Bennett vs. Volkov Added to M-1 Challenge XXII

By FCF Staff

M-1 Global has announced that All-American wrestler Pat Bennett will face Red Devil Sports Club heavyweight Alexander Volkov, at the promotion’s upcoming December 10^th event in Moscow, Russia. The bout is the eighth tilt to be confirmed for the card, which will feature championship fights in the welterweight, middleweight and light-heavyweight division.

“Both fighters are contenders in the heavyweight title picture,” Evgeni Kogan, Director of Operations for M-1 Global was quoted saying in a press release from the promotion. “They were 2010 Selections tournament finalists and possess the drive, hunger and skill sets necessary to become future champions. This is a great addition to M-1 Challenge XXII.” 

Bennett (3-2) is coming off a stoppage loss to Kenny Garner at M-1’s Americas Finals event in September, after earning a unanimous decision win over Mehdi Hassan in August.

Volkov (9-2) has won two straight since being eliminated by Maxin Grishin from the M-1 Eastern Europe heavyweight tourney in July. Most recently in September, the Russian fighter stopped Evgeni Babich in the first round.

Here is the card to date for the December 10^th M-1 Challenge, which will be streamed live on the official M-1 Global site.

Under Card Bouts:

Pat Bennett (3-2) vs. Alexander Volkov (9-2) Heavyweight

Vinny Magalhaes (4-5) vs. Alihan Magomedov (12-1) Light Heavyweight

Luigi Fioravanti (18-8) vs. Shahrijar Abassov (23-1) Middleweight

Mikhail Zayats (12-5) vs. David ‘Square’ Tkeshelashvili Light Heavyweight

Daniel Vizcaya (3-1) vs. Victor Nemkov (9-3) Light Heavyweight

Additional bouts to be announced

Championship Bouts

Welterweight Division:

Abner Lloveras, M-1 Selection Western Europe 2010 champion (11-4-1) vs.

Shamil Zavurov, M-1 Selection Eastern Europe 2010 champion (17-1)

Middleweight Division:

Magomed ‘The White Wolf’ Sultanakhmedov, M-1 Selection Eastern Europe 2010 champion (28-4) vs.

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

Light Heavyweight Division:

Tomasz ‘Giraffe’ Narkun, M-1 Selection Western Europe champion (4-0) vs.

Vyacheslav ‘Slava’ Vasilevsky, M-1 Selection Eastern Europe champion (9-1).

READ MORE - Bennett vs. Volkov Added to M-1 Challenge XXII

Ribeiro and Shivers Ready for Friday's Pivotal Bouts

 

By FCF Staff

Friday’s Strikeforce Challengers card is an important day in the careers of both Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro (pictured above) and Wes Shivers, as each man is in need of a big win. Ribeiro (20-4) will be looking to reassert his presence in the upper rankings of the lightweight division, after dropping back-to-back bouts against Lyle Beerbohm and Shinya Aoki. While Shivers (7-1) will be looking to demonstrate that he can indeed compete on the big stage that is Strikeforce, after fighting just once since September, 2008.

Both men participated in an open media workout at Knock Out Fitness in Flowood, Mississippi, earlier in the week, and discussed Friday’s card. Ribeiro will be facing Justin Wilcox (9-3) in the main event, while the former NFL player Shivers, will take on heavyweight Goldman Butler (1-4).

The event will be hosted by the Jackson Convention Center in Jackson, Miss., and it will be broadcast on Showtime.

Here is some of what Ribeiro and Shivers had to say at Wednesday’s workout.

Ribeiro:

“This fight means a lot to me.  I’m really happy to be the main event in this show and I think that’s what motivated me to train so hard the last few months.  I’m just working on a few things today and sparring a bit, but I feel great and I’m ready to go for Friday."

“(Wilcox) sounds like a very powerful wrestler who has good hands.  I’ll be ready to use my game plan, though, based on what I know about him."

“I left my last fight to the judges, so I’m going to try to not make that mistake again and finish the fight in three rounds.  If I can’t, I’m going to dominate the three rounds and not leave any doubt in anyone’s mind about who won.”

Shivers (right) will fight Butler Friday

Shivers:

“A lot of people are saying this guy doesn’t have a good record and they’re underestimating him.  I’m not doing that by any means. I know the guys he’s fought and I know they’re super tough and that he’s tough. He wouldn’t have taken this fight if he wasn’t ready so I’m coming in there prepared for a war."

“When I got the phone call to fight in Strikeforce, it was a big deal to me.  Besides the fact that this is in my home state, I’ve always prided myself in being a local guy who has tried to help the sport grow here and to be a part of a major organization when it comes to my hometown means a lot to me."

“I’m going to go in there showing how hard I worked for this fight and you never know where that could go with Strikeforce.  I’m hoping to establish a home with them.  This fight may have opened a door for me.”

Some of the other bouts scheduled for Friday’s Challengers card include former Ovince St. Preux (7-4) vs. Antwain “The Juggernaut’’ Britt (11-4), Marius Zaromskis (13-5) vs. Waachiim Spirit Wolf (8-7-1), Jan “Cuddles’’ Finney (8-8) vs. Liz “Girl-Rilla’’ Carmouche (5-0) and Caros “The Future” Fodor (3-0, 1 NC) vs. Derek “The Pretzel’’ Getzel (2-1).

READ MORE - Ribeiro and Shivers Ready for Friday's Pivotal Bouts

Rolles Gracie Inks Deal with Shine

By FCF Staff 

Shine Fight Promotions has announced today that decorated jiu-jitsu competitor and MMA heavyweight Rolles Gracie, has signed with the organization. No date or opponent has yet been confirmed for Gracie’s promotional debut.

" Rolles Gracie is one of the best grapplers in the world. He is consistently working on developing his game and he is ready to show his true capabilities in ring.  If there is one thing history has taught us , it is that an in shape, ready to go Gracie, is a very dangerous thing," Shine Fights COO Jason Chambers was quoted saying in a press release from the promotion.

“I am very excited to be a part of the Shine organization,” Rolles said. “I've been waiting for the right opportunity to come my way, and I am confident that this is going to be a great partnership. I'm looking forward to doing big things with Shine.”

Gracie signs with Shine having gone 3-1 to date thus far in his MMA career. After earning three straight submission victories in MMA competition, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo black belt was stopped by Joey Beltran at UFC 109 in February. The bout marked Gracie’s only Octagon appearance.

The 6’4, 250lb. heavyweight’s grappling credentials include include No-Gi American National Ultra-Heavyweight Champion, No-Gi Pan-American Champion, and 3-time Pan-American Champion.

READ MORE - Rolles Gracie Inks Deal with Shine

Henderson and Sobral Talk December 4th Rematch

By FCF Staff; photos courtesy Strikeforce

On December 4^th, Dan Henderson and Rento “Babalu” Sobral will fight for the second time since the two first fought in February, 2000. Henderson worked his way to a decision win back then; what happens at the Scottrade Center in just over two weeks, remains to be seen. (Pictured left: Henderson)

Henderson (25-8) hasn’t fought since April, when he lost to former middleweight champion Jake Shields by unanimous decision. The bout was Henderson’s first under the Strikeforce banner.

Sobral (36-8) is coming off a unanimous decision win over Robbie Lawler, after losing the Strikeforce light-heavyweight belt to Gegard Mousasi last August.

In anticipation of the Strikeforce event, the promotion held a teleconference call this week with both accomplished fighters. Here is some of what Henderson and Sobral had to say about their upcoming rematch.

Q: Were weight cut and the fatigue what contributed to your previous performance? Was there any hesitation to fight Babalu?

Henderson: “It’s hard to say for sure, but knowing the condition I was in. I just didn’t have the energy I should have had.  Halfway through the first round I was so tired and with my conditioning there is no reason I was so tired.  Babalu is not close to the same style as Jake Shields. He has an exciting style and he is well-rounded. He has not had a problem standing up and trading punches. He throws a lot of kicks and obviously submits a lot of guys here and there but they are two totally different styles as far as I am concerned.”

Q: Has changing weight made a big difference in preparing for the fight?  Has being older made the jump in weight difficult?

Henderson: “I have always felt comfortable at 205. I have never felt weak or out-powered. I can eat a good meal the night before the fight.  It means it’s one less thing I need to worry about before the fight.  I am hanging out at 203, 204.  I don’t think the age is an issue, just trying to get smarter with my training and making sure I am really listening to my body and getting enough rest. “

Q: Is 205 your weight from now on?

Babalu: “As I said before, it is up to the matchup. Just give me a good fight and I will fight at that weight.”

Q: When you fought Robbie Lawler, you showed improvement in your stand-up game. Does being at 205 make you stronger?

Babalu: “I just decided to finish him on the ground because I had the opportunity but if I could finish the fight with a punch in the face I would do it.  The secret to MMA is submit him and don’t get hurt, that’s about it.”

Sobral

Q: Dan, you said there were other issues happening in your life prior to the last fight. How does that impact your mindset going into a fight?

Henderson: “I have always been one to always focus on the positives. I try to put the negatives out of my mind.  It’s tough to do and I felt I could still pull through and handle the fight just fine but I kind of got a little tired in the process. It’s the way it goes sometimes. I tried to pull through and I learned from mistakes, but it won’t happen in the future.  I have been focused on making sure my body feels good for this fight.”

Q: Watching your fights you have a lot of power in your hands and it seems like you are willing to take three or four shots from another guy as long as you get off your one shot. Is that the strategy you usually have or does it depend on the fighter?  Do you make any adjustments based on Babalu’s stand-up style or are you pretty confident in your striking power?

Henderson: “That is obviously something that has helped me finish fights in the past, and one of the things that makes me dangerous.  I usually try not to get hit but in the process sometimes that happens.  I am pretty confident on my feet with most people, and I am pretty confident that Babalu and I will be striking a lot as well as being on our feet. It will be a true MMA fight.”

Q: You have a good ground game and striking, but is there anything you are doing different for a guy who might be harder to get to a mat?

Babalu: “I wrestle myself and Dan is a good wrestler as well. I have been training a lot in wrestling but I am very confident.”

Q: Dan, what is the key to winning the fight?

Henderson: Conditioning. And I have enough experience in all the different aspects of MMA and where the fight can go, so I am confident anywhere. I just need to make sure the conditioning is there.”

Q: Babalu, what is the key to winning fight?

Babalu: “Conditioning is always a big thing. I have been working on my technical drills, and looking at video.”

READ MORE - Henderson and Sobral Talk December 4th Rematch

Toner vs. Garcia Confirmed for TUF 12 Finale

By FCF Staff

More and more WEC competitors continue to have bouts confirmed in their new UFC home, as a featherweight tilt between Leonard Garcia and Tyler Toner has been added to the line-up of the upcoming, December 4^th “Ultimate Fighter Finale.” The TUF 12 event will be hosted by the Palms Casino and Resort in Las Vegas.

Garcia (14-6-1) last competed in September at WEC 51, when he was outscored by Mark Hominick and lost by split decision. Prior to that, at WEC 48 in April, Garcia walked away with the split decision nod in his fight of year candidate with Chan Sung Jung.

Toner (11-2) has gone 1-1 since signing with the WEC earlier this year. In April, the Ring of Fire vet stopped Brandon Visher, before losing by unanimous decision to Diego Nunes at WEC 51. Toner’s only other loss came against WEC competitor Scott Jorgensen at ROF 29 in April, 2007.

The TUF 12 Finale will feature a light-heavyweight bout between Stephan Bonnar and Igor Pokrajac in the main event, and will be broadcast live on Spike TV.

Some of the other confirmed bouts for the card included middleweight Demian Maia vs. Kendall Grove, welterweight Johnny Hendricks vs. Rick Story and middleweight Rich Attonito vs. David Branch.

READ MORE - Toner vs. Garcia Confirmed for TUF 12 Finale

Jay Hieron Signs with Bellator FC

By FCF Staff

One of the sport’s top free agent welterweights, the veteran Jay Hieron, has signed an exclusive contract with Bellator Fighting Championship and will compete in the promotion’s upcoming fourth season.

“Jay Hieron is a fantastic signing for us at 170 lbs.,” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney in the official announcement. “Jay is a world-class fighter with serious talent.  I can’t wait to see him back on National television competing against other top fighters where he belongs.  Jay’s a spectacular addition to  our upcoming season 4 welterweight tournament, where he could earn a shot at our Bellator Welterweight World Champion, Ben Askren.”

Hieron (19-4) will make his Bellator debut riding a seven fight winning streak. The Xtreme Couture fighter hasn’t competed since January, however, when he worked his way to a unanimous decision win over Joe Riggs at Strikeforce’s “Miami” card.

“It’s just a great fit for me,” said Hieron. “At this point in my career, I want to stay as active as possible, and the tournament format allows me to do that. It’s a great organization, and it’s just the perfect fit.”

The former collegiate wrestler began transitioned into professional MMA in 2003. Since that time Hieron has competed for various organizations, including the aforementioned Strikeforce, the UFC,  Affliction, the International Fight League and Ring of Combat.

Bellator’s season four welterweight tourney will begin sometime in 2011.

READ MORE - Jay Hieron Signs with Bellator FC

Davis vs. Stephens, Soto vs. Roberts Official for UFC 125

By FCF Staff

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has officially added two more bouts to the promotion’s upcoming January 1^st event in Las Vegas, Nevada, as Marcus Davis (pictured) will make his lightweight debut against Jeremy Stephens, and welterweight Daniel Roberts will take on Greg Soto.

Davis (17-7) will make the drop from welterweight after dropping three of his last four fights. Most recently, at UFC 118 in August, Davis was choked out by Nate Diaz.

Stephens (18-6) has battled to split decisions in his last two outings, defeating Sam Stout in May, before losing to Melvin Guillard at UFC 119 in September.

Roberts (11-1) is coming off back-to-back victories over Forrest Petz and Mike Guymon, after being knocked out by John Howard in March.

Soto (8-1) has gone 1-1 thus far in his Octagon career. In March, he was disqualified for illegally upkicking Matt Riddle, before returning to the winning column in August, by working his way to a unanimous decision win over Nick Osipczak.

UFC 125 will feature two title fights, as lightweight champion Frankie Edgar will look to avenge his previous loss to Gray Maynard, while featherweight champ Jose Aldo will face challenger Josh Grispi.

READ MORE - Davis vs. Stephens, Soto vs. Roberts Official for UFC 125

Bocek Ready For "Good Test" Against Hazelett

By Kelsey Mowatt; photo courtesy American Top Team

Fans in attendance at the upcoming UFC 124 card in Montreal, Quebec, could be treated to a world class grappling clinic on December 11^th, as accomplished jiu-jitsu competitor Mark Bocek will face fellow jiu-jitsu black belt Dustin Hazelett. Then again, anything can happen in mixed-martial-arts, and often fights billed as a contest between two experts in one discipline, ends up featuring something completely different. In any case, Bocek (pictured) is confident he’ll be ready when the two meet next month.

“ I think Hazelett is a good fighter;  black belt under Jorge Gurgel, he has some tricky submissions,” Bocek said about Hazelett (12-6), who will be moving down to lightweight, after dropping back-to-back fights against Paul Daley and more recently Rick Story. “He will be a good test and I look forward to it.”

Like Hazelett, the 29 year-old Bocek will be looking to get back in the winning column, after losing by unanimous decision to Jim Miller this past March. The judge’s decision put an end to Bocek’s (8-3) three fight winning streak, which saw the lightweight tap-out Alvin Robsinson, David Bielkheden and Joe Brammer.

“I don't feel that I lost to Miller,” Bocek said when asked what he took away from his competitive bout with Miller. “I learned to not leave it in the hands of the judges.”

After going 1-2 in his first three Octagon appearances, Bocek is now 3-1 in his last four UFC bouts, a run of success which is likely tied to his decision to begin training with American Top Team. As a result, Bocek has once again headed south to Florida, to prepare for his upcoming tilt with Hazelett.

“I have been training with Marcelo Garcia and American Top Team; I will be ready for this fight,” Bocek told FCF. “Training has been going very well and I feel very good.”

And as far as the Nova Uniao black belt’s prediction for the December 11^th bout?

“Impossible to make predictions,” Bocek responded. “I can just guarantee that I will be ready for everything that he brings.”

UFC 124 will be hosted by Montreal’s Bell Centre, and will feature UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre vs. challenger Josh Koscheck in the main event.

READ MORE - Bocek Ready For "Good Test" Against Hazelett