Issue 027

July 2007

Pride sale uncertain

The purchase of Pride Fighting Championships by the owners of the UFC is in doubt.

The sale of the ailing Japanese mega-promotion has hit rocky ground following revelations that the deal was not as clear-cut as it first seemed.

UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta was in line to acquire the promotion's assets in what was seen as the boldest ever move in MMA business.

But reports from Japan reveal that Pride's troubled financial situation and assorted problems could put Fertitta's plan in jeopardy.

Pride has been hit with a number of set backs the last year or so. A scandal that linked them to the Yakuza (Japanese organised crime) was responsible for them losing their biggest TV deal, effectively relegating them to paid-only access and cutting them off from their usual viewers.

This put a huge strain on the company, as they relied on money from their association with TV channel Fuji TV to be able to produce their shows.

Two moderately successful shows in America saw growing success in the Western Hemisphere, but shows in Japan have seen dwindling attendance numbers and have not generated enough income.

Rumours of the sale of Pride have been around since last year, but it is now over two months ago since the press conference in Roppongi that saw Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta announce they would be taking over Pride.

Since then, details of the sale have been increasingly hard to find, with news of serious obstacles in the path of the buyers.

Pride's parent company Dream Stage Entertainment (DSE) is currently being sued in Los Angeles by Pride's American vice president and production consultant Ed Fishman for the sum of US$10million.

While the latest news is that the new owners of Pride may not even be able to purchase the fighters' contracts in place with DSE. It seems that DSE has requested Pride fighters switch their contracts to Pride FC Worldwide, the company formed by Lorenzo Fertitta, but most of the fighters have refused to do so.

Potentially this means that the new owners of Pride could be left without the majority of the famous Pride fighters. With increasingly difficult obstacles in the way of the purchase and numerous set backs, the future of Pride as an entity is unclear.

Windy Tomimi to return to MMA

Japanese female fighter Windy Tomimi is to return to the ring in September.

The kickboxer suffered a horrific injury in her fight with UK star and Fighters Only contributor Rosi Sexton February of this year.

Sexton defeated Tomimi in the third series of the MMA TV Tomimi show BodogFIGHT. Tomini suffered a broken leg and dislocated ankle after Sexton performed a judo-style throw. Windy's manager Shu Hirata has said she will be entering a comeback fight in Japanese promotion Pancrase in September. Tomimi remains hospitalised in Japan and has had three operations on her broken leg.

She was due to be discharged midway through May.

Hirata has said that Windy is in good spirits and is raring to go. "She already brought a few weights in her hospital room so she can work on her upper body, going through about two hours of rehab every day. She is anxious to make a comeback".

Thailand Welcomes MMA!

Thailand has long been home the sport of MMA to millions of to the tradition, dedication, and honour associated with professional fighting.

Until recently however, MMA has been almost non-existent in the birthplace of Muay Thai. Thailand is slowly introducing the sport of MMA to millions of Muay Thai traditionalists, and working in conjunction with the Thailand Sports Commission, Tiger Muay Thai training facility has promoted a MMA event at the world-famous Bangla Stadium in Phuket, Thailand.

The event (which took place on of May 25) is the islands 4^th sanctioned MMA bout.

The fight card will also showcase several of Thailand's top Muay Thai fighters competing in Muay Thai bouts. The fans at Bangla Stadium welcomed MMA with open arms and plans are afoot to showcase Thailand's first official exclusive MMA fight card.

The Maine-iac has surgery

Former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia has had surgery following his loss to Randy Couture.

The 6'8" fighter suffered from three bulged discs which caused him to suffer pain of the sciatic nerve.

"They made a 4-inch incision on my spine, went in and moved the nerves aside and cut the bulges off that were hindering the sciatic nerve", said Sylvia.

The Miletich-trained fighter will begin his rehab soon, but is in good spirits following the operation.

"I feel great. I have lots of feeling in my left foot. The tingling down my leg, thehuge pain in my buttocks and hamstring are no longer there".

No return date has yet been specified for the former title-holder.

Shogun to the UFC?

Reports have surfaced confirming that Chute Boxe star Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua has signed a contract to appear in the UFC light heavyweight division.

A statement was placed upon Chute Boxe's USA website confirming Rua has signed an agreement, and Dan White hinted at Rua being a potential challenger to Chuck Liddell or Quinton Jackson in a conference call prior to their fight on UFC 71.

Shogun is seen as one of the world's top 205lb fighters, and is a Pride Grand Prix winner. A teammate of Wanderlei Silva and brother to Murillo 'Ninja' Rua, the 25-year-old has a record of 16-2 with many wins coming via spectacular finishes. He also holds a TKO win over Rampage Jackson.

Mrs. Machine to run for charity!

Angie Freeman, the wife of our very own lan The Machine" Freeman, and her wolf dog Tikaani have been running every day to get ready for Angie's charity running events throughout the year.

Angie's first run will take place on June 17th 2007 in aid of Cancer research. She will run three to four more events this year also for other charities, such as intensive care units and to fund a dialysis machine.

These charities are close to Angie's heart as her father-in-law died of cancer four years ago and her mother passed away last year with multiple organ failure while in intensive care needing the use of a dialysis machine.

If anyone would like to support Angie and her campaign to raise money for these charities, please contact Fighters Only.

Tel: 0191 211 1947

Cage Rage 22 card released-huge names!

July 14th 2007 will see some of the biggest names in MMA hit London once again as the UK's top heavyweight fighter Tengiz Tedoradze takes on American giant Butterbean.

Brazilian MMA legend Mario Sperry will make his UK MMA debut against veteran UK fighter Lee Hasdell.

Also featured is a battle between strikers Edson Drago and Gary Turner, as well as fights featuring UFC referee Herb Dean, British battler Paul Cahoon and more.

Brad Pickett in action in America

July 14th will see Brad 'One Punch' Pickett in action against David Love. They will fight in Trenton, New Jersey. Pickett will definitely be the favourite going into the fight as Love's record is 5/0 (equal wins losses). Headlining the event will be a middleweight contest between Trevor Prangley and Yuki Kondo.

Pickett was last seen in action in Cage Rage, where he lost to top, undefeated Alex Owen. Prior to that Pickett had travelled to Costa Rica to participate in the third series of BodogFIGHT, where he defeated JR Sims by TKO.

Jani Lax to compete for Shooto title

Shooto Pacific Rim welterweight champ Takashi Nakakura will make his first defence against Swedish MMA fighter Jani Lax.

Shooto, Cage Warriors and K-1 HERO's veteran, Lax has faced some tough competition in his career, including fighters such as Tatsuya Kawajiri, Joachim Hansen and Akira Kikuchi. His last fight was in November 2006, where he defeated John Mahlow at Ironheart Crown 11 in America.

The Italians invade Essex!

Team Sure Grip are poised to invade Southend-on-Sea when they arrive to fight on Ultimate Warrior Challenge.

Four Italian fighters will compete at the event, including Ivan "The Terrible" Serati, Matteo Piran, Francisco Ligato and Cristian Binda.

The event takes place on June 2 at the Southend Tennis and Leisure Centre. For more details go to www. ultimatewarriorchallenge.com.

MMA sanctioned in Sweden again

Mixed Martial Arts in Sweden has been subject to approval by the government following a temporary ban on the sport.

The Swedish government has allowed MMA competition to continue until the May 31 2008.

Professional matches will once again be permissible on Swedish soil, which will be good news for the 60+ MMA clubs in the country.

Until recently, Swedish fighters have enjoyed the presence of respected event European Vale Tudo (EVT), which held events at the Solnahallen in Stockholm.

But the ban forced fighters to look elsewhere. Since then, many fighters have been active in the UK and Germany.

The government has asked that stringent medical examinations, follow-ups and suspensions in the cases of knockouts be implemented so as to ensure fighter safety, provisions which were lacking prior to the re-approval.

Rampage signs with Osiris shoes

Leading San Diego-based skate / surf / lifestyle brand Osiris has recently signed a deal withUFC star Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson to create a special edition Rampage shoe.

Usually the preserve of pro skateboarders, signature shoes will often feature design elements chosen by the person themselves, and as expected Rampage has put his own personal touch to them!

The Osiris / Rampage relationship was made possible through Triumph United (www.triumphunited.com). Triumph United produces fight gear and apparel and is responsible for introducing Rampage to Osiris.

"We are very excited to see the bridge between action sports and MMA complete now. Rampage is very stoked to be working with such a great company", said Hans Molenkamp, president of Triumph United. "It only makes sense that Rampage would join forces with a progressive company like Osiris. His fighting Everything emulates style they do as a shoe company dynamic, powerful, and revolutionary".

"Good ideas usually come from thinking outside the box, but in this case, great ideas have come from thinking inside the cage", said Osiris creative officer and head footwear designer Brian Reid. "Rampage is a great addition to our team and his shoe will help to strengthen the bond between action sports companies, like Osiris, and mixed martial arts.”

Rampage, a fighter who never seems to be at a loss for words, has an innovative use for his new shoe with Osiris: "Now you can put foot to backside just like me", said Rampage.

IFL stock plummets

The International Fight League is said to be in real financial trouble, with rumours that the company will not last beyond 2007.

At the time of press the IFL stock price is around US$3/ per share. Compared to a high of US$17 only months ago, alarm bells are ringing for fans and shareholders.

The company's quarterly report has recently stated losses of US$7million in the first quarter of 2007.

IFL stock plummets Top boxer wants a piece of MMA but one boxer would like to take White up on his challenge.

With such figures it is hard to image the IFL being a sustainable entity, but IFL co-founder Kurt Otto appeared on an internet radio show to allay fears the company is going to fold.

In response to being questioned if the IFL would run out of money by the end of the year, Otto clearly stated twice that "that's not the case".

Since the IFL's debut, the company has had a net loss of US$16.6 million. Otto reiterated the company would not runout of money and that the IFL management is in it for the long haul and they wanted to make a difference in the sport.

Top boxer wants a piece of MMA

In the run up to his fight with Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather had plenty to say about what he thought of ???.

Not too complimentary with his comments on what he thought of MMA fighters as athletes, Mayweather attracted the attention of UFC president Dana White, who offered to make a match with a fighter of similar weight.

In this case the fighter was Sean Sherk, who White took with him to ringside for Mayweather's fight issue a challenge.

Mayweather backed down and claimed he was only kidding and had respect for the UFC and mixed martial artists but one fighter would like to take White up on his challenge.

Kermit Cintron said he'd be willing to fight Sherk as soon as he gets his next fight out of the way.

"I want the fight", said Cintron, who is 27-1 with 25 KOS. "I can wrestle. I can box. I can beat those UFC fighters at their own game. Tell Mr. White to make me an offer and I'll take on his guy after I fight Matthysse on July 14"

Cintron wrestled in high school and was offered full wrestling scholarships to Wisconsin Ohio State Universities, but chose to pursue boxing.

As yet no comment has been made from the UFC camp.

Brazilian Top Team not happy with Nog

Antonio Rodrigo Minotauro Nogueira has joined the new Vale Tudo team Blackhouse to prepare for his debut on the UFC.

Whether he has left the Brazilian Top Team completely or is simply working at Blackhouse for this fight is unclear, but it is thought that his move has earned the scorn of BTT founders Mario Sperry and Murilo Bustamante.

"I was a little bit upset because Minotauro didn't tell the BTT that he did the contract with the UFC", said

Bustamante. "Nodoby said at any time that Rodrigo could be sent out of the BTT. When I come back I will sit down with Rodrigo to finish this thing".

Minotauro is training with his twin brother Rogerio Nogueira and Vitor Belfort in preparation for his UFC appearance. He is determined not to make the same mistake as fellow former-Pride fighter Cro Cop byensuring he is fully prepared for UFC rules.

"I am doing a lot of training in the cage and with elbows", Nogueira told Fighters Only. "I never really trained with Pride rules because I did not like the soccer kicks, so it is an easy transition for me".

USA vs. Brazil at Art of War 3

Art of War 3 will see Team USA take on a Team Brazil on August 18th in Dallas' American Airlines Centre.

Headlining the event will be Jeff Monson vs. Pedro 'The Rock' Rizzo in a heavyweight contest.

The Monson vs. Rizzo five-round title bout will headline an exciting card that also features Jeremy Horn, Jake Shields, Ron Waterman and Ricco Rodriguez.

Facing some of Brazil's best. The Americans will have their work cut out for them. Representing Brazil will be fighters such as Marcio 'Pe De Pano' Cruz, Jorge Santiago, Mario Rinaldi and Cristiano Marcello.

Full Card:

Jeff Monson (USA) vs. Pedro Rizzo (Brazil)

Jeremy Horn (USA) vs. Jorge Santiago (Brazil)

Jake Shields (USA) vs. Carlo Prater (Brazil)

Ron Waterman (USA) vs. Mario Rinaldi (Brazil)

Ricco Rodriguez (USA) vs. Marcio Cruz (Brazil)

Hector Munoz (USA) vs. Cristiano Marcello (Brazil)

James Stelly (USA) vs. Luis Arthur Cane (Brazil)