Barry and Beltran Confirm January 22nd Match-Up

Friday, November 5, 2010

By FCF Staff:  UFC heavyweights Pat Barry and Joey Beltran have confirmed, via their official Twitter accounts, that the two will fight, January 22nd, at the second “UFC Fight for the Troops” card. The event is expected to take place in Fort Hood, Texas.

Here are some of the posts that appeared on Barry’s Twitter account, in regards to the upcoming bout, which included correspondence between the two heavyweights on the social media network.

Joey Beltran Jan 22 Main card! #fb
about 18 hours ago via TwitBird

@mexicutioner760 YAHHH cousin!!! I was guessing either u or Brendan schaub cause we all stand and the crowd http://tl.gd/6qgbj7
about 16 hours ago via TwitBird in reply to mexicutioner760


Well i guess the news is out, @hypeordie and i will be throwin down for the troops. jan 22, LOSER LEAVES TOWN!! Time to go big or go home!
about 17 hours ago via Mobile Web

Barry(5-2) hasn’t fought since UFC 115,  June, when the accomplished kickboxer was submitted by Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic, with a third round, rear-naked-choke. Prior to that, at UFC 104 last October, Barry stopped Antoni Hardonk in round two.

Beltran (12-4) is coming off his first Octagon loss in September, losing by unanimous decision to Matt Mitrione, after earning back-to-back victories over Rolles Gracie and Tim Hague earlier in 2010.


READ MORE - Barry and Beltran Confirm January 22nd Match-Up

New FCF Radio with Duane Ludwig


On this episode of Full Contact Fighter Radio, host Jeff Meszaros and co-host James Kellaris debate the coolness of having more than one nickname, and the criteria involved in picking which one is cooler.  Then, it's time to talk about the card for World Extreme Cagefighting where Urijah "The California Kid" Faber drops to the 135-pound division to face the Japanese fighter Takeya Mizugaki.  Also, his Alpha-male team-mates step into the cage as Joseph Benevidez faces Wagney Fabiano and Chad Mendes fights Javier Vasquez.  Will the wild-striking and crazy guillotines of the pocket-size wrestlers be too much for the jiu-jitsu fighters to handle?  Tune in and hear what we think!  Then it's time to move over the talk about the under-card for UFC 122: Marquardt vs. Okami.  We're leaving the main card for next week, kind of, but we'll run down the matches for the preliminary card this week, where fighters like Vladimir "the Janitor" Matyushenko, Kyle Noke and Kris "The Savage" McKray make Octagon appearances against opponents who may, or may not, be on their level.  Then Duane Ludwig joins the show to talk about his upcoming fight in Germany against Nick Osipczak and share his thoughts on the whole event.  If you don't think that's an earful of satisfaction, you're living in a world of unrealistic expectations! (Pictured above: Ludwig punching Yves Edwards)

To check out the show head here.
READ MORE - New FCF Radio with Duane Ludwig

Zaromskis vs. Spiritwolf Added To Nov. 19 Strikeforce

Thursday, November 4, 2010


By FCF Staff; photo courtesy Esther Lin / Strikeforce

Strikeforce has announced that Dream welterweight champ, Marius Zaromskis, will take on Waachiim Spiritwolf at the promotion’s upcoming November 19th Challengers card in Jackson, Mississippi. The card will be hosted by Jackson’s Convention Complex and will be broadcast on Showtime. (Pictured above: Zaromskis punching Evangelista Santos)

Zaromskis (13-5) will be looking to end a two fight losing streak, as the feared striker has not won a bout since last October, when he knocked out Myung Ho Bae at Dream 12. Since signing with Strikeforce, Zaromskis has been stopped in back-to-back bouts while facing Nick Diaz and most recently Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos. The Lithuanian knocked out Jason High last July to win the Dream welterweight crown.

Spiritwolf (8-7-1) has also lost two straight, as the King of the Cage veteran is coming off unanimous decision losses to Delson Heleno and Billy Evangelista. Spritiwolf’s last win came in May, when he stopped Crafton Wallace while competing under the Art of Fighting banner.

The November 19th, Strikeforce will be headlined by a lightweight bout between Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro (20-4) and Justin “The Silverback” Wilcox (9-3).
READ MORE - Zaromskis vs. Spiritwolf Added To Nov. 19 Strikeforce

Dan Lauzon vs. Damien Trites Headlines “Snow Brawl”

By FCF Staff; Photo by Zack Lynch

CES MMA has announced that former UFC competitor, Dan “The Upgrade” Lauzon, will face Damien Trites in a 165lb. catch-weight bout at the promotion’s upcoming December 2nd event. “Snow Brawl” will take place at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, R.I. (Pictured left: Dan Lauzon)

Lauzon (13-4) is coming off a stoppage win over John Ortolani at a Triumph Fighter event in October, after losing back-to-back bouts to Efrain Escudero and Cole Miller, while the Massachusetts’s fighter was still competing for the UFC.

Trites (5-3), who has competed under the World Champion Fighting banner on a couple of occasions, has won 3 of his last four bouts according to the CES MMA news release.

Other bouts that have been confirmed for the December 2nd card include a co-main-event tilt between Mike “The Beast” Campbell (8-3-0) and veteran lightweight Tony “Lion Heart” Hervey (12-8-0), as well as, Mat Santos (2-6-0) versus Everilton “Sonca” Silva (3-3-0)

“This is our third MMA show and it promises to be the best by far,” CES MMA promoter Jimmy Burchfield stated in the organization’s press release. “We’re improving each show in order to give fans what they want – action and compelling match-ups. Lauzon and Trites don’t like each other and that’s certainly going to show in the cage. Campbell’s ready to bounce right back from a disappointing loss on our first show, also at Twin River, but he’s going to have his hands full with a tough veteran like Hervey. Mat Santos kept MMA alive in this state and we’re excited to have him back fighting with the opportunity for him to avenge a controversial loss against Silva. Our matchmakers are rounding out the remainder of what promises to be a power-packed undercard for our last show of 2010.”

READ MORE - Dan Lauzon vs. Damien Trites Headlines “Snow Brawl”

Former TUF Winner Efrain Escudero Signs with Shine

By FCF Staff

Shine fights has announced that it has signed Season Eight “Ultimate Fighter” winner Efrain Escudero to a multi-fight contract. Not details regarding the terms of the deal or when Escudero will make his promotional debut were released.

“I'm very excited to have Efrain sign on with us,” Shine Fights COO Jason Chambers was quoted saying in a press release from the promotion. “I have tremendous confidence in his abilities, and look forward to seeing him make waves in our growing lightweight division."

The former All American collegiate wrestler and 13-2 pro fighter is coming off a third round, submission loss to Charles Oliveira in September, leaving Escudero’s official UFC record at 3-2. The lightweight was released from the promotion shortly after. During his time in the UFC Escudero defeated Dan Lauzon, Cole Miller and Phillipe Nover.

“Going to Shine is the first step to becoming a world champion,” said Escudero. “As far as my career goes, things happen, and I don’t live in the past. I’m excited to get this show in the road…Shine, here I come!”

READ MORE - Former TUF Winner Efrain Escudero Signs with Shine

Video: Alexander Sarnavsky vs. Victor Kuku M-1 Challenge XXI

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Video of Alexander Sarnavsky stopping Victor Kuku with a spinning back-fist at M-1 Challenge XXI:
READ MORE - Video: Alexander Sarnavsky vs. Victor Kuku M-1 Challenge XXI

Better Late Than Never, Bongfeldt Talks Upcoming UFC Debut


By Kelsey Mowatt; photo courtesy Jesse Bongfeldt

MMA observers in Canada have been familiar with the name Jesse Bongeldt for some time. The Kenora fighter and long time training partner of former UFC competitor Jason Day, has gone 12-1 since 2005, earning wins over UFC veteran TJ Grant and Octagon newcomer Sean Pierson. Bongfeldt’s only loss during that stretch came against Jonathan Goulet in 2007, one of the nation’s more accomplished fighters and another UFC vet. As a result, Bongfeldt’s name has been on the UFC watch list in Canada for quite a while, and recently it was announced that the middleweight fighter will finally make his Octagon debut, December 11th, against Rafael Natal. (Pictured above: Bongfeldt celebrating a win)

“I’ve been offered a couple of times to fight at welterweight,” Bongfeldt recently told FCF, who was offered the bout with Natal at UFC 124, after fellow Canadian Jason MacDonald dropped out due to injury. “Over the last couple of years I’ve been working my way up and I did a couple of fights last year at middleweight. I was hoping to do a couple of fights, three or four, actually at light-heavyweight, before I went to the UFC.”

“I was excited and thought it was perfect timing the way training has been going,” the 30 year-old-fighter added. “Might as well go for it. You can always make the move up to the next division later if need be; but it’s a great starting point.””

Of course, having fought professionally in Canada since 2002, Bongfeldt is no stranger to competing in Montreal where UFC 124 will he held.

“Absolutely,” said Bongfeldt, when asked if making his UFC debut on Canadian soil makes it that much more special. “Having the crowd there with me is a bonus. I’ve fought at the Bell Centre a few times; that will be nice, but it’s still going to be a different atmosphere. I went to UFC 97 and watched Mauricio “Shogun” Rua knock-out Chuck (Liddell), so I’ve also seen the atmosphere from the outside perspective. It’s absolutely exciting; a dream come true.”

Natal will head into the bout having been defeated in his first UFC bout at Fight Night 22 in September, as the Ring of Combat vet lost by unanimous decision to Rich Attonito. Prior to that, while competing under the Moosin banner in May, Natal knocked out former “Ultimate Fighter” winner, Travis Lutter. The New York fighter is 7-3 in his last ten bouts.

“He has a positional strategy,” Bongfeldt said when asked what he knows about Natal. “He likes to stay back; stick and move, then work his takedowns. There’s different ways to deal with that. Without revealing too much, it’s a basic game these days. Everybody’s got a fairly, orthodox, standard to finishing fights these days. So, I just need to stay away from his strong points and try to use mine.”

“I’ve been able to look at his fights quite a bit actually,” Bongfeldt added. “Some of them are pretty recent; so that’s nice. He’s probably got some footage of me but that’s older stuff. As fighters we evolve and change; we get to these new levels and our game adapts. That’s what stepping your foot on the mat or in the cage is all about. Figuring out your opponent’s strategy and position, making tactical decisions during the fight, make a game plan and hopefully be able to enact that.”

After living and fighting out of the Canadian Martial Arts Center in Lethbridge, Alberta for some time, Bongfeldt returned to his native Kenora few years ago, where he now runs his own gym. 

“I’ve always stayed loyal to CMAC (Canadian Martial Arts Center) and those guys; they’ll always be part of the fold,” said Bongfeldt, who revealed he’ll also be heading out to Kelowna, British Columbia, to train with David Lea’s Team Toshido, the home gym of UFC welterweight Rory MacDonald. “I’ve got some guys here that I train with who help me out. To grow and change as a fighter often you need that fresh perspective, so traveling around and training with other guys is great.”




READ MORE - Better Late Than Never, Bongfeldt Talks Upcoming UFC Debut

Card Announced for December 2nd Tachi Palace Fights

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

By FCF Staff 

Tachi Palace Fights has announced the line-up for the promotion’s upcoming “Deck the Halls” event, which will take place December 2nd, at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Leemore, California.

Headlining the card will be a light-heavyweight bout between UFC vet James Irvin and Jorge Oliveira. Irvin last competed on October 2nd, when he knocked out Angela DeAnda on a Rebel Fights card. Oliveira hasn’t fought since November, 2008, when he submitted Isaiah Larson.

In the card’s other main-event bout, renowned flyweight Jussier da Silva will take on Danny Martinez. The Shooto vet da Silva (7-0) last fought in August and worked his way to a unanimous decision win over Alexandre Pantoja. Martinez hasn’t fought since June, 2009, when the WEC vet stopped Nick Honstein under the King of the Cage banner.

The December 2nd card is also set to feature two championship bouts, as featherweight champion Isaac DeJesus will look to defend his title against Michah Miller, while Phil Collins will battle well traveled veteran John Alessio, for the vacant welterweight belt.


MAIN EVENT
Light Heavyweight Special Attraction
James Irvin (15-7) vs. Jorge Oliveira (4-2-1)

Flyweights
Jussier da Silva (7-0) vs. Danny Martinez (13-3)

CO-MAIN EVENT
Featherweight Championship
Isaac DeJesus (9-2) vs. Micah Miller (15-4)

Welterweight Championship
Phil Collins (9-5) vs. John Alessio (30-13)

Welterweights
Poppies Martinez (18-7) vs. Tim McKenzie (12-8)

Middleweights
Jaime Jara (28-7) vs. Jay Silva (5-4) 

Bantamweights
Tommy Vargas (6-1) vs. Chance Farrar (8-3)

Featherweights
Sergio Quinones (5-6) vs. Andy Miranda (4-1)

Heavyweights
Mike Guidry (2-2) vs. Jesse Wallace (4-1)

Light Heavyweights
Chris Bostick (6-2) vs. Nik Fekete (3-0)

READ MORE - Card Announced for December 2nd Tachi Palace Fights

Finney vs. Carmouche, Fodor vs. Getzel Added To Nov. 19 Strikeforce


By FCF Staff; photo courtesy Esther Lin / Strikeforce

Strikeforce continues to round out the card for the promotion’s upcoming November 19th Challengers event in Jackson, Mississippi, as two more bouts have been confirmed. (Pictured above: Caros Fodor kneeing Ousmane Thomas Diagne)

At 135lbs., Jan “Cuddles’’ Finney (8-8) will take on the undefeated Liz “Girl-Rilla’’ Carmouche (4-0). Finney is coming off a KO loss to Strikeforce 145lbs. Women’s Champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos in June, while Carmouche won her last outing in September and stopped Valentina Shevchenko.

In a lightweight addition, Caros Fodor (6-2) will square off with Derek Getzel (2-1). Fodor worked his way to a unanimous decision victory over Ousmane Thomas Diagne at a Challengers event in July, while Getzel hasn’t competed since February, when the Strikeforce newcomer stopped Johnny Case in February.

The November 19th Challengers card, which will be broadcast on Showtime, will feature a lightweight bout between Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro and Justin “The Silverback” Wilcox in the main event.
READ MORE - Finney vs. Carmouche, Fodor vs. Getzel Added To Nov. 19 Strikeforce

Several Bouts Confirmed for Nov.24th NAFC

By FCF Staff

North American Fighting Championship has confirmed several bouts for the promotion’s upcoming November 24th event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “Bad Blood” will be hosted by The Expo Center at the Potawatomi Bingo Casino.

In the main event, WEC veteran Sherron “Rob Roy” Leggett (19-5) will face former King of the Cage competitor James “The Unbreakable Heavy Hitter” Warfield (21-7). In the card’s other feature attraction, another WEC vet in Jameel “The Real Deal” Massouh (24-7), will take on Chico “King” Camus (7-1).

Here is the line-up to date for NAFC “Bad Blood.” The card is expected to feature 11 bouts altogether.

Lightweight (155 lbs.)
Sherron "Rob Roy" Leggett  vs. James "The Unbreakable Heavy Hitter" Warfield

Catchweight (140 lbs.)
Chico "King" Camus vs. Jameel "The Real Deal" Massouh

Catchweight (140 lbs.)
Omar "Baby Sas" Choudhury vs. Joao "Mosquito" Bosco

Featherweight (145 lbs.)
Jose "Temato" Pacheco vs. TBA

Lightweight (155 lbs.)
Dylan Falduto vs. Jeff Golden 



READ MORE - Several Bouts Confirmed for Nov.24th NAFC

Ryan Couture Out of Nov. 19th Strikeforce Due to Staph Infection

Monday, November 1, 2010


By FCF Staff  Strikeforce has confirmed today that lightweight Ryan Couture will not compete at the promotion’s upcoming November 19th, Challengers card in Jackson, Mississippi as scheduled, due to a staph infection.

"I was really looking forward to fighting so this is a big disappointment, but I'll be back," said Couture in a press release from the promotion.  "As soon as I'm cleared, you can bet I'll be back in the gym preparing for my next Strikeforce fight."

Couture, who is the 28 year-old son of former UFC champion Randy Couture, is coming off a successful pro debut in August, when he tapped out Lucas Stark with a first round, triangle choke.(Pictured above)

The lightweight is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks.

The November 19th, Strikeforce Challengers event will be headlined by a lightweight bout between Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro (20-4) and Justin “The Silverback” Wilcox (9-3).

The card will be broadcast on Showtime.

READ MORE - Ryan Couture Out of Nov. 19th Strikeforce Due to Staph Infection