Tag: Signing

Despite Fireable Performances at UFC on FUEL 7, Matt Riddle and Che Mills Sign Multi-Fight Deals With Legacy FC, Cage Warriors


(When Keepin’ it Real Goes Wrong: Breakdance Edition. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.) 

Like the mighty osprey as it descends from the sky to feast on a trout, the fallout from Matt Riddle’s UFC on FUEL 7 bout with Che Mills was swift and fierce. Not only was Mills lambasted/fired for putting on a piss-poor performance, but Riddle was similarly bashed by Dana White for his efforts in victory and released from the promotion shortly thereafter (following his second failed post-fight drug test). Despite the setback, Riddle stated that he was happy to finally be freed from the hypocritical bonds of Zuffa to crush some cans, so much so that he would probably never come back to the UFC if they asked him to.

In either case, it looks like Riddle will be given plenty of opportunities to do just that in the Texas-based organization Legalize It Legacy Fighting Championships, which Riddle announced he had signed a multi-fight deal with over the weekend via Twitter:

You have to appreciate how Riddle, being the witty bastard that he is, managed to reference both his recent quotes about beating his kids and the State of Texas’ history with blood baths in one masterfully written tweet. That’s what he was doing, right?

And in other news, Riddle’s opponent at UFC on FUEL 7, Che Mills, has successfully landed on his feet as well…


(When Keepin’ it Real Goes Wrong: Breakdance Edition. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.) 

Like the mighty osprey as it descends from the sky to feast on a trout, the fallout from Matt Riddle’s UFC on FUEL 7 bout with Che Mills was swift and fierce. Not only was Mills lambasted/fired for putting on a piss-poor performance, but Riddle was similarly bashed by Dana White for his efforts in victory and released from the promotion shortly thereafter (following his second failed post-fight drug test). Despite the setback, Riddle stated that he was happy to finally be freed from the hypocritical bonds of Zuffa to crush some cans, so much so that he would probably never come back to the UFC if they asked him to.

In either case, it looks like Riddle will be given plenty of opportunities to do just that in the Texas-based organization Legalize It Legacy Fighting Championships, which Riddle announced he had signed a multi-fight deal with over the weekend via Twitter:

You have to appreciate how Riddle, being the witty bastard that he is, managed to reference both his recent quotes about beating his kids and the State of Texas’ history with blood baths in one masterfully written tweet. That’s what he was doing, right?

And in other news, Riddle’s opponent at UFC on FUEL 7, Che Mills, has successfully landed on his feet as well.

Despite “giving up” in the third round of his fight with Riddle (White’s words, not ours), Mills has already signed a five-fight deal with UK-based promotion Cage Warriors, a promotion that has seen such names as Irish phenom Conor McGregor, Paul Daley, and TUF 6 runner-up Tommy Speer fight under its banner.

None of the details regarding Mills’ signing figures or debut opponent/date have been made available, but Cage Warriors CEO Graham Boylan had the following to say upon breaking the news (via MMAJunkie):

Che Mills is the best U.K. welterweight outside of the UFC at the moment, so I’m extremely happy that he has decided to come on board. A fighter of his caliber wouldn’t have been short of offers, but the fact that Che has opted to sign for Cage Warriors is proof that the guy is determined to return to the top. I have no doubt that he’ll get there too.

I’m a big fan of Che Mills. When the UFC recently released a bunch of guys, Che was the one I really wanted to bring in. He comes from a great camp and is always exciting to watch. 

We will update you on the details of these two signings as soon as we are made aware.

–J. Jones

Josh Barnett Not Signing with UFC for Now, but Anything Could Still Happen

Former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett does not appear headed back to his former stomping grounds right now, although anything could change in the ongoing negotiations. Barnett has been working with the UFC on securing a new deal after he completed his last contract with Zuffa when he defeated Nandor Guelmino at the final Strikeforce […]

Former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett does not appear headed back to his former stomping grounds right now, although anything could change in the ongoing negotiations. Barnett has been working with the UFC on securing a new deal after he completed his last contract with Zuffa when he defeated Nandor Guelmino at the final Strikeforce […]

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Renato “Babalu” Sobral Inks Deal with Bellator, Will Compete in Season Eight Tournament


Bjorn, You fool! Never give this man such easy access to your neck!

Even though Bellator hasn’t been giving us our weekly Friday night events over the summer, the promotion still managed to give us some big news last night. Yesterday, while you were preparing for dude’s night out, Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney took to his Twitter page to announce that the promotion had come to terms with former Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral. Along with the above image, Bjorn Rebney tweeted “Great news. Babalu now in the Bellator family. He’ll compete in our 205 tourney on Spike in January. Can’t wait.”

A fourteen year veteran of our sport, “Babalu” holds notable victories over Shogun Rua, Jeremy Horn, Chael Sonnen and current Bellator light-heavyweight Travis Wiuff. Given Wiuff’s current run in the promotion, there’s a very good chance that we’ll see these two fighting for the Bellator Light-Heavyweight title if they were to meet up again. Sobral’s most recent fight was a thirty one second armbar victory over Tatsuya Mizuno at ONE FC 4 in June. He was initially scheduled to fight at ONE FC’s August 31 show in Manila, Philippines, although an opponent had never been named.


Bjorn, You fool! Never give this man such easy access to your neck!

Even though Bellator hasn’t been giving us our weekly Friday night events over the summer, the promotion still managed to give us some big news last night. Yesterday, while you were preparing for dude’s night out, Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney took to his Twitter page to announce that the promotion had come to terms with former Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral. Along with the above image, Bjorn Rebney tweeted “Great news. Babalu now in the Bellator family. He’ll compete in our 205 tourney on Spike in January. Can’t wait.”

A fourteen year veteran of our sport, “Babalu” holds notable victories over Shogun Rua, Jeremy Horn, Chael Sonnen and current Bellator light-heavyweight Travis Wiuff. Given Wiuff’s current run in the promotion, there’s a very good chance that we’ll see these two fighting for the Bellator Light-Heavyweight title if they were to meet up again. Sobral’s most recent fight was a thirty one second armbar victory over Tatsuya Mizuno at ONE FC 4 in June. He was initially scheduled to fight at ONE FC’s August 31 show in Manila, Philippines, although an opponent had never been named.

The signing doesn’t come without a caveat though. Babalu has a history of fighting dirty – the most notable example of this being his refusal to let go of  an anaconda choke after his opponent, David Heath, tapped at UFC 74, which got him fired from the promotion. But considering Bellator’s acquisition of other noted rule breakers, such as King Mo and Brett Rogers, the promotion has demonstrated a willingness to take chances on fighters before.

Given Bellator’s recent signings of Travis Wiuff, King Mo and now Renato Sobral, their light-heavyweight division has become surprisingly competitive – especially considering how depleted the UFC’s light-heavyweight division currently is (although, to be fair, a champion as dominant as Jon Jones will clean out any division). The only question now is whether or not the ratings will reflect this. So you tell us, Bellator Season Eight: You excited for it or not?

@SethFalvo

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Bellator Signs Marcus ‘Lelo’ Aurelio, Your Favorite Capoeira Knockout Artist


“Day-bow-bow“

Bellator’s welterweight division just became far more interesting.

Earlier this morning, the organization announced that it had signed Marcus “Lelo” Aurelio (no, not Maximus), an explosive Capoeira fighter from Brazil. If the name sounds familiar, it should: He’s the guy from the infamous Capoeira kick knockout video from 2009. And the equally awesome flying switch kick from last August, for that matter.

After getting caught in a triangle choke during his first professional fight, Lelo has gone on to win six straight. None of his fights have ever gone the distance, and his only submission victory was a rear-naked choke over Canadian Muay Thai champion Ken Tran at Battlefield Fight League 7 last March. His most recent effort saw him KO Matt Dwyer with a slam just thirty seconds into their bout in April.


“Day-bow-bow“

Bellator’s welterweight division just became far more interesting.

Earlier this morning, the organization announced that it had signed Marcus “Lelo” Aurelio (no, not Maximus), an explosive Capoeira fighter from Brazil. If the name sounds familiar, it should: He’s the guy from the infamous Capoeira kick knockout video from 2009. And the equally awesome flying switch kick from last August, for that matter.

After getting caught in a triangle choke during his first professional fight, Lelo has gone on to win six straight. None of his fights have ever gone the distance, and his only submission victory was a rear-naked choke over Canadian Muay Thai champion Ken Tran at Battlefield Fight League 7 last March. His most recent effort saw him KO Matt Dwyer with a slam just thirty seconds into their bout in April.

In a press release sent out by Bellator, Bjorn Rebney had this to say about the signing:

“Marcus is an absolute explosive anomaly in our sport,” said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney. “If you have never seen him fight, you are missing something totally unique and special. Marcus brings a completely unique style and confidence to the cage that I’ve never seen before. It will be great to see how his explosive Capoeira translates in the Bellator cage.”

Aurelio is set to make his promotional debut at Bellator 73 on August 24, although an opponent has not been named at this time. By the way, Bellator 73 also features both the bantamweight and featherweight tournament finals and Pat Curran defending his featherweight title against Patricio “Pitbull” Freire.

In a division of solid strikers, Aurelio should have some entertaining battles with the likes of Bryan Baker, David Rickels and Chris Lozano. But how will his ground game hold up against the deep end of the welterweight division? And is he elusive enough to to prevent a five round snoozer against Ben Askren? Tell us what you think.