The Xtreme Fighting Association (XFA) recently announced the signing of Xtreme Couture trainer Shawn Tompkins to a three-fight deal in their K-1 style organization, and while there was initially no word on an opponent we all assumed it would be someone xtreme, like maybe one of those skateboarders from the Mountain Dew commercials. Now MMATraining.com is reporting that Tompkins’ first opponent may be none other than Ken Shamrock:
“I just signed a 3 fight deal with XFA, which is a K-1 kickboxing promotion in Las Vegas. I’ll be doing my first fight September 26th. Between September, December and February. They are looking at my first fight being Ken Shamrock”.
As much as those who train under him love to talk about Tompkins as some kind of Yoda of the fight game, his brief foray into MMA was, shall we say, unsuccessful. Perhaps returning to his roots as a kickboxer is a good idea.
Of course, embarking on a new career as a kickboxer is probably not a good idea for Shamrock, but that never stopped him before. Perhaps Tompkins will have to make an xample out of him. See what I’ve done there? I’m going to go cry now.
The first round of the UFC/Randy Couture legal dust-up was scored 10-9 for the UFC, as Xtreme Couture has asked the IFL to remove their name from tonight’s 2008 season opener (more on that later) due to Randy’s ongoing litigation with the UFC. MMAPayout reports that the camp will instead use the name Team Tompkins, named for Xtreme Couture’s head trainer Shawn Tompkins, who has been coaching the team. Team Tompkins will feature last year’s contenders Chris Horodecki and Benji Radach, and reigning welterweight champion Jay Hieron. According to Joe Favorito, the IFL’s Senior VP of Communications, “The IFL is not in any way involved in this litigation, we are doing this out of professional courtesy for Randy and his group.” According to FightOpinion, judge Jennifer Togliatti ruled for further proceedings in terms of discovery (whatever that means), with the next hearing set for March 6th.
Though this move seems like a major concession to the UFC’s complaint that Couture is promoting other MMA organizations, he still has that “false and injurious statements” thing to deal with, which won’t be as easily solved as a name change. But at least it looks like Couture won’t be stonewalling for stonewalling’s sake; he’s willing to bend on the small stuff in order to free himself from his contract. More on this as it comes…
There’s a bunch of MMA-related news stories making the rounds right now. How about a quick review?
- MMAWeekly.com is reporting that IFL commissioner Kurt Otto has informed the site that Shawn Tompkins has been released from his duties as head coach of the LA Anacondas.
- The IFL will be releasing its first DVD next Tuesday. “IFL: Greatest Knockouts and Extreme Action” will be available through Warner Home Video at Best Buy, Netflix.com, Amazon.com, Borders, Wal-Mart and other fine retail outlets.
- The Fight Network is reporting that BodogFIGHT will have a hand in Strikeforce’s card on Sept. 29 at the Playboy Mansion. Bodog has sponsored Strikeforce events before and it looks like they will be lending some fighters to the event. According to the report, Matt Lee will fight Jorge Masvidal. Already scheduled for the show is Gilbert Melendez vs. Tesuji Kato, Joe Riggs vs. Eugene Jackson, and Josh Thomson vs. Adam Lynn. Daniel Puder and Bobby Southworth are scheduled for separate bouts.
- UFCMania.com is reporting that Nathan Marquardt is looking to return to the UFC in January.
- Sean Salmon has a new column available on MMAjunkie.com talking about his recent loss to Travis Wiuff on an IFO show in Vegas and an even more recent win on a smaller show in Ohio. He also talks about his involvement with Mark Cuban’s HD Fights but makes no mention of his current UFC status. Bummer.
Renowned kickboxing coach and Los Angeles Anacondas head coach Shawn Tompkins has decided to leave California and move his operations to Las Vegas in order to work with Xtreme Couture on a full-time basis.
Tompkins will also move both operations for the IFL’s Anacondas and Team Tompkins to Vegas.
You can read the post announcing his arrival at Xtreme Couture on their official blog by clicking here.
