Issue 029
September 2007
Josh Barnett free agent again!
“The time has finally arrived to unleash the power of pro wrestling again on the MMA world. That's right, I am finally free from my former contract and open to hearing all offers.”
The above was posted on Josh Barnett’s blog, signalling his intent to return to MMA as soon as is possible.
Barnett was contracted to Pride, but the ongoing legal situation concerning the sale of the company and the status of their fighter contracts meant many fighters were left in limbo. A former UFC heavyweight champion, King of Pancrase and Pride veteran, Barnett brings a blend of MMA and catch wrestling to the ring. Barnett was stripped of the UFC heavyweight title after testing positive for banned substances in 2002. He never defended the title he won from Randy Couture.
“Of course the first thoughts are: will I or won't I fight in the UFC?” HE wrote in his blog. “Truthfully, I have spoken with Dana and Lorenzo recently and the UFC is well aware that I have no beef with them. There are no personal issues keeping me from signing with the UFC. I just have not received any offers from them yet.”
“Many have seen me on Bodog and may think I am automatically headed to or signed with them. While I have a good relationship with the promoters and have two fighters fighting next season, I have not signed any deals with Bodog. I am looking to get back in the game and I want to be with a promotion that treats me as a valuable part of the organization. I hope I can find that kind of place this time around, not just for my sake but for all of my fans worldwide as well.”
Sherk and Franca both test positive
Sean Sherk, the reigning UFC world lightweight champion, and Hermes Franca, who challenged for his title on July 7th on UFC 73, have both tested positive for banned performance enhancing substances.
Franca has openly admitted that he made “a bad decision” and took drostanolone for an injury sustained in training. “I would like to apologise to my fans, the UFC, my students and family,” said Franca. “I offer only an explanation and not an excuse. I made a decision during a difficult time in my training for the fight that I regret.”
Sherk tested positive for nandrolone metabolite, yet sources close to him have stated that Sherk protests innocence and intends to appeal. He has so far been fined $2,500 and suspended until June 26th, 2008.
Normal levels of nandrolone range from 2 ng/mL in an average person) to 6 ng/mL for an athlete. Sherk's level was reported by by the clinician’s employed by the CSAC as 12 ng/mL. Both the "A" sample and "B" sample were tested and confirmed as positive.
It is possible that due to Sherk’s infamously hardcore training regime and massive consumption of natural supplements that his natural levels have been boosted over that of what is considered ‘normal’. A standard positive test would usually score around 50 ng/mL or higher.
The UFC have offered the following statement visa their website. Dana White wrote, “Our policy on fighters using steroids, illegal drugs or any banned substance remains the same – you cannot use them.”
“It's not only unhealthy and unsafe, it is against the law,” wrote White. “The UFC fully supports the commission's efforts and we will continue to take the measures that keep this sport clean and keep the athletes safe.”
Funaki returns to MMA
Pancrase star Masakatsu Funaki is to return to MMA after a seven-year layoff.
The submission grappler and pioneering MMA fighter will make his K-1 HERO’s debut on the New Year’s Eve Dynamite show. As yet no opponent has been named.
Fuankki, who holds wins over fighters such as Ken and Frank Shamrock, Bas Rutten and Semmy Schilt last fought in 2000 against Rickson Gracie, where he lost by technical submission to a rear naked choke.
It was while training Katsuyori Shibata for his fights that Fuanki rediscovered the desire to fight. Sadaharu Tanikawa, CEO of K-1, mentioned a couple of possible opponents including Kazushi Sakuraba and Rickson Gracie.
Jens Pulver to make debut at 145lbs.
It has been reported that former UFC 155lb champion Jens Pulver will make his first appearance in the WEC in September.
His first fight in the WEC will be at featherweight (145lbs) and will be against the 11- 1 Cub Swanson. The fight is expected to take place on the September 5th card live in the USA on the Versus TV network.
Swanson is a 23 year old up and comer from California who has won his last 11 fights.
Bisping to train with Rampage!
Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping is to travel to Big Bear in California to train with UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson.
Bisping will make the trip as part of his preparations for UFC 75, on which both Jackson and Bisping both appear. Bisping will face the wrestler Matt Hamill, who Rampage has trained with in the past.
Bisping, who is based at the Wolfslair academy in Liverpool, was invited over by Rampage after the two struck up a friendship during various press appearances.
It is expected Bisping will go over for around one month, during which Rampage has said he will “teach him everything he knows”. Jackson faces Dan Henderson in the first major title unification bout.
Viewing figures drop for Cage Rage 22, 23 card takes shape
Cage Rage suffered disappointing ticket sales for their 21st show ‘Hard as Hell’, but more disappointing is the news that they only pulled in 9000 viewers for their showing on Sky Sports 3. Previously viewing figures were at around 80,000.
One factor could be that as Cage Rage is now being broadcast on internet media source ProElite, viewers are ditching the more traditional method of watching their MMA in favour of the new technology.
Cage Rage 23 looks to be a more interesting card though, with the following matches released at the time of going to press.
World light heavyweight title: James Zikic vs Vitor Belfort
UK welterweight title: Paul Daley vs Mark Weir
UK heavyweight title: Tengiz Tedoradze vs Mustapha Al-Turk
Scottish MMA under attack from politicians
MMA has been back in the mainstream media in the UK with numerous pieces attacking the sport. One such example was that seen in Scotland, where Northern Irish promotion Cage Wars is under attack from local politicians. Sandra White, a member of Scottish Parliament, has been criticising the sport in the run up to Cage War’s August 4th event at the Braehead Arena. White has called for a debate in parliament questioning the legality of MMA in Scotland.
Fore more info go to www.cagewars.co.uk
LINDLAND RETURNS AT MW
Matt “The Law” Lindland has recently fought bouts at light heavyweight and even heavyweight, but the 185lb’er is to return to his natural weight class.
Lindland, formerly the number one ranked middleweight in the world, will make his return to the weight class he was most successful at on an upcoming BodogFight event.
“Since that fight [with Fedor Emelianenko], since I have to fight not only my opponent, but I have to fight the referee in the same match, what we decided to do was go ahead and fight 185lb guys. You know, since the referee is fighting against me in the ring anyways, we’ll just times their weight and it will equal heavyweight, and I’ll go ahead and fight [Trevor] Prangley for the [Bodog] title,” Lindland told MMA news websites
Lindland has challenged Trevor Prangley following the South African’s win over Yuki Kondo last month in New Jersey. “Honestly, I would fight in heavyweight. I’d fight in 205lbs. It’s a matter of just getting in the ring because the only time I get paychecks is when I step in the ring, so I don’t really care what weight class it is just as long as I get to get inside the ropes.”
Web: www.bodogfight.com
Carter Williams tests positive for cocaine
Former K-1 USA champion Carter Williams has tested positive for cocaine following his loss to Paul Buentello on the Strikeforce-EliteXC event.
The heavyweight from Modesto, California was KO’d 10 seconds into the second round. The California State Athletic Commission announced shortly after the event that Williams, 27, has been fined $1,000 and is suspended until December 19th 2007.
This is not the first time Williams has tested positive for drugs. The Nevada State Athletic Commission suspended him for six months after he tested positive for marijuana.
Web: www.k-1usa.net
IFL launches online photo store
The International Fight League has unveiled the first ever full-service MMA photo store.
This new offering gives fans access to an unparalleled selection of high quality stills captured by IFL photographic partner Getty Images, the world’s leading creator and distributor of visual content. By visiting www.ifl.tv, enthusiasts can view and download an extensive collection of photos.
“Due to the proliferation of new media and content sharing, fans are increasingly demanding of high quality visuals. By partnering with an industry leader like Getty Images, we will be able to provide this service to our audience for the first time,” said Gareb Shamus co-founder and CEO of the IFL. “This is one example of the many ways we’re working to energize current supporters and expand the reach of this sport worldwide.”
“Since the start of our partnership with the IFL in 2006, this segment of our portfolio has seen significant growth,” said Peter Orlowsky, vice president of sales at Getty Images. “We’re looking forward to elevating our collaboration in order to better meet the imagery needs of the IFL’s broad fan base.”
Fans can gain access to the photo store at http://pictopia.com/gallery/ifl.
