New FCF Radio with MFC's Mark Pavelich

On this episode of Full Contact Fighter Radio, it's time to ask the hard-hitting questions that other podcasts refuse to ask.  First, would babies rule the world if they were the size of grizzly bears?  Does the answer to that question reflect on the value of weight-cutting in MMA?  And does that explain why Anthony "Rumble" Johnson was so easily able to handle Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy at UFC Fight Night 24 last weekend?  What about Phil Davis vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira?  Has wresting so totally taken over MMA that jiu-jitsu is basically irrelevant?  What about Chang Sung Jung and his twister submission over Leonard Garcia?  Was that justice or what?  Was that proof of the value of 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu?  Absolutely not!  Tune in and hear all about these things, as formed into off-topic rants and bizarre tirades that endlessly circle about before turning on themselves and going nowhere.  Doesn't that sound like an entertaining way to spend your night?  Half of the fun is finding out!  Wait a second, let's not forget that a brand new season of "The Ultimate Fighter" is underway, with another house filled with testosterone and alcohol.  What will happen?  Your guess is as good as ours.  Hear what went down in the first show, and what lays in store for the upcoming episodes.  

Then, hang on as Mark Pavelich joins the show to talk about his upcoming card for "MFC 29: Conquer" where Hermes Franca, Terry Martin and Marcus Davis take on local Canadian talent, and round out a card that's sure to go down like a throwdown.  Plus, you do not want to miss what the MFC is calling their new cage!  Honestly, you'll never guess.  Shut the doors and unplug the phone.  You won't want to be disturbed once you are on this thrill-ride!

To listen to the show click here. 

READ MORE - New FCF Radio with MFC's Mark Pavelich

Strikeforce Challengers: Wilcox Overwhelms Damm

By FCF

Justin Wilcox continued to demonstrate in Stockton, California last night why he is a rising force in Strikeforce’s lightweight division, as the powerful wrestler battered Rodrigo Damm with strikes, en route to a first round stoppage win.

From the get go, an aggressive Wilcox attacked Damm with high kicks and punches, and dropped the BJJ black belt early on with a hard right hand. Although Damm tried to fight through a barrage of strikes from above, as the opening round ended the lightweight vet was left bloodied and bruised. After ringside officials examined Damm’s wounds they determined the fight was over, surprising and disappointing the defeated fighter. Debate over the fight’s stoppage aside, it was another impressive victory for Wilcox, who has won six straight.

Here are the results from last night’s Showtime broadcast of the Strikeforce Challengers card. 

Justin Wilcox def. Rodrigo Damm via TKO (doctor's stoppage) - R1, 5:00

Caros Fodor def. David Douglas via TKO (strikes) - R3, 2:12

Lorenz Larkin def. Scott Lighty via TKO (punches) - R2, 3:15

James Terry def. Josh Thornburg via knockout (punch) - R1, 4:38

Damion Douglas def. Wayne Phillips via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)

READ MORE - Strikeforce Challengers: Wilcox Overwhelms Damm

Cole Escovedo and Tommy Vargas Talk TPF 9 Bout

By FCF Staff

Cole Escovedo will be looking to keep his momentum at the upcoming, May 6^th, Tachi Palace Fights card in Lemoore, California, when the veteran takes on bantamweight Tommy Vargas. Escovedo returned to the winner’s column with a first round submission win over Steven Siler in January, after dropping back-to-back bouts against UFC vets Michihiro Omigawa and Michael McDonald.The losses put an end to Escovedo's five fight winning streak, which included victories over Yoshihiro Maeda and the aforementioned McDonald.

“I haven’t changed too much up. It’s a normal training camp for me. The one thing, though, that I have done is put a little more emphasis on some strength, not your typical strength and conditioning, but more like grip strength and muscle endurance that’s used when grappling and fighting,” said Escovedo (17-6) in a press release from TPF.

Vargas will head into their May 6^th tilt having won two straight bouts; most recently at TPF 7 in December, he scored a unanimous decision win over Martin Sandoval.

“I know that Cole has a very good ground game, but I do have a strategy for that,” said Vargas. “I’m really not impressed with his takedowns. He kind of just tries to pull you to the ground and even if the fight goes there I really can’t see him tapping me. I don’t get tapped often in the gym and I have some of the best workout partners.”

“He is a legit wrestler. I’m sure he will try to get a takedown and ride me out, but I could be wrong,” Escovedo noted. “I know I will have a good reach on him and I will use that to my advantage. I really can’t commit to moving forward, because that’s where he will get that easy takedown. I will take the center of the cage, though, and make him adjust and frustrate him.”

Here is the complete line-up for TPF 9, which will be hosted by Lemoore’s Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino.

Main Event

FLW-Ian McCall (9-2) vs. Dustin Ortiz (7-0)

Featherweight Championship

Isaac De Jesus (9-3) vs. Russ Miura (9-1)

Co-Main Event

LW-Efrain Escudero (15-2) vs. Fabricio Camoes (11-5-1)

MW-Anthony Ruiz (25-15) vs. Gerald Harris (17-3)

FLW-John Dodson (11-5) vs. Mamoru Yamaguchi (25-5-3)

WW-Jorge Lopez (8-1) vs. Waachiim Spiritwolf (8-7-1) 

BW-Cole Escovedo (17-6) vs. Tommy Vargas (7-1)

WW-Alan Jouban (1-0) vs. Jamie Yager (3-2)

FW-Art Arciniega (9-4) vs. Josh Herrick (6-2)

BW-Cody Gibson (4-1) vs. Walel Watson (7-1)

FW-Jesse Bowen (7-5) vs. Brad McDonald (5-1)

WW-Kenny Ento (10-5) vs. James Chaney (3-0)

BW-Alex Perez (0-0) vs. Jesus Castro (0-1)

READ MORE - Cole Escovedo and Tommy Vargas Talk TPF 9 Bout

Video: Adlan Amagov KO's Opponent with Spinning Heel Kick

By FCF Staff

The Urban Conflict Championship recently announced that 7-1-1 light-heavyweight Adlan Amagov will fight “Ultimate Fighter” Season Eight competitor Mike Stewart (4-2), at the promotion’s upcoming April 22nd event in Morristown, NJ.

The video below shows Amagov taking on Maskhat Akhmetov at a ProFC event in December, 2009.

READ MORE - Video: Adlan Amagov KO's Opponent with Spinning Heel Kick

UCC 4: Rolles Gracie, Andy Main Confirmed for Card

By FCF Staff

The Urban Conflict Championship has confirmed several bouts for the promotion’s upcoming, April 22^nd event in Morristown, NJ, which will be hosted by the city’s Mennen Sports Arena. Fighting on the promotion’s fourth card are UFC veteran Rolles Gracie and former “Ultimate Fighter” competitor Andy Main, who will take on Braden Bice and Felipe Arantes respectively.

Another TUF vet, season eight competitor Mike Stewart, is scheduled to fight light-heavyweight Adlan Amagov.

Here is the line-up to date for UCC 4 “Supremacy”:

Featherweight Championship

Andy Main (5-1) v. Felipe Arantes (13-3)

Bantamweight Championship

Sean “Shorty Rock” Santella (6-2-1) v. Sidemar Honorio (6-1)

Heavyweight - Rolles Gracie (3-1) v. Braden Bice (8-11)

Light Heavyweight - Mike Stewart (4-2) v. Adlan Amagov (7-1-1)

Light Heavyweight - Jamal “The Suit” Patterson (5-3) v. Eric Tavares (5-9)

                                   

READ MORE - UCC 4: Rolles Gracie, Andy Main Confirmed for Card

Strikeforce Challengers Weigh-In Results

By FCF Staff

All of the competitors scheduled to compete on tonight’s Strikeforce Challengers event made weight yesterday. The card, which will be hosted by the Stockton Arena in California, will feature Justin Wilcox vs. lightweight Rodrigo Damm in the main event. (Pictured: Wilcox (left) and Damm)

Tonight’s card will be broadcast on Showtime. Here are the official weigh-in results:

Justin Wilcox -- 155.2 lbs. vs. Rodrigo Damm --155.8 lbs

David Douglas -- 154 lbs. vs.  Caros Fodor -- 155.4 lbs.

Lorenz Larkin -- 205.8 lbs. vs.  Scott Lighty -- 205.4 lbs.

James Terry -- 164.2 lbs. vs.  Josh Thornburg -- 163.6 lbs.

Damion Douglas -- 168.6 lbs. vs.  Wayne Phillips -- 170.2 lbs.

Rafael Rios -- 149.4 lbs.            vs. Anthony Avila -- 150.2 lbs.

Bobby Escalante -- 130 lbs. vs.  Raul Sandoval -- 130.6 lbs.

Tristan Arenal -- 156 lbs. vs.  Tommy Peterson -- 155.2 lbs.

Adam Antolin -- 125.4 lbs. vs.  Ronald Carillo -- 124.6 lbs.

David Douglas (left) and Fodor

Damion Douglas and Phillips

The Rockstar Girls

READ MORE - Strikeforce Challengers Weigh-In Results

Jon Fitch Injured, Out of UFC 132 Rematch with BJ Penn

By FCF Staff

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has confirmed that welterweight contender Jon Fitch has been forced to withdraw from his upcoming July 2^nd rematch with BJ Penn, due to an injury. No details regarding the injury, which postponed a fight still more than three months away, were given. It also remains to be seen whether or not the promotion will look to find Penn another opponent for UFC 132.

Fitch (23-3-1) and Penn met for the first time at UFC 127 on February 27^th, and fought to a draw. The result ended Fitch’s five fight winning streak, which the American Kickboxing Academy fighter began after losing to champion Georges St. Pierre at UFC 87.

While Penn (16-7-2) failed to record another victory at welterweight, following his first round KO of Matt Hughes in November, the former champion pressed Fitch throughout the first two rounds, before being dominated by the noted wrestler in the third.

 UFC 132, which will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, will feature a bantamweight title fight between champion Dominick Cruz and challenger Urijah Faber. Other bouts that have been confirmed for the card include Ryan Bader vs. Tito Ortiz, George Sotiropoulos vs. Evan Dunham and Dennis Siver vs. Matt Wiman.

READ MORE - Jon Fitch Injured, Out of UFC 132 Rematch with BJ Penn