Vitale Retains X-1 World Middleweight Title

X-1: Champions 3
Blaisdell Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii
March 12, 2011
By Chris Onzuka, photos by Aaron Meyer

The last surviving large MMA promoter in Hawaii, Mike Miller, has done it again with his “Champions” series of events.  It is an X-1 event featuring a fight card consisting of every match being a title fight.  Fighters are either defending their title or fighting for a title.  Sometimes champions get in a mode of working to keep their title instead of looking for a dominating performance where they attempt to finish their opponent; this was NOT one of those nights.(Pictured: Vitale and Clay (right))

Paaluhi kicking Johnson

Raquel Paaluhi returned to action after her first lost via submission and went up against another grappler in Nicole Johnson.  This was an important match for Paaluhi on two counts, one to see how she bounced back after a loss and second how she would fare against another good grappler.  Paaluhi came through with flying colors, landing hard straight right hands and fighting smart on the ground, wearing down her opponent before going in for the finish.

The only fight that was not a title fight was a bantamweight fight with number one contender, Van Oscar Penovaroff scheduled to fight champion, Russell Doane.  However earlier this week, Doane was involved in a six car accident and had to pull out of the fight.  However, Waianae Boxing Club brought in one of their scrappers in Thomas Matias to fill the void.  Matias ignited the fire within Penovaroff with the exchange of some words between fighters.  At the opening of the bell, the entire crowd knew that this fight would not end in a decision; there was way too much fire in the cage.  Penovaroff has been adding to his top notch boxing skill set since facing an improving level of grapplers.  After gaining an edge in the striking area, Penovaroff decided to showcase his added skills by choking out Matias. 

Eben Kaneshiro vied for Ricky Wallace’s featherweight title and brought more heat to Wallace than he has seen in a while.  Wallace has dominated his class to win the featherweight title in two organizations.  Kaneshiro, a BJJ black belt and MMA veteran, was in the position to finish Wallace at the beginning of the fight, but Wallace’s displayed great defensive skills when Kaneshiro was on his back and attempting an arm lock.  Kaneshiro then surprised Wallace by standing and trading with Wallace.  After landing his devastating spinning back elbow, Kaneshiro dropped Wallace and unloaded on him at the end of the first round.  Experienced Referee Chris West was very aware of the time left in the round and the warrior that Wallace is.  Wallace stumbled back to his corner, but at the start of the second round, Wallace looked fresh and Kaneshiro came out tired.  However Kaneshiro pressed the action and looked to finish what he started in the prior round, but he emptied his tank and Wallace came back with a vengeance and dropped Kaneshiro with a body blow and ended up finishing him in the most exciting match of the night.

Wallace punching Kaneshiro

Arguably Hawaii’s fastest rising star Max Holloway took on one of Hawaii’s most experienced and well rounded veterans in champion Harris Sarmiento.  As expected this was a stand up war with both fighters presenting interesting challenges and styles to their opponents.  The tide of the fight went back and forth with Holloway showcasing a variety of different attacks and Sarmiento looking to counter.  In the end, it was a close fight with Holloway earning the nod from two of the three judges to capture the title.  Holloway has only had a handful of MMA fights and at the tender age of 19 years old represents the new breed of fighters that grew up with MMA.  The sky is the limit for this young man. 

Sarmiento hitting Holloway

In the main event, the welterweight champion, Dylan Clay, went up in weight to challenge the middleweight champion, Falaniko Vitale.  It was difficult matching up these two fighters so they decided to fight each other.   Clay started out with his Muay Thai and Vitale stayed cautious and looked for openings.  Vitale closed the distance with strikes and fought off the clinch to stay out of Clay’s strong point which is his grappling.  Vitale landed some over hand punches and set up and landed a powerful uppercut that knocked Clay out cold.  It knocked him back and had him propped up sitting up against the cage while being knocked out, bringing a great event to an exciting end.  Props go out to Clay to making the fight happen and taking on the tough Vitale, who is scheduled to fight in Bellator.

A victorious Vitale

X-1 Heavyweight Amateur Championship
Paea Pongo def. Kala Koa (Maui)
TKO after the end of Round 2 (Koa did not answer the 3^rd round)
Paea Pongo becomes the new X-1 Heavyweight Amateur Champion.

X-1 State Lightweight Championship
Will Strutt (Iowa) def. Steven Saito
Decision after 3 rounds.
Will Strutt becomes the new X-1 State Lightweight Champion.

X-1 State Heavyweight Championship
Lolohea Mahe (Maui) def. Puka Bell (Hilo)
TKO via Referee stoppage at 1:49 in Round 1.
Lolohea Mahe becomes the new X-1 State Heavyweight Champion.

X-1 Women’s 135lbs State Championship
Raquel Paaluhi def. Nicole Johnson (Nevada)
TKO via Referee stoppage at 2:06 in Round 2.
Raquel Paaluhi becomes the new X-1 Women’s State 135lbs Champion.

X-1 State Middleweight Championship
Sales Sproat (Molokai) def. Collin Mansanas
KO at 1:28 in Round 1.
Sales Sproat becomes the new X-1 State Middleweight Champion.

Bantamweight Contender Match
Van Oscar Penovaroff (Kona) def. Thomas Matias
Submission via rear naked choke in Round 1.

X-1 World Featherweight Championship
Ricky Wallace def. Eben Kaneshiro (Kauai)
TKO via Referee stoppage at 2:01 in Round 2.
Ricky Wallace retains the X-1 World Featherweight Championship.

X-1 World Lightweight Championship
Max Holloway def. Harris Sarmiento
Split decision after 5 rounds.
Max Holloway becomes the new X-1 World Lightweight Champion.

X-1 World Middleweight Championship
Niko Vitale def. Dylan Clay (Colorado)
KO at 2:04 in Round 1.
Niko Vitale retains the X-1 World Middleweight Championship.

READ MORE - Vitale Retains X-1 World Middleweight Title

Full Bellator 37 Line-Up Announced

By FCF Staff

Bellator Fighting Championships has announced the entire line-up for the promotion’s upcoming, March 19^th event in Concho, Oklahoma. The card will feature the opening round of Bellator’s Seasoun Four featherweight tourney, the winner of which will earn $100,000 and a bout with champion Joe Warren. (Pictured: Patricio Freire)

Here is the card for Saturday’s event, which will be broadcast live on MTV 2.

Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinals

Georgi Karakhanyan (14-2-1) vs. Patricio "Pitbull" Freire (14-1)

Wilson Reis (11-2) vs. Zac George (20-3)

Kenny Foster (8-2) vs. Eric Larkin (3-0)

Daniel Straus (14-3) vs. Nazareno Malegarie (19-0)

Undercard

Jake Rosholt (8-3) vs. John Bryant (4-3)

Jeremy Spoon (8-0) vs. Jerrod Sanders (2-0)

Brandon Shelton (15-5) vs. Adam Snook (2-2)

Roli Delgado (9-5-1) vs. Jameel Massouh (25-7)

READ MORE - Full Bellator 37 Line-Up Announced

UFC 128: Njokuani Expects “Awesome Battle for the Fans”

By Kelsey Mowatt, photo courtesy Saekson Janjira Muay Thai

While much of the fanfare surrounding this coming Saturday’s UFC 128 card is understandably tied to light-heavyweight champ Mauricio “Shogun” Rua taking on Jon “Bones” Jones, Anthony Njokuani is confident fans will also be talking about his bout with Edson Barboza afterwards. Why? Both lightweights head into the March 19^th bout having demonstrated that they are punishing and entertaining strikers, leaving little room to question, as to why UFC officials decided to broadcast the preliminary bout on Spike.

“I wasn’t very familiar with him but I did watch his UFC debut fight,” Njokuani told FCF, while discussing the man who is coming off a TKO stoppage of Mike Lullo in his UFC debut. “I know he’s a phenomenal stand-up fighter, which means the way I am with my stand-up, it’s going to be an awesome battle for the fans.”

Barboza transitioned into MMA having competed extensively in professional Muay Thai Kickboxing, and proceeded to win six straight fights, five by TKO or knockout, before making his aforementioned Octagon debut last November.

“Once I found out I was going to be going up against him I started doing a lot of research,” said the Nigerian born Njokuani. “I watched some of the videos he had on Youtube and my thoughts are he’s a great striker. I’m really excited about this fight; I know it’s going to be a really good show.”

While Barboza’s MMA career to date has clearly benefitted from his extensive kickboxing experience, one can say the same about the 31 year-old Njokuani, who began training in Muay Thai over a decade ago. Of the veteran’s 13 pro wins, eight have come via strikes, including Njokuani’s awe inspiring headkick stoppage of Chris Horodecki at WEC 45.

“People don’t ever really talk about my Muay Thai fights but Muay Thai was my thing when I first got into fighting,” said Njokuani, who has trained his striking extensively with decorated Muay Thai instructor Saekson Janjira. “Muay Thai was my life; I studied it, I trained in it, I did it for about thirteen years and I ended my Muay Thai career at 22-0...people have maybe seen him fight or heard about him and think he’ll have the upper hand, but they might not understand that I was nothing but Muay Thai.”

It will be interesting to see whether reach plays a factor in this Saturday’s bout; Njokuani, who is 6’1, expects to have an advantage over Barboza, who’s listed at 5’11.

“I have the thought in my mind that I’ll be gaining that reach advantage,” Njokuani noted. “I really want to use that to gain the upper hand, use my reach to gain that win.”

Of course, this is mixed-martial-arts, and Njokuani understands that nothing guarantees the bout will strictly be a striking affair.

“Normally that does happen,” said Njokuani, who continues to train his ground game in Las Vegas, under the guidance of accomplished BJJ instructor Sergio Penha. “Eventually I know for a fact that either one of us will try to take the other one down. I know I want it to be a stand-up war but every now and then things change. That’s why I’ve been training in everything and I’ll be ready for it.”

Njokuani likely entrenched an Octagon appearance last November, when he stopped Edward Faaloloto at WEC 52, after incurring back-to-back losses at the hands of Shane Roller and Maciej Jewtuszko. As the WEC closed up shop and merged with the UFC, Njokuani held a 4-3 record with the promotion.

“Once I found out I was transferring over to the UFC it was a dream come true,” said Njokuani. “That’s what I’ve been working for in my career, and for all my work to pay off, I was very proud of myself.”

READ MORE - UFC 128: Njokuani Expects “Awesome Battle for the Fans”

Bellator 36: Imada, Freire, Woodward and Vanier Opening Round Winners

By FCF Staff

The Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, in Shreveport, Louisiana, was the host venue for the opening round of Bellator’s Season Four lightweight tourney last night, which saw all four bouts end without a judge’s decision.

Former WEC champion Rob McCullough showed a ton of heart in his bout against rising prospect Patricky Freire, escaping several dangerous positions on the ground to engage Freire on his feet. In the end, however, Freire’s stand-up game was also up for the task, and the Brazilian floored McCullough in the third round with a hard right hand, resulting in the ref’s intervention. (Pictured: Freire hitting McCullough)

Former tourney finalist, Toby Imada, took on late replacement Josh Shockley, who had to step in for Ferrid Kheder after the lightweight failed to make weight. Shockley took Imada to the mat moments into the bout, but soon found himself fighting to escape an armbar. After Shockley attempted to slam his way out of the submission, Imada continued to work the lock, bringing about the ref's intervention as Shockley screamed out. 

In the other lightweight quarter-finals, Lloyd Woodard finished Carey Vanier off in the second round with some ground-and-pound strikes, and Michael Chandler caught Marcin Held with a first round, arm triangle to advance to the semi-finals.

Bellator 36 Main Card Results

Rob McCullough Patricky Freire def. Rob McCullough by TKO 3:11, R3

Toby Imada def. Josh Shockley by Armbar Submission R1

Lloyd Woodard def. Carey Vanier by TKO 0:46, R2

Michael Chandler def. Marcin Held by Arm Triangle Submission 3:56, R1

READ MORE - Bellator 36: Imada, Freire, Woodward and Vanier Opening Round Winners

Dan Henderson Comments on Strikeforce Sale via Twitter

By FCF Staff

The revelation this morning that Zuffa, LLC, has purchased Strikeforce will likely produce varying opinions from each fighter currently contracted to the promotion. Of course, one of the more notable competitors who may have an interest in the UFC parent company's latest acquisition is current Strikeforce Light-Heavyweight Champion and former Octagon competitor Dan Henderson. After a protracted, and at times very public, period of contract negotiations with the UFC in 2009, Henderson made MMA headlines by opting to sign with Strikeforce.

In a post on Henderson’s official Twitter account today, the newly minted Strikeforce champ stated:

What do I think of @ufc buying @Strikeforce & reuniting w/ @danawhite? Duh. Winning! #winning

And while responding to a comment that Henderson “just can't get away from those Zuffa guys,” the former Pride champ joked,

I guess dana actually is my stalker. Lol

Since Henderson failed to take Jake Shield’s middleweight title, at the accomplished wrestler’s Strikeforce debut last April, the 40 year-old-veteran has gone on to stop light-heavyweights Renato Sobral and just last weekend, Rafael Cavalcante. The Ohio State Athletic Commission reported Henderson was paid $250,000 for the March 5^th, championship win. 

READ MORE - Dan Henderson Comments on Strikeforce Sale via Twitter

Dana White Announces Zuffa Purchase of Strikeforce

By FCF Staff

News that the mixed-martial-arts world has incurred a significant and likely historic change has come down today, as UFC President Dana White has announced that the promotion’s parent company Zuffa, LLC, has purchased its competitor Strikeforce. White announced the deal in an interview with MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani.

While White would not comment on any specific financial terms regarding the deal, he stated repeatedly throughout the interview that it would be “business as usual” for Strikeforce, its broadcasting partner Showtime, and all fighters currently under contract. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker will reportedly continue to oversee and manage the promotion.

According to White, the Strikeforce purchase will not lead to cross promotional cards or “super fights” with the UFC; however, he did acknowledge that some Strikeforce competitors could end up fighting in the Octagon after their current contracts are up.

When asked why Zuffa had acquired Strikeforce, White cited the need of Zuffa to promote more fights  and noted that acquiring the San Jose based promotion’s assets would help the company expand globally. Despite his often harsh criticisms of Strikeforce in recent years, White conceded in the interview that the promotion was growing in popularity, before crediting Coker for his abilities and experience.

Strikeforce has not made any announcement regarding the reported purchase.

READ MORE - Dana White Announces Zuffa Purchase of Strikeforce

UFC 128: Miller to Replace Akiyama vs. Marquardt

By FCF Staff

In the wake of the devastating earthquake that has hit Japan, the UFC has announced that the nation’s middleweight veteran Yoshihiro Akiyama, will not fight Nate Marquardt at UFC 128 as scheduled. Dan Miller (pictured), who was previously set to take on Nick Catone at the March 19^th event, will take his place.

UFC President Dana White was quoted saying in the official announcement:

“Yoshihiro Akiyama will not be able to participate at UFC 128 due to the tragedy in Japan.”

"New Jersey native Dan Miller proves once again that he will fight anyone, anywhere, any time by agreeing to step up from the prelims to face Nate Marquardt," added White. "Marquardt has long been a top ten ranked middleweight and Miller jumped at the opportunity to face him.”

No news as to whether or not Catone will remain on the card was included.

Miller (13-4) heads into the bout having won back-to-back fights over Joe Doerksen and John Salter, after losing three in a row to Chael Sonnen, Demian Maia and Michael Bisping.

Marquardt (30-10-2) will be looking to recover from a unanimous decision loss to Yushin Okami in November, after stopping Rousimar Palhares at UFC Fight Night 22 two months earlier.

UFC 128 will be headlined by a light-heavyweight title fight between champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and challenger Jon “Bones” Jones. The event will be hosted by the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

READ MORE - UFC 128: Miller to Replace Akiyama vs. Marquardt

Bibiano Fernandes Waiting on Possible Summer Fight

By Kelsey Mowatt

While more-and-more fighters previously contracted to Japanese promotions continue to head to North America, Dream’s former featherweight champion Bibiano Fernandes, is still hopeful his next bout will take place on the island nation. Although speculation remains rampant as to what the future holds for reportedly, financially strapped promotions like Dream, Fernandes informed FCF that officials tied to the organization have approached him about possibly fighting this summer.

“I’m still waiting for Dream,” Fernandes said while discussing when he may fight next. “I don’t know what’s going on with that, but I still have two fights on my contract with them. I still fight for Dream; I’m going to wait and see what happens...my manager says that Dream is probably going to keep going but the name might change. So maybe a new company will buy Dream and I’ll go fight in June.”

FCF contacted Fernandes’ manager Bill Mahood, who reported that while nothing is confirmed, they’re hopeful a fight will materialize for the renowned BJJ practitioner in Japan later this year.

“In Japan you’re always working through intermediaries,” said Mahood, who also relayed that Fernandes was paid for his New Year’s Eve bout with Hiroyuki Takaya. “So our intermediary has been talking and such, and there has been some talk of this summer. The nice thing about Dream is that they do work with organizations like Strikeforce and Bellator, so that if, and this isn’t something we’ve talked about yet, but if Dream isn’t promoting and a guy needs a fight, at least there’s that opportunity. It’s a good option.”

Despite the fact that half of 2011 could unfold before Fernandes fights again, the featherweight doesn’t appear to be overly concerned about the potential layoff.

“Maybe I’ll go fight in June, maybe, I’ll just wait,” said the 30 year-old-fighter, who continues to reside in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland region. “It’s okay, I’m training, taking care of my baby, my son, training with Black Mamba (Kultar Gill) a little bit, I went and trained with Matt Hume a little bit, that’s it.”

“I’m very easy going,” Fernandes added. “MMA for me is fun, but I don’t go crazy because jiu-jitsu is fun for me too. Something happens I’ll go teach jiu-jitsu; I have other options, I’m not going to get stressed out. If something happens maybe I’ll go fight for another organization you know what I mean?”

There is little question that despite the fact Fernandes is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Takaya, the former Dream champion would likely have little trouble finding work with a new promotion, if indeed his tenure fighting in Japan comes to an end. The New Year’s Eve defeat marked the first time Fernandes had lost since 2007, ending a seven fight winning streak that include wins over notable names like Masakazu Imanari, Joe Warren, Joachim Hansen and the aforementioned Takaya.

“If people call me and want to do a deal for me to come fight for Strikeforce, and it’s a good deal, for sure,” Fernandes noted. “If Dream does close for sure I’d go there, but we’ll have to see what happens.”

Recently there have been reports stating that Takaya may also be headed to compete in North America, to fight under the Strikeforce banner like fellow countrymen Shinya Aoki and Tatsuya Kawajiri. While right now talk of a third bout between Fernandes and Takaya seems to be just that, the Brazilian fighter concedes he would be interested in facing the Dream champ in a rubber match.

“Oh for sure,” said Fernandes, who was very complimentary towards the veteran while discussing a possible third bout. “I’ll fight anybody; if he wants to come fight again for sure, but I’m not going to run around saying ‘please, I want to fight, I want to fight one more,’ you know what I mean? But if he comes, let’s do it. I watched the last fight and he did very well, it was a close fight, but he didn’t beat me, I beat myself.”

“One day you win, one day you lose,” Fernandes added, “but the most important thing in life is to be happy.”

READ MORE - Bibiano Fernandes Waiting on Possible Summer Fight