M-1 would like to congratulate Brock Lesnar on his UFC heavyweight title victory as well as acknowledge Randy Couture’s return to active competition after a layoff that lasted over a year.

Couture and WAMMA heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko had publicly acknowledged a desire to fight each other multiple times over the course of the past year. While M-1 and Fedor remain interested in a match against Couture, we would also like to publicly state for the record that we would welcome a superfight between Fedor and Lesnar that would be held as a co-promoted event between the UFC, M-1, and Affliction Entertainment.

We’ve invited the media to speak with us today to not only make it clear we would welcome a Fedor vs. Lesnar matchup, but to act in a preemptive fashion to address the possibility that UFC officials will try and position Lesnar as the number one heavyweight in the world, much like they have tried to use a marketing ploy to brand Anderson Silfva as the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

In the past, UFC president Dana White and Zuffa, LLC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta have tried to claim that Fedor was “overrated” and that his “record was irrelevant.” They make these claims in spite of the fact that Fedor holds career victories over UFC champions past and present. While we have tremendous respect for the contributions Mr. Fertitta and Dana have made to this sport, we do not believe they are sincere in their statements.

It is the position of M-1 that the UFC has adopted an anti-Fedor policy because multiple attempts to sign him have not been fruitful. For a company that has tried to market itself as the number one promotion in the world, they are unable to accept the fact that the number one fighter in the world does not reside on its roster of contracted fighters.

Continue reading "M-1 Global, Fedor Challenge Brock Lesnar"

The highly anticipated rematch for the MFC welterweight title has been postponed due to an injury suffered in training by challenger Ryan Ford.
Ford was diagnosed with a hyper-extended left knee by renowned sports physician Dr. Shelby Karpman who further advised the MFC’s top-ranked contender that needs to take time off to heal.

“My knee got bent the wrong way and some of the ligaments got stretched,” said a disappointed Ford. “I have to stay off it for a bit so there was no way I could have a full training camp which means I couldn’t be fully prepared for the fight.”

Continue reading "Ford Sidelined by Knee Injury"

SAN JOSE, Calif. — There isn’t another fighter in the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) whose physical appearance coincides with his character more so than that of Renato “Babalu” Sobral (30-7).  At 33 years of age, the Brazilian native and Jiu-Jitsu black belt has firmly ingrained in the minds of his followers a look and demeanor that, coupled together, amount to a pretty startling and somewhat scary individual.

Less than a week out from his long-awaited showdown with Strikeforce World Light Heavyweight (205 lb. limit) Champion, Bobby Southworth (9-5), a notorious rogue in his own right, Sobral is spewing words indicating his firm intention to humble the defending crown holder.

“Bobby called me out and I gladly accepted the challenge,” said Sobral.  “On Friday, the world will learn what Bobby already knows – that this was the biggest mistake of his career.”

Continue reading "Babalu on Southworth: “This Was the Biggest Mistake of His Career”"

SAN JOSE, Calif. — A showdown between hard hitting middleweights (185 lb.  limit) Scott “Hands of Steel” Smith (13-5) and Terry Martin (18-5) has been added to Strikeforce “Destruction,” the star-studded mixed martial arts (MMA) fight card that will unfold at San Jose’s HP Pavilion on Friday, November 21st.

“This is one of the those matchups where there’s no chance it won’t be a great fight,” said the 29-year-old Smith, a Sacramento native who has been eager to return to the cage since his loss to Robbie Lawler in the main event of the live CBS televised MMA fight card on July 26th.

“A fight like Terry Martin – ever since I’ve watched him fight, I always thought he’d be an exciting fight for me.  I like taking on guys that bring it and like to fight.”

Continue reading "Smith and Martin Ready to Slug It Out at “Destruction”"

Josh Koscheck. Photo property of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

JOSH KOSCHECK AND YOSHIYUKI YOSHIDA HEADLINE “UFC FIGHT FOR THE TROOPS” EVENT ON SPIKE TV

NEW YORK, NY - Fighting with a truly meaningful purpose in front of some real American heroes, “The Ultimate Fighter” alums Josh Koscheck, Mike Swick, Matt Wiman will be featured on Spike TV’s telecast of “UFC Fight For The Troops” live from the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, North Carolina on Wednesday, December 10 at 9:00pm ET/6:00pm PT.

The special live UFC fight card will raise funds to build a hospital for traumatic brain injuries for the brave men and women in the United States Armed Forces.  Thousands of soldiers from nearby Fort Bragg, the proud home of the U.S. Airborne and Special Operations Forces, will be in attendance.  More information about the facility, including ways to donate, can be found online at http://www.fallenheroesfund.org or by calling 1-800-340 HERO

The fight card also showcases five current UFC fighters who are all U.S. military veterans including Luigi Fioravanti, Tim Credeur, Dale Hartt, Brandon Wolff, and Steve Bruno.  An additional fight will be added to the main event and announced at a later date.

Continue reading "Spike Announces Full Card for “Fight for the Troops”"

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Kim Couture, wife of mixed martial arts (MMA) legend Randy “The Natural” Couture, will make her Strikeforce MMA cage fighting debut against Lina Kvokov in a 130 lb. limit contest at San Jose’s HP Pavilion on Friday, November 21st.

The 32-year-old Couture recently reaffirmed her commitment to becoming a pioneer of women’s MMA competition by adding none other than K-1 superstar and three-time world kickboxing champion, Ray “Sugarfoot” Sefo, to her stable of elite trainers.

According to Couture, the experience with Sefo, a veteran of 74 professional fights and a winner over several other all-time K-1 greats during his stellar 13-year professional fighting career, has, thus far, opened her eyes to a new world that embodies technical excellence while fighting aggressively on foot.

“I like his style,” said Couture, a martial artist of five years.  “He’s very explosive and aggressive.  He doesn’t wait around and look for openings.  He creates them.”

Continue reading "Kim Couture to Fight at Nov. Strikeforce"

BOSTON, MASS. - On Nov 14, 2008, UFC Veteran Dan “The Upgrade” Lauzon makes his much anticipated return to World Championship Fighting when he takes on Justin “Sledge” Hammerstrom at the Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington, MA.

Lauzon has been on an absolute tear in the last eighteen months, having won six fights in a row, three of them in the WCF. His recent winning streak was enough to earn him a fight with fellow prospect Chris Horodecki on a pay-per-view event in January of 2009.

When asked why he’d take a fight in the WCF when he has a Pay-Per-View fight lined up for early 2009, Lauzon responded “I really wanted to stay sharp and keep my momentum. I’ve fought for them [WCF] three times now and they take great care of me, and I love fighting for them in front of their fans and my friends and family. These (Boston) fans really are the best sports fans in the world.” He then acknowledged his opponent by saying, “Justin is a really tough veteran, and a former champion. It would be a huge mistake for me to look past him. He’ll see the best Dan Lauzon on November 14.”

Continue reading "Lauzon Added to WCF 5 Card on November 14"

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Last Saturday’s episode of “Strikeforce on NBC” generated over 1.1 million viewers, a new high for the first-ever 52 week mixed martial arts (MMA) series in network television history, according to Nielsen Ratings.

The record number of viewers shattered the previous high of 949,000, which was recorded on May 9th.

The all-new, 30-minute program showcased the drama-filled light heavyweight (205 lb. limit) rematch between former South African National Wrestling Champion, Trevor Prangley (18-5), and former world championship challenger, Anthony “A-Train” Ruiz (21-12), which took place at Strikeforce’s second event at the world-famous Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, California on September 20th. 

Continue reading "Latest “Strikeforce on NBC” Episode Draws Record 1.1 Million Viewers"

LAS VEGAS, NV (USA) – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) organization is proud to announce three classic bouts on the historic final card of the year – UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, December 27, 2008. The stacked fight card will be headlined by UFC light heavyweight champion and the original Ultimate Fighter Forrest Griffin as he defends his belt against The Ultimate Fighter Season 2 heavyweight winner Rashad Evans, who is fresh off a devastating knockout win over former UFC champion Chuck Liddell.

“We are ending 2008 with a fight card like no other,” said UFC President Dana White. “One for every fight fan out there.”

Not one, but two titles are on the line on December 27th as former UFC Heavyweight champion Frank Mir continues his pursuit to regain the belt when he meets Interim UFC Heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira in a showdown between the two coaches of this season’s edition of The Ultimate Fighter. Also on tap is a grudge match between two former champions, as MMA legend Wanderlei Silva takes on former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

Continue reading "Three Fights Made Official for “The Ultimate 2008”"

UFC 89: BISPING VS LEBEN SPARKS BIG RATINGS FOR SPIKE TV. NETWORK TELECAST RANKS #2 IN ALL KEY MALE DEMOS AMONG AD SUPPORTED CABLE FOR ITS TIME PERIOD.

NEW YORK, NY – Spike TV headed across the pond to telecast a UFC fight card that featured middleweights “The Ultimate Fighter 3” champ Michael Bisping and “The Ultimate Fighter 1” standout Chris Leben and garnered tremendous ratings with fans back in the United States.

UFC 89: Bisping vs Leben which premiered on Saturday, October 18 from 9:00 PM – Midnight, ET/PT (same-day tape delay) from The National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, England drew an average audience of 2.6 million viewers. The telecast peaked with a 3.7 rating in M 18-34 and a 2.3 household for an average of 3.4 million viewers during the 11:30 – 11:45 PM quarter hour.

Overall, the Spike telecast reached 2.6 million people with a 2.7 rating Men 18-34 (771,000), a 2.5 rating in Men 18-49 (1.4 million), and a 1.7 HH rating. Despite facing heavy sports competition, UFC 89 on Spike TV ranked #2 in M 18-49, M18-34 and M 25-34 among ad-supported cable for its time period.