MMA News
STRIKEFORCE World Grand Prix — Heavyweight Tournament Presser Quotes/Pics
Feb 11th
STRIKEFORCE World Grand Prix — Heavyweight Tournament Presser Quotes/Pics
Photos: Esther Lin/STRIKEFORCE
NEW YORK – The greatest collection of Mixed Martial Arts heavyweight fighters in the world participated in the final press conference Wednesday to discuss the upcoming STRIKEFORCE World Grand Prix — Heavyweight Tournament that begins live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) this Saturday, Feb. 12, from IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J.
One day after STRIKEFORCE and M-1 presented a hugely successful Fan Experience at the Roseland Ballroom here, they concluded a triumphant two-day stint in New York by assembling 14 of the most talented and exciting fighters in the world at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers.
In Saturday’s main event, Fedor Emelianenko (31-2, 1 NC) returns to action against Antonio “Big Foot” Silva (15-2) in a STRIKEFORCE and M-1 GLOBAL co-promoted event. The opening quarterfinal on the telecast will match former world champion Andrei Arlovski (15-8) against Russian star Sergei Kharitonov (16-4), the last fighter to defeat STRIKEFORCE and DREAM Heavyweight World Champion Alistair “The Demolition Man” Overeem.
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STRIKEFORCE Grand Prix Fan Experience In NY City A Smashing Success
Feb 10th
STRIKEFORCE Grand Prix Fan Experience In NY City A Smashing Success
Photos: Esther Lin/STRIKEFORCE
Seven hours before the doors would open for the STRIKEFORCE Grand Prix Fan Experience Tuesday, a long line began to form outside the Roseland Ballroom in New York City. Once inside, the approximately 1,500 MMA fans who jammed the venue for the event were treated to a spectacular afternoon they will not soon forget. All eight fighters who will compete in the eagerly awaited STRIKEFORCE World Grand Prix — Heavyweight Tournament were in attendance and signed autographs, answered questions from emcee Scott Ferrall and posed for photos. There were ticket, T-shirt and STRIKEFORCE fight gear giveaways, fight videos shown on giant television screens, workouts in the cage and photo opportunities with The Rockstar Girls. Music was provided by special guest deejay, DJ Clue. The STRIKEFORCE World Grand Prix — Heavyweight Tournament begins this Saturday, Feb. 12, live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) with two quarterfinal fights from the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. The first live, non-televised undercard bout starts at 7:30 p.m. ET.
In the main event, Fedor Emelianenko (31-2, 1 NC) returns to action against Antonio “Big Foot” Silva (15-2) in a STRIKEFORCE and M-1 GLOBAL co-promoted event. The opening quarterfinal will match former world champion Andrei Arlovski (15-8) against Russian star Sergei Kharitonov (16-4), the last fighter to defeat current STRIKEFORCE and DREAM Heavyweight World Champion Alistair “The Demolition Man” Overeem.
The other two quarterfinal matchups at a site and date to be announced are: Overeem (34-11, 1 NC) versus the only man to tap out Fedor, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist Fabricio Werdum (14-4-1), and hard-hitting Brett “The Grim” Rogers (11-2) against Josh Barnett (29-5).
Dyami Arroyo of The Bronx was the first to show at 8:30 a.m. Despite cold, bitter, windy conditions, he kept his spot at the head of the line. “There was no way I was going to miss a chance to meet Fedor and the greatest heavyweights in the world,” he said. “As soon as I heard about this, I told my boss I was taking the day off.”
His buddy, Freddie Diaz, of Queens, says he called in sick. “I love STRIKEFORCE, but this is a dream-come-true for any MMA fan.”
Said Brooklyn’s Joe Doyle, who arrived a little after Arroyo and Diaz: “To get this kind of access to these kinds of fighters is unbelievable,” he said. “There was no way I wasn’t going to be here. I am really happy that STRIKEFORCE did something like this for us. No other MMA organizations do anything like this around here.”
UFC 128: SHOGUN VS. JONES
Feb 10th
UFC 128: SHOGUN VS. JONES
Las Vegas, Nevada (USA) – The Ultimate Fighting Championship® announced that rising light heavyweight star Jon “Bones” Jones will replace Rashad Evans in the main event of UFC® 128 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. on Saturday, March 19.
Jones will challenge reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, following Evans’ withdrawal due to injury. The 23-year-old native New Yorker, who ended the undefeated streak of Ryan Bader via second round stoppage at UFC 126 last Saturday, looks to capitalize on this championship opportunity by defeating one of the legends of the sport. He also looks to cement his billing as the fastest-rising star in all of UFC.
“My goal is to be considered the best light heavyweight fighter in the world,” Jones, who boasts a record 12-1, said. “I feel as if it’s my time. My confidence is already high, I’m already in shape and I have six weeks to make myself even better. I can’t wait for this opportunity.”
Eager to defend his crown, Rua sees similarities in Evans and Jones, who are training partners. Given Jones’ strong wrestling background and unorthodox striking, the 29-year-old champion plans on making a few adjustments, but overall, anticipates a similar fight.
Read More… «UFC 128: SHOGUN VS. JONES»
Fedor Emelianenko Free Fan Experience Tomorrow At Roseland Ballroom In NY City
Feb 7th
Fedor Emelianenko Free Fan Experience Tomorrow At Roseland Ballroom In NY City
Tuesday, Feb. 8 – Open-to-the-public/media Fan Experience at New York’s Roseland Ballroom (239 W. 52nd Street just West of Broadway, NYC) from 4-6 p.m. (Doors open at 3:30), hosted by Scott Ferrall with special guest deejay, DJ Clue. All eight tournament entrants — Fedor, STRIKEFORCE Heavyweight World Champion Alistair Overeem, former heavyweight champions Antonio “Big Foot” Silva and Andrei Arlovski, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist Fabricio Werdum, hard-hitting Brett Rogers, talented Josh Barnett and Russian star Sergei Kharitonov will participate.
Fans in attendance on Tuesday can win free tickets, get autographs, photos, watch fighters work out and much more.
Diaz, Jacare, Herschel, Gracie Win Strikeforce Fights On SHOWTIME
Jan 31st
Diaz, Jacare, Herschel, Gracie Win Strikeforce Fights On SHOWTIME
Photos: Esther Lin/STRIKEFORCE
SAN JOSE, Calif. – On a thrilling night of action in which Herschel Walker and Roger Gracie remained undefeated and STRIKEFORCE Middleweight Champion Ronaldo “Jacare’’ Souza outlasted Robbie Lawler to retain his 185-pound title, Nick Diaz closed the show in sensational fashion, turning back a determined bid by Evangelista Cyborg to win by second-round submission to successfully defend his STRIKEFORCE Welterweight Championship before a pro-Diaz crowd of 9,048 at HP Pavilion live on SHOWTIME® .
The victory was the ninth in a row for Diaz (24-7, 1 NC), of Stockton, Calif. and the second defense of the 170-pound world title. Cyborg, of San Diego, Calif., by way of Brazil, dropped to 18-14.
Complete results on the televised portion of STRIKEFORCE: Diaz vs. Cyborg presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, Souza (14-2, 1 NC), of Rio de Janiero, Brazil, kept his 185-pound crown with a hard-fought third-round submission (rear-naked choke) over former two-time world champion Robbie Lawler (18-7, 1 NC) of Gilbert, Ariz., the remarkable Walker, a former college football and NFL standout who fights out San Jose, Calif., improved to 2-0 in Mixed Martial Arts with a 3:13, first-round TKO (punches) over Scott Carson (4-2) of Costa Mesa, Calif., and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu standout Gracie (4-0), of Rio de Janiero, submitted Trevor Prangley (23-7-1) of San Jose with a rear-naked choke at 4:10 of the first.
The main event was a slugfest, the southpaw Diaz landing solid punches with both hands while the gallant challenger did significant damage with an array of leg kicks and counter punches.
But shortly after Cyborg, the husband of STRIKEFORCE Women’s Middleweight (145 pounds) Champion Cris Cyborg, scored an ill-advised takedown late in the second, Diaz finished him with an armbar at 4:50.
Read More… «Diaz, Jacare, Herschel, Gracie Win Strikeforce Fights On SHOWTIME»
Couture-Higgins Fight Feb. 18 At Strikeforce Challengers In Cedar Park, Texas
Jan 22nd
Couture-Higgins Fight Feb. 18 At Strikeforce Challengers In Cedar Park, Texas
NEW YORK – One of the most promising prospects in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Ryan Couture, will seek his second consecutive victory when he faces fellow unbeaten Lee Higgins (2-0) of Houston in a featured lightweight (155 pounds) bout of a STRIKEFORCE Challengers fight card presented by Rockstar Energy Drink at Cedar Park Center in the Austin, Texas. suburb of Cedar Park on Friday, Feb. 18, live on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
In the main event, unbeaten rising star Lyle “Fancy Pants” Beerbohm (15-0) of Spokane, Wash., takes on dangerous veteran Pat “Bam Bam’’ Healy (25-17) of St. Louis. The winner in the lightweight scrap remains in contention for a possible shot at the STRIKEFORCE title.
Tickets for STRIKEFORCE’s third fight card in 21 days and second in the Lone Star State go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. CT tomorrow/Friday, Jan. 21, and will be available at the Cedar Park Center ticket office, all Ticketmaster locations (800) 745-3000, Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com) and STRIKEFORCE’s official website (www.strikeforce.com).
Read More… «Couture-Higgins Fight Feb. 18 At Strikeforce Challengers In Cedar Park, Texas»
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