Fabiano Joins WEC’s Featherweight Division

Former IFL featherweight champion and renowned grappler Wagnney Fabiano revealed that he has signed with World Extreme Cagefighting in a recent interview on Tatame.com.

After rarely competing during the first six years of his professional career, Fabiano’s activity picked up after winning a decision over Matt Fiordirosa at a Freedom Fight event two years ago. Since then he has racked up a 7-1 record, his lone loss coming at the hands of former WEC title challenger Jeff Curran.

“My objective is to grow in the [WEC] and get the title,” Fabiano said in the interview. “Let’s start with a tough and focused [fight]. I won’t chance anything in my life, I’m always serious and go to any event to win. My goal is to fight for the belt and do my best.”

Fabiano dropped down from the lightweight division and became the International Fight League’s first-ever featherweight champion when he submitted Miletich Fighting Systems product L.C. Davis last December. He most recently knocked Shad Lierley at an IFL show in April in just 37 seconds.

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AFL Inks Van Arsdale, Female Standouts

The American Fight League has reportedly signed former UFC light heavyweight contender Mike Van Arsdale, who is preparing for return to active competition as well as a trio of successful female fighters for their budding womens division.

Van Arsdale, a former amateur wrestling standout, has not competed since being submitted by Matt Lindland at Raze MMA’s “Fight Night” in April 2006. The loss topped off a four-fight losing streak and Van Arsdale abruptly walked away from the sport.

“This is huge for us,” AFL CEO B.J. Santiago told MMA Junkie. “Van [Arsdale] is a scary, freak-of-nature-type athlete who has a terrific wrestling and MMA pedigree. He is a Class-A fighter with unbelievable potential. This is big for us and I think MMA in the long run.”

Van Arsdale’s participation in the AFL’s star-studded November pay-per-view event was also confirmed. He now joins former professional wrestler Bobby Lashley and Tara LaRosa as the only fighters to be announced for the show.

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Schoenauer Replaces Munoz at WEC 36

Alex Schoenauer, one of the original cast members of Spike TV’s “The Ultimate Fighter”, will reportedly replace an injured Mark Munoz against Steve Steinbeiss at World Extreme Cagefighting’s September 10th event in Hollywood, Florida according to MMA Weekly.

Munoz was forced off of the card after suffering a knee injury during a recent training session. It was unknown at the time whether or not WEC officials would attempt to find a replacement opponent for Steinbeiss, who will be making his debut with the promotion.

Schoenauer, who was recently one of multiple fighters brought in to compete for the California-based Palace Fighting Championship, fell in his bid for the IFL’s light heavyweight title last December, losing a decision to eventual champion Vladimir Matyushenko. He last won a split decision over Brendan Barrett in April.

Steinbeiss spent the early stages of his career under the BodogFight banner, winning two out of his three bouts in the promotion, including an impressive first-round TKO of HDNet Fights veteran Jeff Ford. He most recently defeated Francisco Alcanter at a Rock & Sock Promotions event in June.

Quote of the Day: Mark Dion on Marriage

“I would think Eddie Alvarez is the No. 1 contender. He’s definitely ranked higher than Nick Diaz. K.J. already beat Nick Diaz. Eddie Alvarez is getting married [in September], but that’s not our problem. People get married in five or ten minutes.”

- City Boxing’s Mark Dion, manager of EliteXC lightweight champion K.J. Noons, gives his thoughts on why Noons should be fighting Eddie Alvarez instead of accepting a proposed rematch against Nick Diaz on EliteXC’s October 4th show on CBS to MMA Junkie. Dion and Noons let EliteXC’s 24-hour deadline to accept the Diaz fight pass by yesterday, ensuring that neither fighter will be competing on the card.

This kind of ridiculous behavior is what Dion is known for. His drama-filled split with former client Brandon Vera last year drew headlines and there’s no doubt that Noons’ current situation isn’t going to be beneficial to his professional career either. I guess fighting on network television in front of millions isn’t all that special these days.

Hamill Awaiting Tough Test Against Franklin

In the above video courtesy of ESPN, one-time “Ultimate Fighter” contestant Matt Hamill discusses his role as an underdog against former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin at UFC 88: Breakthrough on September 6th in Atlanta, Georgia.

Report: Horodecki-Lauzon Likely at Affliction II

A previously rumored lightweight battle between former IFL lightweight standout Chris Horodecki and UFC veteran Dan Lauzon will most likely take place at Affliction’s “Day of Reckoning” show on October 11th in Las Vegas.

Both fighters have reportedly agreed to the fight according to Sherdog.com. Bout agreements have yet to be signed. Lauzon’s camp is said to be waiting to see paperwork for the bout before making signing a multi-fight deal with Affliction.

Horodecki became a free agent upon asking for his release from the almost-defunct International Fight League earlier this month. He was previously rumored to have been taking on Takanori Gomi at Sengoku IV next weekend but talks eventually broke down. Horodecki last won a unanimous decision over Nate Lamotte in April.

Since losing consecutive Spencer Fisher and Deividas Taurosevicius, Lauzon has racked up six straight wins fighting primarily in the Boston area. He most recently scored a second-round TKO of Brendan Hoxie at a World Championship Fighting event in June.

Shields Claims Aoki is Ducking Him

During the ongoing process to find EliteXC welterweight champion Jake Shields an opponent for the promotion’s scheduled October 4th show on CBS, various options and fighters were considered. Defending his title against John Alessio, who is currently recovering from a broken arm, and challenging Matt Lindland at Affliction’s latest event were discussed before EliteXC officials and Shields eventually decided on British sensation Paul Daley.

However one name that went previously unmentioned but is now popping up is standout grappler Shinya Aoki. According to Shields, EliteXC is currently attempting to book Aoki to face him in the near future. Shields doesn’t think that the fight will take place though according to what he told MMA Weekly:

“I guess they were trying to get Aoki, but he’s got no bushido,” Shields said. “I don’t think Aoki wants to fight me. He’s got no warrior spirit. He’s from Japan, who’d have thought?”

Aoki could easily be brought in to face Shields because of the working partnership EliteXC and DREAM formed earlier this year. It’s key to note though that he hasn’t fought at 170 lbs in over a year. Eddie Alvarez‘s stint in Japan has worked out great for both sides but being able to use the services of Aoki may cost EliteXC one of their bigger name stars. Aoki is arguably one of if not the biggest attraction for the promotion right now. Who would EliteXC have to give up in order to bring Aoki stateside?

MMA Live Episode Fifteen

From ESPN, here’s this week’s installment of MMA Live with Jon Anik, Kenny Florian, and Franklin McNeil.

Dana White: GSP-Penn II Moved to January

The much-anticipated rematch between Georges St. Pierre and B.J. Penn has been moved to UFC 93 on January 31 in Las Vegas according to UFC President Dana White.

White revealed the change to Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports earlier today. The fight was originally planned for UFC 92 on December 27 but St. Pierre has opted to take the rest of the year off because of the exhaustive schedule he has maintained - fighting four times in the last twelve months.

Unfortunately, the UFC was unable to secure the Bell Centre in Montreal for an event. The NHL’s Montreal Canadiens occupy just about every Saturday night on the arena’s schedule.

White also confirmed details concerning the UFC’s inaugural venture into Portland, Oregon, where UFC 91 will be held on November 15 at the Rose Garden. A previously rumored bout between lightweight contenders Kenny Florian and Joe Stevenson has been confirmed for that card.

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PFC Signs Schoenauer, 17 Others

The Palace Fighting Championship announced earlier this week that it has signed a total of eighteen fighters to it’s roster in recent days. Among the new signees are multiple UFC and WEC veterans including Alex Schoenauer, Gabe Ruediger, Jason Von Flue, and Lodune Sincaid.

“I’m very excited to be able to bring in the talent we’re announcing,” PFC President Christian Printup said in a press release. “We have said from the beginning that we’re not here to take over the sport, consciously take away from anyone’s market share, or anything like that. We just focus on making the PFC the best we can and this is another step in the process.”

According to Printup, many of the new fighters will debut at PFC 11 on November 20th. The show will take place at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California.

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