Colorado’s Tyler Toner targeted for WEC 51 return in Broomfield

Tyler Toner is the latest addition to a quickly filling WEC 51 fight card.

A source close to the event today confirmed with MMAjunkie.com that Toner will be part of the card, though an opponent has not been determined.

Although the card is still being assembled, the Colorado-based fighter
likely will compete on the preliminary card of WEC 51, which takes place
Sept. 30 at the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield (near Denver).

Lightweights Waylon Lowe and Steve Lopez meet at UFC 119

Lightweights Waylon Lowe and Steve Lopez are looking for redemption when they meet at UFC 119.

The matchup was first reported by MMAFighting.com and subsequently confirmed to MMAjunkie.com with a source close to the event.

UFC 119 takes place Sept. 25 at the 18,000-seat Conseco Fieldhouse in
Indianapolis. A heavyweight rematch between Frank Mir and Antonio
Rodrigo Nogueira is expected to headline.

Hector Lombard meets NFL vet "Whisper" Goodman in Bellator 24 non-title fight

Bellator middleweight champion Hector Lombard will whet his appetite prior to a late-season title defense when he meets Herbert “Whisper” Goodman in a non-title bout at Bellator 24.

Sources close to the event today confirmed the fight with MMAjunkie.com and said verbal agreements are in place and at least one fighter has signed for the bout.

Bellator 24 takes place Aug. 12 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla., and marks the kick-off of the promotion’s third season.

Neil Grove joins Bellator season-three heavyweight tourney field

Ultimate Challenge UK heavyweight champion and one-time UFC fighter Neil Grove is the latest addition to Bellator Fighting Championships’ season-three heavyweight tournament.

Bellator officials today announced the signing of the former rugby player, though a debut date and opponent were not disclosed.

Grove joins an eventual eight-man field that will determine Bellator’s first-ever heavyweight champion.

With XFC victory over Kim Couture, ATT fighter Marianna Kheyfets’ star was born

Some fighters spend a career fighting for a piece of the spotlight.

For others, though, the stars align, and the perfect opportunity presents itself.

For Xtreme Fighting Championships’ Marianna Kheyfets, her big shot came this past Friday in an HDNet-televised bout with Kim Couture. The American Top Team fighter seized the opportunity and made the most of her MMA debut.

No "UFC Prelims" special for UFC 119, though UFC 121 possible

Spike TV will not air a one-hour “UFC Prelims” pay-per-view teaser prior to September’s UFC 119 event, but the possibility remains for UFC 121.

That’s according to a source close to Spike TV who today confirmed the plans with MMAjunkie.com.

Spike TV’s “UFC Prelims” specials debuted in late 2009, and after strong ratings for the debut, resulted in a contract for 10 more in 2010.

After extended layoff, Steve Cantwell returns at UFC 120 in London

After an extended layoff from professional competition, UFC light heavyweight Steve Cantwell (7-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC) will return to the cage this fall.

A source close to the fighter today told MMAjunkie.com that the former WEC champion is expected to make an appearance across the pond at UFC 120.

Although not officially announced by the promotion, UFC 120 is expected to take place Oct. 16 at The O2 in London. The night’s main card airs via same-day delay on Spike TV.

HDNet Fights Video Vault: Shinya Aoki vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri at DREAM.15

In our latest installment of HDNet Fights Video Vault, we take a look at a main-event title from this past weekend’s DREAM.15 event.

In our weekly fight-of-the-week feature, DREAM lightweight champion Shinya Aoki puts his belt on the line against challenger and fellow notable Tatsuya Kawajiri.

The fight capped off HDNet’s live broadcast of the July 10 DREAM.15
event at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

MMAjunkie.com Radio: Impact FC’s Karo Parisyan, Strikeforce’s Jorge Gurgel

Welterweight Karo Parisyan, who made his first post-UFC appearance and picked up a win at this past weekend’s Impact FC 1 event in Australia, is a guest on today’s edition of MMAjunkie.com Radio.

Also joining the show is fellow UFC vet Jorge Gurgel, who meets former EliteXC champ K.J. Noons at next month’s “Strikeforce: Houston” event.

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.

No surgery on Rich Franklin’s broken arm, December UFC return still possible

UFC light heavyweight Rich Franklin got some good news from doctors on Monday.

The former champ, who broke his arm in a UFC 115 main-event victory over Chuck Liddell, does not need surgery on the left limb, and a targeted December or January return date is still a possibility.

Franklin’s business manager, J.T. Stewart, today told MMAjunkie.com that the fighter’s full-arm cast was removed and replaced with a smaller, lighter forearm cast.

Daily Archives: July 13, 2010