Thursday, February 18, 2010

In every fighter's career an opportunity comes along to make a name for themselves by defeating an opponent with a well-known name. This Saturday, heavyweight fighter Dave Hess will get that opportunity as he faces off against UFC veteran "Irish" Jake O'Brien in the main event of "MMA Big Show: Triple Threat." MMASpot recently sat down with Dave to discuss his origins and his thoughts on the fight.

Bellator Fighting Championships put yet another piece in place for its upcoming season two featherweight tournament today with the signing of 5-2 Shad Lierley, a former International Fight League (IFL) standout and elite-level college wrestler. The 29-year-old Lierley—who was a top college wrestler while earning his bachelor’s degree in economics and political science at New York University—is perhaps best-known for his legendary 2007 fight against one-time IFL poster boy Chris Horodecki.

Bellator Fighting Championship lightweight title holder Eddie Alvarez is expected to return to action for the first time since October in a catchweight fight with Josh Neer, reportedly in the works for an undisclosed May event. The bout is expected to take place at 160 pounds. Alvarez has not fought since October where he competed in Japan at "DREAM.12: Cage of the Rising Sun," submitting Katsunori Kikuno midway through the second round.

Boxing’s undisputed Super Flyweight Champion Vic Darchinyan has recently stated that he is interested in making a transition to MMA sometime in the near future. Darchinyan, who recently moved up to bantamweight in an attempt to become a three division champion, was last seen in the ring on July 11, 2009 when he dropped a decision to IBF Bantamweight Champion Joseph Agbeko.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Officials for World Victory Road's Sengoku Raiden Championship have announced another premium bout for the upcoming "Sengoku Raiden Championships 12." They have added Chang Hyun “Armbar” Kim to the growing line up. He will be facing Sengoku veteran Maximo Blanco at the March 7 event, set to take place at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan.

The UFC has officially announced two additional bouts for UFC 113, which takes place in Montreal, Quebec, on May 8. One of the contests features perennial contender Josh Koscheck against fast rising, hard hitting British slugger, Paul "Semtex" Daley. The other confirmed match is between "The Ultimate Fighter 7" competitor "Crazy" Tim Credeur and the always entertaining Tom "The Filthy Mauler" Lawlor. The event will be headlined by the rematch between reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.

Hector Lombard, Bellator’s middleweight champion, appears set to make have one more fight in Australia before heading back stateside to defend his title. He has been scheduled to defend his CFC middleweight title against Art Santore on March 12 in Moore Park, Australia. Lombard is also preparing to head back to the United States for two scheduled bouts for Bellator Fighting Championship later this spring.

A proposed bout between former UFC Champion Tim Sylvia and recent Strikeforce competitor Wes Sims has been scrapped before the fight was ever official. According to reports, the Ohio Athletic Commission declared the fight “non-competitive.” The fight was slated to be a part of the March 20, Adrenaline MMA event to be held in the state. Although the event has not been officially announced, several bouts have been in the works for some time.

As with past UFC events, MMA Spot will be bringing our readers coverage of press conferences, weigh-in events, post-fight press conferences, exclusive video and behind-the-scenes moments leading right up to "UFC 110: Nogueira vs. Velasquez." The event takes place on Feb. 20, 2010 from Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia, and will be broadcast via pay-per-view at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.  The main event of the evening features a heavyweight contest between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Cain Velasquez. As well as a middleweight match up between Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva and Michael "The Count" Bisping.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

World Extreme Cagefighting proudly confirms the remaining bouts of a fully-loaded card headed to Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, March 6. On top of a world bantamweight title fight between Brian Bowles and Dominick Cruz, as well as clashes featuring Miguel Angel Torres vs. Joseph Benavidez and Jens Pulver vs. Javier Vazquez, WEC General Manager Reed Harris announced eight explosive fights slated for Arnold Classic weekend.

Rory MacDoanld is being touted as a fighter that is "one two watch" and could possibly represent the future of UFC's welterweight division. The British Columbia native recently made his debut at "UFC Fight Night 20: Maynard vs. Diaz," on January 11, 2010. He fought veteran fighter Mike Guymon, defeating him by armbar submission near the end of the first round. MacDonald's next fight is rumored to be against former WEC Welterweight Champion Carlos Condit at UFC 115 in Vancouver, B.C. MMA Spot's Brad LeBeau recently sat down with the undefeated prospect to discuss his rise through the sport, landing him in the UFC.

Fresh off his unanimous decision win over former WEC Champion Brian Stann at UFC 109, Phil Davis isn't taking a break; various reports indicate he will be back in action at UFC 112 on April 10. That date would put Davis in competition for the second time within a two month span, a pace rarely seen in the organization. UFC 112 will be the UFC's first trip to the Middle East as it takes place in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates.