» Fighter: Akihiro Gono

The rise of Japanese lightweight Mizuto Hirota (10-3) left many breathless Sunday after he upset Sengoku lightweight champion Satoru Kitaoka (24-9-7) by TKO at 2:50 of round four at Ninth Battle in Tokyo.

Masanori Kanehara (5-2) stole the Featherweight Grand Prix Championship in a controversial final that featured Kanehara despite losing his semi-final fight by unanimous decision to Hatsu Hioki (16-3-2) versus Michihiro Omigawa (4-8) who was given a hometown free pass into the finals after majority draw on the cards versus Marlon Sandro (13-1) in the semi-finals.

Strikeforce middleweight champ “Grabaka Hitman” Kazuo Misaki (23-9-2) strangled judoka Kazuhiro Nakamura’s (13-10) hopes of challenging Sengoku middleweight champion Jorge Santiago (21-7) in a guillotine at 3:03 of round one, leaving Kaz’ out on the mat. Denied a title challenge himself by Sengoku after pleading guilty to interfering with the duties of a public official following a March traffic stop, Misaki said nothing after playing spoiler, refusing the microphone in the ring.

Read More About Akihiro Gono Leaves on Stretcher, Kazuo Misaki Just Leaves at Sengoku…

Sengoku lightweight champion Satoru Kitaoka (24-9-7) and challenger Mizuto Hirota (9-3) both made weight for their main event at Ninth Battle in Tokyo Sunday.

Kitaoka weighed 69.9 kg while Hirota tipped the scales at 70 kg.

The card also features the semi-finals and finals of Sengoku’s featherweight grand prix and all competing fighters also made weight.

Read More About Kitaoka, Hirota Make Weight For Sengoku Title Fight…

Fighters.com was live at pro training at American Kickboxing Academy Thursday afternoon in San Jose and learned that fifth-ranked welterweight Jon Fitch (17-3) has resolved his dispute with the UFC and will return to the promotion.

Fitch decided to sign a licensing contract for a UFC video game and will be back in the Octagon to face Akihiro Gono (30-13-7) at UFC 94 in Las Vegas 31 January.

Fitch was dropped from the UFC Wednesday for refusing to sign an agreement giving the promotion lifetime rights over his name and likeness for a planned video game.

Fitch has not spoken to UFC President Dana White and instead talked to co-owner of the organization Lorenzo Fertitta.

“Congrats,” Fitch’s teammate told him.  “You have your job back.”

UFC welterweight prospect “Outlaw” Dan Hardy (20-6) won a split decision over Akihiro Gono (28-13-7) at UFC 89 in Birmingham Saturday night by judges scores of 29-28 twice for Gono and 29-28 once for Gono.

“First experience in the UFC…,” Hardy chuckled after his victory.  “You know, it takes a little bit out of you.  It’s a different kind of relief to any other, you know?  Eighteen weeks of work.  A lot of hard work, a lot of training, you know, a lot of sacrificing, it’s paid off.  That’s the big thing.”

Read More About UFC 89: Hardy Wins Brutal SD Over Gono…

All UFC 89 fighters made their weight today at the NIA for Saturday’s card in Birmingham.

“Count” Michael Bisping (16-1) 185 pounds v “Crippler” Chris Leben (18-4) 186 pounds

“I’m glad you guys let me into your country,” main event fighter Leben said at Thursday’s press conference.  “I was a little worried on the plane.”

Leben was originally scheduled to fight Bisping in London 7 June, but opted to put to rest legal issues in Oregon stemming from an earlier DUI arrest to ensure a legal UK visa.

But, the pressure is squarely on the shoulders of Brit Bisping, who told the press, “I am on a quest.  Losing this fight for me is not an option.”

Leben, wearing tight cornrows, chided his opponent, saying, “It seems to me that, when Michael Bisping fights, self-preservation is top on his list.”

A brawl would certainly benefit Leben.  Bisping’s stand-up style is a bit more circle-and-poke, while Leben is happy to plant and throw bombs.

Read More About UFC 89: Bisping & Leben Make Weight…

Tuesday the UFC announced three new fights for UFC 89 in Birmingham 18 October.

Fighters.com’s seventh-ranked light heavyweight “African Assassin” Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (5-2) will shake his big right fist across the Octagon at “Banha” Luis Arthur Cane (8-1).

Welterweight “Outlaw” Dan Hardy (19-6) draws a tough Octagon premier in front of his countrymen versus Akihiro Gono (28-12-7).

Undefeated heavyweights Shane Carwin (9-0) and Neil Wain (4-0) will try to deal the other their first professional loss.

Read More About Brawls Added To Birmingham Card…