IFL Moves June 16 Event from Reno to Las Vegas
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The International Fight League (OTC.BB: IFLI), the world’s first team-based professional mixed martial arts league, announced today that it will move its June 16 regular season event from Reno, Nev., to Las Vegas. The event will be held at the Las Vegas Hilton, marking the first time an MMA event will be held at the hotel. Tickets for the event, which range in price from $50 to $200, will go on sale April 28 through the Las Vegas Hilton Box office, Ticketmaster or at www.ifl.tv.
New Crocop Interview April 23rd, 2007
Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovich talks about his recent loss to Gabriel Gonzaga, his health and his plans for the future.
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Translated:
Croatian fighter Mirko Cro Cop is healing consequences of a hard defeat to Gabriel Gonzaga in the UFC 70 tournament in Manchester, Great Britain. Shocking pictures of unconscious Cro Cop lying in the cage looked unreal since we were used to see exactly the opposite ones for years.
Mirko had similar experiences with Kevin Randleman in Pride and Michael McDonald in K-1. He lost by KO to both of them [that's not true, although it says so in the article], and both times he succeeded to comeback to the top. Although his charisma got seriously hurt, if not destroyed, Mirko claims he has the motivation and strength for a new comeback.
Q: Do you feel any health consequences from Manchester episode?
A: I don't have headaches, nor any visible consequences from Gonzaga's high-kick. If it weren't for the pain in the right ankle, I'd already be training. However, I have to passively rest for two weeks. The ankle is swollen, but I don't think anything is broken, otherwise I wouldn't be able to walk. Still, I'll go to see a doctor one of these days and have it scanned."
Q: You seemed absent in the cage?
A: I wasn't myself against Gonzaga. I just couldn't decide to begin an exchange of punches, to go forward. Something similar happened to me in my last fight vs. Sanchez, but I still won that fight. These things happen to me in cycles. First I learn a lesson in the ring, then I go wild and win in streaks. However, there are no alibies for this defeat, and I am not looking for any.
Q: What determined the outcome?
A: Gonzaga's elbows to my temple. When I got up, my vision was blurry and I didn't even see that right high-kick.
Q: Did you make any mistakes in the preparation for the fight?
A: The preparations were great and are not the problem. Right before the fight I was apathetic, no good, couldn't focus and I fought without any strategy.
Q: What will your future in the UFC look like?
A: I will definitely come back stronger. It's out of place to talk about the belt, but I will respect the contract. Of course, provided there are no new injuries. However, I don't know what could make me fight more after I work off the remaining 4 fights.
Q: When can we expect you back in the ring?
A: I believe I'll fight again in the UFC at the end of August or beginning of September. I expect to get a chance to rematch Gonzaga. Thanks to everyone who came to Manchester for me, and all who called me wishing me good luck. I got more than 200 calls and I couldn't answer everyone.
Sex Before A Fight: A Do or Don't?
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Attention, fighters!
Go ahead and crank up that Marvin Gaye and bust out those leopard-print boxers. If you’ve been holding out before fight night, you may be doing more harm than good—according to recent studies.
The old adage that discourages sex before a fight has been perpetuated by wrestling coaches, Olympic trainers and even Muhammad Ali himself, who swore off lovemaking at least six weeks before a fight. Claims that doing the deed would drain energy or “weaken the knees” have often kept athletes away from their partners before big events.
Such beliefs have been attributed to the thought that ejaculation releases testosterone from the body, an idea that scientists say couldn’t be further from the truth.
UFC 70 a Near-Record Sellout
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A sold-out crowd of 14,921 filed into Manchester’s M.E.N. Arena for yesterday’s event, which featured Gabriel Gonzaga’s stunning upset of Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic. The capacity crowd tallied a live gate of $2.6 million — the third-highest total in the 12-year history of the facility
UFC Quick Quote: Manchester just the tip of the global iceberg
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“We are doing this fight in the U.K. and then we’re going to do a fight in Ireland and from there we’ll be expanding into Spain, Italy and Germany. The whole idea is that you move the show around. Las Vegas will still be the hot spot, where most of the big fights take place. But beyond that, the challenge is to grow globally.”
– Majority owner of the UFC, Lorenzo Fertitta, talks about the planned international expansion of his promotion in a recent Q&A with the Las Vegas Sun along with UFC President Dana White.
FIGHTER FOCUS: Dennis THE PIRANHA Davis
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Dennis “The Piranha” Davis is one of the nation's top an up and coming lightweights. He holds several titles and plans on continuing his dominance in the lightweight division. His accolades include a FCFF lightweight Champion, CFC lightweight Champion, and 4–time Sportfight Lightweight Champion. Davis has a dangerous ground game and was originally trained by the world renowned Team Quest. He now trains with the legendary Randy THE NATURAL Couture in Las Vegas. Davis will be facing Luke LIL HULK Caudillo at ROF 29.
ROF 29 FIGHTER FOCUS: Scott Jorgensen
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Scott Jorgensen wrestled in college for Boise State University. He is a 3 time PAC-10 champion and finished in the top twelve at the NCAA national tournament. Scott began his MMA career in 2006 and has put together a 4-1 record. He was also a training/sparring partner of World Champion Urijah Faber for his last fight. Jorgensen will be challenging Tyler Toner, for Toner's 145 YOUNG GUN CHAMPIONSHIP belt.
The Cage Vol. 7 Results
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Toni Valtonen defeated Miika Mehmet by unanimous decision in the main event of The Cage Vol. 7. The four man welterweight tournament saw Wasim Ul Masih work his way to victory by defeating both Fredrik Klingsell and Jasse Junkkari by way of submission in the first round. Wasim upped his pro record to 5-0-0 and showed great potential with his solid submission skills.
20.4.2007
The Cage Vol. 7 - Reincarnation
Helsinki
1. -84 kg 2x5 min
Mikko Koivumäki, GB Gym Turku - Finland vs Teemu Inkeroinen, GB Gym Helsinki - Finland
Winner: Koivumäki, submission (triangel) 1. round at time 0.46
2. Welterweight Neoblood Tournament 2007 semifinal -77 kg 2x5 min
Wasim Ul Masih, Riihimäen Heracles - Finland vs Fredrik Klingsell, Brasa - Sweden
Winner: Ul Masih, submission (RNC) 1. round at time 1.19
3. Welterweight Neoblood Tournament 2007 semifinal -77 kg 2x5 min
Jasse Junkkari, GB Gym Helsinki - Finland vs Tomas Raila, Team Bushido MMA - Lithuania
Winner: Junkkari, submission (RNC) 1. round at time 0.52
4. -77 kg 2x5 min
Pekka Rantala, Riihimäen Heracles - Finland vs Andre Mineus, Team Leo Neves - Sweden
Winner: Mineus, tecnical submission (armbar) 2. round at time 3.03
5. -93 kg 2x5 min
Jevgeni Smirnov, GB Gym Helsinki - Finland vs Magnus Cederblad, Brasa - Sweden
Winner: Smirnov, KO (strikes) 1. round at time 0.33
6. -70 kg 2x5 min
Ville Manninen, Riihimäen Heracles - Finland vs Karen Grigoryan, Rusfighters Sport Club - Armenia
Winner: Manninen, decision (majority)
7. -84 kg 3x5 min
Mikko Suvanto, MMA Imatra - Finland vs Gintaras Petrikas, Team Bushido MMA - Lithuania
Winner: Suvanto, submission (RNC) 1. round at time 1.48
8. Welterweight Neoblood Tournament 2007 final -77 kg 2x5 min
Wasim ul Masih, Riihimäen Heracles - Finland vs Jasse Junkkari, GB Gym Helsinki - Finland
Winner: ul Masih, submission (brabo choke) 1. round at time 0.58
9. +93 kg 3x5 min
Miika Mehmet, GB Gym Helsinki - Finland vs Toni Valtonen, Espoon Kehähait - Finland
Winner: Valtonen, decision (unanimous)
UFC Belfast card filling in
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UFC Matchmaker Joe Silva has confirmed three undercard matchups for UFC 72 June 16 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The card is headlined by former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin.
As rumored, Hector Ramirez stands as Forrest Griffin’s first challenge since his TKO loss to Keith Jardine.
On a card headlined by the architect of his last loss, Jason ”The Athlete” MacDonald will face TUF 3 alumnus Rory Singer.
In what Silva described as "the best fight of the night", Tyson Griffin and Clay Guida will tussle in the lightweight division.
Tuesday the UFC confirmed Danish kickboxer Martin Kampmann as Franklin’s opponent in the main event. At the UFC 70 post-fight press conference, Dana White commented that Kampmann is "a tough, up-and-coming guy. That's why we've got him fighting Rich. This is a tough fight for Rich."
Welterweight Marcus Davis has also said, “Yeah, I’ll be fighting in Ireland.” Luke Cummo has been rumored a possible opponent for Davis.
Lightweight fighter Dustin Hazelett, from Jorge Gurgel’s Academy, is also rumored to be on the Belfast card.
No Limits event
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IRVINE, Calif., April 21 -- No Limits MMA, in conjunction with Pro Elite, held "Proving Ground" Saturday evening, the first card in the Orange County gym's new event center. Although a few of the evening's matchmaking choices left many people scratching their heads, it's hard to argue against a night of fights during which only three matches even made it past the two-minute mark.
The evening's main event pitted BJJ black belt Fabio Nacimiento against 23-year-old Millenia Jiu Jitsu student Ray "Lights Out" Lazama. It was hard to shake the feeling that this fight was set up for the No Limits fighter to walk away with a win in his home gym. Unfortunately for him, Lazama is one tough, scrappy kid and showed up intent on spoiling the party.
The two exchanged pretty evenly on the feet, but with a minute remaining in the round Lazama landed a nice shot that drove Nacimiento against the ropes. With one last flurry Lazama dropped Nacimiento and forced referee Nelson "Doc" Hamilton to intervene.
In a rematch from a Nov. 2006 bout that saw John Cronk get stopped by Mexican fighter Jorge "The Naked Man" Ortiz, history seemed doomed to repeat itself. This affair lasted 103 seconds before referee John Schorle stepped in to stop the fight.
Bao Quach offered the crowd the knockout of the night with his minute and a half stoppage of Rex Payne. The Colin Oyama-trained fighter delivered a right hand that landed flush, putting Payne down and racking up yet another win for the No Limits team.
Full Results
Ray Lazama def. Fabio Nacimiento KO 4:19 R1
Jorge Ortiz def. John Cronk TKO (strikes) 1:43 R1
Bao Quach def. Rex Payne KO 1:34 R1
Takumi Nakayama technical draw Anthony McDavitt (stopped due to eye poke) 1:23 R1
Tim Persey def. Brandon Quigley KO 0:24 R1
Albert Rios def. Randy Bowers submission (rear-naked choke) 2:42 R2
Shane Del Rosario def. Gilberto Carreto TKO (strikes) 1:19 R1
Pete Sabala def. Tyler Weathers submission (guillotine choke) 1:15 R2
Cro-Cop's knee and ankle aren't damaged as badly as first thought
this was part of another news thread i did, but i thought it deserved it own since people seem to be asking
Cro-Cop's knee and ankle aren't damaged as badly as first thought. There are some injured ligaments but "It's nothing to worry about," Cro-Cop told Croation media. Source: UFC Mania.
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UFC 70 Observations
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A few thoughts from last night's show:
Dana White said recently that Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira's first UFC fight would be against a big-name opponent this summer. Could he be reconsidering after seeing two of his most marketable fighters get beaten badly by underdogs this month? Upsets make for exciting fights, but is it bad business to have the title belts changing hands as often as they do in the WWE?
In 13 MMA fights, Michael Bisping has only once gone to the third round. And he's never gone to the judges cards. 13-0. Nine knockouts and four submissions.
Before last night's Nyquil in Fight Form, Andrei Arlovski had only once gone to the judges in his career.
In Arlovski's defense, it's hard to blame a fighter for exercising caution, even at the expense of fan boredom. It's a sport where one unlucky punch can wreak havoc on a career. Though the UFC officials say they'd rather see someone fight hard and lose than be cautious and win, they aren't the ones getting punched in the head. And at the end of the day, the win-loss column is the important thing. If it weren't, we'd see Tank Abbott fight every month.
There were a lot of commercials during last night's show, but hey, it was free.
The Couture-Gonzaga fight might sell better than some people think. The advantage of having your hot new star brutally knocked out on free TV is that lots of people saw it and might be curious as to how Captain America will deal with a monster like Gonzaga.
And that was a brutal KO. One of the worst since Tank nearly decapitated Steve Nelmark.
By the way, Randy looked huge last night. Was that a bad-fitting suit or has he bulked up?
UFC 70: Updates and Fallout
A few notes from around the web:
UFC 70 drew more than 14,000 fans, with a live gate of $2.6 million, the third-highest in UFC history. "We are doing this fight in the U.K. and then we’re going to do a fight in Ireland and from there we’ll be expanding into Spain, Italy and Germany," Dana White tells the media. More at UFC Junkie.
Gabriel Gonzaga says he went into the Cro-Cop fight looking for a knockout. "I was looking for the opportunity and took it," Sherdog reports.
Cro-Cop's knee and ankle aren't damaged as badly as first thought. There are some injured ligaments but "It's nothing to worry about," Cro-Cop told Croation media. Source: UFC Mania.
Dana White says the Couture-Gonzaga fight is marketable. "Our job now is to sell Couture-Gonzaga," he said. "I can do it."
Michael Bisping admits he never saw the knee that knocked him to the ground in the second round of his fight against Elvis Sinosic. "I was like, 'What the **** was that,'" he says
CC short interview
http://index.hr/sport/clanak/redir/344730.asp
Translation:
Only one day after brutal and humiliating KO by Gabriel Gonzaga in Manchester, Mirko Cro Cop came back to Zagreb. Several of his friends, members of the special forces, were waiting for him at the airport. As soon as he got out of the terminal, walking with a limp, reporters gathered around him to hear his opinion on last night's fight, the fifth loss of Mirko's career.
Although just 10 hours passed from the KO, Mirko was calm and collected, and if it wasn't for the visible limp, you could never guess it was the same man who lied unconscious last night in the UFC cage.
"The fight went the same way I fought it, I didn't deserve any better", analyzed Mirko and continued: "That's seems to be the cross I'm carrying, I fall down every once in a while, I don't know why. I've been two times through such crisis, against Randleman and I came back, against Fedor and I came back. I'll come back after this again. It's part of my carrer, so I should handle it."
It didn't take long since last night's defeat for speculations to arise whether Gonzaga's hick-kick ended Mirko's career aswell. But to our question whether he'll continue fighting after this Cro Cop answered: "Of, course, I will fullfil the contract, I have 4 more fights to go."
After this short statement Mirko entered his car. Before anything, it's time to recover, and after that he'll start thinking about his next opponent.
cheers
Bisping Beats up Elvis... Elvis leaves the Building Bloodied
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"... a little less conversation a little more action".
Well, that was a piece of Elvis Presley's song and also a piece of Elvis Sinosic's entrance song that just about says it all as those few words were all the foreshadowing needed to see where this fight with Michael "The Count" Bisping and Elvis Sinosic was going to end up in front of the action starved Manchester, England MMA fans.
Action was plentiful if you had the best seat in the house at the M.E.N. arena like Elivis had who saw first hand, err... fist what it's like to be on the receiving end of the Count's punches and to be 'Counted' out early by referee stoppage in the 2nd round.
UFC’s Gonzaga kicks into gear
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MANCHESTER, England - For years, Mirko Cro Cop knocked opponents out in devastating fashion with fearsome kicks to the head.
Last night, before a packed house at the MEN Arena, Gabriel Gonzaga gave the Croatian bomber a taste of his own medicine, sending him crashing to defeat with a single right kick to the head in the UFC 70 main event.
Serra, Hughes to Coach TUF 6
Matt Serra and Matt Hughes will coach 16 welterweights during the sixth season of SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter, UFC president Dana White announced during the international broadcast of UFC 70 from Manchester, England on Saturday.
Click here for more details.
UFC Quick Quote: Couture picks Napao at UFC 70
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“I see Gonzaga bursting through, getting his hands on Cro Cop, and putting him on the ground and keeping him there. He probably submit him from there.”
– UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture predicts that Gabriel Gonzaga will defeat Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic at UFC 70 later on today as told to FightNetwork.com. Couture is slated to face the winner of the bout.
you think he is rooting for gonzaga because he doesnt want to fight crocop?
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