EliteXC champ Noons vs. Amade, Kikuno and Chonan added to DREAM.13

Former EliteXC champ K.J. Noons, who recently signed with Strikeforce after taking an MMA sabbatical to compete in pro boxing, takes his first fight in nearly two years when he meets Andre Dida next month.

Noons joins Strikeforce’s Japanese partners, DREAM, on the promotion’s March 22 DREAM.13 card.

Other announced matchups include DEEP lightweight champ Katsunori Kikuno vs. UFC vet Kuniyoshi Hironaka, vet Ikuhisa Minowa vs. Jimmy Ambriz, and Ryo Chonan vs. Andrews Nakahara.


Former EliteXC champ K.J. Noons, who recently signed with Strikeforce after taking an MMA sabbatical to compete in pro boxing, takes his first fight in nearly two years when he meets Andre Dida next month.

Noons joins Strikeforce’s Japanese partners, DREAM, on the promotion’s March 22 DREAM.13 card.

Other announced matchups include DEEP lightweight champ Katsunori Kikuno vs. UFC vet Kuniyoshi Hironaka, vet Ikuhisa Minowa vs. Jimmy Ambriz, and Ryo Chonan vs. Andrews Nakahara.


EliteXC champ Noons vs. Amade, Kikuno and Chonan added to DREAM.13 (Updated)

Former EliteXC champ K.J. Noons, who recently signed with Strikeforce after taking an MMA sabbatical to compete in pro boxing, takes his first fight in nearly two years when he meets Andre Dida next month.

Noons joins Strikeforce’s Japanese partners, DREAM, on the promotion’s March 22 DREAM.13 card.

Other announced matchups include DEEP lightweight champ Katsunori Kikuno vs. UFC vet Kuniyoshi Hironaka, vet Ikuhisa Minowa vs. Jimmy Ambriz, and Ryo Chonan vs. Andrews Nakahara.


Former EliteXC champ K.J. Noons, who recently signed with Strikeforce after taking an MMA sabbatical to compete in pro boxing, takes his first fight in nearly two years when he meets Andre Dida next month.

Noons joins Strikeforce’s Japanese partners, DREAM, on the promotion’s March 22 DREAM.13 card.

Other announced matchups include DEEP lightweight champ Katsunori Kikuno vs. UFC vet Kuniyoshi Hironaka, vet Ikuhisa Minowa vs. Jimmy Ambriz, and Ryo Chonan vs. Andrews Nakahara.


Brett Cooper and Ryan Thomas fill Bellator’s season-two 170-pound tourney field

With the signings of one-time IFL fighter Brett Cooper (10-5) and UFC veteran Ryan Thomas (10-3), the tournament field is now set for Bellator’s season-two welterweight tournament.

MMAjunkie.com first reported Thomas’ participation earlier this month, and Bellator today made his and Cooper’s signings official.

The field of eight, which will be reduced to one during Bellator’s upcoming 12-week second season, looks to win No. 1 contender’s status and a shot at season-one winner and current champ Lyman Good – and $100,000 in fight pay to boot.


With the signings of one-time IFL fighter Brett Cooper (10-5) and UFC veteran Ryan Thomas (10-3), the tournament field is now set for Bellator’s season-two welterweight tournament.

MMAjunkie.com first reported Thomas’ participation earlier this month, and Bellator today made his and Cooper’s signings official.

The field of eight, which will be reduced to one during Bellator’s upcoming 12-week second season, looks to win No. 1 contender’s status and a shot at season-one winner and current champ Lyman Good – and $100,000 in fight pay to boot.


Eliot Marshall’s fight-camp blog for UFC on Versus 1: Part I

MMAjunkie.com is proud to host UFC fighter Eliot Marshall’s fight-camp
blog for the upcoming UFC on Versus 1 event, which takes place March 21
in Colorado.

Marshall, a semifinalist on “The Ultimate Fighter 8,” goes for his
fourth straight UFC victory when he meets veteran Vladimir Matyushenko
in a preliminary-card matchup.

In his debut blog, Marshall discusses preparing for a hometown fight,
recent struggles that some UFC preliminary-card fighters have faced
with sponsorships, a newborn son, and working with training partners
such as Shane Carwin, Brendan Schaub, Jon Jones and others.


MMAjunkie.com is proud to host UFC fighter Eliot Marshall’s fight-camp
blog for the upcoming UFC on Versus 1 event, which takes place March 21
in Colorado.

Marshall, a semifinalist on “The Ultimate Fighter 8,” goes for his
fourth straight UFC victory when he meets veteran Vladimir Matyushenko
in a preliminary-card matchup.

In his debut blog, Marshall discusses preparing for a hometown fight,
recent struggles that some UFC preliminary-card fighters have faced
with sponsorships, a newborn son, and working with training partners
such as Shane Carwin, Brendan Schaub, Jon Jones and others.


Topps releases 2010 “UFC Main Event” cards today, one collector wins VIP UFC trip

Topps today released its 2010 set of Ultimate Fighting Championship
fighter cards, and in addition to some special autographed and “relic”
cards, one person will win a VIP trip to Las Vegas and a UFC cageside
seat with UFC president Dana White.

The 2010 “UFC Main Event” series follows last year’s debut set and hit store shelves today.

Ten special cards autographed by White and UFC fighters Chuck Liddell
and Tito Ortiz were randomly inserted into packs, and the first person
to redeem one wins the VIP trip to Sin City.


Topps today released its 2010 set of Ultimate Fighting Championship
fighter cards, and in addition to some special autographed and “relic”
cards, one person will win a VIP trip to Las Vegas and a UFC cageside
seat with UFC president Dana White.

The 2010 “UFC Main Event” series follows last year’s debut set and hit store shelves today.

Ten special cards autographed by White and UFC fighters Chuck Liddell
and Tito Ortiz were randomly inserted into packs, and the first person
to redeem one wins the VIP trip to Sin City.


John Howard vs. Daniel Roberts official for UFC on Versus 1, demoted to prelims

After losing his initial opponent due to an injury, John Howard has gone from a main-card bout with fellow contender Anthony Johnson to an un-aired preliminary-card fight with UFC newcomer Daniel Roberts at UFC on Versus 1.

MMAjunkie.com confirmed the bout last week, and UFC officials have since made the welterweight matchup official.

With the fight moved to the March 21 event’s preliminary card, only three fights are set for the Versus-televised main card. A source close to the event told MMAjunkie.com a newly booked fight
likely will take the vacant spot on the televised portion of the show.


After losing his initial opponent due to an injury, John Howard has gone from a main-card bout with fellow contender Anthony Johnson to an un-aired preliminary-card fight with UFC newcomer Daniel Roberts at UFC on Versus 1.

MMAjunkie.com confirmed the bout last week, and UFC officials have since made the welterweight matchup official.

With the fight moved to the March 21 event’s preliminary card, only three fights are set for the Versus-televised main card. A source close to the event told MMAjunkie.com a newly booked fight
likely will take the vacant spot on the televised portion of the show.