Issue 030
October 2007
Wanderlei Silva joins the UFC
Brazilian MMA superstar Wanderlei Silva has signed to fight for the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC).
The Chute Boxe fighter and former Pride champion will fight in the Octagon before the end of the year.
“This is the pinnacle of my seven year career in this company,” said UFC president Dana White, who has often talked of his attempts in trying to secure Silva’s services. “I’m so excited to have Wanderlei under contract. He grabbed my arm and looked me in the eyes like one of his pre-fight staredowns and he said ‘I’m gonna fight so good for you, you’re gonna see the best fights ever from Wanderlei Silva.’”
Silva, the former Pride champion, will return to fighting in the Octagon for the first time in over seven years to compete in the light heavyweight (205lb) division.
“Many fighters have a dream of fighting for the UFC, and as a champion for six years in Japan, my dream has always been to have the UFC belt,” said Silva. “Today, I’m one step closer to this goal.”
The signing of Silva took place in the Zuffa offices in Las Vegas in late August and was documented on video and broadcast on the UFC website. A visibly excited White told the camera “I’ve been waiting for this for years”.
Silva, 31, is known by fight fans as ‘The Axe Murderer’ for his ultra-aggressive style. He began his career 11 years ago in his native Brazil, fighting in bare-knuckle ‘vale tudo’ bouts.
The Brazilian made his UFC debut against Vitor Belfort in 1998, and went on to fight twice more in the Octagon (including a 2000 bout against Tito Ortiz).
Silva made his name in the Pride ring in Japan, where he went undefeated in 18 fights over four years. He won the organization’s middleweight championship and defeated the likes of current UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson (twice), Dan Henderson, Kazushi Sakuraba (three times), Ricardo Arona, Hidehiko Yoshida, and Kazuyuki Fujita.
“This guy is a real fighter,” said White. “He’s the kind of fighter that all fight fans love to see fight. He’s a gunslinger. He will get in harm’s way to inflict damage and pain. This guy comes out like a speeding train and never stops. He goes for the finish, he likes to knock people out, and I just think he’s going to bring so much excitement to the UFC, I feel like I’m going to jump out of my skin.”
“I’m gonna work hard to give a great show for the fans and I want to thank God for this opportunity,” said Silva. “I want to issue a warning to the other fighters out there: you need to train hard, because “The Axe Murderer” is here.”
Silva will return to the UFC in December. No opponent had been named at the time of going to press.
Strikeforce MMA heads to Playboy Mansion!
Strikeforce, the California-based MMA promotion, will produce the first-ever mixed martial arts event at the world-famous Playboy Mansion.
Scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 29th, the promotion will travel to the Beverly Hills mansion, owned by Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner.
Fighters such as undefeated Strikeforce lightweight champion ‘El Nino’ Gilbert Melendez and UFC and Pride veteran Josh “The Punk” Thomson will appear on the event
The 10-bout fight card will also host the return of Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Bobby Southworth as well as the return of former WWE star Daniel Puder.
The one-of-a-kind affair will also lavish each of its guests with a number of memorable experiences including a top-shelf open bar, a buffet-style gourmet dinner, photo opportunities with Playboy Playmates and a wine-tasting party featuring the spirits of various gold-medal wineries. A poker tournament, open to a limited number of guests, will also take place on the mansion grounds on the evening of the event.
“This is another leap forward into mainstream America for Strikeforce and the sport of mixed martial arts,” said Scott Coker, CEO of West Coast Productions, LLC, the parent company of Strikeforce. “We feel honoured that Mr. Hefner chose the Strikeforce brand to entertain an audience at his home and we’re looking forward to putting on an incredible show.”
For more info go to www.strikeforceusa.net
Brandon Vera back to UFC, faces Sylvia at UFC 77
The unbeaten heavyweight Brandon “The Truth” Vera will return to the UFC at UFC 77: Hostile Territory. This fight will mark the first fight for Vera since a contract dispute with former management sidelined him for almost a year.
The dynamic Vera (8-0) is excited to get back in the Octagon, and expects to pick up where he left off last year by taking on former heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia.The 6’8” Sylvia (25-3-0), looks to get on track to a third spell as heavyweight champion. A two-time holder of the title already, a win over Vera will push him firmly in that direction.
Vera’s absence boils down to the fact he had been in a state of limbo following a dispute with manager Mark Dion. It is believed that Dion possibly withheld contract proposals that had been made by the UFC with the possible motive of steering him to another promotion.
Vera took his grievance to the California State Athletic Commission with the intent of legally severing all ties to Dion. No official decision has been announced but Vera is now represented by ‘NCFC’.
Randleman Arrested
Former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman was arrested on 16th August for a number of offences.
The three-time All-American wrestler was arrested in Nevada and charged with Malicious destruction of private property, intimidating a police officer, being under the influence of a controlled substance, driving without a valid license, failure to drive in a travel lane, driving under the influence of liquor and/or drugs, and speeding 21 to 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.
The 37 year old fighter was held at the Clark County Detention Centre in Las Vegas and later released on bail of $11.600. After being arrested Randleman became increasingly violent, and upon arrival at the CCDC had to be restrained by several law enforcement officials.
Randleman was subjected to a ‘force blood draw’ after refusing to provide a sample of intoxication levels. This is permitted under the Nevada Implied Consent, which grants law enforcement the right to forcibly test subjects suspected of ‘driving under the influence’
Randleman’s case is being reviewed by Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney Ronald Bloxham. Randleman’s attorney, James C. Gallo, of Las Vegas, declined comment.
The former Pride FC fighter is currently serving a one-year suspension for providing a false urine sample following his October 2006 loss to Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua.
Caged Gladiators returns
The Liverpool-based event Caged Gladiators has announced its next show, to be held on November 4th in their home venue of the Olympia.
Featuring a heavyweight title fight between UFR member Colin Robinson and defending champ Tom Blackledge, the event will also see UFC veteran Jason Tan take on the busy Aiden Marron at lightweight.
Though it is not confirmed, it has been speculated that the fight could be for the lightweight title, currently held by Terry Etim (who is tied to a UFC contract).
CG announce ‘Gladiator School’
Caged Gladiators have announced a new semi-pro and amateur event to serve the North West region.
Gladiator School will be run as a breeding ground for up and coming fighters and will feed the professional event with new talent. The North West of England is home to many MMA clubs and this event hopes to provide aspiring fighters with a suitable platform to gain much needed experience.
The first Gladiator School will be held on 30th September at the Olympia.
For more info go to www.cagedgladiators.tv
Dan Hardy to fight in Japan
The 8th September is burned into the brains of UK fans for one reason – the UFC is coming to London of course!
But one British star will be busy halfway across the world, as welterweight fighter Dan ‘The Outlaw’ Hardy competes in the semi-final Cage Force’s welterweight tournament.
Hardy, one of the top three welterweights in the country, has been preparing in California for the last three months to take on Hidetaka Monma (13-6-3), a K-1 HERO’s veteran and much-vaunted fighter.
It is expected the overall winner of the tournament will go on to be crowned Cage Force welterweight champion. The finals take place on December 1st.
Cage Warriors: Enter the Rough House
Nottingham is preparing to host the next Cage Warriors event, which will take place on October 14th.
The next instalment of the popular ‘Enter the Rough House’ series will see a welterweight scrap between the tough Jim Walhead and the Ulster-based UFC veteran Steve Lynch.
Also featured will be a bantamweight title fight between Paul McVeigh and Brazilian fighter Anderson Pereira, as well as fights including UK talent such as Matt Thorpe, Andre Winner and Wayne Buck.
Izidro vs. Engberg at UWC
Ultimate Warrior Challenge returns on the 10th November with an event that will play host to a number of Scandinavian fighters.
Cage Warriors light weight champion Alex Izidro will face off against Joakim Engberg of Norway in a 73kg fight, while Simon Thorensen (who trains with Pride star Joachim Hansen) will take on UK welterweight Danny Rushton.
Supporting the action will be a heavyweight fight between Italian fighter Ivan Serati and Polish scrapper Premizemyslaw Micsiala.
For more info go to www.ultimatewarriorchallenge.co.uk
