWLER TO REAL DEAL
Mixed Martial Arts event, sponsored by Caesars Palace, hits Las Vegas on October 21

TOKYO, Japan -- In its highly anticipated United States debut, PRIDE Fighting Championships adds two more bouts to "The Real Deal," taking place Saturday, October 21st from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. In the first announced bout, Marvin "The Beastman" Eastman is scheduled to take on Kazuhiro Nakamura while New Mexico's Joey "Dream Smasher" Villasenor will meet "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler of Team Miletich.

A former King of the Cage champion, Joey Villasenor may be new to PRIDE FIGHTING, but not to the world of mixed martial arts. One of the best young pound for pound fighters in the world, Villasenor is as well rounded as they come and his "ground and pound" technique is among the most devastating in his weight class. On his feet, Villasenor has knockout power, leading to his alternate nickname of "one punch." His opponent, "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler has also had his claim to fame fighting in the UFC and also as ICON sport's former middleweight champion. Training out of Davenport, Iowa, in the Miletich Fighting Systems (under MMA legend Pat Miletich), Lawler brings his ferocious attitude, raw strength and MMA expertise to debut in the PRIDE ring this coming October 21st.

Also, Marvin Eastman will make his PRIDE debut, facing Japanese judo superstar Kazuhiro Nakamura. Eastman is a long time MMA veteran proficient in Muay Thai and grappling and has fought against the likes of Quinton Jackson, Vitor Belfort, and Alex Steibling. Training under Olympic gold-medalist Hidehiko Yoshida, Kazuhiro Nakamura is known for his calm demeanor and dangerous martial arts skills, having rolled with the best of the best: Josh Barnett, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, and Wanderlei Silva.

FIGHTCARD
Fedor Emelianenko (Russia) VS. Mark "The Hammer" Coleman (USA)
Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (Brazil) VS. Kevin "The Monster" Randleman (USA)
Mark "The Samoan Monster" Hunt VS. Eric "Butterbean" Esch (USA)
Josh "The Baby Face Assassin" Barnett (USA) VS. Pawel Nastula (Poland)
"Dangerous" Dan Henderson (USA) VS. Vitor "The Phenom" Belfort (USA)
Marvin "The Beastman" Eastman (USA) VS. Kazuhiro Nakamura (Japan)
Joey "Dream Smasher" Villasenor (USA) VS. "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler (USA)

Participants and fight card subject to change.

Tickets to PRIDE FC's "The Real Deal," sponsored by Caesars Palace, are available at 1-866-US FIGHT. Ticket prices range from $50 to $700. PRIDE's first U.S. card will also be featured on Pay-Per-View for $39.95. Check your local cable or satellite provider for details.

  Saturday - October 7, 2006
New IFL Team Jerseys, T-shirts & Hats
Available in the FCF Shop

IFL Team Jerseys

Sport your favorite teams colors and logos with official Jerseys, T-shirts and hats like the fighters wear!
Click here to order securely online

Cage Fury Fighting Championships:
Throwdown at the Tropicana

Report by Jim Genia – Photos by Tom DeFazio

(October 6th, Atlantic City, New Jersey) The Cage Fury Fighting Championship (CFFC) is 2-0, and with promoter Felix Martinez and matchmaker Gary Marino at the helm, they may just remain undefeated. Tonight, five championship belts were on the line, and the Tropicana Casino was awash with fight fans as a sold-out crowd cheered (and jeered).
CFFC Throwdown at the Tropicana: Carlos Nieves (left) in a furious trade of punches with Bobby Diaz - Photo by Tom DeFazio
Nieves (left) trading with Diaz
Knockouts, submissions, and back-and-forth battles - the action in the cage was equally as impressive, making the second CFFC event a success. Highlights of the night included:
  • The memorial to fallen MMA warrior Shelby Walker, which played out in the form of a video tribute and the sounding of the 10-count on the cageside bell.
  • Atlantic City MMA's Anthony Morrison's post-fight antics. After getting handled by Deividas Taurosevicius, Morrison came back into the cage to challenge Malachy Friedman (the other lightweight who lost that night). When he was heckled and booed, the miniature "Rampage" went on a rant -- then ran backstage to attack Friedman. Morrison now faces a 12-month suspension for his actions.
  • Team Evolution's Al Buck, who weathered Malachy Friedman's submission hurricane to rain down some bout-ending punches of his own.
  • Light-heavyweight champ Josh Rhodes' fists of fury, which he unleashed on Lamont Lister (sending the challenger into a concussion-induced seizure that required him to be carried out on a stretcher). It was a scary moment, but Lister gave the crowd a thumbs-up on his way out of the cage.
CFFC Throwdown at the Tropicana: Deividas Taurosevicius choking Anthony Morrison - Photo by Tom DeFazio
Taurosevicius choking Morrison

CFFC Throwdown at the Tropicana: Al Buck being presented with his title belt by Frank Shamrock - Photo by Tom DeFazio
Buck
Results:
  • Brian DeMuro (Balance-181lbs) vs. Doug Gordon (Rio JJ-183lbs)
    Gordon via ref stoppage due to unanswered strikes at 0:51 of R3.

  • Carlo Profico (TNT Martial Arts-157lbs) vs. Spencer Paige (CNY MMA-154lbs)
    Paige via ref stoppage due to unanswered strikes at 2:11 of R1.

  • Bill Bontcue (Team Balance-171lbs) vs. Jim Sweeney (Team PKA-168lbs)
    Sweeney via armbar at 0:54 of R1.
    *Sweeney was suspended for 60 days for failing to release the armbar.

  • Erik Uresk (United MMA-156lbs) vs. Steve Sorbello (freestyle-151lbs)
    Uresk via unanimous decision.

  • Rich Ashkar (Team PKA-170lbs) vs. Ryan McCarthy (Rhino Fight Team-168lbs)
    Ashkar via armbar 2:44 of R1.

  • Anthony D'Angelo (United MMA-172lbs) vs. Josh Lydell (Team Invicta-169lbs)
    D'Angelo via unanimous decision.

  • Alexis Aquino (TNT Martial Arts-185lbs) vs. Tim DeIturriaga (Advanced Fighting Systems-185lbs)
    Aquino via guillotine at 2:11 of R1.

  • Anthony Morrison (Atlantic City MMA-151lbs) vs. Deividas Taurosevicius (Panza/Gracie Barra-155lbs)
    Taurosevicius via armbar at 2:09 of R1.

  • CFFC Middleweight Championship
    Dan Miller (Planet JJ-184lbs) vs. Lance Everson (Boneyard-185lbs)

    Miller via rear choke at 2:26 of R1 - a dominant performance!
    Miller is the new CFFC Middleweight Champ

  • CFFC Welterweight Championship
    Carlos Nieves (Team Renzo/Almeida-170lbs) vs. Bobby Diaz (Boneyard-170lbs)

    Nieves via ref stoppage due to unanswered strikes at 3:21 of R1 -- a nonstop slugfest.
    Nieves is the new CFFC Welterweight Champ.

  • CFFC Lightweight Championship
    Al Buck (Team Evolution-153lbs) vs. Malachy Friedman (freestyle-152lbs)

    Buck via ref stoppage due to unanswered strikes at 3:40 of R1. Buck is the new CFFC Lightweight Champ.

  • CFFC Light-Heavyweight Championship
    Josh Rhodes (freestyle-203lbs) vs. Lamont Lister (Balance-205)

    Rhodes via KO at 0:51 of R1.
    Rhodes retains his CFFC Light-Heavyweight belt.

  • NABC Welterweight Title
    Mike Littlefield (Boneyard-169lbs) vs. Tamdan McCory (CNY MMA-168lbs)

    McCory via ref stoppage due to unanswered strikes at 4:10 of R1 - an impressive performance by the relative newcomer.
    McCory is the new NABC Welterweight Champ.

What's on your mind?

FCF Survey

Give Us Your Thoughts...

This month we'd like to get your thoughts on Pride's The Real Deal. The October 21st event will be Pride's first show in the U.S. We'd like to hear your thoughts on the event, the impact it may have on the sport and also your thoughts on who will win the announced matches. The results of the survey and some of the commentary we receive may appear in the upcoming issue of FCF.

Click here to take the survey
 

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New episode of FCF Radio

In our latest broadcast,
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  Sunday - October 8, 2006
Abbott KO Tops Packed Card at Strikeforce 3
Report by Keith Mills - Photography by Daisy Rosas

(October 7th, Fresno, California) You know we have reached a pinnacle in the sport when people complain a card is ravaged and "only" six UFC vets remain on the card. That is what happened at Strikeforce 3 in Fresno Saturday night when due to "Cabbage" Correira and Bobby Southworth falling off the card it was "left" with two fights of UFC vets facing each other and two more UFC vets facing experienced or top team trained up-and-comers. Overall this was a stellar card with top-notch production values witnessed by a disappointing turnout.

Ever since their inception Strikeforce has walked the line between UFC feeder show and direct competition with most people considering Strikeforce the number 1 feeder show. Most fans probably remember for their first show, which was also the first sanctioned MMA event in California, Strikeforce drew a crowd of 18,265 at thw HP Pavilion in San Jose. This third Strikeforce was held at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, about two-and-a-half hours inland from their San Jose roots between the markets established by WEC to the south and Gladiator Challenge to the north. Maybe it was a result of the distance from San Jose and San Francisco and maybe it was competition with WEC keeping bigger draw local fighters off the card but the estimated 15,400 seat hall was only about half full by the time headliners Tank Abbott and Paul Buentello took to the cage. Production levels were roughly at the level of KOTC pay-per-views from their heyday three years ago with nothing to even nitpick about. All that is nice but what really matters is the fight card and Strikeforce definitely delivered.

The headline fight between UFC vets Paul Buentello and Tank Abbott was entertaining but held no surprises. Both fighters came out on fire with Tank forcing Buentello against the cage where he unloaded just about all his energy in a flurry of punches. Tank's problem was once they broke apart Tank's tank appeared empty while Buentello was warming up. Tank has never been known to keep his hands up protecting his face and this fight he did the same mistake, catching a straight right that dropped him to the canvas. Paul followed up with one more right and one knee to the prone Abbott before the referee pulled him off and declared a KO win for Buentello.

Strikeforce 3: Paul Buentello being pulled off of a KO'd David 'Tank' Abbott - Photo by Daisy Rosas
Buentello being pulled off of Abbott

Ludwig/Thomson was the real news of the card with both fighters being considered in the top of the Lightweight division before the UFC initially dropped that class. Pre-fight hype said Ludwig was working on his ground with Jeremy Horn and he even had Team Quest's Ryan Schultz in his corner while Thomson's heart was in question considering this fight was one week after the death of his father. Ludwig's ground definitely showed improvement but Thomson proved unstoppable with his takedowns and control, getting the guillotine choke near the end of round 2 after a dominating performance.

Strikeforce 3: Josh Thomson (bottom) choking Duane Ludwig - Photo by Daisy Rosas
Thomson choking Ludwig

The final two UFC vets persevered over tough competition as Trevor Prangley defeated experienced regional fighter Anthony Ruiz and TUF vet Jason Von Flue took on AKA's Eric Wray. Prangley himself seemed disappointed the referee stopped his fight when Prangley had a not-quite secured armbar with eighteen seconds left in the round, a move immediately booed by the crowd to the point Trevor's post-fight in the cage was drowned out. There was no such controversy with Von Flue's fight as Eric Wray tapped to the submission but the AKA up-and-comer deserves credit for stepping up and taking Von Flue into the second round.

Strikeforce 3: Eric Wray (left) trading punches with Jason Von Flue - Photo by Daisy Rosas
Wray (left) trading punches with Von Flue

The obvious angle for the card as a whole would be AKA's successes but a pleasantly surprising angle was the amount of Lightweights as four of the seven fights on the main card were at Lightweight while two were Heavyweight and one Welterweight. The next Strikeforce takes place December 8th with the return on Cung Lee and Gilbert Melendez. Look for full details on all of this in an upcoming issue of Full Contact Fighter.

Full Results:
  • Luke Stewart def. Jeremiah Metcalf 2:29 R1 by rear choke
  • Cain Velasquez def. Jesse Fujarczyk 1:58 R1 by TKO
  • Sam Spengler def. Frank Magallon 2:38 R1 by TKO
  • Mike Cook def. Carlton Jones 2:03 R2 by submission to strikes
  • Philip Perez def. Brandon Shuey 1:28 R1 by triangle choke
  • Casey Olsen def. Bobby Sanchez 1:58 R1 by guillotine choke
  • Jason Von Flue def. Eric Wray 2:22 R2 by arm triangle choke
  • Trevor Prangley def. Anthony Ruiz 4:42 R1 by armbar
  • Josh Thomson def. Duane Ludwig 4:36 R2 by guillotine choke
  • Paul Buentello def. David "Tank" Abbott 0:43 R1 by KO

X-1 Battlegrounds 5: Xtreme Fighting
Report by Chris Onzuka – Photos by Aaron Meyer

(October 6th, Honolulu, Hawaii) X-1 returned with a card filled with MMA veterans taking on Hawaii's local talent. X-1 has always been known to bring in a ton of "name" fighters and give Hawaii's local boys a shot at them and see where they stand and tonight was no different. As with many events, there were a few changes in the card due to injuries, but promoter Mike Miller did his best to keep his card intact.

Ed Newalu and Dave Moreno was the fight of the night. Newalu is the Hawaii's top ground and pounder at 135lbs. This time, he would be fighting at a more comfortable 145lbs and against a tough fighter from the big island of Hawaii. "Dirty" Dave Moreno is an accomplished striker and aggressive grappler. Moreno didn't get off many punches or kicks, but he constantly attacked with Kimura key locks, hip heists and guillotines. Newalu has excellent submission defense, but the aggressiveness of Moreno prevented Newalu from teeing off on Moreno for the first two rounds. In the third round, Newalu started landing punches, but Moreno kept attacking until the end of the fight. Newalu's ground control won him the decision, but Dave Moreno introduced himself as a contender in the 145lbs division.

X-1 Battlegrounds 5: Steve Byrnes choking Joshua Ferreira - Photo by Aaron Meyer
Byrnes choking Ferreira

"Big" Eric Pele made a triumphant return to Hawaii to spark up the Super heavyweight class and was pitted against journeyman fighter Vince Lucero. Pele and Lucero's fight was far from action packed and Pele apologized for that and promised a better fight next time. MMA veteran Adam Lynn capitalized on the Achilles heel of the current X-1 Welterweight champ, Mark Moreno, by taking him to the ground, controlling position, and pounding on Moreno for the decision victory. Adam Lynn called for their next match to be for Moreno's X-1 title. Niko Vitale returned to the ring after three hard losses to test his hand at his original fighting weight of 205lbs. Vitale previously said that, it was very difficult for him to make 185lbs and he looked forward to fighting at the more comfortable weight. Vitale showed that he can bounce back after the losses and showcase the skills that loyal fans have come to know him for.

The main event pitted two fighters with more than decorated pasts and presents for that matter. Kimo is coming off of two losses, the last devastating loss occurring just one week ago. Wes Sims is not known for mincing words and fighting anyone put in front of him, often coming up on the short end of the stick against top-ranked talent, Sims has rebounded from his highly public loss to Daniel Gracie in the IFL with three victories. Two of the victories came just last month. No one knew what to expect in this match up, but you got the feeling that it would be "interesting." Kimo started off the match rushing in for a takedown, getting the reluctant Sims to the ground, but paying a hefty price. As Kimo started punching Sims from the guard, he was also covering Sims with blood. The fight was stopped to check Kimo's nose and it looked like his nose was broken. After a long delay, the match was restarted only to be stopped again to check Kimo's nose. It looked like either the doctor or Kimo chose to end the match, so Sims started taking off his gloves and Kimo was shaking Wes Sims' father's hand. Then, in a strange turn of events, the fight was restarted. This time Sims ended up in Kimo's guard and Kimo had the triangle position, but did not lock it in, while Sims pounded Kimo's nose as Kimo winced in pain. This time the referee stepped in and stopped the fight. Everyone in attendance was in a state of shock because Kimo looked to be close to securing a triangle and then the match was stopped with Sims declared the winner. Either way, a strange series of events by two of the strangest fighters in MMA.

X-1 Battlegrounds 5: Wes Sims (top) hammers Kimo Leopoldo - Photo by Aaron Meyer
Sims (top) hammers Leopoldo

Full Results:
X-1 Battlegrounds 5: Xtreme Fighting
October 6, 2006
Neal Blaisdell Arena - Honolulu, Hawaii
  • MMA: 185lbs - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
    Steve Byrnes (Team MMAD) def. Joshua Ferreira (Ruthless)
    Submission via rear naked choke at 2:22 into R1.

  • MMA: 265lbs - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
    Justin McCully (Team Punishment) def. Derek Thornton (Team Tiger)
    Submission via rear naked choke at 2:20 into R1.

  • MMA: 150lbs - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
    Ed Newalu (808 Fight Factory, HI) def. Dave Moreno (Mad Mongoose, HI)
    Decision after 3 rounds.

  • MMA: 125lbs - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
    Sally Krumdiak (C3, WA) def. Brittany Pullen (Freelance, OR)
    TKO via referee stoppage due to strikes at 0:06 into R2.

  • MMA: 205lbs - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
    Alex Stiebling (Intergrated Fighting, IN) def. Augie "The Hawaiian Warrior" Padekan (Waianae Valetudo, HI)
    Decision after 3 rounds.

  • MMA: 266+lbs - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
    Scott Junk (Team MADD) def. Cory "Sledge Hammer" Salter (Freelance, TX)
    Decision after 3 rounds.

  • MMA: Super Heavyweight - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
    Eric "Big E" Pele (King of the Cage Super Heavyweight Champion) def. Vince Lucero (Genisis, AZ)
    Decision after 3 rounds.

  • Non-Title Bout
    MMA: 170 lbs - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
    Adam Lynn (Next Generation, PA) def. Mark Moreno (X-1 Welterweight Champion, Bulls Pen)
    Decision after 3 rounds.

  • MMA: 205lbs - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
    Falaniko Vitale (808 Fight Factory) def. Timothy Williams (Puro Azteca & Aztlan FC, TX)
    KO due to strikes from the crucifix at 2:48 into R1.

  • Main Event:
    MMA: 265lbs - 3 Rounds x 5 Minutes
    Wes "The Project" Sims (Hammer House) def. Kimo Leopoldo (Joe Moreira Jiu-Jitsu, CA)
    TKO via referee stoppage due to strikes at 3:21 into R1.

  Monday - October 9, 2006 - Columbus Day
What's on your mind?

FCF Survey

Give Us Your Thoughts...

This month we'd like to get your thoughts on Pride's The Real Deal. The October 21st event will be Pride's first show in the U.S. We'd like to hear your thoughts on the event, the impact it may have on the sport and also your thoughts on who will win the announced matches. The results of the survey and some of the commentary we receive may appear in the upcoming issue of FCF.

Click here to take the survey
 

From the event's promoter:
TEAM ROSTERS ANNOUNCED FOR INTERNATIONAL FIGHT LEAGUE (IFL) WORLD TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS IN PORTLAND, OREGON, NOV. 2
Kerr-Whitehead, D. Gracie-Goes Superfights Supplement Hometown Wolfpack vs. Anacondas, Dragons vs. Silverbacks; Berths in Finals at Stake

NEW YORK, October 9, 2006 -- Outstanding individual matchups, including two exciting Superfights, highlight the 12-bout card as the International Fight League (IFL) today
announced the rosters for the IFL World Team Championship semifinals, to be held at the Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Ore., on Thursday, November 2, at 7 p.m. PT. Bas Rutten's Anacondas vs. Matt Lindland's Wolfpack will be one matchup, while Carlos Newton's Dragons will take on Pat Miletich's Silverbacks in the other. The night will also feature a pair of Superfights, with Daniel Gracie (Rio de Janeiro) facing Allan Goes (Rio de Janeiro) and Mark Kerr (Portland, Ore.) squaring off against Mike Whitehead (Salt Lake City).

The Anacondas, based in Los Angeles, and Wolfpack, who train in Portland, advanced with victories over the Sabres and Tiger Sharks, respectively, on Sept. 9 in Portland. Their semifinal matchup features five outstanding bouts. At lightweight, the Anacondas' Chris Horodecki (London, Ontario) takes on veteran Ryan Schultz (Gresham, Ore.); the welterweight tilt pits Jay Hieron (Las Vegas) and Chris Wilson (Portland, Ore.); Mike Pyle (Dresden, Tenn.) battles Matt Horwich (Gresham, Ore.) in the middleweight bout; at light heavyweight, Alex Schoenauer (Las Vegas) opposes Aaron Stark (Portland, Ore.); and heavyweights Krzysztof Soszynski (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and Devin Cole (Medford, Ore.) complete the Anacondas-Wolfpack matchup.

The other semifinal promises an equally intriguing set of bouts. A pair of once-beaten welterweights, Claude Patrick (Mississauga, Ontario) of the Dragons and Rory Markham (Chicago) of the Silverbacks will do battle; Joe Doerksen (Winnipeg, Manitoba) takes on Ryan McGivern (Bettendorf, Iowa) in the middleweight fight; Brent Beauparlant (Ottawa, Ontario) and Mike Ciesnolevicz (Williamstown, Pa.) will go after the light heavyweight point; and Wojtek Kaszowski (Toronto) challenges Ben Rothwell (Kenosha, Wis.) in the heavyweight bout. Silverbacks lightweight Bart Palaszewski (Wonderlake, Ill.) will battle a Dragons opponent still to be determined. Both teams moved to the semifinals with victories at the World Team Championship event in Moline, Ill., on Sept. 23.

"These four teams proved they belong with tough wins in the quarterfinals, and the result is a card full of fights that fans will really enjoy," IFL co-founder and Commissioner Kurt Otto said. "As a bonus, Mark Kerr's return to the ring against Mike Whitehead and Daniel Gracie vs. Allan Goes in a battle of Brazilians are very interesting Superfights."

The semifinal winners will advance to the IFL World Team Championship final in December. The site and date of the final, as well as accompanying Superfights, will be announced shortly.

Kerr is a former NCAA wrestling champion and All-American (at Syracuse University) and UFC and PRIDE heavyweight champion who is returning to the ring for the first time since 2004. MMA veteran Whitehead, also a three-time all-America wrestler at North Idaho Junior College, Southern Oregon University and the University of Missouri, has posted a 9-1 record in his last 10 MMA bouts, including five straight victories in 2006. Brazilians Gracie and Goes have both made successful IFL debuts, with Gracie defeating Wes Sims in an IFL Superfight in June and Goes defeating Devin Cole in September as part of the Tiger Sharks.

Tickets for the IFL World Team Championship semifinals are available at the Rose Quarter Box Office, participating Safeway locations, by telephone at (877)789-ROSE (7673) or online at www.rosequarter.com.

From the event's promoter:
BodogFight Pits Gladiators Head-to-Head
As Two Physical Specimens Prepare for Battle

"These fighters are unbelievably intense," says Calvin Ayre, MMA enthusiast, creator of a number of hit reality TV series and Founder of the Bodog.com Entertainment Group. "MMA fans are going to be in for a treat as this fight will be remembered for its brutality and the raw strength of these two athletes."

Training under the keen eyes of Dave Strasser's Freestyle Academy, [Nick] Agallar has taken his wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu skills to the top of the world's lightweight class with an impressive 20-3 win-loss record. Being a patriotic American, he also served his country in the U.S. military and recently returned from a 16-month tour of duty in Iraq. With his relentless drive to compete in tact, Agallar will be ready for a fierce test when the bell sounds in his first BodogFight contest.

His opponent is a specimen, as well. [Nardu] Debrah's freestyle Jiu-Jitsu training will be challenged, as will his ability to adapt and overcome a superior athlete. His commitment to education under Sifu Ralph Mitchel at the Universal Defense Systems, a center that focuses on self-preservation and perfection, has provided the mindset and attitude Debrah needs to achieve great success in MMA and life. Entering the bout, he is purely focused on the matter at hand.

Will this clash crown the BodogFight favorite fighter? Viewers will soon be able to cast their vote for the $50,000 prize at www.bodogfight.com, where biographies of all the fighters, exclusive footage, and unedited interviews and confrontations are readily available and continuously updated each week. Each of the episodes will air simultaneously on the Men's Outdoor and Recreation channel and on BodogFight.com broadband network.

  Tuesday - October 10, 2006
The Northern Touch

Team Toshido Goes 3-0 to Highlight King of the Cage "Insurrection"

MMA returned to Vernon, British Columbia, last Friday night, as KOTC Canada held its "Insurrection" card at the cities' Multiplex facility. From all accounts it was a triumphant return for the sport to the city, as due to a legal review and safety assessment of MMA that was ordered by Vernon's City Council, the city had not held a MMA event since 2003.

"I don't have the final ticket count yet, but the Vernon Athletic Commission estimated 2,300," KOTC Canada promoter Ken Kupsch tells FCF. "I think they're very close. The crowd was very excited and enthusiastic, they loved it! When you have a crowd that's 100% behind you, it's the best feeling in the world. It's always different when you work with other promoters. I did this fight with Bill Mahood and Jason Towns. It could not have gone better and I think you will see a long term relationship with us in BC."

Team Toshido has recently begun to turn heads across Canadian MMA circles, and the Kelowna fight team only furthered the up and coming team's reputation at the event. Team Tompkin's 18 year old fighter Chris Horodecki, is perhaps Canada's most mentioned young talent, however, Toshido's Rory Macdonald is yet another young fighter who is quickly rising up the ranks of the Nation's MMA top prospects.

"17 year old, Rory "The Phenom" Macdonald fought Quentin Moreno," reports Macdonald's instructor David Lea. "A fighter from Lion's Den Idaho with a 6-1 record. After a brief exchange on the feet, Moreno took Macdonald down, however, Macdonald quickly took over control on the ground, secured a triangle armlock from the guard, then switched to a triangle choke, forcing the 22-year-old to tap out. Macdonald now has an undefeated record of 4-0."

Tim Jenson took on another tough young fighter in Jordan Mein, a Canadian Martial Arts Centre member from Lethbridge, Alberta. Jenson was able to continue the winning streak for Team Toshido however, extending his own record to 5-0, by submitting Mein in the first round.

"Jenson started the fight with a couple inside leg kicks," says Lea, "then took it to the ground where he took Mein's back for the bout ending rear-naked choke, at approximately three minutes of the first round. To Mein's credit, he did a good job defending the choke, but eventually Jenson was able to sink it in for the tap out."

Gary Wright also earned a unanimous decision victory over Aaron Bruce, extending his undefeated streak to 4-0. The win for Wright only added to Toshido's impressive overall professional record as a team, which now stands at 22-4.

The main event of the evening pitted Jason Ireland against Canadian veteran Jason St-Louis, who stepped into fight Ireland on short notice as a replacement for Mario Stapel.

"Last year I was in Cleveland and saw the fight between Jay Ireland and Jorge Gurgel," says promoter Ken Kupsch. "What a war that was! We were very excited to have Jay fight in Vernon for us. His opponent, Mario Stapel, dropped out of the fight two days before. We thought we were screwed until Jason St. Louis stepped up. They both put on an awesome show and it was a close fight right to the end. St. Louis tapped with about 1 second to go. It was a close fight, but lots of fans think he would have got the decision. It doesn't get more exciting than that."

KOTC Canada will be heading to Prince George, British Columbia, for a November 3rd card, and then back to Edmonton, Alberta, for another event to be held on November 26th.

Manderson Ready for Bocek at Apex Fighting Championship this Saturday

Gatineau, Quebec, will host Apex's "A Night Of Champions", at the Robert Guertin Arena, this Saturday night October 14th. Kevin Manderson (12-5-1), who is trained by UFC veteran Joe Doerksen, will be taking on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and instructor Mark Bocek, who will be competing in only his second career MMA fight. Bocek defeated Mark Colangelo by TKO due to injury at TKO 15 in February of 2004.

"I know that Bocek is a very experienced and accomplished BJJ competitor," says Manderson. "He has trained with some of the best including the Gracies. As far as his takedowns and his stand-up are concerned though I really don't know what he brings to the table."

As far as Manderson's game plan in taking on Bocek, the Winnipeg fighter offered this little nugget to FCF.

"My game plan is to go out there and out pose him," Manderson reveals. "We are both pretty white and almost translucent. I have been doing some training at the tanning salon as of late and I think that if I can look better topless than the judges are sure to give me the nod if it goes the distance. Otherwise I plan on hitting him in the face and seeing what happens from there."

The cards main event will feature two BJJ black belts fighting, as Wagnney Fabiano (4-0) will take on Jeff Curran (23-8-1) in the 145 pound weight class. Other notable action on the card will include Nabil Khatib (5-0) fighting Fritz Paul (7-3), and Jeff Joslin (4-2) meeting Nuri Shakir (12-11)

  Wednesday - October 11, 2006
From the event's promoter:
IFL logo
INTERNATIONAL FIGHT LEAGUE (IFL) WORLD TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL TO BE HELD AT MOHEGAN SUN ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29
Winners of November 2 semifinals as well as five Superfights highlighted by world champions Renzo Gracie and Carlos Newton to be featured on action-packed card

NEW YORK, October 11, 2006 -- The International Fight League (IFL) today announced that the 2006 World Team Championship final will be held at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, on Friday, December 29 at 7 p.m. The evening will feature the winning teams from the November 2 semifinal between Bas Rutten's Anacondas and Matt Lindland's Wolfpack, as well as Pat Miletich's Silverbacks vs. Carlos Newton's Dragons. The night will also feature five Superfights, including Renzo Gracie (Holmdel, N.J.) and Newton (Newmarket, Ontario) facing off for just the second time ever. Tickets for the IFL World Team Championship Final at Mohegan Sun are on sale now and are available through the Mohegan Sun Box Office and Ticketmaster. Customers may log onto ticketmaster.com; call any Ticketmaster phone number; or visit any Ticketmaster outlet.

The remaining Superfight schedule will be announced shortly.

"We are very excited to return to the East Coast and have our first event at Mohegan Sun," IFL co-founder and Commissioner Kurt Otto said. "The feedback we have received in Portland, Moline and Atlantic City has been nothing but positive and we know that this will be the perfect venue for us to both wrap up our 2006 events and look ahead to our first full season in 2007."

The Anacondas reached the Nov. 2 semifinals (being held in Portland, Oregon) by sweeping the Sabres (based in Tokyo), 5-0, on September 9, the same night that that Portland's Wolfpack defeated the Tiger Sharks (based in Seattle), 3-2. The Silverbacks edged the Pitbulls (based in New York), 3-2, while the Dragons (based in Toronto) edged the Razorclaws (based in San Jose), 3-2, Sept. 23 in Moline, Illinois. Newton and Gracie have faced each other only once before, with Newton taking a split decision on Oct. 5, 2003, in Saitama, Japan.

  Thursday - October 12, 2006
Podcast logo

New episode of FCF Radio

In our latest broadcast,
we talk with Jason MacDonald and Jeff Curran.

Click here to listen/download.  


  Friday - October 13, 2006
Hermes Fights off Early Jitters to Retain Title;
UFC Vets shine at WEC 24: "Full Force"

Report by Steven Marrocco - Photography by Daisy Rosas

Looking more and more like the AAA farm club of the UFC, vets and aspiring competitors of the octagon did their best to impress Dana White and Co., who held court ringside for most of the evening. WEC promoter Scott Adams and White have long been friends, and it becomes clearer with each show that the friendship is paying dividends to the smaller brother of the two. Possibly the shortest show in recent WEC history, the main event seemed to arrive at the blink of an eye and cap off a night of brief but exciting fights.

Workaholic lightweight Hermes Franca made a point to come back to the WEC after his two wins in the UFC, citing their early support of him as a motivator to defend his title. Standing across from him was Nathan Diaz, a fierce competitor who peppered Franca early with a barrage of straight punches and hooks before taking Franca down. From the outset of the fight, it looked like the Hermes who had won all of his 2006 fights had not shown up, as he looked bewildered amidst the onslaught of Diaz's early attack. Firing short uppercuts and knees from the clinch, Diaz largely manhandled Franca for the entire first round, save for a late guillotine attempt that Diaz rode out to the bell.

Admitting he had experienced a greater than usual influx of pre-fight adrenaline, Franca went back to his corner looking exhausted. "When they shut the cage in the beginning of the fight, I finally realized 'I'm fighting,'" Franca explained later. "It made me very tired from the beginning"

Whether that realization woke him up, or his corner gave him a major pep talk, Franca came into the second round a changed man. Catching a Diaz roundhouse kick, Franca tossed Diaz to the mat, unleashing a flurry of punches that mostly connected and put Diaz in danger of a stoppage. Finally working back to his feet, Diaz worked a takedown as Franca again attempted a guillotine, as Diaz responded with the short uppercuts and knees that were so effective in the first. After Diaz reversed his attempted takedown, Diaz looked to continue a ground and pound assault, until he overextended a downward right cross and Franca immediately slid his hips out, extending his legs over Diaz's left side and cranking an armbar that forced Diaz to tap out at 2:46 of round 2.

WEC 24: Hermes Franca armbars Nathan Diaz - Photo by Daisy Rosas
Franca armbars Diaz

In the evening's co-main event, John Polakowski and Olaf Alonso fought their hearts out for the third time as they attempted to close the book on their friendly rivalry. Alonso looked very impressive in the initial round, scoring consistently by picking his shots and counterpunching against Polakowski's flurries of looping punches. A straight right cross drew a gasp from the audience and puzzled amusement to Polakowski's face, as he worked to establish dominance by cutting off the cage from the circling Alonso.

Screaming at him throughout the first round, fellow SLO'er Chuck Liddell mimed a looping uppercut, as Polakowski bounced in his corner between rounds, looking like he had been on the receiving end of more damage.

Though Alonso started strong by catching Polakowski's kick and slamming him to the mat, attempting a crazy spinning roll into a toe hold, his cardio became an issue soon after as the fight went back to the feet. From there, Polakowski's relentless attack wore Alonso down gradually, as his flurries met their target's with far greater accuracy. Desperately working for a takedown, Alonso clung to Polakowski's leg as Polakowski hammered away at his head to close out the round.

WEC 24: Olaf Alonso (left) and John Polakowski trade blows - Photo by Daisy Rosas
Alonso (left) and Polakowski trade blows

"I got tired halfway through the second," Alonso said after the fight. "I spent the two weeks before the fight in bed with a cold. It prevented me from getting enough oxygen to my lungs."

Polakowski took the lead from the outset of the third, taking advantage of Alonso's tiredness with more flurries of punches as Alonso attempted to go back to counterpunching with less success. Swinging for the fences at the end of the fight, they immediately embraced at the bell as Polakowski thanked Alonso for standing with him. In the end, Polakowski ran away with the later part of the fight, but suprisingly received the vote of confidence from only 2 of the 3 judges, with one ringside judge scoring 29-28 in favor of Alonso.

UFC vet Terry Martin stayed cool under pressure against the relatively inexperienced Keith Barry, as Barry swung for the fences early in the fight. After an initial stall in the action after Martin slammed Barry into the mat, Martin ducked a series of bolos to deliver a short left hook that sent Barry to the canvas in a daze. Keeping the pressure on, Martin continued to connect with punches from the top position until Barry turned onto his stomach to avoid any further punishment and the ref jumped in to save him at 2:52 of the first round.

Fellow UFC vet Justin Eilers stayed patient and waited for the proper moment to pounce against his foe Josh Diekman, countering his initial flurry with crisp combinations that stunned the challenger early. Reversing Diekman's takedown, Eilers rained down punches to end the bout at 2:29 of the first round. Strutting around the cage post fight, he turned to the UFC president and shouted "I'm back, Dana!" with a smile on his face.

Settling a trumped up score was local favorite Poppies Martinez, who brought along a phalanx of boys and girls dressed in traditional Native American garb, dancing down the aisle to a loud incantation and an explosion of fireworks. After an errant kick from opponent Robert Breslin ended their last bout, Martinez sent him reeling back with a series of quick punches, countering Breslin's sloppy takedown attempt with a guillotine that ended the fight at 0:52 of the first round.

Other fellow UFC vet Justin Levens looked as if the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders after decisively knocking Oregonian Justin Hawes into another planet early in the first round. "It was an absolute must win situation," the ecstatic Levens said afterwards. "To come from three losses, I just knew I could not lose."

WEC 24: Justin Levens knocks out Justin Hawes - Photo by Daisy Rosas
Levens knocks out Hawes

SLO fighter Glover Teixeira kept his composure after undeafeated newcomer Thierry Sokoudjou displayed the crisp counterpunching and kicking skills that won him the Heavyweight belt this year at Total Combat 15. Finding his range after missing his initial flurries of looping crosses, Glover's left hook found Thierry's chin as he backed away to the cage, sending Thierry pitching forward to the canvas, knocked out at 1:49 of round 1.

WEC 24: Glover Teixeira (right) cracks Thierry Sokoudjou - Photo by Daisy Rosas
Teixeira (right) cracks Sokoudjou

Although he didn't exactly follow the game plan set forth by his cornerman Nick Diaz, David Terrel controlled his fight with Pacific Martial arts fighter Mike Moreno, taking him down at will and scoring enough with punches from the top position in the first two rounds to negate a third round comeback by Moreno, earning him a unanimous 29-28 decision.

After a slow start, Patrick Kaase found his stride and reversed out of a rear-naked choke to finish opponent Jarrod Kwitty with strikes. Although, Jarrod's jiu-jitsu skills were quite formidable, he wasn't prepared for the consequences of a lost submission and gassed out shortly after the rear-naked attempt failed, receiving enough punches from Kaase to justify a stoppage at 2:30 of the second round.

WEC 24: Terry Martin Victorious - Photo by Daisy Rosas
Martin Victorious
WEC 24 "Full Force" Full Results:
  • Hermes Franca def. Nathan Diaz at 2:46 of R2 by submission (armbar)
  • Terry Martin def. Keith Berry at 2:52 of R1 by KO
  • John Polakowski def. Olaf Alonso by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
  • Justin Eilers def. Josh Diekman at 2:29 of R1 by TKO (strikes)
  • Poppies Martinez def. Robert Breslin at 0:52 of R1 by submission (guillotine choke)
  • Glover Teixeira def. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou at 1:49 of R1 by KO
  • Justin Levens def. Justin Hawes at 1:28 of R1 by KO
  • David Terrel def. Mike Moreno by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Patrick Kaase def. Jarrod Kwitty at 2:30 of R1 by KO

  Sunday - October 15, 2006
UFC 64: Franklin Proves Stoppable; Sherk Fulfills Dream of Title
Report by Steven Marrocco

As in his debut, Anderson Silva once again shocked the UFC crowd, treating the fans to a one sided beating of the champ, taking only slightly more time to completely dismantle him than his previous romp of Chris Leben.

If there is one word to describe Silva's tenure in the UFC so far, it would be decisive. That was the word used by the champ to describe the challenge he faced in his third belt defense, and it would be prophetic in the outcome of the fight.

Initially, both fighters circled each other, neither stepping in to let their hands go. The crowd, having previously viewed a night filled with action on the ground quickly became restless and small pockets of fans began booing.

Then, the former Chute Boxe fighter planted his feet firmly on the mat, waiting for Franklin to close the distance. The first note of the fight came with a hard Thai kick to Franklin's lead leg, which was promptly returned by Franklin. After exchanging a few more leg kicks, Franklin grew bolder and closed the distance with punches, connecting with a few short hooks, but walked straight into Silva's Thai clinch.

This was the beginning of the end for the former math teacher.

Firing away with knees to the body, Silva controlled Franklin like a rag doll, pushing him into the cage and patiently waiting for openings to knee Franklin's head. Unable to escape the clinch, Franklin did his best to make the clinch a painful experience for Silva, throwing short uppercuts and hooks a la dirty boxing, but opened himself up to knees thrown straight up the pipe by the Brazilian.

In a sequence of events eerily similar to Leben's defeat, Silva connected with a brutal knee to Franklin's head, sending the champ reeling backwards, obviously hurt. As Franklin was wobbling back, a perfectly timed left roundhouse slammed into his head as Silva charged in once again to assume the Muay Thai clinch.

Once again, after a few knees to the fading champ's body, Silva pulled Franklin's head directly into another knee that sent him plummeting to the canvas. At 3:59 of the first round, Silva had reshaped the landscape of the UFC middleweight division.

In the evening's co-main event, Sean Sherk dominated Kenny Florian for the majority of the five round bout, winning a long awaited UFC title and establishing himself at the top of the 155 pound food chain.

In his victory, Sherk has proven once again that he is on a very short list of the best takedown and ground & pound artists in the sport. In his pre fight interview, Florian stated "once he makes a mistake, he's cooked." Unfortunately for him, that time never came.

A victim of his own success, Florian was able to cut Sherk open with a nasty cut to the forehead from the guard in the second, but the ensuing blood that poured from Sherk's head (quite generously) allowed Sherk to slide out of a strong armbar attempt in the third.

Unable to use his feet spin out of the danger zone against the cage, Florian ate a steady diet of elbows throughout the fight which negated his submission attempts. Sherk was simply relentless in his smothering of the TUF fighter, taking him down at will and earning the unanimous decision to win the title. "There was nothing that was going to stop me," Sherk intoned after the fight. "It didn't matter how much blood I lost, I just wasn't going to stop."

Breaking onto pay per view for the first time, AKA fighter Jon Fitch played it smart and survived a deep triangle choke in the first from newcomer and Shooto vet Kuniyoshi Hironaka to take control and dominate the rest of the fight. Displaying the well roundedness that has hyped him recently, he landed one two combinations followed with roundhouses to the head that stunned the Japanese fighter before slamming him to the mat on several different occasions. Walking away with the unanimous decision, he now moves into the realm of serious contender in the crowded welterweight division.

Heavy underdog Carmello Marrero shocked the crowd by putting on a takedown clinic against the huge Cheik Kongo, who offered virtually no defense and displayed a huge hole in his game. "I was at the press conference and they were already talking him up, saying that they'd already re-signed him," Marrero recounted post fight. "I thought it was a little disrespectful. So that definitely motivated me." Though he lost the third round when Kongo finally found his sprawl, Marrero looked forward to coming back and showing more of his game. "I just hope they ask me back, because I have a lot more to give," Marrero said.

For the first minutes of his bout with Spencer Fisher, Dan Lauzon looked like he might follow in his brother's footsteps with a huge upset of the MFS fighter, as he quickly took Fisher down and landed several big punches. Posting up from Fisher's guard, Lauzon threw everything but the kitchen sink at Fisher, but paid for his aggressiveness going into the bout's fourth minute, as Fisher used his legs to push Lauzon off and return to his feet. Gassed from the initial expenditure of energy, Lauzon was unable to stop a flying knee from Fisher, setting in motion a flurry of punches and knees that dropped the 18 year old to the canvas and caused the ref to step in at 4:38 of the first round.

Due to a ruptured disk in Mike Nichols back, he was forced to bow out of his bout with fellow TUF fighter Keith Jardine. Disappointed in the turn of events, both fighters hoped to fight each other in December's UFC.

Yushin Okami made an impressive debut against TUF fighter Kalib Starnes, landing a series of energy-draining roundhouse kicks to the body of the Canadian and following up with strikes from Starnes' guard that forced a stoppage at 1:40 of the third round.

Veteran Clayton Guida survived an early armbar attempt by Justin James, spinning around the top of James' body to alleviate the pressure on his arm, following it with two rounds of punishment from the top position. After Guida landed a series of big elbows to James' head, James gave his back where he quickly succumbed to a rear-naked choke at 4:42 of the second round.

Armory fighter Kurt Pellegrino redeemed himself from a debut loss to Drew Fickett, making quick work of the overly aggressive Junior Assuncao, tapping him by rear-naked choke at 2:04 of the first round.

UFC Full Results:
  • Anderson Silva def. Rich Franklin at 3:59 of R1 by TKO (strikes)
  • Sean Sherk def. Kenny Florian at 5:00 of R5 by unanimous decision
  • Jon Fitch def. Kuniyoshi Hironaka at 3:00 of R3 by unanimous decision
  • Carmelo Morrero def. Cheik Kongo at 3:00 of R3. by split decision
  • Spencer Fisher def. Dan Lauzon at 4:38 of R1 by TKO (strikes)
  • Yushin Okami def. Kalib Starnes at 1:40 of R3 by TKO (strikes)
  • Clayton Guida def. Justin James at 4:42 of R2 by submission (rear-naked choke)
  • Kurt Pellegrino def. Junior Assuncao at 2:04 of R1 by submission (rear-naked choke)

  Monday - October 16, 2006
From the event's promoter:
Purdue's Two-Time Big Ten
Wrestling Champion Battles "The Goat"

BodogFight Intellects Declare War

BodogFight pits collegiate wrestling champion Davion Peterson against Minnesota law school attendee Nick "The Goat" Thompson on episode five, which airs tomorrow on the Men's Outdoor and Recreation channel, DISH network, Comcast, Cox, Time Warner and online at www.bodogfight.com.

Despite eliminating an earlier tendency to faint when being hit on the chin - a behavior that mimicked a common condition in goats - the nickname issued to him by his peers has stuck. Nick "The Goat" Thompson, a fighter and law student from Minnesota, has the most professional fight experience of all BodogFight competitors with a 28-9 record. Currently at the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy under the watchful eye of coach and renowned MMA fighter Greg Nelson, tactical trainer to the American military, Thompson perfects his freestyle and striking training with such MMA greats as Sean Sherk and Nat McIntyre.

His opponent, Davion Peterson, bypassed the normal route of amateur fighting and stepped right in to the professional ranks with his first MMA fight in 2003, which ended with a knock-out victory over Marcel Ferreira in the Hook and Shoot: Boot Camp 1.1. Earning his two-time Big Ten collegiate wrestling champion status from Purdue University, Peterson has racked up an impressive 10-3 record using the Ground and Pound fight strategy as the foundation of his assaults.

Will 'Peterson vs. Thompson' be the spectacle that crowns the BodogFight favorite? Viewers will soon be able to cast their vote for the $50,000 prize at www.bodogfight.com , where biographies of all the fighters, exclusive footage, and unedited interviews and confrontations are readily available and continuously updated each week. Each of the episodes will air simultaneously on the Men's Outdoor and Recreation channel and on BodogFight.com broadband network.

Continuing deeper into international territory and garnering a worldwide fan base, the incredibly popular BodogFight series is available in 43 million homes across America on Men's Outdoor and Recreation, DISH Network, Comcast, Cox, Time Warner and online at BodogFights's official website, www.bodogfight.com . Elimination battles, behind-the-scenes training, interviews with fighters, a soundtrack featuring Bodog Music artists, and lifestyle segments compose the weekly one-hour BodogFight episodes, with the finale leading into the PPV main event taking place later this year containing an incredible ten-bout fight card consisting of three massive super fights and the spectacular USA vs. Russia showdown.

  Wednesday - October 18, 2006
Podcast logo

New episode of FCF Radio

In our latest broadcast,
we talk with Spencer Fisher and Kurt Pellegrino.

Click here to listen/download.  


  Thursday - October 19, 2006
New Jersey State Athletic Control Board Press Release:
Weigh-Ins for Championship Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, and Kickboxing Matches

From: Commissioner Hazzard
Date: October 17, 2006
Subject: Weigh-Ins for Championship Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, and Kickboxing Matches

This agency has been fortunate in that fighters involved in recent world championship contests held in Atlantic City have not had trouble making weight at the weigh-in held the day prior to competition. However, we are aware of the weigh-in problems that have occurred in jurisdictions outside of New Jersey. These weigh-in problems at championship fights held elsewhere have caused us to review our championship weigh-in policy. We have discussed this matter with staff, medical personnel and reviewed media articles on the subject.

In summary, we agree with the WBC and Mr. Jose Sulaiman that a 30 day and 7 day weigh-in should be held in addition to the customary weigh-in prior to championship bouts. Although this idea originated with the WBC and not with us, we are always open to the ideas of others and encourage other commissions to be open to such credible ideas as well. We do believe that New Jersey will be the first state to require that the WBC weigh-in procedure be followed. This agency will institute this new weigh-in policy for all championship bouts held in New Jersey after January 1, 2007.

The contestants will be able to be weigh-in at the nearest recognized athletic commission. The fighters will not be mandated to travel to New Jersey 30 days and 7 days prior to the bout. For example, if the fighter is training in California for a championship bout to be held in Atlantic City, that fighter could go to the California commission to weigh-in 30 days and 7 days prior to the bout. If the commission is unable or unwilling to weigh the fighter, arrangements can be made at another state facility or be certified by a licensed physician.

At the 30 day weigh-in, a fighter cannot weigh over 10% of his or her contract weight. At the seven day weigh-in, a fighter must be within 5% of his or her contract weight.

Unfortunately, it seems that certain championship caliber fighters are in the habit of dieting and using steam rooms, saunas and associated tactics in the week prior to the fight in order to make weight. Subsequent to the customary weigh-in, these same fighters gorge themselves with liquids and nutritional substances to attempt to regain proper physical stability to compete. This type of practice has a negative effect on a fighter's short and long term health. Further, such a threat to a professional's health and safety must be eliminated. This new weigh-in procedure would not be necessary if championship caliber fighter's conducted themselves like absolute professionals and stayed in competition shape year round and at or near their fighting weight.

We do not agree that moving the weigh-in to the day of the event is the proper solution. In theory, we agree with the concept, but the practical reality dictates the opposite conclusion. A weigh -in on the day of the event will only increase the chances of seeing a dehydrated fighter competing during the event. While this approach may be successful in other sports like amateur or collegiate wrestling, these competitors are not subject to repeated blows to the head and are not trained by individuals who derive substantial revenue from a percentage of the fighter's purse.

It is my hope that by enacting this mandate, professional combative sports contestants will place a greater emphasis on weight maintenance. I believe that this procedure will enhance the health and safety of the fighter (which, as regulators, should always be our primary focus) as well as the image of these sports.

As boxing attorney Pat English, Esq. has recently stated on this subject, there is a problem that is real and needs to be addressed. We agree with Mr. English's comments that this solution is a partial answer and is not perfect, but something needs to be done.

This policy will also go into effect on January 1, 2007 for world class caliber professional mixed martial arts and kick boxing contests held here.

The Northern Touch

Curran Edges By Fabiano At Apex "A Night of Champions"

Despite UFC 64 capturing the vast majority of the MMA spotlight last weekend, fans in Gatineau, Quebec, were also treated to some compelling live fighting action as well. The Robert Guertin Arena was host to the Apex "A Night of Champions" event, the organizations fifth card since the promotion's inception in 2004. The cards main event featured two Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belts in Jeff Curran and Wagnney Fabiano, battling it out for the vacant Apex World Featherweight title, (145 pounds) a fight that had been highly anticipated since Fabiano defeated Curran's prize student, Matt Fiordirosa, in his second professional MMA fight on January 14th. After all was said and done on this Saturday night affair, it would be the internationally experienced Curran edging out a split decision victory over Fabiano, for the championship win. (29-28, 27-30, 30-27)

"The Curran, Fabiano fight was a real close, technical fight," says Apex promoter Alex Caporicci. "A lot of fans had Fabiano as the winner in it, but there were some fans who thought Curran came out on top. So, everyone had an opinion. Both these guys are among the best in their weight class and fought a real tough fight. We're proud to have Jeff Curran as our champion and both these competitors will be back in the APEX ring soon. But, I think on this night, Fabiano proved he belongs in the ring with anybody at 145 and is arguably Canada's best."

Curran, who with the win extends his record to 26-8-1 while Fabiano's falls to 4-1, admits that he was unsure of what the results would be when the fight went to the judge's cards.

"I wasn't sure if I would get the decision or not," Curran tells FCF. "You never know. The Quebec Athletic Commission is very familiar with striking, so I was hoping they took notice in the hard shots I landed. I definitely think I won the fight. No doubts in my mind. Wagnney would take me down, but all to avoid the stand-up. When we got down he didn't do much of anything. He was a little too passive and the referee would stand us up. I was fine on the ground; I worked for submissions and actually threw lots of strikes too. Let's also remember that he never made weight by 2 lbs. Being a title fight it was my choice to keep it a title match. I decided yes, but had he lost 2 more lbs he may not have had anything left in his tank, especially after my left kick to his liver."

The title victory for Curran gets the Crystal Lake fighter back on the winning track, after losing by unanimous decision to Hatsu Hioki in August's PRIDE Bushido event. Curran was quick to give credit to Fabiano for his performance, and is looking forward to his upcoming bouts.

"I wasn't surprised by anything really," says Curran in evaluating Fabiano's impressive performance. "I knew he would be in good shape and prepared for me. He is a world class athlete that understands what needs to be done to prepare for something like this. November 11th I am headlining XFO 13 in its largest show ever to date. It has a UFC quality fight card in the works and lots of very interesting fights as well. That is at the all new Sears Centre Arena in Chicago. It holds13, 000 people and we plan on filling every seat. Then back to Pride in 2007."

In other notable action from the night, Hamilton fighter Jeff Joslin secured the Apex World Welterweight Championship by knocking out Nuri Shakir at 2:42 of the first round. Joslin, whose record now stands at 5-2, was returning to action for the first time since dropping a controversial split decision loss to UFC veteran Jon Fitch, at Freedom Fight: Canada versus USA event, in July of 2005.

"Joslin looked amazing," says Caporicci in recalling the title fight. "He proved to me, once again, that he among the world's top welterweights. Nuri Shakir does not have the best record in the world when you look at it on a whole, but the people he's faced and an 8-1 record in the last year and a half, proves that Shakir is one of the best out there. Shakir is tough as nails, never been KO'ed and Joslin took him out. He deserves a ton a credit and we're proud to have Jeff as our World Champ."

In the night's other Championship bouts; Rowan Cunningham submitted Jordan Jewell with a triangle choke at 2:19 of the third round to win the Apex Canadian Welterweight Title, and Fritz Paul walked away with the event's Canadian Middleweight belt, by earning a unanimous decision victory over Nabil Khatib. In another fight of interest, veteran fighter Kevin Manderson was submitted with a rear-naked choke at 1:25 of round 1 by Mark Bocek. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and instructor Bocek, was competing in just his second professional MMA fight.

"Crowning four champions, the first in our history, was great and we're proud to have all four men as our champions," Caporicci tells FCF. "Seeing the evolution of future stars like Rowan Cunningham, Cedric Grenon, Jordan Jewell, Nick Denis and Mark Bocek is great as well. Then to bring back guys like Wagnney Fabiano and Jeff Joslin that fans have wanted to see, is just icing on the cake."

  Friday - October 20, 2006
Podcast logo

New episode of FCF Radio

In our latest broadcast,
we talk with Matt Lindland and Jeff Joslin.

Click here to listen/download.  


  Sunday - October 22, 2006
Pride FC Real Deal Venue: The Thomas & Mack Center - Photo by Marcelo Alonso
Pride to U.S.: We're Here to Stay
By Steven Marrocco

Although the outcome of the main event was not a tremendous shock, Hammer House fighter Mark Coleman showed eager Pride fans something not usually seen under the bright lights of the ring: the love for family that fuels a fighter.

At near capacity, Pride's first US show was a dizzying array of lights and sound crammed into the Thomas & Mack center, as promoters tried at all costs to take the energy of their Japan shows into the smaller area.

In his pre-fight video, Mark Coleman knew he was the underdog. "Once again, everybody's counting me out," he remarked sourly. Coming into the ring against a man that was not only considered to be the best MMA fighter alive, but a man who had already beaten him in 2004, Coleman had stepped forward to take the challenge where other fighters had supposedly backed away. But the Mark Coleman in the video was a decidedly different one than MMA fans had seen in his storied career. An avid family man, Coleman talked in depth about his love for his daughters and his dedication to them above all else. This was not the Mark Coleman famous for mangling his opponents with headbutts and knees, instead it was Coleman as a proud father of two.

At the announcement of the fight in Irvine, CA just months ago, he declared "I've got to find a way to beat this guy."

Pride FC Real Deal: Fedor Emelianenko works an armbor on Mark Coleman - Photo by Marcelo Alonso
Fedor works an armbar on Coleman

Meeting Fedor at the center of the ring, he pawed forward with a jab before shooting quickly for a takedown. Sprawling to prevent a crash to the canvas, Fedor used his weight effectively to stall Coleman's forward motion as they met the edge of the ring. Clutching Fedor's right leg, Coleman furiously tried to drive forward as Fedor turned his body into dead weight. After nearly a minute of this dance, Fedor cleverly slipped away to Coleman's right as his leg escaped, unloading a series of his signature punches that looped at odd angles to find their mark in a devastating fashion. After a left hook staggered Coleman, he dove forward to pluck Fedor's ankle, trying once again to drive forward for a takedown.

It was here that the amended rules to Pride under the Nevada State Athletic Commission became evident. Sprawled out in front of Coleman, controlling his head with his arms, Fedor was in the picture perfect position to launch a series of knees that undoubtedly would have crippled the wrestler. Instead, Fedor continued to punish Coleman's flanks by firing punch after punch into his kidneys.

After another escape unleashed a series of devastating punches to Coleman's head, a ref stoppage revealed a nasty mouse to the left eye of Coleman, threatening a stoppage. Amazingly, the ref let the fight go on, where the two exchanged punches until the bell, Coleman already looking like he had gone three rounds.

Coming out for the second round, Coleman redoubled his efforts and finally landed a takedown, which elicited cheers from the audience. Landing a few punches to the body and one to the head of the champ, it looked as if Coleman might have his day in the sun as he found his strategic home base as a fighter.

Unfortunately, sometimes your greatest fans also know your greatest weaknesses. Sliding his slippery hips to the right of Coleman's body, Fedor once again threw his legs over Mark's shoulder in an instant and locked in an armbar. Initially catching his hand to prevent the inevitable extension of the arm, Coleman held off for a few seconds, but quickly succumbed to the pressure as Fedor cranked his hips, prompting the tap out at 1:15 of the second round.

"I watched his fights even before I was a fighter," Fedor said after the fight. "I have a great amount of respect for him."

In a moving display of fatherly love, Coleman brought his two daughters into the ring, holding them snugly as tears streamed down the young girls' cheeks.

"Daddy's OK," Coleman repeated over and over. One asked if he was sure.

Later at the press conference, Fedor was asked the inevitable question of who he would like to fight next. He promptly declared, "I have already decided I would like to fight Josh Barnett, but first we are going to have a contest to see who can drink the most vodka."

Laughing at the statement, Barnett shot back, "I'm a little bit ahead of him, but not much."

Pride FC Real Deal: Dan Henderson defeats Vitor Belfort - Photo by Marcelo Alonso
Henderson defeats Belfort

Fellow Hammer House fighter Kevin Randleman saw his welcome back to the Pride stage cut short by a vicious submission by Chute Box standout Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. As is his trademark, Randleman bounded out to meet the Brazilian, scoring an early takedown. Standing up over Shogun, the wrestler fired down a few shots only to find Rua trapping his ankle as Randleman tried to pull out of the danger zone. As Rua cranked on his ankle, Randleman fought dutifully against the lock, attempting to put his weight on Rua, but eventually fell to the canvas he attempted to roll out of the lock. Grimacing in pain, Kevin suffered through a protracted crank of his ankle, until Shogun transitioned to an inside heel hook, still controlling Randleman's leg. Looking like he might give up the submission, the situation took a gruesome turn as Shogun shifted his body, took Randleman's leg, and pulled it back into a kneebar. This time screaming out in pain, Randleman could no longer hold out and tapped at 2:35 of the 1st round. "I applied a great amount of strength to his leg," Rua remarked later at Randleman's initial holdout, "but I had his leg and I am glad I got the leglock."

Randleman was later seen hobbling down the ramp to support his teammate as he faced Fedor. At the press conference, he was apparently in so much discomfort that he had to depart mid-way through the meeting.

Catch wrestler Josh Barnett overcame a sluggish first round against Polish standout Pawel Nastula to see opportunity knock midway through the second round. Reversing Nastula's takedown, he narrowly avoided rolling directly into an armbar, choosing instead to spin toward Nastula's legs as he pitched forward to apply a toe hold. "Anyone who trains with me knows I love to go to town with the leg locks. I dine on them. It's like if you applied barbeque sauce to that thing, I would just go to town." Smothering the leg, Nastula tapped within a matter of seconds, ending the bout at 3:04 of the second.

Team Quest standout and Pride Welterweight Champion Dan Henderson fought a lackluster bout with Vitor Belfort, yet his aggressiveness won a Unanimous Decision from the judges. Ultimately, both fighters never hit their stride, as Henderson was unable to do a tremendous amount of damage on his feet as well as from top position on the ground, where Vitor often clung to him, occasionally attempting a sweep. "I had a couple of injuries coming in to the fight, so I wasn't able to train like I wanted," Henderson stated in the post-fight press conference. "But I thought I did good. He clung on me a little too much, so I couldn't get a lot of space to do a lot of damage on the ground." Coming off a tough loss in the Bushido's Welterweight Grand Prix, Henderson felt he had learned his lesson from his hesitancy to engage in that bout. "I just put myself in that place where I didn't feel any pressure," Henderson said after the fight. "I just went out their to have fun and enjoy the moment of fighting in the states for the first time in eight years."

The New York BadAss Phil Baroni was back to his old self as he strutted down the aisle of the Pride ramp, grabbing his crotch to a rap/dance cadence of "This is my rifle, this is my gun" from Full Metal Jacket, laughing at himself as he approached the ring. Surprisingly, Baroni put on a dominating performance on the ground, taking down the tough Japanese fighter Yosuke Nishijima and pounding him from side guard. Jumping across Nishijima's body, he transitioned to an arm triangle choke, then used his legs and right arm to trap Nishijima in a crucifix position, reminiscent of Matt Hughes' recent conquer of BJ Penn. Working back to side guard, he settled patiently for a Kimura that ended the fight at 3:30 of the 1st round. It was a dominating performance, and Baroni was not shy about expressing his love for US audiences. "I love every fuckin' one of you!", he screamed after picking up the ring girl who presented him with his trophy. Asked where the submission moves came from, he joked, "I don't know any moves. What was the name of that move? I watched it on TV the other day."

Eric "Butterbean" Esch shocked no one in knocking out late replacement Sean O'Haire senseless at 29 seconds of the first round. O'Haire started smart, throwing a high kick that nearly missed its target, but made the fatal mistake of hanging out in Butterbean's punching range. Connecting with a thunderous right hook, Butterbean dropped O'Haire to his knees as he fired off several more short punches before referee Steve Mazzagatti stepped in to stop the bout.

Pride newcomer Travis Galbraith traded several flurries with vet Kazuhiro Nakamura but came out on the losing side of most, as the Japanese fighter showcased an aggressive game on the feet and in the clinch. Charging forward to open the second round, Galbraith tiredly worked for a guillotine, but left his head exposed as he gave up the attempt and shot for a takedown. Firing off a right knee, Nakamura flattened the Canadian, finishing him off with short punches at 1:16 of the second round.

Robbie Lawler shocked the crowd in the opening bout of the night, throwing a highlight reel kick that bounced off the King of the Cage vet, following it with a flying knee that knocked Villasenor to the mat and prompted a stoppage at 0:22 of the first round after Lawler pounced and landed a barrage of punches standing over the felled fighter.

Pride Fighting Championships "The Real Deal" Full Results:

Fedor Emelianenko def. Mark Coleman at 1:15 of Rd. 2 by Submission (Armbar).

Mauricio Rua def. Kevin Randleman at 2:35 of the Rd. 1 by Submission (Kneebar).

Josh Barnett def. Pawel Nastula at 3:04 of Rd. 2 by Submission (Toe Hold).

Eric Esch def. Sean O'Haire at 0:29 of Rd. 1 by TKO.

Dan Henderson def. Vitor Belfort at 5:00 of Rd. 3 by Unanimous Decision.

Phil Baroni def. Yosuke Nishijima at 3:20 of Rd. 1 by Submission (Kimura).

Kazuhiro Nakamura def. Travis Galbraith at 1:16 of Rd. 2 by TKO.

Robbie Lawler def. Joey Villasenor at 0:22 of Rd. 1 by KO.

AFC Ends Year with UFC Vets Brown, Noble Victorious over Late Replacements
Report and photos by Keith Mills

Boca Raton, FL -- The joke at AFC used to be "you couldn't turn around without tripping over a BJJ blackbelt" but that joke looks like it will need to be updated to be "you can't turn around without tripping over a UFC or Pride vet". AFC 19, the final AFC for '06, was symbolic of all that is going on in Florida at this time, from major title contenders Denis Kang and Jeff Monson roaming the crowd to UFC vets Mike Brown and Derrick Noble fighting in the cage as well as a packed card of up-and-comers. The card itself was solid despite the loss of a couple fighters, a situation defending Featherweight Champion Mike Brown knows of all too well considering it happened to him twice in a row now. At least this time he got his chance to defend his title instead of fighting a late replacement at a "catch weight" but the excitement over his fight wasn't that same as over his original opponent. Mike actually took a shot to the face before taking Jason Bryant to the ground, getting the TKO in 1:26 of round 1 in an otherwise one-sided battle.

The final fight of the night was actually FFA co-founder David Avellan in his MMA debut, surprising as the main fight until one realizes David is a Abu Dhabi Submission Fighting World Championship '05 vet and a recognizable name on the submission wrestling circuit since '03. Andre Daniels and Avellan were pretty even early in this fight with Avellan showing his boxing training while Daniels stopped the early takedowns but once Avellan took it to the ground it was no surprise he used strikes from the mount to open up a rear choke for the win.

UFC vet Derrick Noble was supposed to fight Nuri Shakir but Nuri was TKO'd October 10th in APEX and therefore prohibited from fighting by the Florida Commission. Rhomez Brower stepped in to fight, doing well in the first round before succumbing to a rear choke in the second in what amounted to a "no lose" situation. Brower deserves credit but Noble looks to be back on track.

AFC 19: Derrick Noble (right) landing a solid right hand to Rhomez Brower's grill - Photo by Keith Mills
Noble (right) landing a solid right hand to Brower's grill

AFC is known for booking international talent but not usually from the UK. That changed this night as former Cage Rage British Featherweight Champion Brad Pickett made his AFC debut. Brad survived an early knockdown via a hard right and flying knee by John Trent, seemingly coming back around just in time to fight off a triangle choke. Once back in control Brad unloaded strong strikes before finding the armbar for his first US victory.

Luis Palomino who is usually a highlight was actually a disappointment this night as he and Jeremy May spent much of their fight feeling each other out. Palomino scored more and deserved the unanimous decision but his lack of engagement on the ground, frequently waiting to counterpunch off the jab, and somewhat lazy leg kicks didn't do much to impress those who weren't already impressed with him. Watch out for this young man but skip watching this particular fight.

As far as the American Top Team themselves Ben Stark picked up another dominating performance while James Sutcliff, Cole Miller, and the aforementioned Mike Brown brought the team total to 3-0. If you throw in Danilo Villefort from ATT's cousin Brazilian Top Team and Pickett who has trained with Brown lately it could be looked at as 4-1 this night for the hometown heroes. This is important considering six months ago they were celebrating having fighters in the top three shows Pride, UFC, and K-1 Hero's. Now JZ has won the Hero's belt, Jeff Monson fights for the UFC belt next month, and Denis Kang leaves for Japan Friday to partake in the semifinals and finals of the Pride Welterweight (Middleweight in the US) Grand Prix. The ATT fighters on this card are likely going to at some point replace the ones that have found greater success.

Most of the show was webcast live on Prize Fighting Network but replay dates as of this writing are unavailable. The next AFC takes place January 6th.

Results from
AFC 19

Held Oct. 21, 2006
Florida Atlantic University Gymnasium
Boca Raton, FL
AFC 19: Mike Brown with the title belt after defeating Jason Bryant via TKO - Photo by Keith Mills
Brown
  • James Sutcliff def. Shane Weinischke 4:49 R1 by TKO
  • Pablo Alfonso def. Alban Oroz 2:10 R1 by triangle choke
  • Ariel Gandulla def. Jirka Hlavati 0:23 R1 by TKO
  • Brad Pickett def. John Trent 3:58 R1 by armbar
  • Ben Stark def. Robert Hitte 2:13 R1 by armbar
  • Luis Palomino def. Jeremy May by unanimous decision (20-18, 20-18, 20-18)
  • Cole Miller def. John Strawn 2:21 R1 by armbar
  • Todd Carney def. Danilo Villefort 2:29 R3 by TKO
  • Derrick Noble def. Rhomez Brower 2:15 R2 by rear choke
  • Mike Brown def. Jason Bryant 1:26 R1 by TKO
  • Miguel Torres def. Bobby Gamboa 2:52 R1 by rear choke
  • David Avellan def. Andre Daniels 2:30 R1 by rear choke

Rumble in Rahway II: Judges Working Overtime
Report by Jim Genia

(October 21st, Rahway, New Jersey) 'Rumble in Rahway II': an event full of crowd-pleasing action, but with eight out of 14 bouts going the distance, it was an event comprised of judges' decisions. The Center Circle in Rahway hosted the latest edition of promoter Ed Hsu's amateur series, which saw two top young bloods battle it out for a title as well as the usual roster of MMA newcomers getting their feet wet. And though most of the warriors in the cage tonight lacked finishing skills, they certainly made up for it with heart. Highlights of the night included:
  • United MMA's Vincent D'Angelo, who, like his older brother, Anthony, utilized sharp kickboxing and great balance to punish the hell out of Kevin Horowitz.
  • Thaisport standout Al Iaquinta, who dominated once again – this time against a tough David Elias. Iaquinta needs to move up to pro. Do not pass 'Go', do not collect $200.
  • The championship contest between Modern Martial Arts' Matt McManmon and Ryan Broderick. With superior wrestling McManmon controlled the bout, but the game Broderick put up on heck of a battle.
Results:
  • Ryan Vernay (Evolution Martial Arts-160lbs) vs. Ryan Ringi (United MMA-159lbs)
    Ringi via ref stoppage due to unanswered strikes at 0:37 of R2.

  • Jorge Makdissi (Hand2Hand-153lbs) vs. Mike Prokop (Rhino Fight Team-163lbs)
    Prokop via unanimous decision.

  • Mike Tenny (Pitts Penn-252lbs) vs. Shane Dever (Rhino Fight Team-250lbs)
    Tenny via split decision.

  • Anthony Rodriguez (Cornerstone Martial Arts-186lbs) vs. Chris Pagotto (Bangor Vee Jitsu-190lbs)
    Rodriguez via unanimous decision.

  • Robert Peach (MFS/Daddis-190lbs) vs. William Mayorga (Planet JJ-189lbs)
    Mayorga via unanimous decision.

  • Steven Onoszko (Ultimate Dragon MMA-141lbs) vs. Nick Mauriello (Planet JJ-150lbs)
    Mauriello via armbar at 1:21 of R3.

  • Derrick Strong (Cambell's Kickboxing-189lbs) vs. Daniel Akinyemi (Rhino Fight Team-190lbs)
    Akinyemi via doc stoppage due to a cut at 1:30 of R1.

  • Matt Makowski (MFS/Daddis-180lbs) vs. Robert Gittens (Hawk Frazier Shotokan-183lbs)
    Makowski via rear choke at 0:29 of R3.

  • Tom Brown (Pitts Penn-134lbs) vs. Erik Luker (Planet JJ-143lbs)
    Luker via rear choke at 2:23 of R2.

  • Kevin Horowitz (Rhino Fight Team-174lbs) vs. Vincent D'Angelo (United MMA-170lbs)
    D'Angelo via unanimous decision.

  • Joe Cargado (MFS/Daddis-137lbs) vs. Dennis Toral (Rhino Fighting Team-140lbs)
    Cargado via split decision.

  • David Elias (Core Martial Arts-168lbs) vs. Al Iaquinta (Thaisport-166lbs)
    Iaquinta via armbar at 1:12 of R3.

  • Jeremiah Lormand (Evolution Martial Arts-125lbs) vs. Francis Evans (Maxercise-136lbs)
    Evans via unanimous decision.

  • USKBA Amateur MMA Superwelterweight Championship
    Ryan Broderick (Pitts Penn-151lbs) vs. Matt McManmon (Modern Martial Arts-151lbs)

    McManmon via unanimous decision.
    McManmon is the new USKBA Amateur MMA Superwelterweight Champ.

  Tuesday - October 24, 2006
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From the event's promoter:
Battle of the Heavy Weights:
BodogFight's Biggest Competitors Ready to Rumble

Blazing with momentum and popularity, BodogFight - the cutting edge mixed martial arts showcase of digital entertainment mogul Calvin Ayre - sends heavyweight competitors Mark Burch and Mario Rinaldi into battle Tuesday night on the Men's Outdoor and Recreation channel, DISH network, Comcast, Cox, Time Warner and online at www.bodogfight.com.

"Mark and Mario are BodogFight's largest specimens to date, not only in physical stature but in character as well," said Calvin Ayre, founder of the Bodog.com Entertainment Group that includes acclaimed music label Bodog Music, responsible for the BodogFight soundtrack. "Both are hard-working, hard-hitting athletes here to make a statement about their toughness. The opportunity to represent their country in the USA versus Russia pay-per-view event has been at the forefront of their training agenda - this bout determines who goes on and who goes home."

Burch brings his striking style and 7-1 record to this bout with a serious mindset. His involvement with BodogFight represents a life-changing opportunity. A win against Rinaldi would be even sweeter than his most notable victory to date – a decision over Polish olympic wrestler and two-time national champion, Adam Maciejewski.

Rinaldi's MMA experience is vastly different to that of Burch's. A former collegiate wrestler at Delaware State University, Rinaldi has overcome injury to prove himself as a worthy Brazilian jiu-jitsu combatant with a perfect 3-0 MMA record. Viewers will be captivated with his entertaining demeanor and explosive in-the-ring prowess, which includes his signature victory back flips.

Which of the combatants will be crowned the BodogFight favorite fighter? Viewers will soon be able to cast their vote for the $50,000 prize at www.bodogfight.com, where biographies of all the fighters, exclusive footage, unedited interviews and confrontations are available and updated each week. Each of the episodes will air simultaneously on the Men's Outdoor and Recreation channel and on BodogFight.com.

At the forefront of the international MMA scene, the BodogFight series is available in 43 million homes across America on Men's Outdoor and Recreation, DISH Network, Comcast, Cox, Time Warner and online for world-viewers at BodogFights's official website, www.bodogfight.com. Elimination battles, behind-the-scenes training, interviews with fighters, a soundtrack featuring Bodog Music artists and lifestyle segments compose the weekly one-hour BodogFight episodes. The final PPV main event will take place later this year, featuring a ten bout fight card consisting of three super fights and the highly-anticipated USA vs. Russia showdown.

From the event's promoter:
HOOKnSHOOT Brings Back the Women
for Their Year-end Closer

11/18/06 - Evansville, IN
Veteran's Memorial Coliseum

Last years event unexpectedly sold out for the first EVER 8-woman tournament in North America.

Julie Kedzie captured the tournament crown by defeating Molly Helsel via split decision. This time the two will rematch in the main event and both vow to walk out of the arena with the belt.

HOOKnSHOOT poster In additional to the main event, Jan Finney will attempt to get another shot at Kedzie in a #1 contender fight with Ginelle Marquez. Marquez was sidelined for two years with severe back/neck injuries but say's she' back to take on the champion in March.

The show will also feature the fighting debuts of several women and men as well as MSNBC will be in attendance filming a 4-part series on MMA to air in 2007.

Complete card:
135lbs - Julie Kedzie (Champion) vs. Molly Helsel
135lbs - Jan Finney vs. Ginelle Marques
HEAVYWEIGHT - Joseph Baize vs. Leo Sylvest

145lbs - John Turner vs. Tommy "The Tiger" Long
135lbs - Tanya Vlahac vs. Mystee Blackwood
125lbs - Melissa Vasques vs. Sybil Starr
115lbs - Jessica Pene vs. Brittany Pullem
170lbs - Courtney Ray vs. Luke "The War Machine" Taylor

Brent Counts vs. TBA
Michael Alden vs. TBA
Chris Keller vs. TBA

HOOKnSHOOT will also debut an amateur show in Owensboro, KY on 1/27/07 to determine the "Rising Star" in the 145lbs division. Those interested in fighting pro or amateur can contact hooknshoot@aol.com

  Wednesday - October 25, 2006
From the event's promoter:
INTERNATIONAL FIGHT LEAGUE (IFL) BECOMES FIRST MMA ORGANIZATION TO AWARD RINGS TO ANNUAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM MEMBERS
Five fighters and coach of year-end championship team to be provided with custom-designed rings

IFL Championship ring NEW YORK -- The International Fight League (IFL) today announced that it will become the first fight organization to award the five team members and the coach of the annual season championship team with custom-designed rings. The awarding of rings to the league champion is a time-honored tradition in American team sports. The first full 11 date IFL season will begin in the first quarter of 2007, with the schedule to be announced shortly.

"We are very excited to be able to present all members of our championship team with a custom-designed ring," said IFL co-founder and Commissioner Kurt Otto. "The notion of playing for that championship ring is something fans and competitors in every team sport can clearly understand, and by awarding rings to our champions, it makes the IFL team concept a little clearer to the sports fan and gives each athlete something very unique in fight sports to aim for."

The rings were originally designed by Otto, who has also developed the logos for many of the IFL teams, utilizing his graphic design background. The detail includes 10 diamonds in 10-carat gold surrounding the IFL logo in gold inlay in the center. The winning team, athlete name and championship year will be featured on each side.

  Thursday - October 26, 2006
The Northern Touch

Winnipeg will be a "Warzone" this Saturday night

The Convention Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, will host Ultimate Cage Wars "Warzone" this Saturday night, October 28th, the sixth installment of the Western Canadian MMA event. The card features competitors from several regions of the country and will also include several local fighters for the Winnipeg crowd to cheer. Three of the fighters, Alex Popov, Jason Geiger, and Lindsey Hawkes, train out of the Winnipeg Academy of MMA, which is headed up by local fighter and instructor Curtis Brigham. The school, which is mostly oriented towards training a fight team for competition, has been open now for three years.

"It's a private club," says the 25-year-old head instructor Brigham. "I do run some classes but I don't advertise the gym or anything, not everyone competes but it's mostly for fighters and to help them get ready. I started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1997 and started competing in MMA in 1999, now I've got 18 fights total. I've wrestled a bit, done some boxing and received my black belt in BJJ about 1 year ago. Now I mostly just concentrate on training the fighters, I think my fighting career is behind me now, but you never know, if the right offer, the right place came along I might."

The UCW main event will feature Winnipeg Academy of MMA lightweight Alex Popov taking on TKO veteran Dave Parizeau. Popov will bring a combined pro-am record of 4-0 to the card Saturday night while Parizeau's record stands at 4-2-1. According to Brigham, Popov, who is 21 years old, is dealing well with the attention and pressure that accompanies being in the main event.

"He's pretty well rounded," says Brigham in offering his take on his fighter. "He soaks up pretty much everything you teach him. He moved here from Russia about five-six years ago, and started training with me three years ago; he pretty much started then from scratch but he's a very fast learner. He's really come along way and is becoming a great fighter; he's a really calm and down to earth person. He'll go in there and just do his thing."

Jason Geiger will also be representing the Academy when he takes on Lethbridge fighter Jordan Mein in another lightweight match up. Geiger's pro-am record is 5-1 while Mein's combined record is 4-3.

"Jason is a former pro wrestler," Brigham tells FCF. "When he first came to me he weighed around 230 pounds, he laughed when I said we would probably cut him down to 185. Now he's fighting at 155, he never believed that would happen. He's had some amateur fights but they were mostly against other pro wrestlers with no real MMA training, Jason had a little bit of MMA training before he started here so those fights weren't really much competition for him. His biggest test so far was against Dan Severn in only his second pro fight, which was kind of a mismatch. He's really come along way as well."

Lindsey Hawkes will also take to the cage for the Academy Saturday night, when he takes on Joshua Fletcher. Both fighters have only competed once so far in their MMA careers, winning their debut bouts.

"Lindsey has had some Muay Thai bouts and just 1 MMA fight," says Brigham. "He's got a fairly strong striking background and I just recently gave him his Blue Belt in BJJ."

One of the more experienced fighters heading to Winnipeg will be Canadian Martial Arts Centre fighter Justin "Houdini" Tavernini, who will bring a combined pro-am record of 9-8 to face Grant Tennant. The veteran Tennant has also seen his fair share of action, and has a combined pro-am record of 11-9.

"He has the weight advantage on me," Tavernini says in evaluating his opponent. "I do not believe his skills standing or on the ground will be as good as mine. He is a gamer and does come ready to fight so I have to be ready. My game plan will obviously be to keep it standing, but if it does go to the ground I want to tap him out."

This will mark the 5th time Tavernini has fought for the UCW, who by now is rather familiar with the organization.

"The event is always great," says Tavernini before complimenting UCW promoter Krzysztof Soszynski. "There is always a good crowd and Krzysztof treats al the fighters awesome." Rounding out the rest of the night's card will be John Laing taking on Lee Gaudet, Aaron Basso versus Andre Desroches, Shawn Lalonde meeting Wilf Betz, and Jared Kilkenny fighting Geese Jones.

Jacare to Face Couture
By Marcelo Alonso

Ronaldo Jacare - Photo by Marcelo Alonso
Jacare
Two-time world Jiu-Jitsu absolute champion Ronaldo Jacaré surprised everybody with his appearance at last week's Pride press conference of Pride. After his second impressive NHB win in the Brazilian Fury FC event, there was speculation that Jacaré could be the new acquisition of Pride in the 83kg category, but, before this rumor began to spread, Jacaré made things clear: "I came to America to face Randy Couture in a submission-rules [match] in a event promoted by Rico Chiapparelli," assured Jacaré. This was recently confirmed by rAw Team founder and promoter of the Professional Submission League event, Rico Chiapparelli. After the excellent first edition, the man who brought Randy from Greco-Roman to NHB is expecting an even better event with many other submission stars like Jake Shields, Marcelo Garcia, Javier Vasquez, Jeff Glover and many others.

The event will take place on November 17 at the Culver City Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Culver City, California. All the details about the event are available at the Professional Submission League website: http://prosubleague.com/

  Friday - October 27, 2006
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In our latest broadcast,
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FCF New Issue Check out what's in the current issue of FCF...

IFL World Team Championship Quarterfinals: Gracie's guillotine chokes out Miletich's return.

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua interview.

UFC 63: Resilient Hughes conquers Penn in rematch.

Georges St. Pierre on meeting Matt Hughes head-on.

Cage Fury Fighting Championships hits Jersey with another winner.

Lab worker Eric Schafer has fighting in his blood.

Strikeforce 3: Buentello KOs Abbott.

Combat in the Cage III: Marked Territory.

Fury FC: MMA action in Brazil.

Rumble in the Cage 1: Celebration for the Canadian Martial Arts Centre.

Malice at the Palace 1: Shields stops Berger at first sanctioned MMA event in San Francisco.

UKMMAC Cage Fighters 16.

Maximum Fighting Championship 10: Grassroots groundswell.

X-1 Battlegrounds 5.

Combat Fighting Championships 3: Cook takes middleweight belt in Florida's newest breakout show.

Hero's: Akiyama and Cavalcante take the titles.

In our monthly columns...

Physical Therapist and Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach Paul La Bounty talks about The Issue of Hydration - What's all the hype?

In Matt Hume's techniques, Matt Hume & Daniel Eng demonstrate Guard Heel Hook.

Fight fans make their predictions on the winners of PrideFC's The Real Deal.

Patrick Cote BioFile.

Every issue of Full Contact Fighter is jam-packed with fight news from the U.S. to Brazil to Japan. FCF travels the globe to bring the fights to you. Get yours today! Available at Tower Records stores around the world or by subscription...


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  Sunday - October 29, 2006
Minotouro Ready for Wanderlei
By Marcelo Alonso

After the disappointment of being out of Pride Real Deal, Rogério "Minotouro" Nogueira is training hard to participate in an MMA show in Korea on November 24. "It's not confirmed yet, but I'm training hard anyway, even if I don't fight in this show in Korea, I hope to face Wanderlei for the belt at the end of the year," says the BTT representative, aware that his teammate Ricardo Arona could also be chosen. "Actually I think that's very good and proves that our team is doing a nice job. We will be well represented anyway, but I really would like to have this chance. I feel that's my time and I will not disappoint my fans."

Rogério 'Minotouro' Nogueira - Photo by Marcelo Alonso
Rogério

Rogerio is also taking boxing seriously. After winning national and South American boxing titles, the BTT fighter is planning to participate in next year's Pan American games, which will take place in Rio de Janeiro in July. "Pride is my priority and I'm planning to fight in the middleweight GP that will start in May, two months before the PanAms", explains Rogério.

Asked about Brazilian participation in Pride Real Deal, Minotouro showed a lot of disappointment over Belfort's loss. "It was a big surprise to everyone that had the opportunity to train with Vitor. I've already fought Henderson; the technical difference between them is really big, it's hard to understand that result, maybe it was not Belfort's day," the Jiu-Jitsu fighter said. Nogueira was also really impressed with Shogun's fight against Randleman. "Shogun was very impressive. He is an excellent fighter and I'm sure he has a lot to show," finished Minotauro's twin brother.

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