MMA News

TUF lightweight champ Mac Danzig (18-4-1) will not fight in Minneapolis on 9 August. In a bulletin entitled "Some MMA blogs will post anything.", Danzig posted the following on MySpace Thursday: "Mac is NOT fighting at UFC 87 and never was supposed to (despite the rumors on websites)." Fighters.com reported Tuesday that MMA Junkie had reported Danzig had signed to fight “The Carpenter” Clay Guida (29-9) at UFC 87. Danzig added, "There are talks of Clay Guida as a possible opponent, but nothing is signed yet." ...

Thursday on the UFC 85 teleconference Fighters.com's fifth-ranked welterweight Matt Hughes (42-6) announced that his twin brother, Mark Hughes (6-2), will sign an exclusive contract to fight in the UFC. Middleweight Mark Hughes retired from competition in 2003 after submitting "Lethal" Leo Sylvest (8-25) at Extreme Challenge 51. "This is something we tried with the previous owners, but they didn't go for it," Matt Hughes explained. No fight has been scheduled at this time. ...

The pack has been cut from 32 to six. Two were slated for the chopping block on Wednesday night's episode with the winners moving on toward the prize of a six-figure contract. Dante Rivera (10-2) was pitted against Jesse Taylor (6-2). Matt Brown (9-6) scrapped with lanky amateur Amir Sadollah (0-0). With the quarter finals looming, a coin was flipped to assign the coaches to the four fighters. Jesse and Amir had Forrest Griffin (15-4) backing them. "Rampage" Quinton Jackson(29-6) cornerd Dante Rivera and Matt Brown. Jesse, who confessed he enjoys dipping microwaved cheeseburgers in ranch dressing, put on the rubber suit and, like fighters have done for years when they need to cut weight...played Ping Pong? By the time Jesse left for the hot tub, the table and floor were splattered with pools of sweat. He was courteous enough to step away from the hot tub where he politely urinated in his shorts, claimed it "feels good on my leg", splashed his feet in the yellow puddle, and jumped back into the water. His opponent joined him soon after and soaked in Jesse's waste, a sign of things to come. ...

Newcomer "The Fire" Kevin Burns (4-1) will make his Octagon debut at UFC 85 in London against "Jucao" Roan Carneiro (12-6), the UFC announced Wednesday.  Burns is a late replacement for "Piranha" Ryo Chonan (14-8), whose injured rib forced him off next weekend's card. Burns, from Des Moines, has never fought to a decision.  He won his last two fights, at the Glory Fighting Championships, via submission. The upcoming bout will be Carneiro's fourth in the Octagon.  The American Top Team member dispatched his last opponent Tony DeSouza (10-4) with a second-round TKO at UFC 79.  His most recent loss was to Fighters.com's second-ranked welterweight Jon Fitch (17-2). ...

At the post-UFC 84press conference Saturday night in Las Vegas, UFC President Dana White was confronted with the report that Fighters.com's fourth-ranked light heavyweight "Dean of Mean" Keith Jardine (13-4-1) was paid a purse of $10,000 in comparison to Jardine's opponent tenth-ranked "Axe Murderer" Wanderlei Silva's (32-8-1) purse of $150,000. This week, that report has circulated in the media, inciting outrage among some. A reporter at the post-fight press conference quizzed White, "Is that right?" White countered, "Does that sound right to you?" "No," the reporter replied. "'No' is right," White agreed. The reporter followed-up, "Then why is it like that?"  He was referring to the discrepancy in the amount of Jardine's and Silva's purses for the same fight. White assured, "[Jardine] was paid more," but declined to reveal the exact amount. Wednesday, Jardine's agent would neither confirm nor deny White's claim. Jardine did tell Fighters.com last Thursday that he had turned down "a lot of money" to wear his own Mean Jardine brand apparel in the Octagon versus Silva.  Apparel company sponsorship is a major component in total fighter compensation. ...

YAMMA Pit Fighting Heavyweight Champion "Diesel" Travis Wiuff (52-11) will fight on the undercard of Affliction: Banned 19 July in Anaheim, outside of Los Angeles, according to the Rochester Post-Bulletin. No opponent was named. Though there is no official indication, Wiuff may be Plan B for heavyweight prospect Ben Rothwell (29-5), who is also opponent-less as fight day draws near. Negotiations for Rothwell to fight Fighters.com's fifth-ranked heavyweight "Pitbull" Andrei Arlovski (12-5) remain mysterious. Fighters.com reported Arlovski has always been Rothwell's intended opponent, despite Rothwell's denials. However, recently both Rothwell and his agent, Adrenaline MMA President Monte Cox, have admitted Arlovski is on the table. "Of course [Affliction] talked about Andrei, but I don’t know what his contract status is," Cox told Cage Potato on 12 May.  "[Arlovski] was supposed to be free from his UFC contract on May 1, but I honestly don’t know if it will be Ben and Andrei fighting in that show." Rothwell corrected his denial, "I was trying to clear up that I was not fighting [Arlovski] in September on another [organization] as the original rumor stated.  I tried to never say if I was/was not fighting [Arlvoski]." Arlovski has remained mum on the issue. Wiuff comes off his YAMMA tournament victory in which he won UDs over "Pato" Marcelo Donald Pereira (1-1), "Suave" Ricco Rodriguez (28-9), and Chris Tuchscherer (13-1) on the same night in April. Wiuff is also scheduled for the biggest pay day of his career in Japan, fighting "Ironhead" Kazuyuki Fujita (15-6) at Sengoku III on 8 June. ...

Saturday at Throwdown Headquarters in Las Vegas, Fighters.com caught up with Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Cung Le (6-0) to talk about his acting career and deliver a message from former Strikeforce Champ Frank Shamrock (23-9-2), as told to MMA Frenzy. In an interview, Shamrock called Le "boring" and claimed he was "beating the hell" out of Le until Shamrock broke his arm. Le took issue with how exactly Shamrock's arm was broken and sent a personal message back to Shamrock. Thanks to the Throwdown crew for allowing me to interview Cung Le at their headquarters.   ...

"Wrecking Ball" Marcus Hicks (8-0) confirmed to Fighters.com Wednesday that he'll challenge WEC Lightweight Champion "Worm" Jamie Varner (14-2) at WEC 35 in Las Vegas 3 August. "Jus' gonna play my game," Hicks said about his strategy to take Varner's title. Varner TKO'd "Razor" Rob McCullough (15-4) in February to claim the gold.  Hicks will be his first defense. "Wrecking "Ball" has been just that since joining the WEC in April 2007, submitting all three of his opponents by guillotine choke, most recently dealing "9mm" Ed Ratcliff (6-1) his first loss. The card will be headlined by "All American" Brian Stann's (6-0) first defense of his light heavyweight title in a rematch versus Steve Cantwell (5-1). Stann TKO'd Cantwell in March 2007. ...

DREAM heavyweight "Cro Crop" Mirko Filipovic (23-6-2) has agreed to grapple with young Ralek Gracie (1-0) at DREAM.4 15 June, according to Nokaut. The match will be governed by modified Abu Dhabi rules featuring two five-minute rounds and no points system. Unless there's a tapout, the result will be declared a draw. Filipovic told Nokaut he prefers a points system in which he could score with throws and takedowns, but looks forward to testing his grappling. Filipovic is scheduled to fight kickboxer "Geronimo" Jerome LeBanner (3-1-1) at DREAM.5 21 July, originally scheduled for DREAM.4. ...

Strikeforce announced Tuesday that lightweight Billy Evangelista (6-0) and Nam Phan (14-4) will fight on the undercard of 27 June's San Jose card. "It should be a great matchup," said Phan on Strikeforce's website.  "I know [Evangelista] is pretty good at wrestling and OK at jiu-jitsu and he’s got great Muay Thai." Evangelista admitted, "I don’t really have a game plan for Nam Phan and I’ve never seen him fight.  I just need to be prepared for anything that comes." Phan dealt Saad Awad (1-1) his first loss in February by second-round TKO. Of Phan's four losses, three are to Fighters.com's third-ranked lightweight "JZ" Gesias Calvancante (14-2-1), top Strikeforce lightweight contender "Punk" Josh Thomson (14-2), and former WEC Lightweight Champ "Razor" Rob McCullough (15-4) respectively. Undefeated Evangelista last kayoed Marlon Sims (3-3) in March and will step-up in competition versus Phan. ...

Team Quest welterweight Chris Wilson (13-4) announced Saturday on his blog that his scheduled scrap versus American Top Team's Steve Bruno (11-3) is postponed from 5 July. "Any chance Bruno had of fighting me before I got back into shape has just vanished," Wilson said. Though Wilson said a new date hasn't been finalized, he expects to fight in Minneapolis 9 August. Wilson added, "What a great card to fight under, eh?" The UFC announced last Thursday that Wilson's first UFC opponent, Fighters.com's second-ranked welterweight Jon Fitch (17-2), will challenge top-ranked UFC Champ "Rush" Georges St. Pierre (16-2) in the Minneapolis main event, replacing a match-up between Brock Lesnar (1-1) and "Hammer" Mark Coleman (15-8). Wilson concluded, "In the end, it is frustrating to have to wait longer to get paid but it will give me more training time coming off of the birth of my daughter so it’s probably for the best." ...

TUF lightweight champ Mac Danzig (18-4-1) will fight "The Carpenter" Clay Guida (29-9) at UFC 87 in Minneapolis on 9 August.; and, "The Answer" Frank Edgar (8-1) will fight a yet-to-be-named opponent on the same card, according to MMA Junkie. Danzig, winner of The Ultimate Fighter 6, submitted his most recent opponent, Mark Bocek (5-2), at April's UFC 83 via rear naked choke at 3:48 of the third round. "The Carpenter" was tapped in a rear naked choke in the main event of The Ultimate Figher 6 by "El Matador" Roger Huerta (20-1-1), but TKO'd Frenchman Samy Schiavo (15-5) in the first round on Ultimate Fight Night 13 last month. Edgar will be looking to bounce back from his first professional loss. At Ultimate Fight Night 13, "The Bully" Gray Maynard (5-0, 1 NC) won a UD over Edgar. ...

While most of the MMA world tuned-in to Las Vegas for UFC 84 last weekend, three of Japan's noblest promotions put on shows in Osaka, Tokyo, and Sapporo respectively. Pancrase Results Pancrase held its fourth iteration of its 2008 Shining tour in Azelea Taisho Hall in Osaka Sunday. In the main,  event, "13" Daisuke Hanazawa (9-9-5) scored his first "w" of 2008 with a two-round UD over Takefumi Hanai (2-4-2), Hanai's third consecutive loss. Featherweight Soyu Tanabe (4-3-1) knocked out Pancrase regular Kenji Takeshige (4-7-1) at 3:44 of the first round. Middleweight Masahiro Toryu (5-3-3) denied Shuji Morikawa (0-2-1) his first "W" by submitting him in a guillotine choke at 3:36 of round one. In other fights, Kenji Shimada (4-2) knocked out Takashi Hasegawa (3-6-3) at 1:58 of round one. "Strasser" Kiichi Kunimoto (5-2) won a two-round UD over "Yuushi Edaori" Yu Shiori (5-1). Isao Hirose (2-0) also scored a decision unanimously over "Punch" Nobuhiro Yamauchi (4-3). ...

Everyone loves a rematch! In December 2003, Fighters.com's third-ranked light heavyweight "Dragon" Lyoto Machida (13-0) TKO'd second-ranked middleweight "Ace" Rich Franklin (23-3), then fighting at 205-pounds, in the second round. But, the match-up was on the undercard of a Japanese event before Franklin conquered "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock (26-13-2) on the original TUF finale, propelling "Ace" to North American stardom, and Machida conquered "Huntington Beach Bad Boy" Tito Ortiz (15-6-1) last Saturday, continuing his impressive UFC run. Though the fight is available on the Internet, few North Americans have seen it. Now, both fighters are lingering directionless in their respective divisions. ...

“Satisfying!  Very satisfying,” described Fighters.com's fourth-ranked lightweight and UFC Lightweight Champion "Prodigy" B.J. Penn (13-4-1) after defeating fifth-ranked "Muscle Shark" Sean Sherk (32-2-1) by TKO after the third round at UFC 84 in Las Vegas Saturday. Veteran referee Mario Yamasaki determined that Sherk was unable to continue after a Penn flurry at the cage that left Sherk on the mat at the end of the third round. The three five-minute rounds were fought entirely standing up, resembling a boxing match. Penn worked a slicker boxing style set-up with a long, snapping jab.  Sherk threw left and right hooks in a stiff, technical style. Penn established his jab in the first round as Sherk pressured. Sherk clinched to muffle “The Prodigy’s” reach advantage; but, Penn landed an uppercut to break the clinch. Sherk attempted to counter with his own jab, but threw it short as Penn followed down the pipe with his left.  Sherk clinched again; but, Penn threw him off. Sherk began round two with a cut under his right eye from Penn’s relentless jabbing.  He shrugged his shoulders before the bell, disappointed with his first-round performance. But, the Minnesotan took the fight to Penn in the second round.  Penn clinched inside Sherk’s left/right hook combo and hammered knees to “The Muscle Shark’s” body. Again, Penn clinched; but, Sherk overwhelmed him with a flurry.  Penn pushed out of the clinch. Unable to solve Penn’s boxing riddle, Sherk began to test his leg kick; but, Penn answered with a left hook. Penn had all the answers Saturday night. ...

Fighters.com confirmed TUF runner-up "Pitbull" Manvel Gamburyan (8-2) will fight on the 9 August UFC 87 card in Minneapolis. No opponent has been signed. Gamburyan submitted his last opponent, Jeffrey Cox (9-5), by guillotine choke at 1:41 of round one at Ultimate Fight Night 13 in April. Gamburyan lost the June 2007 TUF 5 finale to Nathan Diaz (9-2) when Gamburyan injured his shoulder in the second round. ...

UFC heavyweight "Hungarian Nightmare" Christian Wellisch (9-3) has prepared to crash into touted UFC newbie Shane Carwin (8-0) at UFC 84 Saturday, but Wellisch wasn't prepared for what crashed into him Thursday in Las Vegas. Note: Wellisch wasn't actually on his way to Deja Vu. I think it was the Spearmint Rhino... ...

Friday, DREAM released its DREAM.4 Middleweight Grand Prix match-ups to be fought in Tokyo 15 June. Fighters.com's ninth-ranked middleweight "Mayhem" Jason Miller (21-5) will fight Brazilian BJJ enigma "Jacare" Ronaldo Souza (8-1). Fast-rising Gegard Mousasi (21-2-1) will face Korean judoka Dong Sik Yoon (4-4). MMA legend "Gracie Hunter" Kazushi Sakuraba (24-10-1) is matched versus "Marvelous" Melvin Manhoef (21-4-1). Finally, "Benkei" Zelg Galesic (8-3) will fight Taiei Kin (3-2). ...

Light heavyweights "Nebraskan Assassin" Houston Alexander (8-3) and "Red" Eric Schafer (9-3-2) are a probable match-up for Ultimate Fight Night 14 on 17 September, reported MMA Junkie Friday. Alexander made his UFC debut knocking out Fighters.com's fourth-ranked "Dean of Mean" Keith Jardine (13-3-1) in May 2007 followed by a TKO over "Legionarius" Alessio Sakara (12-7) in September 2007, but is coming off two consecutive losses. Alexander's most recent loss, to "Sandman" James Irvin (14-4) in April, tied the UFC record for quickest knockout at 0:08 of the first round. "Red" Schafer returns to the Octagon after two first-round victories at the Gladiators Fighting Series. Schafer was TKO'd by "Count" Michael Bisping (15-1) and "American Psycho" Stephan Bonnar (11-4) in his last two UFC fights. Schafer, a submission specialist, is Alexander's choice, according to MMA Junkie. ...

Fighters.com was live Friday at the UFC 84 weigh-ins at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Fighters.com's seventh-ranked lightweight "KenFlo" Kenny Florian (9-3), former UFC Middleweight Champion Evan Tanner (32-7), and "Hammer" Mark Coleman (15-8) signed autographs and third-ranked lightweight "JZ" Gesias Calvancanti (14-2-1) was in the crowd with his smokin' hot girlfriend. ...

I'm not sure Fighters.com tenth-ranked light heavyweight "Axe Murderer" Wanderlei Silva (32-8-1) understood all the questions I asked. In fact, it seemed like he was answering a different interview than I was giving. But, cut him some slack. In ten minutes I listened to Silva give interviews in three languages: English, Spanish, and his native Portuguese. I overheard another interviewer ask him a question I thought could've been better worded, but loved Silva's response. (Paraphrased) Interviewer: Will we see the old Wanderlei Silva Saturday night? Wanderlei Silva: Every fight I give it my all. You guys don't understand. These guys are so much better, stronger, they can stand, good on ground. Does that settle the UFC v PRIDE debate? Somehow, I doubt it... ...

Light heavyweight "Minotoro" Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (13-3), twin brother of Fighters.com's top-ranked heavyweight "Minotauro" Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (31-4-1), will fight "Tiger" Vernon White (26-32-2) on Affliction's Banned card 19 July in Anaheim, outside of Los Angeles, reported MMA Junkie Friday. Nogueira was widely-ranked among the top ten light heavyweights in the world until seventh-ranked light heavyweight "African Assassin" Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (4-2) literally knocked him out of the rankings in Soko's PRIDE debut in February 2007. "Minotoro" bounced back in a tough second-round TKO over Canadian Todd Gouwenberg (7-4) in the since-defunct Hardcore Championship Fighting last February. "Tiger" is an MMA original, fighting on the first Pancrase card in 1993.  Since 2003 he's 6-10-1 with fights in the UFC, WEC, IFL, and other promotions. Recently, he picked up a "W" in April when Jeremiah Constant (6-4) was DQ'd, White's first fight since losing to Marcelo Tigre (12-3) due to an injury White suffered in the first round. "Babalu" Renato Sobral (29-7) and "The Law" Matt Lindland (20-5), both also appearing on Affliction's debut card in separate fights, make more compelling matchmaking for Nogueira. Nogueira, Sobral, and Lindland are all matched versus fighters they seemingly hold significant advantages over. ...

The UFC announced Thursday that Fighters.com's top-ranked welterweight "Rush" Georges St. Pierre (16-2) will defend his UFC title versus second-ranked Jon Fitch (17-2) in Minneapolis in August. The fight between world's best welters will replace the previously announced main event featuring Brock Lesnar (1-1) versus "Hammer" Mark Coleman (15-8). Forty-three-year old Coleman withdrew from the fight after tearing his MCL in training. The "Godfather of Ground'n'Pound", as coined by UFC broadcaster Joe Rogan, was brought back to the UFC for his first fight in the Octagon since UFC 18 in 1999 to give Lesnar a name, but manageable opponent. Lesnar debuted in the UFC in February with a first-round kneebar submission loss to Frank Mir (11-3). "Rush" recaptured the UFC title in April in a revenge rout of "Terror" Matt Serra (9-5). Fitch won a slog by unanimous decision UFC debuting Chris Wilson (13-4) in March. Lesnar will remain on the card versus an opponent to be determined. ...

In January, American Top Team's Wilson Gouveia (10-4) surprised critics by knocking out "Punisher" Jason Lambert (23-7), who was coming off a knockout of former light heavyweight contender "Babalu" Renato Sobral (29-7). Gouveia arrived at Wednesday's UFC 84 open workout with stablemate Thiago Silva (12-0), another rising talent at 205-pounds who will fight "Samuray" Antonio Mendes (14-2). Gouveia talked about his commitment to MMA and the opening night jitters his UFC 84 opponent Goran Reljic (7-0) will be feeling Saturday. ...

Saturday night at UFC 84 in Las Vegas, undefeated Croatian Goran Reljic (7-0) will debut in the Octagon versus light heavyweight Brazilian Wilson Gouveia (10-4). Wednesday afternoon, Reljic punished the pads for the media. He gave the most vigorous demo among the six open workout participants, snapping leather for ten full minutes with Xtreme Couture trainers Ron Frazier and Shawn Tompkins (0-4). Reljic told reporters that European fighters have to change their training to the camp system of North America because of the level of support he's received while training at Xtreme Couture. The Croatian also expressed his commitment to a respectable showing after the deconstruction of his countrymen "Cro Cop" Mirko Filipovic (23-6-2) inside the Octagon. ...

On last Thursday's UFC 84 conference call, Fighters.com's fourth-ranked lightweight and UFC Champion "Prodigy" B.J. Penn (12-4-1) was asked about fighting as a Hawaiian and gave an excited, passionate reply. I tried to capture that response for Fighters.com and, of course, Penn clammed up when I asked. But, Penn does talk some funny smack on fifth-ranked title challenger "Muscle Shark" Sean Sherk (32-2-1). Penn talks softly and carries a big fist, so crank up your volume. ...

By Jon Grilz UFC President Dana White began this week's The Ultimate Fighter episode explaining what many people have had on their minds since last week's episode: Why didn’t the fight between Cale Yarbrough (0-0) and Patrick Schultz (5-1-1) go to a third round? Simple.  Round two was scored 10-8 in favor of Yarbrough. While Schultz has a legitimate beef, it was Fighters.com’s top-ranked light heavyweight “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (28-6) who took his aggression out on fifth-ranked light heavyweight Forrest Griffin (15-4), telling Griffin that there upcoming title fight won’t go to a decision. Forrest then had what he referred to as a “man period”, smashing through one of the doors in the training center and shadow boxing while a very confused White was left to wonder exactly what was happening to his coaches. Meanwhile, the remaining fight was set between "Doberman" CB Dollaway (6-0) and Nick Klein (4-0). CB is a former All-American wrestler at Arizona State University and entered MMA because he lacked options after college wrestling.  His strength and skill have made him a dangerous fighter, as Rampage found out first hand. After being mocked by Rampage for getting caught in a kneebar in practice, CB delivered a light kick to Rampage's side, provoking his coach to strip off his socks and go toe-to-toe with CB. Rampage shot for a double-leg takedown which CB turned into a guillotine choke, submitting the current UFC Light Heavyweight Champ. While Klein had received praise from his coaches for his jiu-jitsu and all-around ability, he seemed to be a bit self-deprecating, referring to himself as the “weak link” on the team. Back at the training center, Forrest found a way to release some of the tension he was carrying from Rampage’s earlier comments. Griffin found a net gun and proceeded to shoot Rampage as he sat against the cage after a sparring session. Rampage took it all in good spirits, seeming to be more concerned that his family saw him “get netted” on national television, than anything else. As for the fight between CB and Nick, it was fast, intense, and technically advanced. The fight opened with CB attempting a leg kick, which Nick caught and turned into a takedown. CB rolled with the takedown and attempted a guillotine choke.  Nick escaped and turtled up.  CB rotated to the back, but made no attempts to sink his hooks in.  Nick went for a knee bar escape from turtle and almost sunk it before CB was able to twist free.  Nick countered by rolling to guard and attempting an arm bar, which CB muscled out of. CB then began reigning down punches inside Klein's open guard while attempting to pass to side control several times.  After finally passing Nick’s guard, CB maintained side control only for a moment as Nick was able to pull half-guard again and attempt another arm bar. Once again, CB passed the guard and Nick rolled to turtle position.  CB continued to reign down punches, most of which landed on the back of Nick’s head, opening a small cut. Again, Nick rolled to guard, attempting one final arm bar that failed just as time expired in the round. Round two began with Nick coming out and working his jab.  CB countered with leg kicks that seemed to upset Nick.  So, Nick returned the leg kicks before attempting a few more jabs.  Then, to the dismay of his corner, Nick pulled guard and took the fight to the mat. Nick was able to keep CB’s posture broken for a short time while he tried to land blows from the bottom; but, CB began to pass and Nick again rolled to turtle.  Klein then attempted another knee bar escape. Unfortunately for Nick, CB seemed prepared this time and rolled with the attempt, ending up in guillotine position.  CB then pulled half-guard and sank the choke.  Nick was forced to tap out. Winner by second-round guillotine choke submission: CB Dollaway With the final preliminary fight out of the way, it was time for the semi-final match-ups to be set. Fighters were called in one at a time and asked whom they would most like to fight.  Most fighters were ambivalent about their next opponent, except CB who only wanted to fight Cale. Cale’s mocking comments had been piling up on CB and finally tipped the scale when Cale made a comment questioning CB’s sexuality and choice of sunglasses. The semi-final match-ups were set: Jesse Taylor (6-2) v Dante Rivera (10-2) Amir Sadollah (0-0) v Matt Brown (9-6) Daniel Cramer (0-0) v Tim Credeur (9-2) CB Dollaway(6-0) v Cale Yarbrough (0-0) ...

Before an open workout for the media Wednesday, Fighters.com's fifth-ranked lightweight "Muscle Shark" Sean Sherk (32-2-1) answered a few questions for Fighters.com before his UFC title challenge Saturday versus fourth-ranked "Prodigy" B.J. Penn (12-4-1). In a light moment, Sherk asked the assembled media if he should remove his shirt before hitting the pads for photographers. When there was no reply, Sherk replied, "Thanks guys..." ...

Saturday in Macon, south of Atlanta, the Revolution Fight League crowned a new king at 145-pounds. In the main event, Stephen Ledbetter (6-1) of "Version 2.5" Rory Singer's (11-8) Georgia-based Hardcore Gym wasted little time submitting Johnny Bedford (4-4-1) in a leg triangle in the first round. Bedford nailed Ledbetter with some hard shots before taking him to the mat, which was his mistake. Ledbetter climbed up Bedford's back with his legs and locked in the choke. Ledbetter is a veteran of Atlanta-based promotion Wild Bill's Fight Night and most recently went three rounds in the WEC with ranked featherweight "Big Frog" Jeff Curran (30-9-1), losing a unanimous decision. On the undercard, an exciting lightweight brawl ended in a slick submission victory for Kamrin Naville (1-3). Naville and Ben Pierce (3-5) slugged it out in round one; but, Naville took Pierce to the mat in round two and worked an arm triangle submission from side mount to tap Pierce. Note that Naville had missed weight for the fight. Light heavyweight "CT" Robert Turner (2-0) of Louisville TKO'd Neal Hayes (0-1) of Atlanta in a first round ground'n'pound. Middleweight Tony Hunter (0-3) got locked in a guillotine by Heath Davis (1-0) as Hunter shot for a double-leg takedown.  Davis tapped in under 30 seconds of round one. Lightweight John Cofer (1-0) choked out Lawson McClure (1-1) by rear naked in the second round. Bantamweight Bryan Goldsby (1-0) won a unanimous decision over Joey Marimberga (2-2) by scores of 30-27 twice and 29-38. Lightweight Shawn Snow (1-1) choked out Michael Gordon (0-1) by rear naked in round one. ...

UFC middleweight Rob Yundt (6-1) of Alaska announced in a MySpace bulletin Wednesday that he's signed to fight Roman "Legionarius" Alessio Sakara (12-7) at 21 June's TUF finale. Yundt said, "I'm gonna be the reason the UFC sends his ass packing after I whoop his ass!" Yundt lost his Octagon premier in February to "Cachorrao" Ricardo Almeida (9-2) by first-round guillotine choke submission. Despite ups and downs, Sakara has been a UFC fixture the passed three years. "Legionarius" dropped to 185-pounds in March, but was TKO'd by "Crippler" Chris Leben (18-4) in his division debut. Yundt was originally told he would fight a TUF 7 cast member. "That's not the case anymore," Yundt said. The Alaskan told Fighters.com on 5 May that he had been training with ninth-ranked light heavyweight "Huntington Beach Bad Boy" Tito Ortiz (15-5-1) at Big Bear. "I'm training hard and feel great.  I've been in Big Bear with Tito for four of the last six weeks and am heading back Sunday for another two weeks.  I'll be ready for sure." ...