Issue 015
July 2006
Kiane to UFC if he beats Tank?
There have been substantial rumours of a brief meeting between Kiane and UFC president Dana White. The UFC’s top bosses were in the UK for SENI 2006, Europe’s largest MMA expo. It is said that while there, they discussed Kiane’s upcoming fight with Abbott, and it was hinted that if Kiane wins, he may well earn himself a place in the UFC HW division.
The HW division is currently in turmoil, after reigning champion Andrei Arlovski lost his title to former champion Tim Sylvia last month. With a rematch scheduled for later this year, there is a lack of suitable contenders to challenge whoever will hold the belt. With the UFC recently bringing in plenty of outside talent to boost their ranks, we may well see the Algerian millionaire step foot inside the octagon to contend for the title.
As yet, these are unconfirmed rumours and it must be stressed that the outcome of Kiane’s fight with Tank will play heavily on any plans the UFC may have. Tank and Kiane face off at Cage Rage 17 on July 1st, where they will be supported by fights such as 6-time UFC veteran Ian Freeman versus Melvin Manhoef and Curtis Stout versus Cyborg.
Sakuraba leaves PRIDE for K-1
LEGENDARY PRIDE fighter Kazushi Sakuraba has left PRIDE and signed an exclusive deal with K-1.
The wily Japanese veteran made the unexpected move by appearing at K-1 HERO’s last month in disguise. Wearing a wrestling mask, he said in an in-ring interview he was looking forward to fighting on K-1.
Sakuraba has fought almost his entire MMA career in PRIDE, save for the first three fights of his career. A former professional wrestler, Sakuraba earned the nickname the ‘Gracie Hunter’ after defeating four members of the famous family. He beat Royler, Royce, Ryan and Renzo.
PRIDE FC president Mr Sakakibara spoke about the shock move at a press conference. “For me, there is no option to go to the HERO’s ring,” stated Sakakibara. “I thought Sakuraba was the same. I guess there was a gap between our thinking. We can’t choose our families and brothers, but I thought that we had a bond between us just as strong.”
The DSE president actually went as far as saying that he felt “betrayed” by the move. “We were alone in thinking that he was like our family. It’s not a matter of contract, I thought if there was trust then we needed no contracts.”
Hector Lombard signed by J-ROCK
CUBAN OLYMPIC judo star Hector Lombard has signed with Japanese management company J-ROCK.
Though little known outside of Japan, J-ROCK are known for managing many judokas in MMA (including Japanese superstars Hidehiko Yoshida, and his students at the Yoshida Dojo Kazuhiro Nakamura, Makoto Takimoto, Michihiro Omigawa and Ryuichi Murata). J-ROCK also manage Formula One driver Yuji Ide, the baseball player Shinjiro Hiyama, entertainer Ayuri Iisaku, and rapper Hi-D.
The company, formed in November of 1997, have now signed MMA fighter Hector Lombard, who is due to appear in the next PRIDE WW GP. Lombard has said that he feels his new team are like “family”. He will face Japanese fighter Akihiro Gono in the first round of the WW GP.
Matsui and Saku leave Takada Dojo
REPORTS have surfaced that MMA legend Kazushi Sakuraba and long-time partner Daijiro Matsui have left Takada Dojo. In a shock move, both fighters have been removed from the team roster on the official Takada Dojo website. There are rumours that Sakuraba may well open his own gym. As reported in this issue, Sakuraba’s move to K-1 may be a mitigating factor. Takada Dojo is headed up by former pro-wrestler and PRIDE General Director Nobuhiko Takada.
MMA Events Diary
JUNE
02//Storm Force
Storm Force
Doncaster Parklands Sports
& Social Club
Contact 01302858335
03//Total Combat 16
Spennymoor Leisure Centre,
Co Durham
Featuring Buzz Berry vs Dan Severn!
mmatotalcombat.com
04//Valhalla Fighting Championships 1
Jarrow, Tyne and Wear
Contact 07985120893
10//Pride and Glory: Drop Zone 3
Catterick, North Yorkshire
10// Ultimate Warrior Challenge
Southend-on-Sea, Essex.
www.UltimateWarriorChallenge.tv
email: [email protected] for info
17//Intense Fighting 4
The Cherry Hinton Centre, Cambridge
Contact [email protected]
25//Welsh Amateur Grapple & Strike ‘06 2nd leg
Nantyglo Leisure Centre Full Contact
www.grappleandstrikewales.com
25//ZT Fight Night 2
Copthorne Hotel Resort,
Effingham Park
07920 427763. www.ztfightskool.com
JULY
01//Cage Rage 17
Wembley Arena, London
Featuring Ian Freeman vs Melvin Manhoef. cagerage.tv
08//Pride and Glory:
Lights Out at the Lightfoot
Newcastle
prideandglory.tv
15//CW Quest Volume 7
Octagon Centre, Sheffield
cagewarriors.com
15//FX3: Full Contact Fight Night 3
Bracknell, Berkshire
Contact 0118 9474576
freestylefightingfederation.com
INTERNATIONAL
JUNE
03// International Fight League: Championship
Atlantic City, USA
03// Mix Fighting Championship 7: Russia vs USA 3
Atlantic City, USA
03// StrikeForce 2: Revenge
San Jose, California
04// Pride: Bushido 11
Tokyo, Japan
Including welterweight Grand Prix
10// Apex Championship Fighting: Evolution
Gatineau, Canada
30//K-1 Max: World Grand Prix Finals
Yokohama, Japan
JULY
01//Pride: Critical Countdown 2006 Openweight GP
Japan
22// World Fighting Alliance:
King of the Streets
Los Angeles, California. Featuring Quinton Jackson vs Matt Lindland
Anderson Silva signs with UFC
Anderson Silva has confirmed in an interview that he has signed with the American promotion UFC. Silva, a middleweight champion in Cage Rage in the UK, was courted by up to three promotions, as reported in last month’s issue.
Drafted in to boost their 185lb division, Silva is expected to be groomed as potential challenger to UFC MW champion Rich Franklin. The Ohio-resident Franklin is currently out with a badly broken hand, which he injured in his title defence against David Loiseau.
Silva was quoted as saying “I signed and I will go to fight in June, on the 28th of June. I signed with them for four fights, and I do not know the later dates I will fight, but the UFC gave me a very good projection.” It is thought Silva’s first opponent will be TUF series one standout Chris Leben. Silva will be a heavy favourite going into the fight due to his merciless striking skills and slick submission game.
His KO over UFC veteran Tony Fryklund on Cage Rage 16 brought him plenty of attention, as did his earlier stoppage of Curtis Stout. Silva, a PRIDE veteran, holds wins over top fighters such as Jeremy Horn and Lee Murray.
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