Time to prime the PR pump for the main card female match up between Gina Carano and Kaitlin Young during the EliteXC CBS Saturday Night Fights event from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on May 31. This is actually a dated promo; however, we never passed it along here and Elite XC just sent around a reminder that it existed.
… is set for Spring 2009 from THQ, according to GameSpot.com.
In fact, an official announcement is expected on Memorial Day weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada, to coincide with UFC 84: “Ill Will” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Additionally, the acclaimed video game development company, which has an exclusive five-year contract with the promotion, is expected to lift the hood once again and reveal the progress to date.
There hasn’t been a new video UFC video game since Ultimate Fighting Championship: Sudden Impact back in 2004; however, we can expect a steady stream of annual updates from THQ for all our PS3, Xbox 360 and PC gaming pleasure.
To check out the most recent published video trailer, which includes UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rampage Jackson beating up Chuck Liddell, click here. For more on the progress of UFC 2009 (rumored title) thus far click here.
Former UFC heavyweight champion and PRIDE superstar Josh “The Babyface Assassin†Barnett (21-5) will face fellow UFC veteran Pedro “The Rock†Rizzo (16-7) on July 19 at the first mixed martial arts event under the Affliction banner according to reports from both Sherdog and MMAWeekly.
In addition to being one of the most sought-after free agents in mixed martial arts (this side of the Iron Curtain), Barnett has already tasted victory at Sengoku where he defeated Judo master Hidehiko Yoshida via heel hook back in March.
Now he gets to a chance to avenge his first career loss when he faces the heavy-handed Brazilian who knocked Barnett out way back at UFC 30 — more than seven years ago.
Aside from that loss to Rizzo, Barnett has only been defeated by two other men: Current UFC heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro†Nogueira and three losses to promotion-hopper Mirko “Cro Cop†Filipovic.
First however “The Babyface Assassin” must concentrate on his upcoming bout against Jeff Monson at World Victory Road’s Sengoku II on May 18.
From Barnett:
“I said after he knocked me out with one of those really nice, well put together Pedro Rizzo right hands, I stood right there for the challenge and said you know what, I’m going to come back here, I’m going to fight him again and next time I’m knocking his ass out. So I’ve got to make good on my promises and I’ve got to stick to my word. As much as I love my buddy Fedor, it’s going to suck for him because I’m stealing the show.”
Rizzo has fought sporadically since his UFC days and despite having hands of steel, is a mediocre 5-6 since his first match with Barnett. Still, “The Rock’ is on a two-fight winning streak, having outpointed Justin Eliers at Art of War 1 last March and stopping Jeff Monson at Art of War 3 in September.
From Rizzo:
“I was hoping to face him due to the fact that he is one of the top five heavyweights, a very tough guy. This is my chance to return to the top, and I will seize it the best way. I was training all the time and relaxed last week. This Monday I came back, and now there are 11 weeks to the fight. I think it’s the perfect time to get well technically, get in order and make a great fight. I think this fight should be better than [the first]. Our fight was seven years ago and was very good. Today Josh is a much better fighter than at that time, as am I. I think the public can expect a big fight again.”
Whether or not he’s been competing at a high enough level to once again topple Barnett remains to be seen. Barnett’s personality may not be for everyone, but there is no denying he is one of the sport’s elite heavyweights and a very complete fighter.
The Affliction event is headlined by former PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko (27-1) vs former UFC heavyweight champion Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia (24-4). Matt Lindland is also rumored for the card but an opponent has yet to be named.
It’s been a relatively short break for mixed martial arts action, giving us some time time to catch our collective breath and get ready for two very busy months in late May and June.
UFC 84: “Ill Will” is set to go off a little more than two weeks from now at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, May 24. The pay-per-view (PPV) telecast will air LIVE at 10 p.m. ET, at which time MMAmania.com will provide blow-by-blow, minute-by-minute, round-by-round coverage of the main card bouts.
In addition, we will share the latest quick results of the prelim action, beginning at around 8:30 p.m. ET.
Here’s what we have to look forward to:
Main Event:
UFC Lightweight Champion B.J. Penn (12-4-1) vs. Sean Sherk (32-2-1)
Main card (televised):
205 lbs.: Wanderlei Silva (31-8-1) vs. Keith Jardine (13-3-1)
205 lbs.: Goran Reljic (7-0) vs. Wilson Gouveia (10-4)
205 lbs.: Tito Ortiz (15-5-1) vs. Lyoto Machida (12-0)
205 lbs.: Thiago Silva (12-0) vs. Antonio Mendes (14-2)
Under card (may not be broadcast):
185 lbs.: Rousimar Palhares (7-1) vs. Ivan Salaverry (12-5)
205 lbs.: Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (4-2) vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura (11-7)
155 lbs.: Terry Etim (10-1) vs. Rich Clementi (31-12-1)
170 lbs.: Jon Koppenhaver (5-1) vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida (9-2)
170 lbs.: Dong Hyun Kim (9-1-1) vs. Jason Tan (5-2)
265 lbs.: Shane Carwin (8-0) vs. Christian Wellisch (8-3)
Of course, the marquee attraction of the evening is the explosive 155-pound match up between UFC Lightweight Champion BJ Penn and former division titleholder, Sean Sherk. We’ve been talking about this showdown since “The Prodigy” toppled Jens Pulver in his return to the weight class at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5 Finale in June 2007.
It’s almost time to see it all hit the fan.
Four light heavyweight showdowns round out the main card, including the possible last Octagon appearance for Tito Ortiz when he takes on the undefeated and surging Lyoto Machida. Wanderlei Silva — a former Pride FC champion and superstar for nearly seven years — will also look to pick up his first UFC win since 1999 against Keith Jardine.
Should be a great night … be sure to catch it if you can. And whether or not that is or isn’t possible, remember to be sure and check us out before, during and after the fights for total event coverage.
We’ll have everything you need right here.
In fact, many of our readers check-in before, during and after the PPV telecast to share their thoughts on the action. Therefore, feel free to leave a comment or 10 before you leave and chat with many of our readers during the show … it always turns out to be a great discussion.
In the meantime, feel free to leave predictions or other thoughts in the comments section below.
With Sean Sherk about to make his return to the UFC, it kind of makes you wonder: what’s old Hermes Franca up to these days? He also tested positive for the ‘roids after that fight last summer, only he immediately admitted to it instead of appealing and getting his sentence reduced.
Since Franca got stuck with the full weight of his year-long steroid suspension from the CSAC, he’s still not eligible to fight until early July. He originally considered fighting overseas to earn some cash, but it turns out those damn athletic commissions won’t let you wait out your suspension from MMA competition by competing in MMA outside their jurisdiction.
Now Franca tells MMA Weekly that he’s ready to get back into action once his time is served, and he says there are some organizations that will be glad to see him come back:
“I’m hungry. Even though I’m busy right now, I want to fight soon. I hope to fight in July, but if not, I’m going to keep busy and wait for my next fight.
“I have a big name, I’ve fought very much and a lot of guys know me, and a lot of shows are looking for fighters. EliteXC, Affliction, the UWC, some big shows, and a lot of guys are showing interest in me. I’m just waiting for my moment right now.”
Since the suspension kept him from making a living in the cage for the past year, Franca has kept busy teaching jiu-jitsu seminars. One imagines that he also ends each seminar by hinting that it would be really cool if someone would let him crash on their couch and also perhaps give him some food.
What’s really strange though is that while Franca seems very into his life as a jiu-jitsu instructor, this statement makes you wonder if it hasn’t also had a negative effect on his career:
“(Other fighters train) a few weeks before fights, and I never did. I am always teaching and training fighters. I’m going to let my instructors teach at my affiliations academies, and I’m going to camp for myself for six weeks or seven weeks just training. That’s what I’m going to do, I’m going to do things like a professional, and so I’m going to come back stronger than ever.”
Huh. Doing things like a professional. That sounds like a pretty good idea. Also sounds like it would have been a good idea back when you were fighting for the UFC lightweight title. But whatever.
Here’s the thing about this video. You know when you ask Dan Henderson who he wants to fight that he’s going to say Anderson Silva. And after that, when you ask him if he really thinks he has a legitimate shot at beating Silva, you know he’s going to say yes. You know that. But you have to ask him anyway, on the off chance that he’ll say he wants nothing more than to face Rich Franklin next. Then we could all relax without having to challenge one another’s illusions.
No such luck. However, note that Hendo says he wants to “get back in there and earn another shot.” Would beating Franklin accomplish that? Probably.
Also note the Dan Henderson-Wanderlei Silva highlight in all its slow motion, sound effect-y glory. Then tell me you wouldn’t want to see that one happen again. Just saying.
(“The Law” will sue you so fast your head will spin. Believe that.)
You can train to escape a triangle choke, and you can train to avoid taking serious damage when you’re mounted, but it’s hard to prepare for the first time your name is dragged through the mud in public. Northwest NewsChannel 8 reports that “The Law” — who’s currently running for a seat in Oregon’s House of Representatives — is threatening the campaign consultant of his opponent with a lawsuit, alleging that Elaine Franklin told several Republican leaders that Lindland was a convicted felon:
Oregon Right to Life Director Gayle Atteberry, told NewsChannel 8 that Franklin called her last month. She said Franklin asked her if she realized that Lindland had a felony on his record. Atteberry, who said ORTL endorses Lindland, couldn’t believe what she heard.
“I was upset by what (Franklin) told me, so I checked (Lindland’s) records and learned the truth [which] is that he didn’t have a felony.”
Lindland’s opponent, Phyllis Thiemann, distanced herself from Franklin’s dirty tactics in the most passive-aggressive way possible. An e-mail she sent to Lindland read:
“I am not aware of what Elaine Franklin may or may not have told others…Although I have a copy of your prior conviction, I have never intended to use it in my campaign and still do not.”
Except that conviction wasn’t for a felony at all, but for a Class 3 misdemeanor he received when he was working in the produce section of a grocery store when he was 19. Lindland was told to throw out loads of old produce, but kept about $30 dollars worth; he was caught, and was hit with 30 hours of community service, a year of probation, and a $20 fine. As Lindland, who has fully repaid his debt to society, explained:
“I thought, ‘this is a waste, I’ve got a lot of hungry wrestlers who’ll eat this stuff,’ but it wasn’t my produce to give away. It hasn’t been brought up and 19 years later, I run for office and Elaine Franklin decides to drag it out and turn it into a felony.”
Hero to the working man, much? Lindland claims that he’ll file a defamation lawsuit against Elaine Franklin if she doesn’t publicly go on the record that she knew Lindland wasn’t a convicted felon when she made her statements.
Matt, listen: You may think you’re tough because you fight in a cage, but these local politicians are a totally different breed. Rotten Vegetable-gate is just the beginning. They live to drag out the ol’ closet-skeletons. The public will forgive a little dumpster diving — but wait until this photo mysteriously surfaces just days before the election. “Wrestling,” huh?
Remember, this is the site that the UFC recently set up to help legalize the sport in the “Empire State” once and for all. Check out the email from former UFC welterweight champion, Matt Serra, after the jump that was recently sent out in a grassroots-esque attempt to win over local legislators with a groundswell of public support.
(Thanks to MMAmania.com reader “Shaolins Finest” for the assist.)
Dear [Mania],
As a native New Yorker, nothing would make me happier than fighting right here in New York.
But I need your help. New York has an antiquated law on its books that prevents any respectable MMA event from being held anywhere in the state. We want that to change, and I’m sure you do too.
These things happen because of pressure from local residents on their legislators, letting the people who pass the bills know that the people they represent care about particular issues.
So we need to get a lot of people to email their legislators. So, please go to www.MMAFacts.com and click on my picture on the left, follow the instructions and send an email or two to your local legislator.
Then forward this email to as many people as you can who you think will also be willing to write and take action.
With your help, we will get MMA to New York. And we will hope to see you at the fights.
…backstage at PRIDE Total Elimination 2004, directly after being subbed by Fedor Emelianenko via armbar. Lovely bit of behind-the-scenes MMA history, with Kevin Randleman and Fedor making plans to drink some vodka at the end. Props to MMAScraps for the find. (Audio NSFW.)
