MMA Thread

[clovett]

Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem (29-11) will defend his title for the first time in a rematch with Pride and UFC veteran Fabricio Werdum (11-4-1) at "Carano vs. Cyborg" on Aug. 15.

Strikeforce VP of Communications Mike Afromowitz confirmed the news Monday. It is the third confirmed title fight on the summer card.

The 29 year-old champion's future remained a question mark since a brawl in a Dutch nightclub took him from a title defense against Brett Rogers at "Shields vs. Lawler" in June. He spent all of last year fighting for DREAM, where he racked up two victories before multiple fouls caused a no contest in a fight with Mirko Cro Cop. He last appeared in November, submitting veteran Gary Goodridge in his home country.

Overeem first tangled with Werdum in May 2006 during the first round of Pride's open weight tournament. Overeem lost in the second round by kimura.

Werdum, 31, was released by the UFC following a TKO loss to Junior Dos Santos at UFC 90 last October. The highly decorated grappler signed to Strikeforce in April.

“I am very confident,” said Werdum. “I have trained my whole life for this moment. Coming in as the challenger in a title match is a huge motivating factor for me. Whether the fight is against Alistair or another fighter doesn’t necessarily matter to me. What matters is that I am fighting the champion.”

[clovett]

The semifinals of the Japanese-based DREAM's organization's "Super Hulk" tournament will not take place on Sept. 23 at DREAM.11 and instead will be held at a currently unannounced DREAM.12 event in October.

That's according to semifinalist Gegard Mousasi, who today told MMAjunkie.com Radio that the organization recently informed him of the change of plans.

The eight-man open-weight tourney features semifinal fights of Mousasi vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou and Hong Man Choi vs. Ikuhisa Minowa. The winners of both fights will meet later in the year in the tournament finale.

[Liquidrob]

Sad News about Johnson

Thats a good title fight, would love to see Rogers fight Overeem but that can wait

Rogers manager said Overeem is scared

[clovett]

damn you buddha beat me by a min on the overeem news

[The Buddha]

damn you buddha beat me by a min on the overeem news

Yours had the full article though, so people got the news, and the news article..all in the span of 1 sec.

[Liquidrob]

Rumored Card so far:

- Gina Carano (7-0) vs. Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos (7-1)
- Josh Thomson (16-2) vs. Gilbert Melendez (15-2)
- Alistair Overeem (29-11) vs. Fabricio Werdum (11-4-1)
- Nick Diaz (20-7) vs. Joe Riggs (30-10)
- Jake Shields (23-4-1) vs. Matt Lindland (21-6)
- Erin Toughill (10-2-1) vs. Marloes Coenen (16-3)
- Roger Gracie (2-0) vs. TBA
- Billy Evangelista (9-1) vs. TBA
- Poppies Martinez (16-5) vs. TBA

Not sure about the Shields/Linland fight though, if Diaz/Riggs is a title fight that would be 4 title fights, thats crazy, but like I said before they need to fill there title spots soon, so Diaz/Riggs makes sense

Seems like Diaz will stay at 170 and Sheilds will stay at 185, they need to get Cung off the shelf or atleast strip him of the belt if he doesnt fight any time soon

[Kuzzy Powers]

Bisping is not all that amazing of a fighter. There is a reason he hasn't faced ANYONE near or even close to the top of his division. He only fights against guys that have less experience or are several years past their prime. Hendo may not be great, but he is the best Bisping has ever fought and Bisping (should have) lost to Hammel, so this should be another loss for the Brit.

I see Hendo in the 2nd round by TKO.

Lol.. this is only his 4th fight at MW.. considering hes fighting Hendo id say hes doing a decent job at fighting top talent early in his division.

Previously he fought in his 5th fight at LHW against Rashad Evans.. considering its thats probably the top division in all of MMA, thats not too shabby either. Altho I agree he was never a force at LHW, hes looked great at MW and I think hes going to give Dan a run for his money. Id also like to note this guy was one of my most hated fighters in the sport, until he got to MW and he started working the clinch more, his fights became a shit ton more exciting. I really like him at MW.

[Liquidrob]

I think Bisping can win a decision against Hendo, Bisping is pillow fisted, but he scores a bunch of points, if Dan doesnt get him down enough Bisping will win the decision

[The Buddha]

That Strikeforce card is shaping up to be pretty damn good.

[The Buddha]

The Fight between Diaz and Riggs is for the WW title:

A rematch between rivals Nick Diaz and Joe Riggs is set for the main card of Strikeforce "Carano vs. Cyborg" on Aug. 15. The bout will be for the newly created welterweight title.

Sources close to both fighters confirmed the news to MMAWeekly.com on Monday. An announcement from the promotion is expected shortly.

It is the fourth title fight confirmed for the late summer card. Gina Carano faces Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos for the women's 145-pound belt, Josh Thomson defends his lightweight strap against Gilbert Melendez, and heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem defends against Fabricio Werdum.

Bad blood remains between the fighters. Following Riggs' decision victory over Diaz at UFC 57, the two brawled in a Las Vegas hospital until broken up by security. Both hit career skids later in 2006 and were released from the UFC.

Since the acquisition of his ProElite contract in February, Diaz has made a splash in Strikeforce, defeating Frank Shamrock and, most recently, Scott Smith. The Riggs bout will be his first at 170 pounds since his last UFC appearance against Gleison Tibau in November 2006.

Since his exit from the UFC, Riggs has re-invented himself in Strikeforce, going 4-2 for the promotion. The Arizona Combat Sports fighter was scheduled to face Jake Shields in April, but Shields turned down the fight. Riggs has since been unable to book the fight despite calling Shields out on several occasions. Shields went on to headline against Robbie Lawler in June.

Riggs defeated Phil Baroni on the same card, and believed incorrectly that he broke both hands during the fight. A subsequent doctor's visit confirmed that he had merely bruised bones in his wrist, and he will make a full recovery for the August fight.

[BigBiss]

the last Big Strikeforce event was alot of fun.

[The Buddha]

Johnson is now in stable condition after having surgery today.

[CrimsonGhost56]

Looks like Gomi will be facing Rafaello Oliveira at Affliction III

Full fight card

Main Bouts (on PPV):
- Fedor Emelianenko (30-1) vs. Josh Barnett (24-5)
- Renato "Babalu" Sobral (32-8) vs. Gegard Mousasi (25-2-1)
- Vitor Belfort (18-8) vs. Jorge Santiago (21-7)
- Gilbert Yvel (36-13-1) vs. Paul Buentello (27-10
- Takanori Gomi (30-5) vs. Rafaello Oliveira (8-1)

Undercard Bouts (on HDNet):
- Jay Hieron (17-4) vs. Paul Daley (21-8-2)
- Chris Horodecki (12-1) vs. Dan Lauzon (12-2)
- Ben Rothwell (30-6) vs. Chase Gormley (6-0)
- Javier Vazquez (13-2) vs. LC Davis (13-2)
- Mark Hominick (16-8) vs. Deividas Taurosevicius (10-3)

now thats what i call a stacked card. too bad we have to wait 5 months for each one...

[Liquidrob]

now thats what i call a stacked card. too bad we have to wait 5 months for each one...

I think its safe to say that all 3 cards (Affliction, UFC and Strikeforce) are stacked, will be a good month of MMA

[clovett]

UFC to induct Chuck Liddell and Mask into UFC Hall of Fame at UFC Fan Expo.