Courtesy of MMAMania.com, here’s how the fights break down. A former Strikeforce and UFC veteran, and a veteran of fifty professional MMA fights, Drew Fickett will take on the notorious Charles Bennett, who is also a world-traveled MMA veteran but is far more famous (more like infamous) for his outlandish behavior that has gotten him in trouble with the law several times throughout his career. This was the first fight announced for the Lightweight Grand Prix.

The next fight also sees a battle of veterans, as Rich Crunkilton takes on Carlo Prater. Crunkilton is best known as a WEC fighter, and at one point challenged for the WEC Lightweight Championship. He’ll be facing a submission specialist that has also spent time in the WEC’s blue cage, although Prater wasn’t nearly as successful in the #1 promotion for the lighter weight classes, having gone 0-2 in the WEC with both losses by stoppage.

The third fight sees James Warfield taking on Kyle Baker. Warfield is a seven-year veteran that has won every single one of his fights by stoppage, while Baker made his debut in 2007 and has six TKO’s to his credit. Neither man has ever been to the main stage in their careers, but both are known to finish their fights in dramatic fashion.

The final opening-round attraction will be a match-up pitting Shannon Gugerty against Dennis Bermudez. A five-fight UFC veteran, Gugerty was last seen losing via submission to Clay Guida of all people. Gugerty was 10-2 before stepping inside the Octagon, but ended up going 2-3 in the world’s premiere MMA organization. He’ll likely have a good test in front of him, as Bermudez is an undefeated 6-0 MMA newcomer, with four wins via stoppage.

All in all, I think this is actually a pretty solid-looking tournament. It’s not the best Lightweight talent in the world, but there are a few good names sprinkled here and there, and even if this is yet another case of “slim pickings” in a world where all the best Lightweight talent is on lockdown in the larger promotions, I think this tournament could give us some very fun fights.

In regards to the fighters themselves, I think that it’ll be one of the veterans that will most likely win this Lightweight Grand Prix. I think “Krazy Horse” is legitimately insane as a person and incredibly hit-or-miss as a professional Mixed Martial Artists, but he always entertains and, love him or hate him, you can’t say that about too many fighters nowadays. Shannon Gugerty has a lot of experience when it comes to facing real best-in-the-world competition, so I think he has the potential to go far as well. Drew Fickett may have just barely broken a five-fight losing streak, but his fifty pro MMA fights give him a wealth of experience, and he’s still won far more fights than he’s lost.

So there you have it, fans and friends: against all odds, it seems as if this Lightweight Grand Prix will still go underway. And even if it doesn’t turn out to be all that successful (which is highly likely), it will at least be a fun night of fights.

And what about you, fans and friends? Even with all the drama, do you still plan to see this event? And what do you think of the opening-round fights?

However, the American Top Team product has recently pulled out of the tournament–an 8-man one night tourney featuring notables Drew Fickett, “Krazy Horse”, and Richard Crunkilton among others–citing a lingering elbow injury.

Ironically enough, though Aurelio said that the Shine Fights execs knew of him injury for over two weeks now, the Brazilian claims he still has intentions of facing grappling ace Shinya Aoki in DREAM 16 on September 25th.

Aurelio spoke exclusively with MMAJunkie.com, and claims that “Right now, it looks like I can’t fight a girl”, said the Pride and UFC veteran.

Fellow UFC veteran Shannon Gugerty has stepped on short notice to fill in for Aurelio for the 155-pound Grand Prix, which was originally taking place in Virginia however due to licensing issues has moved to a Native American Reserve in Oklahoma, where Athletic Commissions hold no jurisdiction.

It’s strange that while “Maximus” was unable to participate in the tournament, he feels he will be able to return to action just a little over two weeks later to face the aforementioned Japanese superstar.

“I can’t do anything with my right arm,” said the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. “I have no strength at all to push. I don’t like to go to fight like that.”

None the less, Aurelio expresses regret in the injury, and says that his intentions were always to fight in both the Grand Prix then venture to japan to face Aoki–he had no shady motives in mind.

“It’s really bad for me because I wanted to be in a situation where I could fight (in) both (Shine and DREAM),” said the Brazilian while continuing to speak to MMAJunkie. “But right now, my big problem is not deciding if I’m going to fight in Shine or DREAM; my big problem is making sure if I’m going to be able to fight”.

Though the opportunity to fight in Shine has passed him by, Marcus is looking forward to prospects of fighting in Japan, where he picked up the biggest win of his career some years ago, when he defeated then Pride lightweight champion Takanori Gomi by arm-triangle choke in a non-title fight. Since then, Marcus has seen mixed results in his career, completing two stints in the UFC with an overall record of 2-4.

Aurelio is hoping that he’ll be healthy and ready to go come September 25th.

“I’m going to do my best to fight (in) DREAM,” Aurelio said. “Every day, my manager, he talks to them. I have two or three weeks for the (DREAM) fight. I think I’ll be OK. I’m going to have a chance to have another shot in my elbow, and I’m just keeping my conditioning now. There’s not much (else) I can do.”

So, MMA peeps, what do you think of Aurelio’s move? Though he’s seems genuine, do you think there were any ulterior motives in mind for his sudden turn around? Marcus had some issues with with the Shine Fights CEO Jason Chambers when he initially accepted the fight for DREAM, when he garnered no permission from Shine who holds an exclusive contract with the Brazilian. Let your opinions on the matter at hand known below.

As speculated Monday, the UFC welterweight contender matchup between American “Quick” Mike Swick (14-2) and Brit “Outlaw” Dan Hardy (22-6) was officially announced for Manchester.

The co-main event pits Brit “Count” Michael Bisping (17-2), returning from a highlight reel knockout loss to “Hollywood” Dan Henderson (25-7) at UFC 100 in Las Vegas in July, across the Octagon from Canadian Denis Kang (34-11-1).

The rest of the card includes:

Matt Brown (10-7) v “Lightning” James Wilks (4-2)
“Real Deal” Ross Pearson (14-5-1) v Aaron Riley (28-11-1)
Terry Etim (13-2) v Shannon Gugerty (12-3)
“Relentless” Paul Taylor (10-5-1) v. “Hitman” John Hathaway (10-0)
“Slick” Nick Osipczak (5-0) v Matthew Riddle (3-0)
Alexander Gustafsson (7-0) v Jared Hamman (2-1)
Andre Winner (10-3-1) v “Crazy Cuban” Rolando Delgado (6-4-1)

Top welterweight contender “Pitbull” Thiago Alves (16-3) easily beat fourth-ranked Josh Koscheck (11-3) by unanimous decision. Scores were 30-27 twice and 29-28 once.

Fourth-ranked heavyweight “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (11-4-1) was devastated by fellow Brazilian, but virtual unknown “Cigano” Junior dos Santos (7-1) via first-round TKO at 1:21.

Fifth-ranked lightweight “Muscle Shark” Sean Sherk (33-3-1) won a unanimous decision over Tyson Griffin (12-2) by judges’ scores of 29-28 twice and 30-27 once.

Thales Leites (14-1), “Bully” Gray Maynard (6-0), “King” Spencer Fisher (22-4), Dan Miller (10-1), “Drago” Pete Sell (8-4), and Hermes Franca (19-7) were all winners inside the Octagon.

Silva Wins Via Cote Injury

Fighters.com’s Middleweight Champion “Spider” Anderson Silva (23-4) won by TKO when “Predator” Patrick Cote‘s (13-5) knee popped at 39 seconds of round three.

It was an odd conclusion to Silva’s longest fight since 2004. At the beginning of round three, Cote was visibly excited to make it further than any of Silva’s previous UFC opponents, but, 39 seconds later, he was on the mat holding his knee and grimmacing in pain.

“It’s an old injury,” Cote explained. “I busted my knee in the second round and I tried to come back in the third and my knee just popped out.” Cote added, “I’m so sorry.”

Silva said, “I came here to fight. Patrick came here to fight. He was exchanging. It was a fine fight, but unfortunately he got hurt.”

In fact, in round one, it didn’t seem as Silva came to fight as he circled Cote for two full minutes before slapping a low kick to Cote’s thigh. Cote scored with a body kick; but, Silva followed-up with a knee that split Cote over his right eye.

In a bit of showboating, Silva actually offered to help Cote off the mat in round two. Cote had pulled guard and landed elbows from the mat before Silva stood out of Cote’s guard and extended his hand.

Silva landed elbows and knees more frequently in the second round.

The third round and, really, the fight had barely began when Cote’s knee gave and ended the night.

Silva is probably on his way to a 205-pound match-up at UFC 92 in Las Vegas 27 December.

Alves Easily Defeats Koscheck

Top welterweight contender “Pitbull” Thiago Alves (16-3) easily beat fourth-ranked Josh Koscheck (11-3) by unanimous decision. Scores were 30-27 twice and 29-28 once.

With the win, Alves should cement himself into the UFC’s top contender spot to fight the winner between Welterweight Champion “Rush” Georges St. Pierre (17-2) and Ligthweight Champion “Prodigy” B.J. Penn (13-4-1); though, UFC President Dana White has already begun floating a St. Pierre versus Silva match-up if St. Pierre wins.

Alves hammered Koscheck’s legs to mush over three rounds. By the third round, Koscheck was wobbly and vulnerable to a Superman punch.

Throughout the fight, Koscheck answered Alves’s aggressive striking consistently; but, Alves’s strikes added up, earning him the decision.

“Cigano” Crumbles Werdum

Fourth-ranked heavyweight “Vai Cavalo” Fabricio Werdum (11-4-1) was devastated by fellow Brazilian “Cigano” Junior dos Santos (7-1) via first-round TKO at 1:21.

“I knew that once my hand would get in there and hit him, I could knock him out,” explained dos Santos after the fight. “I just waited for the right time and I put my fist in his face.”

Werdum crumbled at the end of a “Cigano” right uppercut; and, dos Santos followed-up with several shots as Werdum lay on the mat.

“The uppercut is one of my best punches,” dos Santos added. “Once I hit him with a couple of jabs I knew that he always dropped his head.”

“Cigano”, a pupil of second-ranked “Minotauro” Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (31-4-1) was making his UFC debut.

Werdum had been guaranteed a title shot with a victory.

Sherks Wins First in 15 Months

Fifth-ranked lightweight “Muscle Shark” Sean Sherk (33-3-1) won a unanimous decision over Tyson Griffin (12-2) by judges’ scores of 29-28 twice and 30-27 once.

“This is the first win I’ve had in 15 months, believe it or not,” Sherk said after he dominated the young talent most of the fight. “I definitely want to get back out there and get a shot at that belt.”

Sherk took Griffin’s back twice in the first round, once after taking Griffin down and another transitioning from a Griffin takedown attempt. Griffin defended both times.

In the second round, Sherk countered Griffin’s leg kicks with jabs and Griffin’s punches to the body with left hooks.

“People really do underestimate my hands,” explained Sherk.

Griffin landed punches more frequently in round three; but, Sherk often answered him with his own punches.

“He rocked me a few times,” Sherk admitted. “The kid hits hard. The kid’s really aggressive. He’s 24-years old, he’s not going anywhere.”

After winning, Sherk emphasized, “I want to be a two-time UFC champion.”

Leites Quick To Tap McFedries

UFC middleweight contender Thales Leites (14-1) wasted no time tapping “Massacre” Andrew McFedries (7-5) in a rear naked choke.

Leites took down McFedries quickly; and, McFedries rolled to his stomach to escape. Leites hopped on McFedries’s back and wrapped up the choke at 1:18 of the first round.

Maynard Takes Decision Over Clementi

Lightweight “Bully” Gray Maynard (6-0) remained undefeated after a unanimous decision over “No Love” Rich Clementi (32-13-1) by judges’ scores of 30-27 three times.

“He’s a vet, man; and, I could tell,” Maynard said after the fight. “So, I was like, ‘Alright. Let’s try the takedown.’”

Maynard slammed Clementi in every round.

Maynard said, “He’s crafty! Like, tied me up, like, at all times. He would just keep close and keep it tied up.”

Neither fighter did much damage on the mat. In the second round Maynard locked up a guillotine; but, Clementi freed himself and attempted an armbar moments later.

Maynard spent most of the third round controlling the fight from the top position.

“King” Fisher Taps Gugerty

“King” Spencer Fisher (22-4) tapped lightweight Shannon Gugerty (11-3) in a triangle choke at 3:56 of round three.

Gugerty wrestled Fisher down in the third and landed inside Fisher’s guard, from which Fisher applied the choke and forced the tap.

Fisher had dominated the fight with aggressive striking and work in the clinch; but, Gugerty nearly caught Fisher in a guillotine choke in round two.

Miller Wins Again, UD Over Fellow Ex-IFLer Horwich

In his Octagon sequel, middleweight Dan Miller (10-1) spoiled fellow former IFL fighter “Suave” Matt Horwich‘s (22-11-1) UFC debut in a unanimous decision by judges’ scores of 29-28 three times.

Miller opened each round with a takedown of Horwich, but got swept and nearly tapped in a rear naked choke in round two. Miller defended the choke and Horwich had to settle for landing shot from the mount as the round ended.

However, in rounds one and three, Miller controlled position and landed shots from the top position to pick up his second UFC “W”.

Sell Wins First in Octagon Since 2005

Welterweight “Drago” Pete Sell (8-4) served “The People’s Warrior” Josh Burkman (18-8) his third consecutive loss in a unanimous decision by judges’ scores of 29-28 three times.

After losing the first round to Burkman on the mat, Sell tagged Burkman to the body repeatedly in rounds two and three. After softening Burkman up, Sell took Burkman to the mat and ended the fight latching a guillotine choke around Burkman’s neck. Burkman defended the choke to the final bell.

The win is Sell’s first in the Octagon since February 2005.

Franca Dispatches Former Training Partner Aurelio

Lightweight Hermes Franca (19-7) won a unanimous decision over “Maximus” Marcus Aurelio (16-7) by judges scores of 29-28 twice and 30-27 once.

Unfortunately, little of the bitterness between the two former training partners motivated them between the first and final bell; though, Franca pushed Aurelio inside the Octagon before the fight; and, Aurelio refused to shake hands with Franca after the fight.

Franca won the judges’ favors by consistently landing a leg kick throughout the three largely uneventful rounds.

Maynard last fought in April, winning a unanimous decision over “The Answer” Frank Edgar (9-1).

Clementi most recently won a unanimous decision over Terry Etim (10-2) in May, his sixth consecutive victory.

Gugerty won his UFC debut in July with a first-round submission victory over fellow debutant Dale Hartt (5-1).

Fisher most recently faced Jeremy Stephens (13-3) in June, and earned the unanimous decision win.

“The Truth” Brandon Vera (9-2) def. Reese Andy (7-3) via unanimous decision (30-27; 30-27; 29-28).

“The Answer” Frank Edgar (9-1) def. Hermes Franca (18-7) via unanimous decision (30-27; 30-27; 30-27).

Cain Velasquez (4-0) def.  Jake O’Brien (10-2) via TKO, 2:02 of round one.

“The Fire” Kevin Burns (7-2) def. “Rumble” Anthony Johnson (5-2) via TKO, 3:35 of round three.

“Doberman” CB Dollaway (7-1) def. Jesse Taylor (6-3) via submission (Peruvian necktie), 3:58 of round one.

Timothy Credeur (10-2) def. Cale Yarbrough (0-1) via TKO (punches), 1:54 of round one.

Rory Markham (16-4) def. Brodie Farber (13-4) via KO (head kick), 1:37 of round one.

Nate Loughran (9-0) def. Johnny Rees (10-1) via submission (triangle), 4:21 of round one.

“Bad” Brad Blackburn (15-9-1) def. James Giboo (11-3) via TKO (strikes), 2:29 of round two.

Shannon Gugerty (11-2) def. Dale Hartt (5-1) via submission (rear naked choke), 3:33 of round one.

Rory Markham (14-4) v Brodie Farber (13-3)

James Giboo (11-2) v “Bad” Brad Blackburn (12-9-1)

Dale Hartt (5-0) v Shannon Gugerty (9-2).

IFL veteran Markham, of Chicago, submitted Jay Ellis (6-19) with a first-round triangle choke at Adrenaline MMA’s debut event this month.

Farber last lost in May 2006; since then he has finished off all six opponents he faced in the first round, most recently knocking out Eduardo Gonzales (1-4) in January.

Giboo, a schoolteacher from Des Moines, will look to extend his six-fight win streak. He has never fought past the second round and submits most opponents, including Zeke Schilling (0-2) in March.

Blackburn, another IFL veteran, (T)KO’d both “Pe de Chumbo” Delson Heleno (13-5) in April and Jay Hieron (15-4) last June, and has a “No Contest” against Travis Cox (5-5; 1 NC) between the two wins.

Hartt last fought in March, when he submitted Keith Ferreira (1-1) via strikes in the first round. He has never been to a decision.

Gugerty is a Total Combat veteran and is coming off a six-fight win streak, most recently putting a guillotine choke on Johnny Torres (5-1) in March.