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By Anthony De Franco  January 14, 2010, at 4:38 pm  A few days ago we reported that Kendall Grove would be fighting in Abu Dhabi, but now we know who is fighting. Here is MMA Junkie with the News:
Middleweight Kendall Grove’s (11-6 MMA, 6-3 UFC) mystery opponent at the as-yet-unannounced UFC 112 event could be “The Filipino Wrecking Machine.”
Multiple sources MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) spoke to on Wednesday said Mark Munoz (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) is under intense consideration to face Grove at the event, expected for April 10 in Abu Dhabi at a stadium to be constructed.
It is unknown whether bout agreements have been distributed, but at least one fighter has verbally agreed to the contest.
However, Munoz first needs to be cleared by an orthopedic doctor for injuries suffered during his UFC 108 bout earlier this month before getting the green-light to begin camp.
The former NCAA Division I wrestling champion, who on Wednesday received his purple belt in jiu-jitsu from Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, was suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for potential injuries to his right hand, wrist and elbow during a submission win via strikes over Ryan Jensen at UFC 108.
They broke it down pretty well. However, let’s take a look at this Abu Dhabi card.
Champ Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort for middleweight title
Champ B.J. Penn vs. Frankie Edgar for lightweight title
Renzo Gracie vs. Matt Hughes
Kendall Grove vs. Mark Munoz
Look at that sexy card. Look at it. Lick it.
I’m on record as hating the two championship fights on a card, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not excited to the see the individual fights. Recently, Grove and Munoz could co-main event a card, and now it will be the fourth or fifth.
While I love Kendall Grove, I just don’t think that he is strong enough to hang with Munoz.
By Anthony De Franco December 23, 2009, at 2:39 pm Bullshit. What utter crap. According to Heavy.com, My man crush Jon Jones will be forced to live with a blackmark on his record.
Jon Jones’ appeal to the Nevada State Athletic Commission to overturn referee Steve Mazagatti’s decision in his bout against Matt Hamill earlier this month has been denied. The NSAC stated that they don’t overturn decisions and decided against ruling on the appeal.
Heavy.com confirmed the news with Jason Genet, the manager of Jones, Shane Carwin and other fighters.
Jones was disqualified after landing two illegal downward elbows that forced Mazagatti to stop the bout. Hamill was not able to continue because of a shoulder injury, and the bout was called off. But for the first time in Nevada history, Mazagatti utilized instant replay and, upon noting the illegal elbows, disqualified Jones and awarded the victory to Hamill.
Jones filed the appeal because Hamill wasn’t able to continue the fight due to a shoulder injury and not the illegal elbows.
So, you throw a downward elbow, which should be legal but isn’t. That’s not the reason that the fight ends, but the fight does end. The dude can’t go on because of his shoulder, but you still lose despite whipping his ass because of the elbow.
THIS MAKES NO FREAKING SENSE.
Whatever. Jon Jones will return to the cage in March and exact his revenge on Brandon Vera.
By Jason Comack December 3, 2009, at 5:59 pm A veteran of almost 50 fights, Gilbert Yvel is set to make his UFC debut against Junior Dos Santos at UFC 108.
Yvel, 33, was thought to be Octagon bound after Affliction Entertainment closed its doors in August, but sat in limbo until the Nevada State Athletic Commission issued him a provisional one-fight license in October.
Yvel’s controversial past has weighed on his current career. The Dutch striker turned MMA fighter drew outrage for several well-publicized incidents of misconduct including striking a referee and intentionally fouling his opponent.
The incidents prompted the Nevada State Athletic Commission to deny him a fight license in February 2007, nixing a fight with Sergei Kharitonov in Las Vegas at Pride 33.
After almost 50 overseas fights, Yvel made his U.S. debut in January after a special meeting with the California State Athletic Commission, where he assured regulators that his misdeeds would not be repeated.
Yvel is what he is. A incredibly talented striker who can be neutralized by any half decent wrestler. He’s lost to; Henderson, Horn, Frye, Fujuita and Josh Barnett and many lesser opponents.
As a big PRIDE fan you’d expect me to be the first in line to defend Yvel but the truth is I can’t. Time and time again we’ve seen guys come over from Japan who built up their record fighting cans get destroyed in the UFC. I was shocked that the public reaction was mainly pro-Yvel.
Has Gilbert ever beat anyone of note…besides that poor referee?
Prediction: Dos Santos tries to stand with him for a round before taking him down and submitting him with ease in Round 2.
By Anthony De Franco November 4, 2009, at 3:26 pm Matt Soldano is creaming his pants right now.
It looks like we may finally get an inkling as to who will take on Kimbo Slice at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale. Here’s what Sherdog has to say.
Houston Alexander was approved for re-licensure Wednesday by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, clearing the way for an anticipated bout with Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson at “The Ultimate Fighter 10” finale on Dec. 5 in Las Vegas.
Alexander spoke briefly before the commission, as he was required to undergo additional review as a potential participant that is 35 years or older. When addressed by a commission member, Alexander confirmed that he will be fighting on Dec. 5, but did not identify his opponent.
The heavily rumored Alexander-Slice bout is expected to be contested between 205 and 265 pounds.
It would have to be heavyweight because I don’t that Kimbo cutting weight would be a very pleasant sight. He might shoot a guy. Alexander used to fight in the UFC at light heavyweight.
For me, the most curious thing about this fight will be the amount improvement that Kimbo has made in his game since joining American Top Team a few months back. Has he developed some reverse wrestling? Has his striking gotten tighter?
Well, here’s one thing for sure: Alexander and Slice would NOT go to the ground. Kimbo would get to throw hands. Alexander should be the favorite.
By Anthony De Franco October 26, 2009, at 9:44 am Well, this just keeps getting better.
It turns out that all the judges from the Machida-Shogun fight had the champion winning three different rounds. Two judges had “The Dragon” winning rounds one, two and three. The other had him winning rounds two, three and four. For those who are curious, yours truly had him losing rounds one, three, four and five.
How we do know this? Because the California State Athletic Commission scorecard has been posted on MMA Weekly. Check it out.
This decision still puzzles the hell out of me. UFC president Dana White has already stated that he expects an immediate rematch for Rua. Personally, I think that each should get one fight in between, but that means that there is a chance that one of them would lose, so I get the decision.
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