WEC lightweight Jamie Varner’s injuries not severe, extended layoff unlikely

Jamie Varner sustained fractures in his right hand and foot in his most recent fight against Kamal Shalorus, but he won’t sit on the bench for long.

That’s according to a source from Varner’s management firm, KOReps.com, who today informed MMAjunkie.com that the former WEC lightweight champion will wear splints for the injuries for “a few weeks,” though they are “nothing serious.”

Shalorus also injured his hand during the main-event fight, which went to a bizarre split draw at WEC 49.

UFC’s White confirms Velasquez fights UFC 116′s Lesnar vs. Carwin winner

As expected the winner of Saturday’s UFC 116 headliner between heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar and interim title-holder Shane Carwin next will fight undefeated contender Cain Velasquez.

UFC president Dana White previously hinted at the plans, and he today confirmed them with MMAjunkie.com.

“Cain fights the winner of this fight, probably as soon as possible,” White told MMAjunkie.com. “Cain’s been waiting a long time.”

Strikeforce targeting Houston’s Toyota Center for Aug. 21 event

When Strikeforce makes its Texas debut next month, the organization likely will do so at Houston’s Toyota Center.

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker today told MMAjunkie.com the 18,000-seat arena is expected to host the Aug. 21 event, which airs on Showtime.

The Toyota Center is home to the NBA’s Houston Rockets and the AHL’s Houston Aeros.

Fight Path: After parents’ murder-suicide, XFC’s Julio Gallegos fixing family name

Gerardo “Julio” Gallegos, like many fighters, is trying to make a name for himself in mixed martial arts.

But, in a way, he’s also trying to erase the effect his name has.

“I fight to take my last name out of the dirt for what my dad did to it,” said Gallegos, an undefeated XFC fighter who witnessed his parents’ murder-suicide as a kid. “Half my family doesn’t even talk to me because of what he did, but I’m trying to do good with it, to make it a better name.”

Watch today’s UFC 116 pre-event press conference live on MMAjunkie.com at 4 p.m. ET

LAS VEGAS – With UFC 116 just a couple days away, the organization today hosts the usual pre-event press conference, and you can watch a live video stream of the media event here on MMAjunkie.com.

Today’s event takes place at the MGM Grand’s Hollywood Theatre in Las Vegas with UFC president Dana White, UFC 116 headliners Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin, and co-headliners Yoshihiro Akiyama and Chris Leben.

The video stream begins at 4 p.m. ET (1 p.m. PT).

Cory Devela vs. Bobby Voelker added to Strikeforce Challengers 9 main card

A welterweight bout between Cory Devela and Bobby Voelker has been added to this month’s Strikeforce Challengers 9 fight card, officials today announced.

The fight is part of the night’s Showtime-televised main card.

The event, which is the latest in the prospects-driven Challengers series, takes place at the Comcast Arena of Everett in Everett, Wash.

Quinton Jackson vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira targeted, UFC 119 or UFC 120 likely

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira have agreed to meet in an upcoming light-heavyweight superfight, though an exact date hasn’t been decided for the bout.

Sources close to the competitors told MMAjunkie.com verbal agreements are in place but that bout agreements have not been distributed.

And though the fight would appear a perfect headliner for September’s UFC 119 event, a source said October UFC 120 or UFC 121 slots are also possibilities.

Champ Muhammed Lawal vs. "Feijao" Cavalcante targeted for "Strikeforce: Houston"

Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal has an opponent for his first title defense.

Lawal, who recently won the Strikeforce light-heavyweight title from Gegard Mousasi, next meets Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante in August at “Strikeforce: Houston.”

Although bout agreements have not been signed, a source close to one of the competitors told MMAjunkie.com that verbal agreements are in place for the title fight.

MMAjunkie.com Radio: UFC 116′s Chris Lytle (in studio), Josh Gross, Jeff Meyer

MMAjunkie.com Radio today returns with another all-star lineup that includes UFC 116 main-card fighter Chris Lytle, who joins us in studio, and veteran MMA journalist and SI.com writer Josh Gross.

Additionally, TUFF-N-UFF promoter Jeff Meyer joins us in studio with fighter Mollie Estes to preview the organization’s Friday show in Las Vegas.

MMAjunkie.com Radio airs from 12-2 p.m. ET (9-11 a.m. PT) live from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. Listen to and watch a video stream of the two-hour show at www.mmajunkie.com/radio.

Fabricio Werdum, MMAjunkie.com’s Dr. Benjamin on ESPN’s "MMA Live" tonight

A special edition of ESPN’s weekly “MMA Live” show airs late tonight, and featured guests include MMAjunkie.com medical columnist Dr. Johnny Benjamin and Strikeforce heavyweight contender Fabricio Werdum.

The show is available at ESPN.com.

Additionally, you can also watch the half-hour version of the show on ESPN2 late tonight (early Friday morning) at 1 a.m. ET (10 p.m. PT).

Daily Archives: July 1, 2010