Joey Beltran official as late replacement, faces Rolles Gracie on UFC 109 prelims

Just three weeks removed from a regional-show win over Houston Alexander, the “Mexicutioner” will make his UFC debut.

The UFC today officially announced that heavyweight newcomer Joey
Beltran (10-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) has agreed to step in for Mostapha Al Turk
and face fellow octagon rookie Rolles Gracie (3-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) on the
preliminary card of Saturday’s “UFC 109: Relentless” event.

MMAjunkie.com first reported the likely switch on Monday.


Just three weeks removed from a regional-show win over Houston Alexander, the “Mexicutioner” will make his UFC debut.

The UFC today officially announced that heavyweight newcomer Joey
Beltran (10-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) has agreed to step in for Mostapha Al Turk
and face fellow octagon rookie Rolles Gracie (3-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) on the
preliminary card of Saturday’s “UFC 109: Relentless” event.

MMAjunkie.com first reported the likely switch on Monday.


Matyushenko says recent setback beneficial for UFC on Versus 1 appearance

As UFC light heavyweight Vladimir Matyushenko (23-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC)
finalizes his preparation for a March 21 contest with Eliot Marshall
(8-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) at UFC on Versus 1, “The Janitor” admits the
potential for another last-minute cancellation exists in his head.

It’s understandable. After all, Matyushenko had a UFC 108 bout with Steve Cantwell scratched the week of the fight.

“That’s part of the game,” Matyushenko recently told MMAjunkie.com
Radio. “Injuries happen, and it’s always
frustrating, but deep inside my head, I’m always ready for that because
it can always happen.”


As UFC light heavyweight Vladimir Matyushenko (23-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC)
finalizes his preparation for a March 21 contest with Eliot Marshall
(8-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) at UFC on Versus 1, “The Janitor” admits the
potential for another last-minute cancellation exists in his head.

It’s understandable. After all, Matyushenko had a UFC 108 bout with Steve Cantwell scratched the week of the fight.

“That’s part of the game,” Matyushenko recently told MMAjunkie.com
Radio. “Injuries happen, and it’s always
frustrating, but deep inside my head, I’m always ready for that because
it can always happen.”


After quitting job, Hague banking on peak performance against Tuchscherer at UFC 109

Tim Hague is climbing the UFC’s heavyweight ladder all over again.

Hague first came to the octagon on
the heels of a pink slip from his job as a kindergarten teacher when
only two kids showed up for the first day of school.

This time around, Hague is fighting on his own dime out of choice after
quitting jobs as an environmental soil sampler and construction hand to
fight Chris Tuchscherer this Saturday at UFC 109.
The stakes are just as high.


Tim Hague is climbing the UFC’s heavyweight ladder all over again.

Hague first came to the octagon on
the heels of a pink slip from his job as a kindergarten teacher when
only two kids showed up for the first day of school.

This time around, Hague is fighting on his own dime out of choice after
quitting jobs as an environmental soil sampler and construction hand to
fight Chris Tuchscherer this Saturday at UFC 109.
The stakes are just as high.


MMAjunkie.com Radio: “Strikeforce: Miami” recap, veteran broadcaster Mauro Ranallo

MMAjunkie.com Radio today welcomes veteran broadcaster Mauro Ranallo to
the show as the crew discusses the fallout from this past weekend’s
“Strikeforce: Miami” event.

Ranallo will recount his experience while calling the shots from
cageside for the evening’s Showtime broadcast, while the crew will also
look at what’s next for each of the card’s primary in-cage participants.

MMAjunkie.com Radio begins at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. Listen to
and watch a video stream of the two-hour show at www.mmajunkie.com/radio.


MMAjunkie.com Radio today welcomes veteran broadcaster Mauro Ranallo to
the show as the crew discusses the fallout from this past weekend’s
“Strikeforce: Miami” event.

Ranallo will recount his experience while calling the shots from
cageside for the evening’s Showtime broadcast, while the crew will also
look at what’s next for each of the card’s primary in-cage participants.

MMAjunkie.com Radio begins at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. Listen to
and watch a video stream of the two-hour show at www.mmajunkie.com/radio.


Shine Fights signs Abu Dhabi champ Braulio Estima to multi-fight deal

The upstart Shine Fights organization has added an intriguing prospect
to its roster in advance of an anticipated April fight card.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace Braulio Estima (0-0 MMA), the 2009 Abu Dhabi
Combat Club 88-kilogram and Absolute division champion, has signed a
multi-fight agreement with the Shine Fight organization.

The Gracie Barra black belt is currently training alongside Renzo
Gracie and is expected to make his MMA debut at Shine Fights’
as-yet-unannounced third event, which is expected to take place in
April.


The upstart Shine Fights organization has added an intriguing prospect
to its roster in advance of an anticipated April fight card.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace Braulio Estima (0-0 MMA), the 2009 Abu Dhabi
Combat Club 88-kilogram and Absolute division champion, has signed a
multi-fight agreement with the Shine Fight organization.

The Gracie Barra black belt is currently training alongside Renzo
Gracie and is expected to make his MMA debut at Shine Fights’
as-yet-unannounced third event, which is expected to take place in
April.


Bellator adds DREAM vet Joe Warren to season-two featherweight tourney

Bellator’s season-two tournaments continue to take shape, and the organization today announced another solid addition to the 145-pound field.

Three-time DREAM veteran and world-class wrestler Joe Warren (2-1 MMA, 0-0 BFC) will compete in Bellator’s next featherweight tournament.

Warren is best known to MMA fans as the man who knocked off former WEC champ Chase Beebe and top-ranked Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto in his first two professional contests before falling to Bibiano Fernandes in DREAM’s 2009 featherweight grand prix.


Bellator’s season-two tournaments continue to take shape, and the organization today announced another solid addition to the 145-pound field.

Three-time DREAM veteran and world-class wrestler Joe Warren (2-1 MMA, 0-0 BFC) will compete in Bellator’s next featherweight tournament.

Warren is best known to MMA fans as the man who knocked off former WEC champ Chase Beebe and top-ranked Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto in his first two professional contests before falling to Bibiano Fernandes in DREAM’s 2009 featherweight grand prix.