Denis Kang to Fight for Battlefield Fight League

Saturday, November 27, 2010


By FCF Staff

The British Columbia based promotion, Battlefield Fight League, has announced that UFC and Pride veteran Denis Kang will compete on its upcoming April 2nd card in Nanaimo. No details regarding whether Kang has signed a multi-fight agreement with Battlefield were given, nor has an opponent been determined for the 33-12-2 fighter. (Pictured: Kang (left))

“Denis has always expressed a desire to fight in B.C. and we are happy he will finally get the chance to showcase his skills live to the B.C. fans.” Battlefield president Golshani was quoted saying in a press release from the promotion.

“We promised our fans to bring the big fights and the biggest names in MMA to B.C. Denis is going to headline the biggest MMA card in B.C. history on April 2nd, which will also showcase many local young prospects from British Columbia. As promised, we will bring in top talent from across the globe to fight top local guys, give the fans the fights they want to see and provide them with a first class show. “

Kang has not competed since July, when he fought to a draw with former WEC middleweight champ Paulo Filho, while fighting under the Impact Fighting Championship banner in Australia. In Kang’s only other 2010 bout, he tapped out Dae Won Kim with a first round arm-triangle-choke, at W-1’s “Judgement Day” event in June.

Battlefield’s next event will take place January 15th in Richmond, B.C.
READ MORE - Denis Kang to Fight for Battlefield Fight League

Jung vs. Yahya, Beltran vs. Barry Added to Fight for the Troops 2

Friday, November 26, 2010


By FCF Staff

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has confirmed two more bouts to round out the card for the promotion’s upcoming January 22nd, “Fight for the Troops” card in Killeen, Texas. The latest additions include a heavyweight tilt between Pat Barry and Joey Beltran, and a featherweight fight between Chan Sung Jung and Rani Yahya.

Barry (5-2) has not fought since June when he was submitted by Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic at UFC 115. Prior to that, the noted striker stopped Antoni Hardonk at UFC 104 last October.

Beltran (12-4) is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Matt Mitrione, after winning back-to-fights against Tim Hague and Rolles Gracie to begin his UFC tenure.

Jung (10-3) last competed at WEC 51 in September, when he was knocked out by George Roop with a highlight reel headkick. In April, Jung lost by split decision to Leonard Garcia at WEC 48, in one of the year’s more memorable bouts.

Yahya (15-6) is also coming off back-to-back losses; last December he was stopped by Joseph Benavidez at WEC 35, before dropping a unanimous decision loss to Takeya Mizugaki in April.

Fight for the Troops 2 will feature perennial lightweight contender Kenny Florian vs. Evan Dunham in the main event. Some of the other bouts scheduled for the card include Matt Mitrione vs. Tim Hague, Mark Hominick vs. George Roop, Cole Miller vs. Matt Wiman and Yves Edwards vs. Melvin Guillard.

The event will be broadcast live on Spike TV.


READ MORE - Jung vs. Yahya, Beltran vs. Barry Added to Fight for the Troops 2

Phil Baroni vs. Brad Tavares Added to UFC 125

Thursday, November 25, 2010



By FCF Staff

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has officially added a middleweight bout between veteran Phil Baroni and former “Ultimate Fighter” competitor Brad Tavares to the line-up of the promotions upcoming January 1st, “Resolution” card in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Pictured: Baroni (right) is confirmed for UFC 125)

The New Year’s Day event will be headlined by a lightweight bout between champion Frankie Edgar and challenger Gray Maynard.

Baroni (13-12) heads into the bout having lost back-to-back by unanimous decision to Joe Riggs and more recently Amir Sadollah. Prior to the losses, Baroni had won three straight, earning wins over Scott Jansen, Ron Verdadero and and Olaf Alonso.

Tavares (6-0) has not competed since he worked his way to a decision win over Seth Baczynski at the TUF 11 Finale in June. Tavares earned victories in Hawaiian organizations like X-1 and Icon Sports before making his way to the UFC.

Some of the other bouts scheduled for UFC 125 include Chris Leben vs. Brian Stann, Thiago Silva vs. Brandon Vera, Nate Diaz vs. Dong Hyun Kim and Takanori Gomi vs. Clay Guida.


READ MORE - Phil Baroni vs. Brad Tavares Added to UFC 125

Herschel Walker Injured; Off Dec. 4th Strikeforce

Wednesday, November 24, 2010


By FCF Staff

Strikeforce has announced this afternoon that Herschel Walker will not fight Scott Carson as scheduled December 4th, in St. Louis, due to a cut the former NFL star incurred under his left eye while training. (Pictured: Walker hitting Greg Nagy)

“I feel terrible about this,’’ said Walker, who was apparently cut from a knee strike while training with AKA teammate Daniel Cormier. “I know things like this happen in all sports, but I had trained very hard and was excited to be returning to the cage again. I hope to fight again as soon as the cut heals.’’

The press released went on to say that a replacement bout for the December 4th card will be announced in the coming days.

The 48 year-old Walker and veteran martial artist made his professional MMA debut at Strikeforce’s “Miami” card in January, and worked his way to a unanimous decision win over Greg Nagy.

The December 4th, “Henderson vs. Babalu” card, which will be broadcast on Showtime, will feature a light-heavyweight bout between Dan Henderson and Renato “Babalu” Sobral in the main event. Some of the other bouts scheduled for the event include Robbie Lawler vs. Matt Lindland, Paul Daley vs. Scott Smith and Antonio “Big Foot’’ Silva vs. Valentijn “The Python’’ Overeem.


READ MORE - Herschel Walker Injured; Off Dec. 4th Strikeforce

Smith, Daley, Lindland, Lawler and Coker Talk Dec. 4th


By FCF Staff

Strikeforce hosted a teleconference this week with four of the competitors that are scheduled to fight on the promotion’s upcoming December 4th event in St. Louis. On the line were welterweights and soon to be opponents Paul Daley and Scott Smith, as were middleweights Matt Lindland and Robbie Lawler, who will also fight on the Showtime card. (Pictured above: Lindland hitting Kevin Casey)

The “Henderson vs. Babalu” event will be headlined by a light-heavyweight bout between former Pride champ Dan Henderson and former Strikeforce champion, Renato “Babalu” Sobral.

Here is some of what Daley, Smith, Lindland, Lawler and Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker had to say on the call.

Q: How do you feel going into this fight to be fighting at 170 pounds for the first time, and what was behind your decision to move down to welterweight for this fight?

Smith:  “A big part of the decision is that I have been lazy at getting away with making 185. I’ve been a little soft a couple of times.  Fighting at 170 has forced me to diet and that has been the worst part of my training.  Three weeks after my last night I was walking around at 189, but I didn’t think there was any reason that I couldn’t cut down to 170, so I’ve been walking around at about 185, eating a ton of healthy food. I think the cut should be good. I might be crying about it on the day of weight-ins but I don’t think there is any reason why I shouldn’t be fighting at 170.”

Q: What has been the root of your recent weight cutting issues?

Daley:  “The times that I am missing weight, I think I am being a bit naïve where I am in regards to when I need to start my diet.  I should be doing it way earlier, and my weight is down to about 178 right now, and everything has gone well.  And for the past fights I have been flying out on Wednesdays before the fight due to my visa taking awhile and that was an issue. But I am not making any excuses this time and it will be much better.”

Q: Scott, could Robbie get the title shot if he beats Matt, and if so does it work the other way around as well?

Coker:  “This fight is going to very important for the title contention for the 185 class.  Matt has fought Jacare (Souza) and that was about a year ago, so we can revisit that. We will definitely be keeping our eye on it to monitor to see who wins and how he wins because of the fight that we want to put together for Jacare.  This is definitely a fight that is right up there for the title contention.” 

Lawler Kicking Sobral
Q: Robbie and Matt, because there could be a title shot on the line is there more pressure?

Lindland:  “I think all fights have the same amount of pressure, especially when you are playing at this caliber and fighting either a top contender or a champion or a former champion.  It’s not necessarily about who wins or loses, it’s about putting on a good performance and fighting.  I have never seen Robbie in a fight that wasn’t exciting, so I don’t plan on this being any different.  I am looking forward to going out there and performing and kicking the shit out of Robbie.”

Lawler:  “I am not too worried about what is happening after this fight. I am worried about training for Matt and going to get in there and doing my best.”

Q: What is up next for the winner of Smith/Daley?

Coker:  “I think when people talk about our 170 weight class, obviously you know that Nick Diaz is our world title holder, and I think that this fight is going to have title contention, as far as who is going to fight for the title. Depending on the belt and where he’s at and who he is fighting but we have some plans for Scott or Paul.  But you also in that weight class have to mention Evangelista. It will be interesting and this fight will help determine who goes where.”

Q: Robbie, have you had a chance to work with wrestlers to get ready for a guy like Matt?

Lawler:  “I didn’t go down to Arizona this time because the gym wasn’t open, but I’ve been working on my wrestling as much as I’ve been working on all my other skills.  I’ve trained hard for this fight and I look forward to it.” 

Q: Matt, where do you feel like you fall in your career and your goals?

Lindland:  “I think I am still one of the top contenders in this sport, a top 10 guy and of course I lost to a champion, Jacare, and I think this is a great path back to that title contention.  A win against Robbie certainly solidifies me in that top 10.  I just need to focus on this fight.  I have been working on all aspects of my game, the standup, the ground, the wrestling, the submissions. Every bit of it.  Robbie is a well rounded fighter and people categorize him as a big striker and a brawler, he knows how to fight on his feet. But he knows how to wrestle and he knows how to fight on the ground. So I have to be prepared for all aspects of the sport.  Right now I am just focusing on coming in the best shape and being healthy.  I have zero injuries, so no excuses going into this fight. I’m looking forward to it. I am very excited about this opportunity.”

Smith Hitting Cung Le
Q: Scott, facing a big striker like Daley have you been working on striking defense?

Smith:  “Yes, definitely. I have a new boxing coach that I have been working with for a little while now and he’s been great for me.  I haven’t had the opportunity to spar as much in the last two years but I have in the last two months and that makes a big difference.  I know Paul is a very dangerous fighter and he’s definitely not a guy who you want to go in there and take shots from. So I have definitely worked on my defense.”

Q: Paul, Scott Smith is known for his come-from-behind wins, how much does that factor in?

Daley:  “It is something I have looked at in his past fights. He’s had some crazy fights where he comes back Rocky style, but I am very good at finishing fights. When I hit people they stay hit.  Both of us are knockout punchers, so from my point of view there has to be some caution to the way I approach things compared to the way I approach a standard fight.  There are some tactics that I have been working on because of Smith’s fighting style.  I have been working everything but I am slightly more cautious about working on other things when it comes to standup.”
READ MORE - Smith, Daley, Lindland, Lawler and Coker Talk Dec. 4th