Bellator Signs Undefeated Michael Chandler

By FCF Staff  Photo courtesy Bellator Fighting Championship

Bellator Fighting Championship has confirmed that the promotion has signed undefeated lightweight Michael Chandler (3-0) to a contract. The former collegiate wrestler will make his promotional debut on September 30^th. No opponent was announced.

Chandler last competed on May 15^th at Strikeforce’s “”Heavy Artillery” event, and tapped out Sal Woods in the first round with a rear-naked-choke. Prior to that, Chandler stopped Richard Bouphanouvong in the second round, at a Strikeforce Challengers event last November.

“Michael Chandler is a great signing for us at 155,” Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney was quoted saying in a press release from the promotion. “He has unlimited potential in the sport, I’m excited to see him progress as a fighter under the Bellator banner.”

“I started training MMA right out of college. I took my first training camp with the soon-to-be Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren. My first training camp was with Ben in Canada about three or four weeks after Nationals during my senior year,” said Chandler. “I always knew I was going to fight, even two years before I started training seriously.”

Chandler, who wrestled for the University of Missouri, currently trains out of Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, Nevada.

READ MORE - Bellator Signs Undefeated Michael Chandler

Nazarov vs. Belyaev Added to Oct. 28th M-1 Challenge

By FCF Staff   M-1 Global continues to round out the line-up for the promotion’s upcoming, October 28^th, event in St. Petersburg, Russia, which will determine world champions in the lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight divisions. The latest addition to the M-1 Challenge XXI card is a welterweight bout between Alexei Nazarov (9-3) and Alexei Belyaev (10-4).

“The undercard for this event continues to get better,” Evgeni Kogan, Director of Operations for M-1 Global was quoted saying in a press release from the promotion.  “These are the contention bouts which will begin driving the Challenge series into 2011where our Champions will be defending their titles.”

Here is the line-up to date for the M-1 Challenge XXI: Guram vs. Grishin event.

Lightweight Title Fight:

Artiom Damkovsky, M-1 Selection Eastern Europe 2010 champion (10-4) vs.

Mairbek Taisumov, M-1 Selection Western Europe 2010 champion (12-2)

Middleweight Title Fight:

Magomed Sultanakhmedov, M-1 Selection Eastern Europe 2010 champion (28-4) vs.

Rafał Moks, M-1 Selection Western Europe 2010 champ (5-2) 

Heavyweight Title Fight:

Maxim Grishin, M-1 Selection Eastern Europe champion (7-4) vs.

Guram Gugenishvili, M-1 Selection Western Europe champion (8-0).

Undercard

WW-Alexei Nazarov (9-3) vs. Alexei Belyaev (10-4)

LW-Alexander Sarnavsky (10-0) vs. Victor Kuku (7-5-1)

WW-Rashid Magomedov (6-2) vs. Igor Araujo (18-5)

LHW-Dmitry Samoilov (8-5-1) vs. Gadzhimurad Omarov (5-0)

M-1 Global’s welterweight and light-heavyweight championships will be awarded December 11^th, at an event in Atlantic City New Jersey.

READ MORE - Nazarov vs. Belyaev Added to Oct. 28th M-1 Challenge

Bellator 29: Konrad, Grove Advance to Heavyweight Finals

By FCF Staff  Photo Courtesy Bellator FC

Last night Neil Grove and Cole Konrad ensured that they will square off in the finals of Bellator’s ongoing heavyweight tourney, as the two earned stoppage and decision victories respectively, at the promotion’s 29^th event in Milwaukee.

Moments into their bout, Grove (pictured left) sent noted grappler Alexey Oleinik to the canvas with a hard kick to the midsection, and proceeded to finish off the heavyweight with a flurry of strikes. With the win the powerful striker is undefeated in 4 straight bouts and improves his record to 10-2-1.

The former NCAA wrestling champ Konrad once again relied on his extensive wrestling abilities, taking Damien Grabowski to the mat and controlling the fight from there. The 6-0 fighter was awarded 30-26, 30-27, and 30-27 scores from the cageside judges.

Here are the main card results for Bellator 29:

Cole Konrad def. Damian Grabowski via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

Neil Grove def. Alexey Oleinik via TKO (strikes) R1, 0:45

Jameel Massouh def. Nick Mamalis via submission (guillotine choke) R1, 4:27

Brett Cooper def. Matt Major via TKO (punches) R2, 1:27

READ MORE - Bellator 29: Konrad, Grove Advance to Heavyweight Finals

Strikeforce Announces Paul Daley Signing

By FCF Staff    Fresh off Paul Daley's recent Unanimous Decision win over Jorge Masvidal, at last weekend’s Shark Fights 13 card, Strikeforce has announced that it has signed the British welterweight to a multi-fight agreement. No details regarding the terms of the contract or when Daley will make his promotional debut were given.

“I'm looking forward to fighting for Strikeforce and would really love to fight (current Strikeforce welterweight champion) Nick Diaz,'' Daley was quoted saying in a press release from the promotion. "He's a big name and a great fighter. Diaz would bring out the best in me and would be a great test.''

Daley has won back-to-back fights since he was released from the UFC earlier this year, for his well documented sucker punch incident, that followed his Unanimous Decision loss to Josh Koscheck in May. The noted striker earned stoppage victories over Martin Kampmann and Dustin Hazelett during his three fight run with the UFC.

Daley (25-9-2) returned to action in July, and stopped Daniel Acacio at an Impact Fighting Championship card in Australia, before his aforementioned win over Masvidal on September 11^th.

"I am a striker - there is no secret about that,'' Daley said. "I like to knock people out aggressively and quickly. That's my game and no opponent's going to change that. Almost all my fights are exciting and memorable with non-stop action.''

READ MORE - Strikeforce Announces Paul Daley Signing

FCF Exclusive: Hominick Excited for “War” with Garcia

By Kelsey Mowatt Photo Courtesy Adrenaline Training Center 

Following his dramatic TKO win over Yves Jabouin at WEC 49 in June, Mark “The Machine” Hominick was quick to play matchmaker in his post fight interview, asking for a bout with fellow featherweight Leonard Garcia. It’s a fight that evidently neither the WEC nor Garcia could say no to, as the two aggressive fighters will square off September 30^th, in Broomfield, Colorado.

“As soon as I asked for the fight after the last WEC in the interview, Garcia called the matchmaker for the WEC and told him to make it happen,” Hominick told FCF. “This is a fight that makes sense since we both came off big wins and are fighters who like to stand and trade, so it was a fight that will be enjoyable for the fans and important for the rankings in the 145 pound division.”

Hominick (18-8) has won back-to-back bouts in the WEC since he returned to the promotion earlier this year, tapping out Brian Caraway with a first round triangle-choke-armbar in January, before his aforementioned victory over Jabouin. Garcia (14-5-1) is also coming off a memorable win; in April the UFC vet earned a Split Decision victory over Chan Sung Jung, in what was one of the promotion’s most entertaining fights to date.

“Leonard comes from a smart camp with Greg Jackson and I would imagine that they have a good game plan to attempt to execute, but I am ready for wherever the fight goes,” said Hominick when asked to assess the abilities of his next opponent. “Every fighter in the WEC is dangerous all around and I expect that Leonard will come with everything except the kitchen sink in this one.”

“I have split my time between Adrenaline Training Center in Canada and Tapout Team Tompkins in Vegas with Shawn Tompkins,” Hominick added while discussing his training camp for the September 30^th fight. “Feeling great, coming up on 2 weeks out and feeling stronger day by day. This training camp has went smoothly and I have pushed myself since I know it is going to be a war.”

Heading into the bout Hominick has won three straight fights and is 4-1 in his last five, after a disappointing first run with the WEC, where he lost bouts to Josh Grispi and Rani Yahya. While a win over Garcia would likely position the London, Ontario fighter in the featherweight title mix, Hominick isn’t looking that far ahead.

“I am just focusing on Garcia right now, but I am the strongest both mentally and physically I have ever been in my entire career, so whoever is in front of me is who I am taking out.”

The upcoming September 30^th WEC will be headlined by a featherweight title fight between champion Jose Aldo and challenger Manny Gamburyan, and will also feature a rematch between lightweight contenders Jamie Varner and Donald Cerrone.

READ MORE - FCF Exclusive: Hominick Excited for “War” with Garcia

Marquardt Stops Palhares, Oliveira the Real Deal

By Dustin Lee DePue

Austin, TX—Several fighters took steps up the contender ladders in their respective weight divisions tonight at the Frank Erwin Center.  Nate Marquardt, Jim Miller, Charles Oliveira, and Cole Miller all took home wins in what was an entertaining night of fights.

Jim Miller

In the main event, Nate Marquardt took a step closer to title contention after scoring a TKO stoppage over Rousimar Palhares.  After a lengthy feeling out process, Palhares attempted to close the distance, forcing Marquardt to back and counter.  Palhares bulled through the punches and went for the takedown.  After a scramble, Palhares ended up in side control before stepping up and falling back into an ankle lock.  Marquardt was able to slip out and get to his feet.  For a moment, Palhares seemed distracted, pointing at Marquardt’s leg and saying something to the ref.  This moment of distraction cost him as Marquardt loaded up a big right hand that stunned Palhares.  Marquardt followed up with punches for the TKO stoppage at 3:28 of the first round.

Charles Oliveira notched his 14^th win and added to his highlight reel with a thrilling third round submission over Efrain Escudero.  Oliveira attacked Escudero with kicks to the legs and body, setting them up with fast jabs and lots of head movement.  Escudero seemed to have trouble with his opponents speed and aggressiveness.  He managed to score late in the first round with a pair of hard elbows from within Oliveira’s guard but that was the best it got for him.

 By the third round, Oliveira’s assault on Escudero’s legs and body had taken its toll on his speed.  The end came after Oliveira ate an accidental knee strike to the groin.  After taking several minutes to recover, Oliveira came out with urgency, bouncing Escudero off of the cage and sending him airborne and onto the mat.  As Escudero scrambled to his feet, Oliveira jumped onto his back and sunk in a rear naked choke.  Still standing, Escudero was forced to tap at 2:25

Jim Miller notched his fifth straight win in the UFC with a unanimous decision victory over Gleison Tibau.  With both men sporting BJJ black belts and strong wrestling, it came down to Miller’s superior hands.  He landed several significant punches, buckling Tibau twice in the first round and hurting him again in the second with an overhand left that had Tibau in trouble.  Tibau scored several takedowns in the fight but wasn’t able to mount any offense on the ground.   The third round was even with both man landing punches but neither able to take advantage.  Miller was rightfully awarded the decision by scores of 30-29, 30-29, 29-28.

Cole Miller backed up his big talk in stopping Ross Pearson by rear naked choke in the second round.  After hurting Pearson with a right hand, Miller closed the distance with a flying knee and rocked Pearson with a left hook.  As Pearson stumbled to the mat, Miller pounced, latching on a rear-naked choke for the tap out at 1:49 of the second round.

Televised Results

Nate Marquardt def Rousimar Palhares by TKO (Strikes) 3:28 Rd 1

Charles Oliveira def Efrain Escudero by Rear Naked Choke 2:25 Rd 3

Jim Miller def Gleison by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Cole Miller def Ross Pearson by RNC 1:49 Rd 2

READ MORE - Marquardt Stops Palhares, Oliveira the Real Deal

Martial Combat 9 Results and Photos: Seung Ho Decisions Gardner

By FCF Staff   Singapore’s Resort World Sentosa was once again the host venue for Martial Combat’s latest event, a card that saw South Korea’s Yang Seung Ho work his way to a Unanimous Decision over American veteran David Gardner. With the win, Seung Ho’s record improves to 10-1, while Gardner’s falls to 18-14.(Pictured above: Gardner working within the card of Seung Ho)

Other results included Ray Elbe BJJ purple belt Wiktor Svensson choking out MMA newcomer Chris Moore with a first round, Anaconda choke, and wrestler / mixed martial artist Chris Bostick tapping out striker Yoann Gouaida with a opening round, Americana.

Here are the results from today’s Martial Combat 9 card:

Jin Hirano vs. Sung Ming Yen

Winner: Sung Ming Yen via unanimous decision.

Chris Moore vs.  Wiktor Svensson

Winner: Wiktor Svensson via anaconda choke at 1:57 of round one.

Chris Bostick vs. Yoann Gouaida 

Winner: Bostick via Americana 3:55 of round one.

Arthit Hanchana vs.  Malik Mawlayi

Winner: Mawlayi via arm triangle after 2:41 of round two.

David Gardner vs.  Yang Seung Ho

Winner: All three judges scored it 48-47 for Yang Seung Ho. 

Bostick working from the top position on Gouaida

Svensson after choking out Moore

READ MORE - Martial Combat 9 Results and Photos: Seung Ho Decisions Gardner

Machida vs. Jackson, Hughes vs. Penn Confirmed for UFC 123

By FCF Staff  The Ultimate Fighting Championship has confirmed two of the feature attractions for its upcoming November 20^th event in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Headlining UFC 123 will be a bout between former light-heavyweight champions Lyoto Machida and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, while former welterweight champs BJ Penn and Matt Hughes will fight for the third time.

Machida (16-1) will compete for the first time since he lost the UFC championship to Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 113 in May, who stopped the previously undefeated fighter in the first round. Machida defeated Rua by Unanimous Decision in their first meeting at UFC 104 in October, 2009.

Jackson (30-8) is also coming off a loss. After taking a break from professional fighting to play a role in the recent “A-Team” film, Jackson returned to action at UFC 114 in May and lost by Unanimous Decision to Rashad Evans. The bout marked the first time Jackson had fought since March, 2009, when he defeated Keith Jardine by UD.

Penn (15-7-1), who is coming off his second decision loss to Frankie Edgar at UFC 118 last month, will return to 170lbs. to face Hughes in a rubber match. Penn submitted the former welterweight champion at UFC 46 in January, 2004, only to be stopped by Hughes in the rematch in September, 2006.

Hughes (45-7) (pictured carrying Frank Trigg) has won three straight since being stopped by Thiago Alves in June, 2008; most recently the noted wrestler choked out Ricardo Almeida at UFC 117 in August.

UFC 123 will be hosted by the Palace in Auburn Hills, which is a suburb of Detroit, Michigan.

Penn Submitting Hughes at UFC 46

READ MORE - Machida vs. Jackson, Hughes vs. Penn Confirmed for UFC 123

UFC Fight Night 22 Weigh-In Results

By FCF Staff  The Ultimate Fighting Championship held the official weigh-in results this afternoon in Austin, Texas, in anticipation of the promotion’s 22^nd Fight Night card tomorrow night. All of the scheduled competitors made weight for the card, except Efrain Escudero, who came in at 159lbs. for his lightweight bout with Charles Oliveira.

UFC Fight Night 22 will be headlined by a middleweight bout between Nate Marquardt (pictured above) and Rousimar Palhares, and will be broadcast live on Spike TV. Here are the official weigh-in results.

Nate Marquardt (186) vs. Rousimar Palhares (186)

Efrain Escudero (159) vs. Charles Oliveira (154)

Jim Miller (155.5) vs. Gleison Tibau (154)

Ross Pearson (156) vs. Cole Miller (156)

Yves Edwards (155) vs. John Gunderson (156)

Jared Hamman (205) vs. Kyle Kingsbury (206)

Tomasz Drwal (185.5) vs. Dave Branch (186)

Rich Attonito (185) vs. Rafael Natal (186)

David Mitchell (170.5) vs. TJ Waldburger (171)

Forrest Petz (170) vs. Brian Foster (170.5)

READ MORE - UFC Fight Night 22 Weigh-In Results

Yvel vs. Madsen Confirmed for UFC 121

By FCF Staff   A heavyweight tilt between well traveled veteran Gilbert Yvel and former “Ultimate Fighter” competitor Jon Madsen, has been officially added to the line-up for the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s upcoming October 23^rd event in Anaheim, California. UFC 121 will be headlined by a heavyweight title fight, between champion Brock Lesnar and rising challenger, Cain Velasquez.

Yvel

Yvel (36-15-1) will head into the bout having lost his first two Octagon appearances; at UFC 108 in January the feared striker was stopped by Junior dos Santos, and more recently at UFC 115 in June, Yvel lost by Unanimous Decision to Ben Rothwell. The Pride veteran is 7-3 in his last 10 bouts.

Madsen (6-0) has gone 3-0 to date in official UFC action; earning decision victories over Justin Wren, Mostpha Al-Turk, and most recently Karlos Vemola, at UFC 116 in July.

Some of the other previously confirmed bouts for UFC 121 include Jake Shields vs. Martin Kampmann, Diego Sanchez vs. Paulo Thiago, Tito Ortiz vs. Matt Hamill and Brendan Schaub vs. Gabriel Gonzaga.

READ MORE - Yvel vs. Madsen Confirmed for UFC 121

Omigawa vs. Escovedo Amongst 3 Additions for Dream 16

By FCF Staff  Three more bouts have been officially added to the line-up for Dream’s upcoming September 25^th event in Nagoya, Japan, the latest match-ups include Michihiro Omigawa vs. Cole Escovedo, Hiroyuki Takaya vs. Chase Beebe and Mitsuhiro Ishida vs. Akiyo Nishiura.

Omigawa (11-8-1) heads into Dream 16 riding a four fight winning streak; most recently at Dream 15 in July, he submitted Young Sam Jung in the first round with a guillotine choke. Escovedo (16-5) is coming off a TKO loss to Michael McDonald at Tachi Palace Fights 5 in July, which ended the featherweight’s 5 fight winning streak.

Takaya (13-8-1) last competed at Dream 14 in May, when he knocked out veteran Joachim Hansen, in what was one of the featherweight’s biggest wins to date. Beebe (13-6) is coming off a submission win over William Jochum at a Lords of War event in April, which ended the fighter’s 5 fight losing streak.

Ishida (19-6-1) worked his way to a Unanimous Decision victory over Daiki Hata at Dream 15 in his last outing, after dropping back-to-back losses to Gilbert Melendez and Mizuto Hirota. Nishiura (11-5-1) most recently stopped Hideo Tokoro in the first round at Dream 14, after losing by Majority Decision to Gustavo Falciroli, at a Shooto event last July.

Some of the other previously confirmed bouts for Dream 16 include Jason “Mayhem” Miller vs. Kazushi Sakuraba, Shinya Aoki vs. Marcus Aurelio, “Lion” Takeshi Inoue vs. Kazuyuki Mizuta, and Hideo Tokoro vs. Joachim Hansen.

The event will be broadcast live in North America on HDNet.

READ MORE - Omigawa vs. Escovedo Amongst 3 Additions for Dream 16

Strikeforce Adds Josh Barnett to Heavyweight Roster

By FCF Staff    Strikeforce has announced today that it has added another notable fighter to its ranks, as the promotion has confirmed the signing of former UFC heavyweight champ Josh Barnett, to a multi-fight agreement. No terms of the deal were disclosed.

“Strikeforce is the home of the best heavyweight division in the world and I’m proud to be able to call it my home now,” the 32-year-old Barnett (29-5) was quoted saying in a press release from the promotion.

“I’m looking forward to competing amongst the greatest fighters in the world and fighting my way to another world title.”

Barnett is currently riding a 6 fight winning streak which dates back to New Year’s Eve, 2006, when the catch wrestler lost by Unanimous Decision to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at Pride’s Shockwave event. Most recently, on July 10^th, Barnett stopped Geronimo dos Santos in the first round while competing for the Australian promotion, Impact FC.

The accomplished veteran has not fought on North American soil since he stopped Gilbert Yvel at an Affliction event last January. Barnett was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission last summer, for allegedly testing positive for steroids, prior to his scheduled August 1^st bout with Fedor Emelianenko.

Barnett holds notable wins over Randy Couture, Jeff Monson, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Dan Severn during his decade plus career.

No information regarding when and who Barnett will fight in his Strikeforce debut was given.

READ MORE - Strikeforce Adds Josh Barnett to Heavyweight Roster