Its been a bit too long since the last MMA Melee and thus the news has piled up. 1st things 1st, the WEC has already begun the phasing out process for the Welterweight division as Champion Carlos Condit is promoted to the UFC to fight against Martin Kampmann at UFC Fight Night 18 April 1. This is going to be an amazing fight as Condit is ready to test himself at the big dance while the "Hitman" is looking for a 2nd win in his new Welterweight home.
Three of Japan’s most recognizable MMA stars were in attendance during UFC 94. Judo gold medalist Satoshi Ishii and DREAM stars Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto, and Caol Uno. Caol is the only fighter officially signed with the UFC making his debut/loss at UFC 99 against Spencer "The King" Fisher. The "Kid" still has 2 fights left for DREAM but could you imagine the super-fights between Yamamoto and Urijah Faber or Miguel Torres! Many hardcore MMA fans have dreamed of these potential Norifumi fights for years. Ishii is still mulling over his ridiculous offers and training at bit at Xtreme Couture.
Is Affliction 3 and done or not? Vice President Tom Atencio said, “The third show will be it. We dived into the MMA business for a reason. To put on good fights. We have done nothing but that. The third show will be it for us. We are taking a break.” Yet, the promotion continues to sign new fighters including former UFC/TUF fighter Din Thomas who would be dropping weight to fight in the Featherweight division. Affliction has also signed ginormous head Tito Ortiz to possibly fight Renato Sobral for the next event. I'm getting mixed signals.
A mega-fight has been signed between Rich Franklin and Wanderlei Silva at a catch weight of 195 lbs. This is the beginning of Wand's eventual move to the Middleweight division while Rich just continues to meander through the UFC looking for interesting fights while hoping Anderson Silva retires. The bout will be at the aforementioned UFC 99 June 13, in Germany.
Another big bout slated for said 99er includes Mike Swick taking on Ben "Killa B" Saunders in a Welterweight fight. Ben is coming of his 20 something knee destruction of Brandon Wolff while Swick is returning from his Joe Silva gift of Jon Goulet KO. Let's hope the always injury prone and brittle Swick can make this fight which could be very fast paced and exciting. A little AKA (Swick) vs ATT (Saunders) action is always good.
Gilbert Melendez is finally getting his rematch for Josh Thomson's Lightweight Championship at Strikeforce April 11. "El Nino" lost the strap via decision in June of 2008 and has not competed since. The 14-2 fighter is facing the "Punk" on an 8 fight winning streak that has charted the AKA solidly on most Lightweight rankings.
Former boxing heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman is coming to MMA sometime this year, according to the fighter’s agent. The former Pro Boxer is "serious" about making a go of MMA after watching Kimbo Slice fight and recognizing he is a spry 36 years old. This on the heels of the announcement that Ray Mercer has signed to fight Tim "I'll Take Any Job At This Point" Sylvia in a boxing match at his agent Monte Cox's Adrenaline promotion. More washed up boxers coming to MMA only continues the slow death of a once proud boxing world.
Three of Japan’s most recognizable MMA stars were in attendance during UFC 94. Judo gold medalist Satoshi Ishii and DREAM stars Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto, and Caol Uno. Caol is the only fighter officially signed with the UFC making his debut/loss at UFC 99 against Spencer "The King" Fisher. The "Kid" still has 2 fights left for DREAM but could you imagine the super-fights between Yamamoto and Urijah Faber or Miguel Torres! Many hardcore MMA fans have dreamed of these potential Norifumi fights for years. Ishii is still mulling over his ridiculous offers and training at bit at Xtreme Couture.
Is Affliction 3 and done or not? Vice President Tom Atencio said, “The third show will be it. We dived into the MMA business for a reason. To put on good fights. We have done nothing but that. The third show will be it for us. We are taking a break.” Yet, the promotion continues to sign new fighters including former UFC/TUF fighter Din Thomas who would be dropping weight to fight in the Featherweight division. Affliction has also signed ginormous head Tito Ortiz to possibly fight Renato Sobral for the next event. I'm getting mixed signals.
A mega-fight has been signed between Rich Franklin and Wanderlei Silva at a catch weight of 195 lbs. This is the beginning of Wand's eventual move to the Middleweight division while Rich just continues to meander through the UFC looking for interesting fights while hoping Anderson Silva retires. The bout will be at the aforementioned UFC 99 June 13, in Germany.
Another big bout slated for said 99er includes Mike Swick taking on Ben "Killa B" Saunders in a Welterweight fight. Ben is coming of his 20 something knee destruction of Brandon Wolff while Swick is returning from his Joe Silva gift of Jon Goulet KO. Let's hope the always injury prone and brittle Swick can make this fight which could be very fast paced and exciting. A little AKA (Swick) vs ATT (Saunders) action is always good.
Gilbert Melendez is finally getting his rematch for Josh Thomson's Lightweight Championship at Strikeforce April 11. "El Nino" lost the strap via decision in June of 2008 and has not competed since. The 14-2 fighter is facing the "Punk" on an 8 fight winning streak that has charted the AKA solidly on most Lightweight rankings.
Former boxing heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman is coming to MMA sometime this year, according to the fighter’s agent. The former Pro Boxer is "serious" about making a go of MMA after watching Kimbo Slice fight and recognizing he is a spry 36 years old. This on the heels of the announcement that Ray Mercer has signed to fight Tim "I'll Take Any Job At This Point" Sylvia in a boxing match at his agent Monte Cox's Adrenaline promotion. More washed up boxers coming to MMA only continues the slow death of a once proud boxing world.
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