Former PRIDE 205-pound contender "Brazilian Tiger" Ricardo Arona (14-5) and former WEC middleweight champion “Ely” Paulo Filho (16-1) both rang up three-round unanimous decisions at Bitetti Combat in Rio de Janeiro Saturday night. Arona beat “Beastman” Marvin Eastman (16-10-1), who nearly missed the fight due to Brazilian visa miscommunications. The win was Arona's first MMA fight since getting KO'd in round one versus "African Assassin" Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (6-4) at PRIDE 34 in Tokyo in April 2007. Arona had turned to professional surfing during his hiatus from fighting, but is now devoted to MMA. Filho, himself on course for a sort of comeback after a disappointing conclusion to his WEC stint last year, beat Alex Schoenauer (13-10) controversially. Filho's hometown crowd booed the judges' decision. ...

Saturday at Cage Rage in London, 43-year old "Machine" Ian Freeman (19-7-1) recaptured the promotion's light heavyweight title from Liverpudian kickboxer Paul Cahoon (10-11). Freeman, a former UFC fighter, dominated the mat match with G'n'P to take a unanimous decision. The Cage Rage welterweight title was also wrapped around a new waist. Che Mills (6-1) forced a doctor's stoppage TKO of Marius Zaromskis (7-2) after cutting the Lithuanian's eyelid. Mills will likely defend first versus "Semtex" Paul Daley (17-6-2), who will end his short retirement to return to the cage. "Messenger" James Zikic (16-5-2) submitted light heavyweight Rodney Faverus (24-16-3) at :29 of the third round.  It was Faverus's fifth straight "L". TUF205-pounder "Gladiator" Ross Pointon (6-10) submitted "Boss" Ross Mason (12-9) in a heel hook in the first round. "Hardest" Matt Ewin (20-9-1) won a unanimous decision over "Beast" Mark Epstein (14-11). "Chocolate" Henrique Nogueira (6-4-1) of the Wolfslair Academy and Team Supreme's Marc Goddard (7-6-1) fought to a draw. Featherweight "One Punch" Brad Pickett (13-4) won a majority decision over Paul Reed (7-2). Rookie Popek Rak (2-0) knocked out Kevin Simms (1-6) in just 1:12. Middleweight Chris Rice (12-5) TKO'd Edgeleson Lue (2-2) in the third round. Kickboxer Harvey Harra (5-3) showed his ground game by submitting Gary Kelly (2-1) in the first round. ...