FIGHTSPORT 24-7

Jeremy Brown def Brian Schall Submission (Triangle Choke)
Jorge Ortiz def Al Delgado KO
Gabe Rivas def Ray Elbe KO
Danny Higgins def RJ Gamez Submission (Triangle Choke)
Sarah Boyd def Adrian Thompson TKO
Dan Christiansen def Lemuel Vincent TKO
Joey Villasenor def Hank Weis KO



Discuss this at Fightsport

Trevor Burnett def Dave Cochran Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
Scott Norton def Nick Gilardi Submission (Verbal)
Mike Whitehead def Brian Stromberg Submission
Matt Horwich def Paul Purcell Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
Glover Teixeira def Justin Ellison TKO
Ed Herman def Brian Ebersole Submission (Triangle Choke)

By Scoop McTroll


Ryan 'The Hitman' Bennett before he was dumped by ZUFFA


A regular FS 24-7 reader emailed me an MMAWEEKLY article from sacked UFC commentator Ryan 'The Hitman' Bennett. The article is in relation to UFC49 and in it Bennett makes the following observation.


"After watching this past UFC with my sports friends (Editors Note: What the hell are 'sports friends' anyway?), not MMA fans this is the conclusion I have come to in regards to the average joe and MMA. American fans don't care about jiu-jitsu. I know it's not words you or I don't want to hear, but as I've toured around the sellout arenas of 12,000 fans and hearing the booing at EVERY UFC when a fight goes to the ground, (especially back east) it's a fact, people don't get one of the greatest weapons in MMA"



These comments by Bennett speak volumes about the lack of understanding many so called industry insiders have about the UFC and its potential audience. We at Fightsport have long argued that anything remotely resembling Sport-BJJ will simply not sell to the masses. As much as we might hope that the average homophobic American, young male PPV buyer will embrace the cerebral chess game with all of its intricacies and technicalities, the reality is that they just want to see people throwdown. We should not make the mistake of assuming that just because we, the true MMA fans can appreciate the grappling aspect of MMA, that the mainstream should as well. If that was the case then Olympic Freestyle Wrestling would be bigger than Boxing and clearly that is not the case.

I am genuinely amazed that the owner of an MMA News service such as Ryan Bennett could have been so ignorant about his own sport. Sadly, there are many people in this sport who think the same way.




Discuss this at Fightsport.com

Randy Couture; pictured


The MMA media have reported this response from UFC Light HeavyWeight Champion, Randy Couture to Vitor Belfort's request for a rematch.

""If Vitor wants a rematch I will give it to him tomorrow. It's not up to me it's up to the UFC. As far as the headbutt, I didn't see one and didn't feel one. I believe it was a left hook that split him open not a headbutt. I think it's ridiculous that was the reason he lost the fight if that is what he said. I thought it was the 50 unanswered blows, I think that had something to do with it. Those unanswered blows that I connected with were the reason, not a headbutt. Don't know why he wants to say that, but if he wants a rematch I would be more than happy to give him a rematch."




Discuss this at Fightsport

Vitor Belfort; pictured


In an interview with Tatame magazine, Vitor Belfort stated the following regarding his loss to Randy Couture at UFC49

The following is taken from the Tatame website.

Tatame: Indignated on UFC decision, Vitor Belfort expects, at least, a rematch against Randy Couture at one of the upcoming editions of the American event. The Brazilian considers the headbutt was fundamental for his loss and thinks that the referee had taken too much time to call the doctor. "The referee didn't even realize that I had gotten a headbutt. When I argued at him, he said he thought that the cut has been caused by a punch. There was no way a jab like that would do that damage", complains Belfort.

According to Vitor, the fight should be called a "no contest". "For the UFC rules, a fight must be declared no contest when a headbutt brings any damage for the opponent. And that is what happened! At the last fight, I cut his eyebrow with a stroke. But this time, it was completely different!". Asked about a possible fight against Tito Ortiz in December, Vitor says,"What I want is to fight Couture. When he asked, I immediately granted him a rematch. I wanna see if he's gonna do the same thing now".


Editors note: The UFC has a history of strategically overlooking victories from illegal headbutts. The UFC30 match between Evan Tanner and Tito Ortiz should have been declared a no contest when Ortiz knocked out Tanner with an illegal butt. We wish Vitor good luck in his quest for justice but past actions from ZUFFA make us doubt his chances.


Discuss this at Fightsport.com

Pro Class:

Brian Ebersole V Ed Herman
Justin Ellison V Glover Teixeira
Dave Cochran V Trevor Burnell
Reed Cook V Matt Horwich
Scott Norton V Nick Gilardi
Paul Purcell V Jacen Flynn
Mike Whitehead V Brian Stromberg


Amateur:
Ed Nuno V Bret Atchley
Ralf Alacorn V Jon Martin
Scott Lincoln V Josh Curran
Enoch Wilson V Paul Morris
Lee Anderson V Ian Loveland
David Brown V Eddie Blackburn


Discuss this at Fightsport.com

By Scoop McTroll


Dana White looks as shocked as anyone about UFC Japan


UFC President Dana White (LOL) announced at the UFC49 post fight press conference what Fightsport 24-7 reported a week ago. The
UFC will hold an event in Japan on December 12.


With the US market for the UFC not exactly showing signs of growing in popularity, this move is seen by many insiders as an attempt by ZUFFA to finally tap into the lucrative and highly successful MMA domestic market in Japan. It is thought that they hope to enjoy some of the success of the major MMA events such as Pride. The appearance of MMA's number 1 Light-Heavyweight, Vanderlei Silva and a challenge from Randy Couture after his victory over Vitor Belfort, initially created much speculation that a Silva-Couture match may be planned for this event.

Fightsport's inside sources in Japan are telling us that the chance of a Silva-Couture match up happening in an event promoted solely by ZUFFA is next to nil. This leads to further speculation that this fight may happen under some sort of special joint promotion in a similar fashion to the Pride and K-1 joint event 'Shockwave' at a later time. This match will not happen at UFC Japan..

Thursday, August 26, 2004


Joey Villasenor (Farmington, NM) Vs Hank "the Vice" Wiess (Salt Lake City, UT) "BIG"
Dan Christiansen (Albuquerque, NM) Vs Lemuel Vincent (Phoenix, AZ)
Sara Boyd (Santa Fe, MN) Vs Adrian Thompson (Hemet, CA)
Ray Elbe (Scottsdale, AZ) Vs Gabe Rivas (Pheonix, AZ)
Danny Higgins (Brisbane, AUS) Vs RJ Gamez (Casa Grande, AZ)
Al Delgado (Albuquerque, NM) Vs Jorge Ortiz (Juarez, MEX.)
Chris Avila (Albuquerque, NM) Vs Auggie Garcia (Porterville, CA)
Brian Schall (Albuquerque, NM) Vs Jeremy Brown (Salt Lake City, UT)
Jerome " Bam Bam" Fountain (Albuquerque, NM) vs Rob Wooden (Albuquerque, NM)

For Tickets Call 1-888-SKY-CITY

For more info contact Christopher Cordeiro email: kotcpromoter@aol.com

Vitor Belfort (right)

Sportsnavi is reporting that UFC president Dana White announced that a Vitor Belfort vs. Tito Ortiz matchup will take place on the UFC 51 card in Japan, which is tentatively scheduled for December 12th.

Discuss this at Fightsport.com

By Todd Atkins

Terrell (top) knocks out Lindland.

Matt Lindland's latest loss will prove to be costly. Lindland was on a one-fight contract, and most likely won't be resigned unless he wants to take a huge paycut. Even then, Zuffa doesn't really have any plans to use him in the near future.

The UFC brass are ecstatic over the debut of David Terrell, and want him back in the ring as soon as possible. Don't be surprised to see him back as early as UFC 51. Word is that if David Terrell wins impressively again at UFC 51, he will be given the star treatment.

UFC was very happy with the way the fights turned out for the most part. They are developing the 185-pound division, added a new player to the heavyweight division in Justin Eilers, and are were able to trim Matt Lindland from future budgets.

The 170-pound class is already deep but Chris Lytle and Karo Parisyan kept themselves in the mix with their wins. Nick Diaz lost a close fight but he is expected to be kept as well.

UFC president Dana White thinks that UFC needs to develop a few more heavyweights, and also work a bit more on the 205-pound division. The thought is that Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, and Vitor Belfort can only face each other so many times.

As in recent shows, the UFC will continue to trim fighters that demand or command a lot of dollars, and put in young exciting talent that will fight within their budget and sign their contracs without question. That strategy, along with having a big name or two headline a card, is the business model they will keep pursuing.

We will see if Tito Ortiz can 'carry' the UFC 50 show on his own. Fans are not real excited about the Tito Ortiz vs. Guy Mezger matchup, but Zuffa thinks it will be an easy fight for Tito in order to get him back on track.

Marvin Eastman may not be able to fight because of his K-1 injuries, so it would not be a surprise to see someone else in there against Canadian fighter Patrick Cote. The Zuffa offices are also not convinced that Tim Sylvia will be ready to fight by December.


More post UFC 49 notes:

Zuffa claims over 12,000 fans attended, and that the gate made over .

The UFC-Spike reality show will supposedly start shooting September 15th and supposedly air on January 15th.

Spike TV gave them the best time slot, which is right after WWE 'Raw'.

The two coaches for the reality show will supposedly be Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture.

Discuss this at Fightsport.com

posted by Fightsport #11:59 PM

By Jake R

Chuck Liddell vs. Vernon "Tiger" White

Vernon 'Tiger' White had the orbital bone in his eye socket broken by Chuck Liddell, and was not actually knocked out.

In addition, Liddell's thumb went deep into White's eye on that final punch, just as it did when Liddell fought Tito Ortiz.

Discuss this at Fightsport.com

Yuki Kondo

Pancrase announced the following matchups for their November 7th card:


Yuki Kondo vs. TBA
Heath Sims vs. Satoru Kitaoka

Discuss this at Fightsport.com

Jens Pulver

Todd Atkins reports the following from Japan:


This has kind of flown under the radar but Jens Pulver will be competing on the Shootbox show in Japan on September 19th.

Discuss this at Fightsport.com

Hidehiko Yoshida

The Japanese media is reporting that a main event of Hidehiko Yoshida vs. Naoya Ogawa will most likely take place on the PRIDE show that is scheduled for December 31st.

Discuss this at Fightsport.com

Fedor Emelianenko

Sankei Sports reports that Fedor Emelianenko recieved nine stiches for the cut he sustained in last week's fight against Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira.

Fedor got the cut stiched up at a local hospital in St. Petersburg, Russia, and is expected to be healed up in one month.

Discuss this at Fightsport.com

Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira

Todd Atkins reports the following from Japan:


Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira has chipped bones in his left arm. Apparently he has always felt pain there. He is now completely unable to stretch out his left arm. He was injected with a painkiller prior to fighting Fedor Emelianenko.

According to the Japanese media, Minotauro will have surgery as soon as he goes back to Brazil.

Earliest opportunity for a rematch with Fedor will be on the PRIDE 'Otoko Festival' card on December 31st. The rematch may even be pushed back even further.

Discuss this at Fightsport.com

Barnett losing by KO to Rizzo back in UFC 30.

PRIDE matchmaker Nobuhiko Takada confirmed what Fightsport.com first reported last week, that Pedro Rizzo will feature in the promotion soon.

According to Takada, DSE/PRIDE wants to set up a rematch of Pedro Rizzo vs. Josh Barnett for their PRIDE 28 show on October 31st.

Discuss this at Fightsport.com

Minotauro (bottom) vs. Fedor

Sankei Sports reports that Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira sustained a fracture in his elbow during his fight against Fedor Emelianenko on August 15th, and will need surgery to repair the injury.

According to Sankei Sports, Minotauro is scheduled for surgery in early September, and will face Fedor for a third time on December 31st.

Discuss this at Fightsport.com

Couture and Silva at UFC 49.

The Japanese media is now reporting what Fightsport.com first reported on our 'Coffee Guy Exclusive' on July 28th, that the UFC will do a show in Japan in December.

The exact date that the Japanese media is saying the show will take place is on December 12th.

Discuss this at Fightsport.com

Kosei Inoue (right)

Fightsport.com first reported back in January that K-1 was having talks with Japanese judo world champion and superstar Kosei Inoue, with the intention of signing him to do MMA matches in their promotion.

With Inoue's recent upset loss in the quarterfinals of the 2004 Olympics, the Japanese media are saying that Inoue will most likely sign with K-1 very soon.

furthermore, the Japanese media is saying that PRIDE is also interested in signing Inoue, but that K-1 will most likely offer him more money, thus attaining his services.

Discuss this at Fightsport.com

Ernesto Hoost

K-1 World GP 2004: 'Final Elimination'
Saturday, September 25, 2004
Nippon Budokan
Tokyo, Japan


Below are the matchups for the 14 fighters who will participate on the K-1 'Final Elimination' card on September 25th.

The winners (along with last year's K-1 champion Remy Bonjasky) will advance on to the K-1 World GP Finals on December 6th:


Ernesto Hoost vs. Glaube Feitosa
Jerome Le Banner vs. Francois Botha
Peter Aerts vs. Micheal McDonald
Ray Sefo vs. Hiromi Amada
Alexei Ignashov vs. Kaoklai Kaennorsing
Gary Goodridge vs. 'Mighty' Mo Siligia
Musashi vs. Cyril Abidi

Discuss this at Fightsport.com

Pancrase 2004 Brave Tour
Sunday, August 22, 2004
Umeda Stella Hall
Osaka, Japan


Yoshiro Maeda defeats Fredson 'Peixao' by unanimous decision.
Nilson Castro defeats Daisuke Watanabe by KO at 1:14, RD 2.
Kenji Arai defeats Yasuyuki Tokuoka by TKO at 5:00, RD 1.
Hideki Tadao defeats Tsuyoshi Ozawa by unanimous decision.
Masashi Kameda drew with Mitsuhisa Sunabe.
Daisuke Hanazawa defeats Masato Nishiguchi by unanimous decision.
Manao Kumagai defeats Yuichi Miyazaki by rear naked choke at 3:29, RD 1.

Discuss this at Fightsport.com

UFC 49: Unfinished Business
Saturday, August 21, 2004
MGM Grand Garden
Las Vegas, Nevada


Randy Couture defeats Vitor Belfort by TKO at 5:00, RD 3.
Joe Riggs defeats Joe Doerksen by TKO at 2:39, RD 2.
Chuck Liddell defeats Vernon 'Tiger' White by KO at 4:05, RD 1.
David Terrell defeats Matt Lindland by KO at 0:24, RD 1.
Justin Eilers defeats Mike Kyle by KO at 1:14, RD 1.
Chris Lytle defeats Ronald Jhun by guillotine choke at 1:17, RD 2.
Karo Pariysan defeats Nick Diaz by split decision.
Yves Edwards defeats Josh Thompsonby KO at 4:32, RD 1.

Discuss this at Fightsport.com

Gladiator Challenge 30
August 19, 2004
California


Urijah Faber defeats Del Hawkins by TKO at 3:19,RD 1.
Scott Smith defeats John Seilhan by TKO at 1:29, RD 1.
James Fanshier defeats Bobby Suggs by guillotine choke at 0:30, RD 1.
Cal Worsham defeats Adrian Perez by TKO at 0:48, RD 1.
Tyrone Glover defeats Caesar Moreno by ankle lock at 2:48, RD 1.
Jaime Jara defeats Kyacey Uscola by split decision.
Cody Grimes defeats Adam Alvarez by armbar at 2:08, RD 1.
Billy Miles defeats Kelly Johnson by KO at 0:14, RD 1.
Bruce Cherry defeats Barry Blodsser by guillotine choke at 0:38, RD 2.
James Martinez defeats Lewis Steele by TKO at 3:41, RD 1.
Brian Badgerow defeats Robert Breslin by unanimous decision.
Chris Marez defeats Stephan Rodriguez by KO at 0:07, RD 1.
Nick Crammer defeats Ray Perales by ankle lock at 1:46, RD 1.
Jimmy Ramirez defeats Joe Scola by TKO at 3:35, RD 1.
Jason Pachanco defeats Paul Smiley by guillotine choke at 1:07, RD 1.
Jeremy Freitag defeats John Cobb by rear naked choke at 0:42, RD 1.

Discuss this at Fightsport.com

Our sincere apologies for the lack of updates the last few days. We were having some technical difficulties.

The problems have been fixed and everything is back to normal.

Discuss this at Fightsport.com