WEC fighter Urijah Faber will face Takeya Mizugaki at WEC 52 on November 11 from The Pearl in Las Vegas, Nevada, this according to MMA Weekly. The fight, which will be the first bantamweight bout for Faber, was originally slated for WEC 50 but Faber had to pull out due to an injured knee. […]
WEC fighter Urijah Faber will face Takeya Mizugaki at WEC 52 on November 11 from The Pearl in Las Vegas, Nevada, this according to MMA Weekly. The fight, which will be the first bantamweight bout for Faber, was originally slated for WEC 50 but Faber had to pull out due to an injured knee.
Faber is still perhaps the best known WEC fighter, even after having basically been outmatched at the 145 lb weight class. Perhaps the move down will spark his career as he’s certainly still marketable as a main event draw. The MMA News will bring you more on this story as word comes out.
PROVIDENCE (Aug. 31, 2010) – History will be made Friday night, Sept. 17 when “First Blood” becomes the first sanctioned, professional Mixed Martial Arts show ever held in Rhode Island.
“First Blood,” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc., (CES) will be held at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, RI. All […]
PROVIDENCE (Aug. 31, 2010) – History will be made Friday night, Sept. 17 when “First Blood” becomes the first sanctioned, professional Mixed Martial Arts show ever held in Rhode Island.
“First Blood,” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc., (CES) will be held at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, RI. All fights feature three, 5-minute rounds.
The main event pits arguably New England’s hottest prospect, Providence lightweight Mike “The Beast” Campbell (8-2-0), against undefeated Magno Almeida (6-0), of Wakefield (MA). In an exciting match-up of contrasting styles, Campbell has five knockouts, while five of Almeida’s six opponents have tapped-put.
In the co-feature, Bridgewater (MA) heavyweight Lee Beane (7-1-0) takes on Parker Porter (3-1-0), while Wakefield (MA) welterweight Rick Hawn (8-0-0) faces an opponent to be determined.
“Fighting is fighting and we know what fans want – fast action, entertainment and competitive matches,” CES president Jimmy Burchfield said. “We’re taking the same grassroots promoting and marketing plan we’ve used so successfully for many years in boxing and taking it into MMA. I’ve been studying MMA for nearly three years in order to learn how to build the best team possible. Boxing plays a big part in MMA. Some athletic boxers want to try MMA, some powerful-punching strikers want to box. CES is now in the unique position to offer boxers and MMA fighters opportunities to cross over.
“Our goal is to develop MMA fighters and help bring them to the top of the mountain – UFC. We have a good relationship with UFC Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Mark Ratner, from when he was Executive Director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. We believe our first show has the potential to be the best show ever in New England in terms of showcasing New England talent. We will have some of the best in action on ‘First Blood.’ We’re thrilled to be having this great show at our home base in beautiful Twin River.”
Also scheduled to fight on “First Blood” are Cranston’s (RI) Luis “Rock Star” Felix (4-5-0) vs. Joe Dechaves (3-2-0); Woonsocket’s pro-debuting lightweight Justin Switzer vs. Cranston’s Eric Fams; Maine welterweight Glenn Reaves vs. pro-debuting Bill Burley; Whitman (MA) featherweight John Campbell in his pro debut vs. Kurt Calash, of Middleton (CT); and Somerville (MA) lightweight Jimmy “Jimbo Slice” Davidson in his first fight vs. John Sienna (0-1-1).
Also on the card against opponents to be determined are undefeated Framingham (MA) light heavyweight Saul “The Spider” Almeida (7-0-0), Ludlow (MA) lightweight Alexandre “Vaca” Moreno (10-2-0), East Greenwich (RI) and Rhode Island MMA pioneer Mat Santos, along with welterweights Lionel Young (2-4-0), Antwann Penn and Mark Skeltcher. All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets for “First Blood,” priced at $50.00, $75.00, $125.00, $150.00 and $200.00 (front row) are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254), going online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, at Twin River’s Players Club booth at Twin River, or any TicketMaster location.
Contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or the Twin River Event Center (877.82.RIVER/ www.twinriver.com) for more information. Doors open at 6:00PM/ET, first bout at 7:30 PM/ET.
(Twin River has waived its 18+ rule for “First Blood.” Anybody under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by an adult and they must enter through the West entrance.)
Press Conference Quotes
Mike Campbell: “To be part of the first MMA show in Rhode Island, I’m so excited to be part of it. I have goose-bumps right now….honestly. I’m gonna bring it; I never give boring shows. I promise you’re going to see fireworks. We bleed and sweat together and it’s my honor to fighting on this card with these fighters. It’s going to be war.”
Mat Santos: “I was on the very first card in Rhode Island. They called it Vale Tudo. There wasn’t a law against it but it was legal, 11 years ago. I was in the Army in 1993 when I saw my first MMA fight. It looked like fun and that’s why it went from a hobby to my lifeblood. I train six days a week, every week, whether I have a fight or not. I haven’t fought in four years, not necessarily because of lack of trying. This is the fifth fight set-up for me but opponents pulled out. Anybody that hits the ground against me, I’ll finish them. I’m 100-percent confident that I will submit him. There’s nobody out there I don’t have an answer for. This isn’t going to be a boring Jiu-Jitsu fight. If I can’t take him down, I’ll beat him on my feet. The past 11 years I’ve fought all over in rings, cages and even open mats, but now I’m finally fighting at home.”
Parker Porter: “I’m glad to be here. It’ll be my closest fight to home being from Southington, Connecticut. The last guy to beat Lee is in the UFC; the last guy to beat me is in the UFC. I’m looking forward to sizing us up. I promise you I’m going to bring it.”
Saul Almeida: I haven’t fought in a while. I just came back from training two months in California with some of the best MMA fighters in the world like Anderson Silva. It’s going to be a really entertaining fight. You won’t want to miss it.”
Lionel Young: “I’m still a baby at this – I’ve only been doing it for a year. This is my biggest fight. I promise to go into the cage and give every ounce in my body.”
Luis Felix: I’m excited to be fighting here in my backyard. It’s something I’ve looked forward to ever since I got into MMA. September 17th I’ll be here to fight. I don’t go into any fight hating my opponent. This is a sport and I love to do it. After the fight we can be friends. I’m willing to put everything on the line. This is my ultimate challenge. I look forward to putting on a good show.”
Joe Dechaves: “It’s an awesome time – Rhode Island history – to be fighting on this card. Felix is a good fighter. I’ve seen some of his fights. I’ve been training hard and I’ll be ready September 17th. It’s a special fight for me. I’m dedicating it to my father who died in July, on my wedding day, so this fight means more to be than anything.”
UFC 118: “Edgar vs. Penn 2,” which took place on Saturday, Aug. 28 from Boston has come and gone and now the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission has weighed in and issued their medical suspensions. Keep in mind that many of these suspensions can be ended sooner with doctor approval. Here’s the list:
Nick Osipczak: […]
UFC 118: “Edgar vs. Penn 2,” which took place on Saturday, Aug. 28 from Boston has come and gone and now the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission has weighed in and issued their medical suspensions. Keep in mind that many of these suspensions can be ended sooner with doctor approval. Here’s the list:
Nick Osipczak: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact for precautionary reasons.
Greg Soto: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact for precautionary reasons.
Amilcar Alves: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact for precautionary reasons.
John Salter: Suspended 180 days due to a possible left hand fracture pending physician X-Rays. Minimum suspension would be 30 days with 21 days no contact.
Gabe Ruediger: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact for precautionary reasons.
Nate Diaz: Suspended 180 days due to a possible nasal fracture pending physician X-Rays. Minimum suspension would be 60 days with 60 days no contact.
Marcus Davis: Suspended indefinitely due to possible head trauma pending physician CT Scan. Minimum suspension would be 60 days with 30 days no contact.
Kenny Florian: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact for precautionary reasons.
Gray Maynard: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact for precautionary reasons.
Dan Miller: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact for precautionary reasons.
If you thought you’d never see the day again when Karo Parisyan rag dolls some dude to the Octagon floor, prepare to be jaw droppingly surprised. According to an initial report from MMA Fighting this afternoon, which has been subsequently confirmed by several other outlets, Parisyan will make his Octagon return on November 20th, versus […]
If you thought you’d never see the day again when Karo Parisyan rag dolls some dude to the Octagon floor, prepare to be jaw droppingly surprised. According to an initial report from MMA Fighting this afternoon, which has been subsequently confirmed by several other outlets, Parisyan will make his Octagon return on November 20th, versus Dennis Hallman. Holy sh-t right?
Why? What’s the big deal MMA, but-not-hardcore, fans may be asking? Well after Parisyan withdrew last minute from his scheduled UFC 106 bout with Dustin Hazelett, Dana White promptly announced that the judo stud “will not be fighting Saturday or ever again in the UFC.” It was the last straw in a series of events for the troubled fighter, which included testing positive for painkillers, getting subsequently fined and suspended (and another last minute fight withdrawal). Things weren’t looking so good in the fighting career of Parisyan, who at one point before having serious setbacks due to injuries, sat near the top of the welterweight division.
Anyways, after earning a win ‘down under’ in Australia recently and consistently stating his desire publicly to return to the UFC, it looks like Parisyan has gotten his wish. If you still haven’t seen his Fight Night 6 bout with Diego Sanchez, you should feel huge amounts of instantaneous shame, and then go find footage. Anyone asked Paul Daley yet what he makes of all this?
Hmm, looks like Hunt is taking his fight in the UFC seriously as he looks quite a bit fitter than usual. While not official Hunt is expected to take on Sean McCorkle at UFC 119 on September 25. (Source)
Hmm, looks like Hunt is taking his fight in the UFC seriously as he looks quite a bit fitter than usual. While not official Hunt is expected to take on Sean McCorkle at UFC 119 on September 25. (Source)
If someone had told you six months ago, that in September, people would be discussing whether or not Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard II is a marketable championship fight, many of us would have laughed and told buddy to piss off. Really, following BJ Penn’s violent and bloody stoppage of Diego Sanchez last December, who could […]
If someone had told you six months ago, that in September, people would be discussing whether or not Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard II is a marketable championship fight, many of us would have laughed and told buddy to piss off. Really, following BJ Penn’s violent and bloody stoppage of Diego Sanchez last December, who could have imagined that as 2010 neared its end, not only would Penn not be the champ, he’d be one or two wins away from contending? That’s some crazy sh-t. Kind of like Fedor getting tapped out in the first round…
In terms of whether or not a rematch between Edgar and Maynard can move some serious PPV’s, well, yes, clearly neither guy has put together the resume yet of a legend like Penn, so things might cool down in the hype department. And don’t expect Maynard to engage in any Chael Sonnen like, ‘deconstructive criticism’ with Edgar to help sell the fight. Speaking to MMA Weekly recently the bruising wrestler stated:
“It’s great competition. He trains hard. He’s a cool guy too. It’s cool because his dad is always like ‘hey Gray!’ talks to me and stuff; nicest guy in the world. So trash talk ain’t gonna happen,” Maynard said. “But I guarantee you he’s going to train hard, and I’ll train, and it’s going to be a good fight.”…”It’s all business. Throw the trash talk out, it’s just all business.”
So as it looks now, scandalous comments aren’t going to be flying between these guys (and clearly Dad jokes are out), but that doesn’t mean the rematch can’t be a thoroughly entertaining and violent affair.
