Joe Riggs vs. Louis Taylor, women’s tourney on tap for Strikeforce Challengers 10

A 182-pound catchweight bout between veteran Joe Riggs and Louis Taylor is set for next month’s Strikeforce Challengers 10 event.

Strikeforce spokesperson Mike Afromowitz today confirmed the fight with MMAjunkie.com.

In addition to that contest, Afromowitz said the event also features the start of the organization’s 135-pound women’s tourney.

Mark Hominick vs. Leonard Garcia on tap for WEC 51 in September

Fresh off a barnburner with fellow Canadian Yves Jabouin at WEC 49, Mark Hominick takes on another hard-swinging featherweight when he meets Leonard Garcia on the televised portion of WEC 51.

The match-up was first reported by MMAWeekly.com and confirmed today by MMAjunkie.com via sources close to the promotion.

Although not officially announced, WEC 51 takes place Sept. 30 at the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colo., and airs live on Versus.

Mark Hunt confirms UFC deal, fight with Sean McCorkle at UFC 119

Former K-1 and PRIDE heavyweight Mark Hunt was about to hop on a plane when he spoke today to MMAjunkie.com. And when asked to explain his sudden move into the UFC’s octagon, he had one thing to say.

“Why not?”

The 36-year-old fighter confirmed a four-fight deal with the UFC and a Sept. 25 UFC 119 meeting with Midwest standout Sean McCorkle.

UFC announces anti-piracy settlements with 500 businesses and individuals

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s anti-piracy efforts show no signs of slowing down.

The organization today announced it has reached “confidential settlements” with more than 500 businesses and individuals as a result of illegal broadcasts and viewing of UFC events.

The settlements span over the past two years.

Injured Kurt Pellegrino not retiring, wants "big" UFC fight in December

UFC lightweight Kurt Pellegrino raised the stakes prior to his most recent fight when he said he’d retire with a loss to George Sotiropoulos this past Saturday at UFC 116.

But after re-injuring his left knee in the first round of the fight and dropping a unanimous decision, Pellegrino is adamant that he won’t hang it up.

“I’m so sorry I lost the fight – to all my fans – but I don’t want to go out that way,” Pellegrino today told MMAjunkie.com.

Middleweight Rafael "Sapo" Natal signs four-fight deal with the UFC

Rafael Sapo, who picked up his fifth win in six fights with a knockout of Travis Lutter at the recent Moosin MMA event in Massachusetts, has signed a four-fight deal with the UFC.

Renzo Gracie announced the middleweight fighter’s signing via his official website.

Natal is an instructor (“professor”) at Gracie’s New York City-based academy.

Fight Path: Tachi champ David Mitchell went from hippie commune to MMA cage

When he wasn’t living in a California hippie commune, David Mitchell was traveling the world in his parents’ footsteps.

But after his childhood and soccer career ended, his work life proved unfulfilling, and embarrassed by a brief brush with the law, an out-of-shape Mitchell watched Evan Tanner’s UFC 51 victory over David Terrell.

He stumbled upon what would become his new life passion – one that takes the undefeated fighter into Friday’s Tachi Palace title defense against Poppies Martinez.

Frank Mir vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira II headlines UFC 119 in Indianapolis

A rematch between heavyweights Frank Mir and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira headlines September’s UFC 119 event.

UFC president Dana White today confirmed the fight with MMAFighting.com, and MMAjunkie has confirmed the booking with a source close to one of the fighters.

An official announcement of the fight and event is expected as soon as this week.

Rich Franklin out till December, UFC 119 headliner slot not possible

UFC 119 in Indianapolis still needs a headliner, but one regional fighter won’t be available for the September event.

Due to the broken arm he suffered in a recent knockout win over Chuck Liddell, Cincinnati-area fighter Rich Franklin is unavailable for main-event duties at the show, which takes place Sept. 25 at Conseco Fieldhouse.

J.T. Stewart, Franklin’s business manager, today told MMAjunkie.com that Franklin expects to be sidelined until December.

Grabowski vs. Barrett headlines Bellator 25, Frausto vs. Pene, Daly vs. Ward added

Bellator officials have added three tournament fights, including a heavyweight headliner, to next month’s Bellator 25 event.

The main event features undefeated Damian Grabowski vs. Scott Barrett in the opening-round of the organization’s eight-man heavyweight tourney.

And in the eight-slot 115-pound women’s tourney, Zoila Frausto meets Jessica Pene and Aisling Daly takes on Lisa Ward in opening-round matchups.

Daily Archives: July 8, 2010