MMA News

"The Snowman" Jeff Monson (24-7) has said he doesn't follow MMA. I believe him! Today Adrenaline MMA, formerly M-1 Global, announced Monson will headline their debut card versus Michael Russow (9-1) 14 June in Chicago. On a call from Scotland tonight, where Monson is giving seminars, he asked, "Who's Mike Russow?  What do you know about him?" Russow is a wrestler from Chicago coming off a first round north/south choke submission of Roman Zentsov (16-12) on New Year's Eve.  Russow's only loss was to Sergei Kharitonov (15-3) at PRIDE's last American dalliance, after which Russow compalined to the referee that Kharitonov had held his glove to secure the armbar. "That's Monte Cox's promotion?"  Jeff asked.  "Yeah, I knew my manager was talking to him.  We'll do anything with Monte." Monson hasn't fought since December either, when he won a unanimous decision over Hakim Goram (4-3). In November 2006, Monson lost a UFC title fight to "The Maine-iac" Tim Sylvia (24-4), another recent Adrenaline MMA signee. He said, "I don't feel I fought my best in that fight; but, no, I'm not seeking revenge or anything like that."  He added, "If I were offered the fight [with Sylvia], I'd take it." ...

Former UFC middleweight contender "The Crow" David Loiseau (16-8) righted his fluttering career Saturday night with a unanimous decision victory over Todd Gouwenberg (7-4) at Hardcore Championship Fighting's event in Loiseau's home nest of Gatineau, Quebec. Gouwenberg, perhaps only notable after giving "Minotoro"Antonio Rogerio Noguiera (13-3) a spirited round-and-a-half before being TKO'd, was thoroughly dominated as "The Crow" pecked at him with sharp elbows. Louiseau, who had won just one of his last five, took the cards by scores of 30-25 and 30-26 twice, fairing far better than fellow former UFC fighters on the undercard. Light heavyweight Rob MacDonald (5-3) dropped a unanimous decision to Team Oyama's "Sick Dog" Hector Ramirez (7-3-1); and, welterweight Gideon Ray (14-8-1) also failed to convince the judges in a UD "L" to "The Thrill" Nabil Khatib. Light heavyweight Brent Beauparlant (7-5) won a unanimous decision over Amir Rahnavardi (9-9) before his fellow Quebecois. "The Handler" Dan Hornbuckle (15-1) submitted middleweight Andrew Buckland (5-1) in an armbar at 3:34 of round one. Featherweight Bill Boland (4-0) remained undefeated with a TKO of "Hasa" Michal Hamrsmid of Bohemia. "The Sargeant" Jameel Massouh (16-3) scored a UD over "The Cowboy" Myles Merola (9-5) at featherweight. Brazilian middleweight Rodrigo Ruas (4-5-1) submitted countrymen "Ossoduro" Marcus Vinicios (4-5) in an arm triangle choke 52-seconds into round three. Former welterweight PRIDE fighter "Nino" Antonio Schembri (5-4) got back in the black with an armbar submission "The Bighouse" Daniel Grandmaison at 2:37 of round one. ...

Top Strikeforce welterweight contender Drew Fickett (33-5) locked in his title bid versus champ Jake Shields (20-4-1) in the form of a guillotine choke around the neck of intended Nick Diaz (15-7) opponent "The Korean Icepick" Jae Suk Lim (9-4) at 1:14 of the first round in San Jose Saturday night. Fickett was signed to challenge Shields on tonight's Showtime-televised card; but, Shields injured his back heaving a sledgehammer during training. Fickett drew Lim after Shields's partner, Diaz, was denied a license by the California State Athletic Board. The title fight has reportedly been rescheduled for 14 June in Hawaii. The absence of Shields and Diaz, popular Nor Cal warriors,  agitated thousands of hungry fight aficionados at HP Pavilion. They packed in to feast on a middleweight mixed martial arts title fight between Strikeforce champion Frank Shamrock (24-9-1) and Cung Le (6-0), heroes from opposite sides of the Capital of Silicon Valley. What they were fed was two-and-a-half rounds of brisk San Shou sparring and two-and-a-half minutes of MMA. Le remained undefeated when Shamrock quit with a broken arm after the third round, relinquishing his belt to the Vietnamese kung-fu stylist.  "He kept blocking," Le explained,  "so I kept aiming at that part of the wrist." With local street cred on the table, both fighters answered the opening bell cautious of the other's prowess. Shamrock circled in a crouching stance while pumping a lazy jab in Le's general direction, while Le waltzed warily from a safe range. When the hammer did fall, beginning with a Shamrock kick to Le's midsection countered by a Le left hand, it was in single-strike spurts followed by congratulatory high fives. They grinned at each one-off as the crowd chanted "Boring!" Shamrock closed round one with a knee busting Le's lip, but lost the round in range of Le's snapping kicks. Le opened the second frame knocking Shamrock's mouthpiece out with a left high kick. As Le learned Shamrock wasn't interested in taking him to the mat, he became more comfortable launching left and right middle kicks to setup punches to Shamrock's head, catching Shamrock with a right hook towards the round's final bell. Le topped Shamrock in round two as well. Midway through the third round, a fight broke out and the champion and challenger traded flurries against the cage. A hard left kick to Shamrock's core backed the champion into the fence and Le followed with a spinning back fist as Shamrock advanced. Shamrock walked through the worst of Le's attack and pounded punches in a flurry marked by a right fist that staggered Le against the cage. Le countered with another lightning strike body kick followed by a flurry of hooks as the bell signaled an end to the round and, as Shamrock chose not to answer the fourth round's bell, the end of the fight. "This is a dream come true," Le said after the fight.  "Coming from Vietnam under gunfire and now world champion, I love it." In undercard action, top ten lightweight "El Niño" Gilbert Melendez (14-1) shook-up and opened the anticipated can of whoop ass on last minute opponent Gabe Lemley (11-7). Referee Herb Dean showed mercy on the seemingly awe-struck Iowan and called an end to Melendez's G'n'P onslaught at 2:18 of the second round. Melendez returned like a typhoon from a loss to "The Endless Warrior" Mitsuhiro Ishida (16-3-1) in Japan, the first of "El Niño's" career. Strikeforce newbie Wayne Cole (11-6) surprised "MAK" Mike Kyle (9-7-1) in an armbar 45-seconds after the opening bell. Kyle, win-less since 2005, was rusty from a two-year absence from professional competition. In a sloppy, but entertaining 4:45 minute punch-up, middleweight Joey Villasenor (25-6) of Jackson's Submission Fighting popped late replacement Ryan Jensen (11-4) with a right hand, knocking the former UFC fighter out in his third consecutive first-round stoppage loss (all against tough competition). Team Oyama welterweight Tiki Ghosn's (10-7) takedown defence kept his scrap with young Luke Stewart (5-1) where Ghosn could pick at Stewart's stand-up.  The veteran nickle-and-dimed his way to a unanimous decision of 29-28 twice and 30-27. Stewart picks up his first "L" after five stoppage wins, all in Strikeforce affairs. Team USA grappler Darren Uyenoyama (4-1) broke bantamweight Strikeforce regular Anthony Figueroa's (4-2) two-fight win streak by sweeping from half guard into a guillotine choke, enticing the tap at 1:27 of the first frame. Undefeated Jesse Jones (2-0) exposed Jesse Gillespie (1-1), transitioning in back control from a rear naked choke to G'n'P for a 35-second TKO. Lightweight Billy Evangelista (6-0) knocked out Marlon Sims (3-3) at :39 of the third round to end the night. ...

Chapter 8 of Back To Our Roots from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo Thursday night saw a couple of Shooto titles change hands. At 132-pounds, Masakatsu Ueda (8-0-1) snatched the featherweight title vacated by Akitoshi Hokazono (6-0-2) from Koetsu Okazaki (5-1-1), Hokazono's training partner, by three-round unanimous decision. The wrestler Ueda kept the fight on the mat to control Okazaki for the "W" and new jewelry for his waist. At 143-pounds, Hideki Kadowaki (13-7-2) took "Ironman" Akitoshi Tamura's (11-6-2) Shooto trinket in an uninteresting majority decision. Top ten featherweight Hatsu Hioki (15-3-1) finished "The Finisher" Baret Yoshida of Hawaii by TKO at 4:51 of round one. In a 2008 Lightweight Rookie Tournament match-up, Hiroshige Tanaka (1-0) knocked out Kenichiro Marui (0-1) at 3:01 of round one. 123-pound Shooto veteran Mamoru Yamaguchi (2-4-3) took a unanimous decision over Masaaki Sugawara (6-3). 132-pound "Hadairo" Tetsu Suzuki (6-5-3) also won unanimously on the cards versus Hiroyuki Tanaka (6-4-1). Finally, 143-pound Hiroshi Nakamura (5-3-3) won a majority decision over Tenkei Fijimiya (7-3-2). ...

"Let Nick test!" It's a chant heard across the mixed martial arts community tonight after ProElite President Gary Shaw described the injustice the California State Athletic Commission has perpetrated on Nick Diaz (15-7). The CSAC has denied Diaz a license to fight on Saturday's Strikeforce card in San Jose. Shaw claims it's because Diaz admitted to using doctor-prescribed medical marijuana to treat his Attention Deficit Disorder in a mandatory medical exam two weeks ago. Diaz is a resident of California where citizens voted to legalize medical marijuana in 1996. "Let Nick test!" It's a chant echoed tonight by Diaz's friend and training partner, Jake Shields (20-4-1). "It's fucking stupid," Shields texted to me tonight.  "It's not like he tested positive. "Fine, if you want to say someone can't fight on doctor prescribed steroids," Shields added the analogy on the phone, "but, you still have to test him." "Let Nick test!" CSAC Executive Officer Armando Garcia claimed to MMA Weekly Thursday that Diaz turned-in his medical information late. Shaw described the impossibility of that scenario.  Thursday, he told Sherdog.com, "We have guys getting licensed today, so you know it's an outright lie." Diaz, who hasn't fought since last November, loses a $50,000 purse.  He told a press conference in San Jose today, "I trained to fight, but unfortunately it's not going down." Sherdog.com reports Garcia declined to comment on Shaw's claims. That's unacceptable to fighters and fans. As Shaw explained at Thursday's press conference, "It's wrong what [Garcia] did to Nick.  It's wrong what he did to mixed martial arts.  It's wrong what he did to Scott Coker and myself.  It's wrong what he did to the opponent of Nick's, who trained to fight Nick.  It's wrong for everybody they advertised that Nick would fight on this card." Fighters and fans can e-mail Garcia at: armando-garcia@dca.ca.gov with the subject line: "Let Nick test!" and let him know his actions against Nick Diaz are wrong. ...

Iraq war vet "All American" Brian Stann (6-0) added WEC brass to his Marine Corps Silver Star Wednesday night in Las Vegas, ending "Rhino" Doug Marshall's (7-3) two-fight campaign atop the light heavyweight division. On the undercard of 33, lightweight "Wrecking Ball" Marcus Hicks (8-0) swung through formerly undefeated "9mm" Ed Ratcliff (6-1) in 1:42. Steve Cantwell (5-1) impressed in a first round rear naked choke deconstruction of 205-pound "Wrecking Machine" Tim McKenzie (11-5). Top middleweight contender Chael Sonnen (20-9-1) scored a unanimous decision after a three-round workout with late replacement Bryan Baker (6-1). "Cleat" Rich Crunkilton (16-2) went into the trenches with lightweight Sergio Gomez (7-2) to score a unanimous decision. Also on the card, Hiromitsu Miura (9-4), Brock Larson (23-2), Alex Serdyukov (7-4), and "The Pink Pounder" Logan Clark (10-1) added wins to their respective records. Bantamweights Kenji Osawa (13-7-2) and American Top Team's Chris Manuel (6-0-2) reached a split draw by scores of 29-28 for Osawa, 29-28 for Manuel, and 28-28. The main event between Stann and Marshall spanned the most action-packed 1:35 of the televised card. At the bell, Stann marched forward while a more cautious Marshall circled in a hurky-jerky Muay Thai stance. Stann scored first, a kick to Marshall's thigh.  Marshall countered with the same, but Stann grazed a right hook across the "Rhino's" horn. Again, the light heavies traded leg kicks, but Marshall's counter was checked by a statuesque "All American", sending the champion off-balance into the cage. Stann was just too powerful as Marshall wrapped a Thai clinch around the back of his opponent's neck at the cage, but wasn't strong enough to control Stann's head. Marshall broke the clinch with a right haymaker and Stann countered with a spot-on left hook that dropped Marshall to his ass. Stann followed Marshall to the mat with a barrage of fists, but referee Herb Dean waved the battle finished as Marshall struggled to avoid the onslaught. Stann burst into tears upon victory.  "This belt represents all my Marines and my friends who couldn't be here right now, who died in combat with me." Stann looked polished in victory after spending time with Team Quest to prepare and will be a tough customer for future challengers. Another tough customer, lightweight Marcus Hicks, treated formerly undefeated Ed Ratcliff to a man-sized, first-round whoopin'. After a clumsy standing guillotine against the cage by Hicks, "The Wrecking Ball" broke the clinch with an uppercut, then retreated with looping roundhouse that landed flush on Ratcliff's chin. Hicks pressed and dumped shell-shocked "9mm" on the mat in a double-leg takedown.  This time Hicks's guillotine would bite deep and Ratcliff tapped. The 5'6", stocky Texan, Hicks, improves his high-pressure strategy with every outing. After suffering a 41-second TKO premier in the WEC c/o newly-crowned champion, Stann, Steve Cantwell has followed with consecutive first round stoppages. A Cantwell right high kick partially landed and backed up Tim McKenzie, a light heavyweight with a win over former division champion Doug Marshall. Cantwell followed with a right piston, left hook combo that dropped McKenzie. On the mat, Cantwell wrestled into the full mount where still-dazed McKenzie rolled to his stomach under Cantwell's looping G'n'P. Cantwell easily dug-in a rear naked choke causing McKenzie to tap once and weakly. Chael Sonnen appeared ready for WEC Middleweight Champion "Ely" Paulão Filho (16-0); but, late replacement for Filho, Bryan Baker wasn't prepared for Sonnen. Sonnen out-positioned and banged Baker in three rounds fought mostly on the mat. In another three-round decision, Rich Crunkilton won unanimously in a bloody slog with Sergio Gomez also fought mostly on the mat because of Gomez's inability to clear his feet during Crunkilton's textbook takedowns. The blood started flowing in the first frame, obviously from a Crunkilton elbow to the back of Gomez's head unseen by referee Herb Dean. Miura knocked out Blas Avena (2-2) at 2:35 of the first round. "The Natural" John Alessio (22-11) was disqualified in 1:50 after kneeing middleweight Larson in the noggin while his knees were down. Welterweight Serdyukov blemished Ryan Stonitsch's (8-1) perfect record in the kickboxer's WEC debut with a triangle choke submission at 1:35 of round one. "The Pink Pounder" rebounded from a loss to TKO WEC rookie middleweight Scott Harper (8-4) at 4:37 of round one. ...

DREAM.2 has announced three match-ups on its 29 April fight card at Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo. Korean-Canadian Denis Kang (29-9-1) will take the ring across from Armenian Gegard Mousasi (20-2-1) in a middleweight grand prix bout. Mousasi steps-up on a string of six first-round stoppages.  Kang bounces back from a first-round knockout loss to Yoshihiro Akiyama (10-1). A pair of Japanese heroes, "The Gracie Hunter" Kazushi Sakuraba (23-10-1) and Masakatsu Funaki (38-12-1), will continue their legends in DREAM. Saku' draws Karate champ Andrews Nakahara of Brazil, who makes his MMA debut.  Funaki faces U-File's Kiyoshi Tamura (28-14), a former PRIDE fighter. ...

Nova União featherweight Marlon Sandro (11-0) leaped into Pancrase’s top spot in that weight class Wednesday night at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo after nailing second-ranked Miki Shida (13-5-2) with a flying knee in the final minute of the second round. The fighters were competing for the 66-kilo King of Pancrase title vacated by Yoshiro Maeda (23-4-2), who debuted successfully in the WEC in February. Sandro followed his knee strike with a typhoon of fists that finished dazed Shida at 4:19 of the round.  The stoppage was Sandro’s first since 2005. Earlier in the night, Sandro’s training partner and cousin Hacran Dias (7-0-1) scrapped with Takafumi Ito (33-26-10) to a draw in a 77-kilogram match.  Dias was debuting in Pancrase versus 13-year Pancrase vet Ito. Middleweight King of Pancrase Izuru Takeuchi (24-9-6) unanimously fended off a challenge from veteran Hiromitsu Kanehara (14-19-1).  Takeuchi hasn’t finished an opponent in Pancrase since 2004. Samboist Alavutdin Gadzhiyev (7-1) kept cruising through Pancrase’s middleweight division with a TKO of Hikaru Sato(17-18-4) after just a minute-and-twenty, his third consecutive first round stoppage guaranteeing him a showdown with Takeuchi for the title. Krazy Bee lightweight Shinsuke Shoji took a UD over Kenji Arai (12-12-2) and his bantamweight teammate Michihisa Asano (6-4-2) earned a majority decision over U-File’s “Yukito” Yuichiro Shirai (3-5-3). Middleweights Takanori Sato (5-4-4) and Masahiro Toryu (4-3-3) fought to a draw. Welterweight Tomoyoshi Iwamiya (4-6) won a unanimous decision over Asaki Honda (4-2-1). ...

Pancrase opens act three of it's Shining tour at Differ Ariake 27 April starring venerable middleweight vets Yuki Kondo (48-20-6) and Keiichiro Yamamiya (32-22-9) in a rematch a dozen years on. Kondo KO'd Keiichiro while I was scheduling 100-level firsts for my freshman year at uni' way back in '96. That "L" was Yamamiya's first; but, in '08 the two warriors come with victories over "Hightower" Semmy Schilt (25-14-1), "Lights Out" Chris Lytle (25-15-5),  Frank Shamrock (24-8-1), Denis Kang (29-9-1), and Masakatsu Funaki (38-12-1) between them. The entire lineup is below: Yuki Kondo v Keiichiro Yamamiya Shoji Maruyama (6-2) v Koji Oishi (16-7-4) Bryan Rafiq (5-2) v Takuya Wada (16-8-8) "The Pink Typhoon" Yuji Hisamatsu (10-14-4) v Matti Makela (9-5) Manabu Inoue (6-3-1) v "J-Taro" Masaya Takita (8-9-2) Daisuke Watanabe(17-27-4) v Ryuji Ohori (2-2) Yukio Sakaguchi (1-2) v Wataru Takahashi (5-10-3) ...

ProElite.com reports that the Strikeforce welterweight title fight between champ Jake Shields (20-4-1) and challenger Drew Fickett (32-5) has been cancelled. The fight was scheduled for 29 March in San Jose. According to the report, Shields has suffered an undisclosed injury. There was no indication of a replacement to fight Fickett on the card. ...

Blink and you may have missed a duo of Shooto fight cards in Tokyo and Hiroshima respectively. On 21 March Shooto rumbled into Kitazawa Town Hall featuring a pair of 2008 Rookie Tournament middleweight bouts. Nipponese Naoki Hirayama (1-0) began the night and his pro MMA career with a unanimous decision over Shin Kochiwa(0-1); and, Yoishiro Sato (1-0) tied Hirayama with a UD over pitiful Toru Ishinaka (0-4-2). In the evening's main event, 65-kilo Yuji Inoue (4-3-1) broke a two-fight losing streak with a UD over Kyotaro Nakao (5-7-2). In a 2008 Rookie Tournament welterweight scrap, Kazuya Satomoto improved to 4-1 with a triangle armbar submission of Mach Dojo's "KG Kokoroto" Hiroki Kuga (0-1). At 56 kilos, Hiroharu Matsufuji (2-4) submitted pathetic Katsuhisa Akasaki (2-14-1) in a Kimura at 3:04 of round deuce. In the same weight class, Shinichi Hanawa (4-6-1) outlasted Joji Shimada (1-4) to a unanimous decision victory. Finally, 52-kilo Katsuya Murofushi (3-2) wrapped Kenichi Sawada (3-8-2) in a triangle choke for the first round finish. Two moons forward in Hiroshima, 56-kilo Takeshi Okada (4-3-2) and debuting Mike Hayakawa (0-0-1) fought to an even clip for a majority draw scored 19-19 twice and 19-20 for Hayakawa. In a 2008 Rookie Tournament lightweight bout, Makoto Akazawa (5-1) submitted Katayoshi Ono (0-1) in a rear naked choke. Finally, Kentaro Watanabe (1-0) won his debut unanimously in a decision over Jun Nagasoe (0-1). ...

The rules are abundantly clear: in mixed martial arts, a fighter is not permitted to deliver an elbow in a downward motion (ceiling to floor).  Nor is a fighter allowed to strike an opponent behind the back of the head. “The Diamond” Malaipet Sitprapom (3-2) did both in the closing seconds of the first round against “Wildman” Thomas Denny (26-16) Friday in the main event of ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series on Showtime, and was disqualified. "I’m sorry because I came here to fight, but this is MMA and you have to follow the rules," said Denny, who could not continue after he was nailed by three blatant elbows to the back of the head.  "I may have been dazed but I wasn’t knocked out.  One thing I could not do, however, was move my neck." Knowing his advantage on the ground, Denny took Malaipet to the ground in the opening seconds and kept him there for more than four and a half minutes of the initial five-minute session. At one point in the 160-pound fight, it appeared that Malaipet would get choked out, but he rallied to work his way out of it and managed to continue.  Denny quickly locked him up again and tried to take matters back to the ground.  A frustrated Malaipet then committed the three flagrant fouls. Denny was given a few minutes to recover, but when he couldn’t the fight was called at the 4:51 mark. "Malaipet was tough because I thought I had him with the rear naked choke," Denny said.  "But I will definitely fight him again.  I was totally dominating." A world-class superstar Muay Thai kickboxer with reportedly more than 300 Muay Thai fights, Malaipet had a three-fight MMA winning streak end. "I definitely want to fight him again," Malaipet said.  "If he wants to do it at 150 pounds, I’ll fight him any time, any place.  This wasn’t my type of fight.  But there was no way I was ever going to tap out." In other televised bouts, Conor Heun (7-2) won an unpopular, unanimous decision over Marlon Mathias (5-2); Jaime Fletcher (6-3) recorded an upset points victory over Aaron Rosa (10-2); Shane Del Rosario (4-0) scored an opening-round knockout over Analu Brash (1-2); and Mark Oshiro (10-1) knocked out previously unbeaten Chris Cariaso (6-1) in the first round. ...

CBS and ProElite, Inc. have announced that the first live primetime mixed martial arts event will be broadcast Saturday, 31 May (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.  CBS EliteXC Saturday Night Fights will be broadcast live from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. "We're excited to introduce broadcast television viewers to America's fastest growing sport with this prime time event," said Kelly Kahl, Senior Executive Vice President, CBS Primetime.  "EliteXC is putting together a lineup card that showcases the unique personalities, world-class athleticism, and raw power and emotion that characterizes mixed martial arts."    Champion "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler (15-4) will put his title on the line against "Hands of Steel" Scott Smith (13-4) in a middleweight championship bout.  EliteXC heavyweight phenom, "Kimbo Slice" Kevin Ferguson (3-0), will also participate in the May 31 event along with other stars from mixed martial arts.  Additional matchups will be announced at a later date. "I am very happy for the highly trained fighters, who will finally get the kind of exposure they deserve, and, of course, the viewers, who will get the opportunity to learn that MMA is truly a sport that requires an abundance of skills, both mentally and physically," said Gary Shaw, EliteXC Live Events President. ...

Undefeated Bryan Baker (6-0) gets the late call to replace "Ely" Paulo Filho (16-0) versus Chael Sonnen (19-9-1) at 26 March's WEC 33. Filho, the WEC Middleweight Champion, bailed out of the rematch with Sonnen after checking into a Brazilian clinic for substance addiction. Baker, a student of "Wildman" Thomas Denny (25-16), had won all of his fights by stoppage until a split decision over Eric Schambari (7-1) last December. ...

The UFC has announced a pair of welterweight bouts for UFC 84 24 May in Vegas.  "War Machine" Jon Koppenhaver (5-1) and Yoshiyuki Yoshida (9-2) will match-up well as Jason Tan (5-2) and Dong Hyun Kim (9-1). Koppenhaver appeared on the sixth season of TUF and is coming off a bloody, brutal slog with cast-mate Jared Rollins (6-4) on the season's finale. Yoshida debuts in the UFC with an eight-fight streak stretching back to a 2005 Shooto majority technical decision loss to "K-Taro" Keita Nakamura (14-3-2).  In 2007 he stopped both Akira Kikuchi (16-4) and Katsuya Inoue (16-5-2) in the first round of Greatest Common Multiple events in Japan. Tan lost his UFC debut last year by KO to "Irish Hand Grenade" Marcus Davis (14-3), but has since recorded a unanimous decision over "Xandinho" Alexandre Izidro (6-7) in a Cage Gladiators. DEEP vet Kim hasn't lost since his MMA debut in 2004 versus "RYO" Young Choi (9-4) by unanimous decision, though he only muddled a draw out of Hidehiko Hasegawa (14-9-4) in his most recent start. ...

Everyone who streamed Icon Sport: To Hell and Back live Saturday at ProElite.com witnessed something special. Why do fighters fight? Versus "The New York Bad Ass" Phil Baroni (10-9) for the Icon Sport Middleweight World Championship, Hawaii's Kala Kolohe Hose (6-1) found his answer. Hose found out what he's made of, inside and out. At the opening bell, "Bad Ass" catapulted out of his corner with bad intentions.  He easily dumped Hose to the mat with a double leg takedown and dumped leather in Hose's face. The island boy bucked and dodged as Baroni punched, scrambled, and stomped at Hose's head. "I honestly thought I was in trouble at that point," Hose said. The doubters must've been right.  The local boy was outclassed by the international journeyman. But, three minutes into round one, Baroni began to whither, heaving for air.  Hose was gassed too after the initial adrenaline dump of his first title fight. Despite the hype, it was Baroni's first title fight too.  After a three minute ground'n'pound barrage, Baroni was done. The final two minutes of round one wound down with the fighters on the mat gasping for air. The New Yorker never met his rep as a big puncher, never even really tried. In the second round, Baroni took Hose back to the mat where Hose attempted a Kimura without proper leverage.  Baroni toughed out the arm twist, but, before round two closed, Hose began pin-pointing punches. By round three, Baroni's hands dangled at his waist and, when distance allowed, he bent over with his hands on his knees for breathers. Hose had recovered from the initial energy dump and found his game standing and on the ground. When Baroni could no longer weather Hose's punches, kicks, and knees, he'd shoot sluggishly and Hose would stuff him and tenderize his kidneys with hooking body punches. Confidence that wasn't present in Hose as he entered Icon Sport's ring, now swelled the Waianae kid's chest.  He was sure he belonged in the ring with Baroni.  He was going to win. Baroni was deducted a point in the fourth round for continually throwing himself beneath the ropes to avoid Hose's onslaughts. At the beginning of round five, the Hawaiian tossed a big right hand in Baroni's face.  Baroni crumbled and Hose unloaded over top of him. At :26 of round five, the grueling slog was called by TKO for Kala Kolohe Hose, Icon Sport's new middleweight world titlist. "It feels good. I'd like to thank everybody out there," a bashful, but ecstatic Hose announced after the fight. An Icon Sports announcer called Hose's TKO of Baroni, "One of the biggest upsets in MMA history." Not quite.  Don't overrate 10-9 Baroni.  However, with the "W" comes a new confidence for Hose, enough now to meet former champ "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler (15-4) with some mo'. On the undercard, the Icon Sport's Hawaii 145-pound strap also found a new waist.  "The Chosen One" and now former champ Bronsen Pieper (2-1) blocked a lunging right hook from Sadhu Bott (3-0) with his face.  Pieper crumbled forward and Bott took his back.  The islanders scrambled until Bott sucked an arm into an armbar.  Pieper held on longer than necessary, but tapped in agony at 4:33 of round one. It took BJ Penn's training partner "Da Boss" Ross Ebanez (18-6) just nine seconds to knockout 175-pound Brennan Kamaka (3-12) with a left hook that nearly sent Kamaka through the ropes. Legend's Gym fighter "Half Man Half Amazing" Jeremy Williams (5-0) matched Ebanez with his own left hook that knocked out "The Warrior" Auggie Padekan at 2:18 of round one. "I'm looking for an Icon world title," Williams announced, then noted, "I can either fight in Iowa or in Hawaii." At 135-pounds, Russell Doane (2-1) upset Icon vet Tyson Nam (4-2).  Doane began with a slick single leg takedown, but Nam smartly regained his feet as Doane stood to slam him.  Nam landed a stinging left hand, but Doane finagled the fight back to the mat and pounded Nam out at 3:53 of round one. "Pretty Boy" Wayne Perrin, III (1-2) was probably feeling out 170-pound Koa Ramos (4-0) when he threw a lazy right high kick.  Ramos took the opportunity to plant Perrin III into the mat and pound "Pretty Boy" until he gave up his back for a first round guillotine choke submission. "P.J. is animal, brah," 160-pound Eddie Rincon described PJ Dean (1-2) after losing a unanimous decision to the Hawaiian. Rincon pulled guard to open round one and got slobber-knocked into the mat the rest of the three round fight. "I ain't no steppin' stone for nobody," said Dean. 145-pound Matt Comeau (2-1) flattened Elias Delos Reyes (1-1) out and pound him to a second round TKO. "The Tan Superman" David Padilla (7-13) and lightweight Alan Lima (2-0) spent three romantic rounds on the mat before the BJJ player, Lima, was awarded a unanimous decision. 135-pound Duane Haney (3-0) tapped touted striker Zack Rapal (0-1) in a guillotine choke as Rapal tried to stand out of guard. 145-pound Brandon Pieper (0-4) tapped out to "Hoku" Ricky Wallace (1-2) of Icon Gym at :37 seconds of round one in a standing guillotine. Jay Bolos (1-3) walked his guard up the back of "Soljah Boy" Nui Wheeler (0-3) right into an armbar for the tap in round two. In the first fight, Kona Ke lit-up Micah Ige with a right hook as Ige sought to clinch.  Ige fell forward and Ke threw him to the mat, fell on him, and wrapped up a rear naked choke for the tap. ...

Saturday's DREAM.1 at Saitama Super Arena was the whole Japanese MMA shabang from tip to toe. The K-1/former-PRIDE collaboration featured mismatches of size and skill, world-class MMA, late stoppages, carnival theatrics, a tournament format, and the banshee herself, Lenne Hardt, introducing it all. The card featured the opening round of DREAM's lightweight grand prix in which Eddie Alvarez (13-1), "Buscape" Luiz Firmino (12-3), "Hellboy" Joachim Hansen (17-6-1), "Endless Fighter" Mitsuhiro Ishida (16-3-1), "Crusher" Tatsuya Kawajiri (21-4-2), and Katsuhiko Nagata (4-2) all advanced to the next round. The tournaments seventh and most anticipated match-up betwen "Tobikan Judan" Shinya Aoki (14-2) and "JZ" Gesias Calvancante (14-1-1) ended in a No Contest. In non-tournament bouts, "Mach" Hayato Sakurai (32-7-2) and "Cro Cop" Mirko Filipovic both won first round TKOs and "The Punk" Ikuhisa Minowa won a first round submission. Ishida and Korean judoka Bu Kyung Jung (0-2) fought the most competitive bout with Ishida squeezing a unanimous decision over the MMA rookie. The Japanese wrestler, Ishida, whirled around Jung for the first two minutes, peppering leg kicks into the Korean's thighs.  On Jung's lunging clinch attempt, Ishida slammed him to the mat. On the mat, inside Jung's tightly closed guard, Ishida heaved him into the air and slammed him again before raising back to his feet. Jung followed and lunged to clinch again, but Ishida ducked.  Jung slammed face first into the corner, Ishida pouncing atop him. From a full guard body lock, Jung transitioned into an armbar as the Japanese fighter tried to yank free.  It was close, and Jung took the opportunity to kick the struggling wrestler in the face before Ishida broke free.  Another powerful Ishida slam countered Jung's near miss. As the ground game went on, Ishida's spurts of G'n'P became more effective as the Korean filed through submissions, but the ref stood them anyway. Backed into a corner, Ishida threw a clumsy left roundhouse kick Jung blocked as Ishida slipped.  This time it was Jung who pounced, locking Ishida's head beneath his armpit for another tight neck crank submission attempt. Again, Ishida popped free, both fighters slick with sweat by that point, and worked an effective ground'n'pound until the ref stood the fighters. This time it was Ishida who lunged for a single leg takedown and Jung pulled guard, then slipped a slick armbar on the wrestler.  Again, the "Endless Fighter" slipped free and hammered on the judoka to the first round bell. The second round began as the first, with Ishida avoiding a head-on collision by circling.  Ishida shot for the same single leg takedown that got him in trouble near the end of round one and Jung again pulled guard and sucked up arms at angles looking for submissions.  Ishida countered by grinding fists into Jung's face until the ref stood them up. Ishida made it a trilogy with a third identical takedown and Jung responded as he had to the first two.  Both fighters exchanged leather while Jung worked his high guard into a weak triangle choke, but wasn't able to lock his leg beneath his knee. The bout ended with both exhausted fighters pitty-patting each other on the mat. An argument could be made to give the judoka the win, but the judges saw Ishida's aggressive ground'n'pound as the deal breaker and awarded him a unanimous decision. In another exciting tournament fight, at the bell Alvarez and "Dida" Andre Amade (6-3-1) stormed to the center of the ring throwing leather.  The American shot a single leg and stood-up with the ankle he had snatched.  He swept Dida's other foot from beneath him and dumped the BJJ black belt on his back. The ref stood Dida and he immediately resumed throwing haymakers, catching Alvarez square on the chin with two big left hooks, then dropping him with a third as the American retreated. But on the mat Alvarez's superior wrestling positioned him for a two-minute vicious ground'n'pound onslaught that lead to the TKO stoppage at 6:47 of round one.  Dida was simply overpowered and out-positioned. Tattooed Norwegian Hansen resembled a snow leopard feasting on Kotetsu Boku (13-5-1) of Krazy Bee.  Since becoming the first MMA fighter to tap in a gogoplata in 2006, the former kickboxer Hansen has been all out on the mat.  He took Boku to the ground and paired an octopus-like submission game with brutal ground'n'pound for the entire 15 minutes.  The decision was unanimous for Hansen. "Buscape" of Brazilian Top Team found a rear naked choke on undersized Kazuyuki Miyata (5-7) at 7:37 of round one. In a mild upset, Nagata took a unanimous decision over the Russian Artur Oumakhanov (7-3). Kawajiri earned the sixth spot in round two of DREAM's lightweight grand prix with a unanimous decision over surprisingly durable "Black Mamba" Kultar Gill (9-7) of Canada. The tournament's most hyped match-up fizzled when Aoki took an errant elbow to the back of the head from Calvancanti after much ado about nothing.  There's been no clarification about a rematch or whether either fighter will advance in the tournament. Hidetaka Monma (14-8-3) was never in his fight with Sakurai, but evidently the ref was unaware of the mismatch.  From the top position, Sakurai pounded Monma in the head 20-seconds longer than necessary before the referee called a stoppage at 4:12 of round one. I'm hereby dividing the MMA universe into two halves.  Those, like me, who're disgusted to witness "Cro Cop" as a characterture of himself matched up against veritable heads-on-a-tee like Tatsuya Mizuno (3-3) and those who lust to see the former PRIDE OWGP champ served-up such heads for entertainment, not sport.  "Cro Cop", in an awkward performance, TKO'd Mizuno at :56 of round one. And in the last of the three rings that made-up non tournament action at DREAM.1, Minowaman swung from half mount into a kneebar to submit overweight Korean Bum Chang Kang (1-2) at 1:25 of round one. DREAM.2 follows on 29 April with the first round a a middleweight grand prix. ...

"Mighty Mo" Siala-Mou Siligia's (3-0) agent, Steve Rusich, has confirmed that "Cro Cop" Mirko Filipovic (22-6-2) turned down a DREAM.1 debut versus Rusich's fighter from American Samoa. "Mo was excited," Rusich said.  "He wants to get more MMA fights.  A win over Cro Cop would've been huge!" "Mighty Mo" fights a K-1 kickboxing match versus Keijiro Maeda in Yokohama 13 April, but is undefeated in mixed martial arts versus softies.  "Cro Cop" would've been a leap forward. "What they do is offer [Filipovic] three options.  We had the whole thing negotiated with K-1," Rusich explained, "but, they came back and said Cro Cop turned down the fight." Agent Bas Boon has also alleged "Cro Cop" nixed DREAM.1 fights with his charges, "Demolition Man" Alistair Overeem (26-11) and Gokin Saki (0-1), who may have been the other two fighters in K-1's original offer to Filipovic. Boon hasn't replied to my request for further explanation. "Apparently he wanted James Thompson," Rusich added. "The Colossus" Thompson (14-8) has slept through the finale of seven of his eight losses, earning him a reputation for his glass jaw.  Thompson was laid out in just over two minutes in his last fight versus "The Grim" Brett Rogers (6-0) in EliteXC. "Cro Cop" returns to Japan after a nosedive in the UFC, losing consecutive battles with “Napao” Gabriel Gonzaga (8-3) and Cheick Kongo (11-4-1). DREAM, a K-1 MMA promotion, originally paired "Cro Cop" with "Kiss” Yoshihiro Nakao (6-1); but, Nakao dropped the fight without official explanation. DREAM then dug up veritable head-on-a-tee Tatsuya Mizuno (3-2), whom Filipovic will take aim on today in Tokyo. ...

"["Kiss" Yoshihiro] Nakao will be sunk in Tokyo Bay by the terrible Yakuza [if he fights "Cro Cop" Mirko Filipovic]," posted "The Oriental Mystery" Takumi Yano (9-8-3) last week on his blog at blog.livedoor.jp/ugokai. Yano trains Nakao (6-1), who recently pulled out of his announced DREAM.1 bout with Cro Cop (22-6-2) without explanation. Yakuza, or Japanese mafia, connections to combat sport promotions in Japan have long been alleged, most notoriously resulting in PRIDE's loss of Japanese television coverage leading to their eventual demise. My request to Yano for comment received the mysterious response: "Gone fishing." Kidding... Yano didn't respond to my English request, most likely because he speaks Japanese. I can't decide which is more dangerous: posting the comment as a joke or posting it because it's the truth. ...

Because of a Ryan Hockensmith article published 6 March at ESPN The Magazine's website, it's been a foregone conclusion for nearly a fortnight that Fedor Emelianenko (27-1) would "divorce" M-1 Global. "Officially, yes, Fedor will be a free agent," Apy Echteld, one of Emelianenko's agents, told Hockensmith. But, hold on!  There's the inconvenience of an iron-clad contract in the way.  MMA fans should be smarter after the Contract Law 101 course we've all taken since "The Natural" Randy Couture (16-8) "resigned" from his Zuffa LLC contract in October 2007. Hockensmith reported, "A source close to the situation previously told The Magazine: M-1 Global and Emelianenko will part ways some time in the next week." Yet, next week has come and gone now. M-1 Global Vice President Brian Patton told me hours ago, "Our relationship [with Emelianenko]...is still unresolved, which means we are all still together." Recall it was an agent who advised Couture to "resign" from his Zuffa LLC contract.  Now, again, recall how well that's worked out.  The word "clusterfuck" comes to mind. Couture and Zuffa LLC have had one court matchup to date, regarding Couture's participation in the IFL. Zuffa 1, Couture 0. Emelianenko may well receive his release from M-1 Global eventually, and Emelianenko's management's involvement in M-1 Global may precipitate that; but, it won't be because of his agent's declaration to ESPN The Magazine.  That's what agents do; but, that's not how contracts work.  Just ask Randy Couture. ...

"People didn’t get tested [for performance enhancing drugs in PRIDE]," "Hollywood" Dan Henderson (22-7), the last to don PRIDE straps at 90- and 83-kilos, told Sam Caplan in January. The convo' revolved around "Ely" Paulo Filho (16-0), and took a serious turn quickly. "Are you saying Filho may be a juicer?"  Caplan quizzed. "Well that’s my opinion anyway," Hendo admitted.  "He hasn’t looked good since he left PRIDE.  I think that’s what not being able to use steroids will do to you." In an entirely unrelated story... Filho's on-again-off-again WEC middleweight title rematch with Hendo's stablemate Chael Sonnen (19-9-1) is off...again. From the suits at WEC headquarters: "WEC Middleweight Champion Paulo Filho has chosen to withdraw from his March 26th title defense against Chael Sonnen after voluntarily checking himself into an undisclosed rehabilitation center in Brazil on Thursday morning, March 13, to seek help for a substance abuse problem." But, Tatame had documented Filho's intention days before. "I wasn’t on a good moment, had depression," Filho revealed to the Brazilian website.  "I wasn’t motivated to train, wasn’t training well, so I decided to do what the contract says and transferred the fight to June." Maybe it was something in the water in PRIDE, as they say. Filho's fellow PRIDE standout, "Cro Cop" Mirko Filipovic (22-6-2), misplaced his motivation around the same time his urine came under the scrutiny of American state athletic commissions too. “I was empty before fights, depressed, I hated myself," Cro Cop told DREAM's first press conference about his nightmare in the UFC. Later, on his blog at www.mma-id.com/CROCOP, Filipovic elaborated.  "The losses came from a lack of motivation.  I was really empty, I had no fire left in me." Cro Cop joined the UFC after winning PRIDE's Open Weight Grand Prix by knocking out "The Axe Murder" Wanderlei Silva (31-8-1) and submitting "The Babyface Assasin" Josh Barnett (21-5) on strikes on the same September night in 2006. It was the pinnacle of Cro Cop's career. But at his new address, Filipovic lost consecutive battles with "Napao" Gabriel Gonzaga (8-3) and Cheick Kongo (11-4-1), nearly filing papers for his retirement pension in the cage with Kongo. Of course, with three current UFC belt-holders having 43 PRIDE fights among them, not all PRIDE fighters have shared the same sudden depression and lack of motivation after joining the big show.  And, those who haven't are naming names... "I knew Dan would knockout Wanderlei [Silva]," "Rampage" Quinton Jackson (29-6) said during a conference call promoting his light heavyweight title unification bout with Henderson last September in the UFC.  "Wanderlei wasn't allowed to use that juice he like to use," 'Page explained about the 2007 Vegas PRIDE fight in which Hendo punched out Silva in the third round. Silva, known for his sustained balls-to-the-wall MMA onslaughts, debuted in the UFC last December versus "Iceman" Chuck Liddell (21-5) sporting a noticeably more svelte physique and a new, energy-conscious fight game even the crunchies at Greenpeace could be proud of. Now, Silva, the former long-time PRIDE 90-kilogram champ who fought Filipovic weighing more than the heavyweight, is openly contemplating a drop to 185-pounds. Anyone can peep my 16-inch guns and know I've never used performance enhancing drugs, nor experienced the withdrawal symptoms of quitting the junk; but, a quick perusal of the "Anabolic Steroids" fact sheet at the Center for Substance Abuse Research reveals depression, mood swings, and fatigue as withdrawal symptoms of "that juice", as Rampage called it. And, one needn't be Columbo to deduce that lost muscle mass is another clue. Fighters talk to me too.  The dish is that those who seemed to have bottomless tanks over seas, but suddenly gas State-side; like, say...in round three of a 205-pound scrap versus a lovable, but lower-ranked opponent, are minus a lab-detectable dose of EPO. Erythropoietin (EPO) is abused by endurance athletes to increase the number of red blood cells oxygenating their blood stream. It's Big Bear in a bottle; or, the canned equivalent to circuit training while wearing a snorkel. It's important to note that none of the athletes mentioned in this muse have failed drug tests, that I'm aware of.  I presume they're all clean. For all UFC fighters, their Octagon performance is their staunchest alibi or their bitter betrayer. And the most bitter withdrawal symptom of abusing performance enhancing drugs is the lube-less mind-fuck on your pride. One day your chin is high, standing atop a mound of crumpled opponents, tough mothers in their right, but confident in your ability, your stature in the world's toughest athletic contest. Now, the training regiment you once ate up is nearly impossible.  When you leave the gym, you have just enough energy to dread going back the next day.  Suddenly, you hate training.  You muddle through, sure the smell of blood will right your ship, but it's no longer in you to best a fighter you would've beaten like a red-headed stepchild before. Were you ever the beast you knew you were?  Was it ever you, or was it always what was in the bottle?  Can you ever stand atop that mound on your own? To avoid coming to Jesus, a man might scurry back to a place that doesn't ask for a urine sample, or check out of a fight that could force answers his ego can't handle. ...

YAMMA Pit Fighting, a new MMA organization created by UFC founder Bob Meyrowitz, has announced the final details of the organization’s first live pay-per-view event. The event, comprised of an eight-man tournament for the title of YAMMA Heavyweight Champion and two Masters Superfights, will air live in the U.S. from the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City on 11 April. The two Masters Superfights will feature “Butterbean” Eric Esch (10-5-1) versus "Big Daddy" Gary Goodridge (23-15-1) and “The Russian Bear” Oleg Taktarov (15-5-2) versus “The Predator” Don Frye (19-6-1).  “For YAMMA Pit Fighting’s inaugural event, we’ve brought together some of the greatest MMA veterans as well as some of the best emerging fighters,” said Bob Meyrowitz.  “The event will demonstrate that these MMA legends still have a lot to teach and will also advance the tournament fighters towards legendary status themselves.” Butterbean is a professional super heavyweight boxer, kickboxer, and mixed martial artist.  Esch has held the title of IBA World Super Heavyweight Champion, as well as the WWA world heavyweight title.  Butterbean stands 5 ft 11 tall and weighs 398lbs. Goodridge, a UFC/Pride/K-1 veteran, was born in Trinidad & Tobago and now resides in Ontario, Canada.  Goodridge is known for his devastating strikes and showmanship.  He first turned heads in the MMA scene with his victory over Paul Herrera in UFC 8.  Goodridge is also a top-ranked contender in professional arm wrestling.  He stands 6 ft 3 in tall and weighs 240lbs. The 11 April event will unveil “The YAMMA”, an evolution of the traditional fighting structure that will change how the fight is fought and the strategy the fighters must use to win.  This new “ring” has been specifically designed to keep the fighting more explosive and continuous. The event will also showcase the skill and endurance of eight fearsome competitors in a tournament match.  For the first time in over a decade in the States, MMA will return to its origins by reviving the hugely popular tournament format, in which fighters will participate in multiple fights on their way to claiming the ultimate victory, the title of YAMMA Heavyweight Champion.  Tournament fighting has long been a huge draw for dedicated MMA fans due to the non-stop action provided by fight-after-fight formatting. The two newly announced MMA tournament fighters are: Alexey Oleynik - a 6'1", 220-pound fighter on Russia's #1 team, Red Devil Sports Club, and an M-1 and Bodog veteran with an MMA record of 4-3. George Bush - a 6’ 1”, 235-pound fighter from Columbus, Ohio with an MMA record of 5-0. The entire fight card is as follows: Masters Superfights “The Russian Bear” Oleg Taktarov v “The Predator” Don Frye "Butterbean" Eric Esch v "Big Daddy" Gary Goodridge Heavyweight Tournament “Pato” Marcelo Pereira "The Tank" Sherman Pendergarst Rex Richards Tony Sylvester Chris Tuscherer “Diesel” Travis Wiuff Alexey Oleynik George Bush ...

In an interview with Rogue Magazine, Kiwi kickboxer Mark Hunt (5-3) revealed details of his return to combat after 15-months off. The article reports that Hunt will return to K-1 kickboxing versus "Hightower" Semmy Schilt at K-1's Europe Grand Prix Final in Amsterdam 26 April; however, K-1's website posts the bout as the main event at the World Grand Prix 2008 in Yokohama 13 April. "It was part of the contract I was offered," Hunt said of the Schilt fight.  "I did not want to fight K-1 since I have won the title already, but always up for a challenge; and, when the window of opportunity opens for me, I try to always take it 'cause it does not always open, you know?" It'll be Hunt's last kickboxing bout. "Well, it is only one K-1 fight to start with; the rest of my contract is all MMA," Hunt promised. The hard-headed Hunt fought MMA exclusively in PRIDE, until that promotion's demise.  He scored back-to-back split decision victories over "The Axe Murderer" Wanderlei Silva (31-8-1) and "Cro Cop" Mirko Filipovic (22-6-2), followed by consecutive Kimura submission losses to "The Babyface Assasin" Josh Barnett (21-5) and Fedor Emelianenko (27-1). "K-1 and DREAM are partners so the rest of my MMA fights are with DREAM," Hunt explained, and designated 8 May for his return to mixed martial arts. "[A rematch with Emelianenko] is another fight that will happen in the near future," Hunt said.  "I can't say anymore!" MMA math is trash, but MMA geometry? Hunt's MMA contract is in DREAM.  Emelianenko is reportedly divorcing M-1 Global to seek fights in other promotions.  Hunt promises a second dance with Emelianenko. Assuming Hunt's promise isn't just a DREAM on his part....  Well, you see the same dots I do.  See if you can't connect them. ...

"My next bout will be organized in the USA," Russian heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko (27-1) told M1Mixfight.com. The Samboist from Stary Oskol hasn't fought State-side since breaking "The Hammer" Mark Coleman (15-8) in an armbar in Vegas in October 2006. "I can't say anything about my opponent at the moment," Emelianenko added, but claimed he's interested in fighting "top ten for sure." He left open the possibility of fighting friend "The Babyface Assassin" Josh Barnett (21-5) who recently returned from a 14-month break to tap judoka Hidehiko Yoshida (7-6-1) in a heel hook at Sengoku. "I'm aware of the fact such bout is planned but I haven't been told anything about it as of yet," he explained. He quashed rumours of a match-up with undefeated legend Rickson Gracie (11-0), claiming, "Rickson wouldn't take part in it." Ironically, the widely-ranked top heavyweight said, "I want Russian banner to be placed in the first lines of the magazines regardless their bias." Emelianenko's reign atop the weight class is increasingly controversial due to his choice of soft competition in the last 30 months. He countered UFC President Dana White, who's openly questioned Emelianenko's ranking, describing White as someone who "talks a lot, sometimes rashly without having thought before," and accusing him of offering him "a one-sided contract on unacceptable conditions." ...

After two false starts, Brazilian Thales Leites (12-1) and American Nathan Marquardt (26-7-2) will clash horns at UFC 85 on 7 June in London. The two middleweights were originally matched for 77, but Leites failed to score a visa for the fight.  Then, Leites pulled out of the second matchup at 81 last month with a broken hand. Marquardt fought on with late replacement "Gumby" Jeremy Horn (79-17-5) and survived a first round near-gogo to guillotine choke Horn to submission at 1:37 of round two. Leites hasn't fought since last August when he tapped Ryan Jensen (11-3) 3:47 into the first set. ...

In his cage hiatus back to familiar fight turf in Japan, "Cro Cop" Mirko Filipovic (22-6-2) aims to follow Fedor Emelianenko's (27-1) latest career path of exploiting kickboxers debuting in MMA. "There's a possibility of facing some good fighters from K-1 under MMA rules [in DREAM]," Cro Cop posted Tuesday on his blog at http://www.mma-id.com/CROCOP. Cro Cop meets Japanese tomato can Tatsuya Mizuno (3-2) at DREAM.1 this weekend. Filipovic also revealed, " I've been having troubles with my left elbow.   It's nothing too serious but I'm scheduled for a surgery later this month." The fighter expects to return to the gym a couple of days after surgery. ...

Rising UFC light heavyweight Thiago Silva (12-0) of American Top Team has reportedly drawn "Samuray" Antonio Mendes (14-2) of European Top Team for a UFC 84 all-Brazil bout in Vegas. Silva was rumored to be paired with Rashad Evans (11-0-1) for a top contender eliminator until Evans was tagged for bigger game at UFC 85 in London after "Shogun" Mauricio Rua (16-3) re-injured his knee and dropped his main event match with "Iceman" Chuck Liddell (21-5). Mendes of Fortaleza, where fighters are born, rides into the fight capital of the world atop an 11-fight "W" trend. In his last fight in M-1 last July, the ring-side doc waved mercy over his Russian opposite Kiril Sidelnikov (2-1) of Red Devil Sport Club at the end of round two for a TKO. Silva of Sao Paulo is fresh from exposing hulking Nebraskan Houston Alexander (8-2) to what we in the biz refer to as "the ground game", TKOing the hyped disc jockey at 3:25 of round one last November. ...

"The Diamond" Malaipet Sitprapom (3-1) will try to continue his transformation from world-class superstar Muay Thai kickboxer to mixed martial arts world champion when he faces “Wildman” Thomas Denny (25-16) Friday, 21 March, at Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California. A winner of three in a row, the popular, extremely charismatic Malaipet will be making his MMA main event debut in a fight that will headline a five-bout ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series telecast on Showtime that begins at 23:00 ET/PT (delayed on the west coast of the U.S.). It is the fifth ShoXC cage fight card, which is patterned after the popular Showtime boxing series ShoBox: The New Generation, which has been a springboard for many, young future champions. "Like I’ve said, there are a lot of  promising MMA fighters thirsting for an opportunity to show their stuff and make a name for themselves on the worldwide stage," EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw said.  "This [ShoXC] is the place where they can do it.   The Malaipet-Denny matchup is a great one. "Malaipet is a legend in kickboxing, but I think a lot of us are anxious to see how he does as he continues to step up.  For sure, he could turn out to be special, but Denny is one tough vet.  I love to watch the progress of all young athletes as they develop.  The response to this series has been incredible." Few, if any, world champions in other sports have made a successful cross over to MMA; but, Malaipet, a decorated 17-year pro with reportedly more than 300 Muay Thai bouts, could be an exception.   A Lumpinee champ in Thailand, Malaipet has a very Thai style of movement, which he exhibited in his ShoXC debut, an impressive, dominant performance against Kaleo Kwan (5-8) en route to winning a three-round standup war by 30-26 and 30-27 twice.  He was calm, relaxed, punched in combination and displayed the kind of stalking footwork that lets him carefully pick his shots and his opponent apart.   "I started watching MMA when I got to the U.S. and liked what I saw," he said.  "I respect both Muay Thai and MMA.  I am still learning, but I feel I have what it takes to make it in MMA." So, can Malaipet make up ground, and learn a ground game, so he doesn't get tossed to the mat and, possibly, get submitted?  For sure, the more experienced, determined Denny will try and find out. A former King of the Cage champion who recently signed with EliteXC, the 5-foot-10-inch Denny has fought the likes of "Daddy" Joe Stevenson (28-8), "Bang" Duane Ludwig (16-8), and Yves Edwards (33-13-1). A colorful fighter known for wild and crazy hairstyles, Denny specializes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and Muay Thai kickboxing.  His self-proclaimed signature moves are "knees and elbows."  But, mostly Denny likes to "give pain.  I like to make my opponent suffer. "Malaipet is untested on the ground.  Well, I am going to test him," Denny said.  "I always like to do the opposite of whatever my opponent is doing anyway, and everyone knows Malaipet wants to stand up." In other bouts on the telecast, Marlon Matias (5-1) of Brazil faces Conor Huen (6-2) of Los Angeles at 160 pounds; Shane Del Rosario (3-0) of Irvine, California meets Analu Brash (1-1) of Kula, Maui at 265 pounds; and Mark Oshiro (9-1) of Honolulu clashes with Chris Caraiso (6-0) of California at 140 pounds. Non-televised bouts include: Devin Howard (debut) of La Habra, California versus Mark Kempthorne (1-4) of Vandenberg, California at 170 pounds; Amadeo Viola (0-1) of San Bernardino, California versus Jason Williams (debut) of Vandenberg, California at 265 pounds; Luke Riddering (debut) of San Luis Obispo, California versus TBA at 170 pounds; and Kenny Johnson (debut) of Los Angeles versus TBA at 170 pounds. ...

Lightweights Nick Diaz (15-7) and "El Niño" Gilbert Melendez (13-1) fatten-up 29 March's Strikeforce feast featuring middleweight champ Frank Shamrock (23-8-1) versus Cung Le (5-0) in San Jose. Melendez will defend his Strikeforce lightweight title from Iowan Gabe Lemley (11-6). Lemley brings six consecutive stoppages into the cage since returning to the sport in '07, after closing '05 with two submission losses and sitting out '06. Melendez, pulled from this weekend's DREAM.1 lightweight grand prix, returns from his first "L" versus Japanese wrestler "Endless Fighter" Mitsuhiro Ishida (15-3-1), a unanimous decision. Diaz also wants to avenge a loss.  He dropped EliteXC's first 160-pound title tussle to "KJ" Karl James Noons (6-2) last November on cuts. "The Korean Icepick" Jae Suk Lim (9-3) will try to chip fresh wounds into Diaz's increasingly tender face. For Lim, it'll be his second North American scrap, having debuted on the continent for EliteXC with a rear naked choke submission of Daniel Pinedo (4-2) on the undercard of Diaz's title fight. ...

DREAM rotated tomato cans Monday for this weekend's DREAM.1 debut event featuring "Cro Cop" Mirko Filipovic. "My opponent will be Tatsuya Mizuno," Cro Cop announced via his blog at http://www.mma-id.com/CROCOP.  "Although I announced Yoshihiro Nakao as my first opponent in DREAM, this fight is not going to happen.  I'm not familiar with reasons and I won't be asking for any." Mizuno is a 3-2 Japanese judoka who's only fought in Pancrase.  He's bowed to any competition stiffer than a licorice stick. Short-notice gives Mizuno little time to prepare for the Croatian kickboxer short of getting fitted for a neck brace, which one hopes was written into his contract gratis. "The most important thing is that I'm going to fight on Saturday," Cro Cop assured, unflustered by the change. There was a time when the most important thing to the feared striker was proving himself against top competition in the sport; but, that has become but a DREAM. ...