Archive for October, 2009

Emelianenko, Rogers headed to Chicago Bears game, set to appear on CBS’ Halftime Show

Critics of Strikeforce and CBS’ pre-fight build-up to the Nov. 7 event,
“Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers,” have questioned aloud why the network
hasn’t heavily utilized its NFL programming as a platform for advertisement.

That concern will be addressed on Sunday.

MMAjunkie.com has learned from sources close to the
organization that main-event fighters Fedor Emelianenko and Brett
Rogers are set to appear at Sunday’s Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns
game at Soldier Field in Chicago. The pair will also be interviewed on
the CBS Football Halftime Show.



DREAM welterweight champ Marius Zaromskis signs multi-fight deal with Strikeforce

DREAM welterweight champion Marius Zaromskis may soon be fighting in
the U.S. as “The Whitemare” has signed a multi-fight agreement with
Strikeforce.

Promotion officials announced the intriguing addition to the Strikeforce roster on Saturday afternoon.

While Strikeforce and DREAM have forged an official partnership in an
effort to cross-promote, Strikeforce Director of Communications Mike
Afromowitz told MMAjunkie.com that Zaromskis’
contract will operate independently of that deal.



With Thiago Alves injured, Jon Fitch vs. Mike Pierce set for UFC 107 in December

The UFC’s busy week of fight shuffling is nearing an end, and two
competitors that were recently left without an opponent have been
matched up with each other.

MMAjunkie.com has learned that welterweights Jon Fitch (19-3 MMA, 10-1 UFC) and Mike Pierce (10-1 MMA,
1-0 UFC) have verbally agreed to meet at “UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez,”
and bout agreements are expected to be signed shortly.

Featuring a lightweight title fight between current champ B.J. Penn and
challenger Diego Sanchez, UFC 107 is scheduled for Dec. 12 in Memphis,
Tenn. The main card airs live on pay per view.



Report: Houston Alexander vs. “Kimbo Slice” set for catchweight bout at TUF 10 Finale

The pieces of the puzzle are finally coming together.

A long-rumored contest between UFC sluggers Houston Alexander (9-4 MMA,
2-3 UFC) and Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson (3-1 MMA, 0-0 WEC) will take
place at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale on Dec. 5 in Las Vegas.

That explains why Alexander is applying for a license to fight with the
Nevada State Athletic Commission, but what about the weight difference
between “The Assassin” at 205 pounds and Slice as a heavyweight? The
Times of Northwest Indiana
has the answer.



WEC newcomer Zach Micklewright meets Muhsin Corbbrey at WEC 45 in Las Vegas

The quickly filling card for “WEC 45: Cerrone vs. Ratcliff” today received another addition.

MMAjunkie.com has learned from sources close to the
event that undefeated WEC newcomer Zach Micklewright (6-0 MMA, 0-0 WEC)
has verbally agreed to meet lightweight Muhsin Corbbrey (7-4 MMA, 0-1
WEC) at the event.

Featuring a main event between lightweight contenders Donald Cerrone
and Ed Ratcliff, WEC 45 takes place Dec. 19 at The Pearl at The Palms
Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The main card airs live on VERSUS.



UFC 107: Jon Fitch vs Mike Pierce booked with Thiago Alves hurt

The third time will hopefully be the charm for Jon Fitch (19-3) now that up-and-coming welterweight Mike Pierce (10-1) has agreed to step up and face him at UFC 107 from the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn., on Dec. 12.
Pierce was originally slated to meet Josh Koscheck at UFC Fight Night 20 until “Kos” was [...]


Strikeforce signs DREAM welterweight GP champion Marius ‘Whitemare’ Zaromskis

NEW YORK (Oct. 31, 2009) – DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix Champion Marius “Whitemare” Zaromskis (13-3) of Lithuania has signed a multi-fight agreement with world championship mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion Strikeforce.
Known for his explosive, highlight reel kicks, the 29-year-old, world-ranked Zaromskis has been his opponents’ worst “Whitemare” the last three years. The 2009 DREAM Welterweight [...]


Erik Koch meets Jameel Massouh, not Mackens Semerzier, at WEC 45 in December

Undefeated featherweight Erik Koch (7-0 MMA, 0-0 WEC) will indeed make
his WEC debut in December, but it won’t be against Mackens Semerzier.

While Semerzier had been targeted as Koch’s first WEC foe,
MMAjunkie.com has learned from sources close to the
event that the newcomer will instead face Jameel Massouh (21-6 MMA, 0-2
WEC).

Bout agreements for the contest are expected to be finalized shortly.



Lyoto Machida undergoes surgery, expects to resume training in mid-January

UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida has his sights firmly set on rematch with recent challenger Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

It just might not happen quite as soon as Machida, Rua and UFC president Dana White might like.

MMAjunkie.com today spoke with Machida’s manager,
Ed Soares, who confirmed “The Dragon” went under the knife on Friday
and will be limited in training until mid-January.



Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort not happening at UFC 108 in January

While the recovery from a recent elbow surgery is going just fine for UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva, Jan. 2 will simply be too soon for him to return to action.

MMAjunkie.com today spoke with Silva’s manager, Ed Soares, who issued the update on “The Spider.”

“The latest is he’s not fighting Jan. 2,” Soares said. “That’s not going to happen. He won’t be ready.”