Report: Ken Shamrock to Fight Kimbo Slice at Oct 4 EliteXC

Loretta Hunt of Sherdog is reporting that UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock and famed street brawler Kimbo Slice have agreed to a contract to throwdown at the next EliteXC show on CBS, October 4, 2008 at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida..  This show will be the third of four contracted shows for EliteXC on CBS, but given the ratings from the second show in July, it is believed that EliteXC is really needing to put up big numbers to continue the contract.

Despite Kimbo getting called out after his last fight by undefeated heavyweight Brett Rogers, EliteXC has decided to go the safer route with the matchup against MMA legend Ken Shamrock.  The 45 year old Shamrock will enter the fight riding a five fight losing streak.  But his name recognition and selling power can not be underestimated.

A relative newcomer to organized Mixed Martial Arts, Kimbo, aka Kevin Ferguson, will take a 3-0 record into the fight against the Lion’s Den founder.  Kimbo’s last fight against James Thompson at the first EliteXC on CBS show ended up shrouded in controversy and resulting in a 3rd round TKO for Kimbo.  Many felt that the fight should have been stopped in the third round with Thompson dominating Slice on the ground.  Then, many felt the fight was stopped prematurely when Kimbo rocked Thompson to start the third round.

An official announcement from EliteXC is expected later today.

Update ( 3:45pm EST) - Jared Shaw of EliteXC has confirmed to 5 Oz of Pain that Ken Shamrock will indeed be the opponent for Kimbo Slice on October 4.

Report: Prangley Steps in to Face Lindland

Former BodogFight middleweight champion Trevor Prangley has been tapped to replace an injured Vitor Belfort against Team Quest co-founder Matt Lindland at Affliction’s “Day of Reckoning” show on October 11th in Las Vegas according to MMA Junkie.

Belfort was forced to withdraw from his bout against Lindland due to a lingering hand injury that will leave him unable to compete. The Brazilian suffered a broken hand in the first round of his knockout win over Terry Martin on July 19th. Belfort was originally optimistic about being able to fight this fall, but doctors have advised him not to.

Lindland was also victorious at Affliction’s debut show last month, winning a hard-fought decision over Fabio Negao. It was Lindland’s first fight since he was submitted by Fedor Emelianenko in his one and only trip to the heavyweight division over one year ago.

Prangley meanwhile has not fought since falling to Jorge Santiago in the finals of Strikeforce’s middleweight tournament last November. Since being released from the UFC over two years ago, Prangley has also garnered up wins over Yuki Kondo and Falaniko Vitale.

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Major Decisions Carter at CCFC 8

American Kickboxing Academy product Matt Major used superior striking to win a unanimous decision over experienced veteran Shonie Carter in the main event of Cage Combat Fighting Championships’ “Rumble in the Park” show Saturday night in Fresno, California.

The fight stayed on the feet throughout the course of the three-round affair as Carter was unable to score with repeated takedowns. Although Major inflicted very little damage to Carter other than a reported broken wrist, he outpointed the colorful former “Ultimate Fighter” cast member and earned a hard-fought nod on the judge’s scorecards.

The night’s co-main event saw rising local product Casey Olson pick up his third straight victory with a first-round submission of Aaron Miller. Rolando Velasco and Buddy Roberts also retained their respective CFFC bantamweight and heavyweight titles on the card as well.

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Thomson-Bowman Set for Non-Title Bout

Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson will reportedly take on Lion’s Den product Ashe Bowman at the organization’s upcoming event at the Playboy Mansion on September 20th according to Sherdog.com.

Strikeforce VP Mike Afromowitz is expected to make a formal announcement of the bout at some point next week. Thomson’s title will not be on the line.

Thomson became Strikeforce’s latest lightweight title holder after upsetting highly regarded PRIDE veteran Gilbert Melendez on June 27th in San Jose, California via a five-round unanimous decision. Thomson’s current win streak now stands at seven straight fights.

Bowman meanwhile has been fighting primarily under the newly formed “Ken Shamrock Productions” promotion. He has not fought since earning a second-round submission of Henry Schweichler in October of last year.

Video Preview of UFC 88: Breakthrough

In the above video courtesy of ESPN, UFC President Dana White and color commentator Joe Rogan break down two of the fights taking place at UFC 88: Breakthrough on September 6th - Chuck Liddell vs. Rashad Evans and Rich Franklin vs. Matt Hamill.

Sengoku IV Weigh-In Results

The official weigh-in results for World Victory Road’s “Sengoku IV” event, which will take place tomorrow morning (North American time) at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan, are below. All fighters successfully made weight.

The show will be headlined by former PRIDE lightweight champion Takanori Gomi taking on Sung Hwan Pang. Frank Trigg will go up against Makoto Takimoto in another feaured bout and the first round of the organization’s inaugural lightweight grand prix will also take place.

Non-Tournament Bouts:

Takanori Gomi (154 lbs) vs. Sung Pang Hwan (154 lbs)
Frank Trigg (182 lbs) vs. Makoto Takimoto (180 lbs)
Pawel Nastula (224 lbs) vs. Yang-Dong Yi (220 lbs)
Valentijn Overeem (238 lbs) vs Kazuo Takahashi (208 lbs)
Peter Graham (244 lbs) vs. Moise Rimbon (211 lbs)

Lightweight Grand Prix:

Ryan Schultz (153 lbs) vs. Mizuto Hirota (154 lbs)
Clay French (154 lbs) vs. Satoru Kitaoka (154 lbs)
Eiji Mitsuoka (154 lbs) vs. Rodrigo Damm (154 lbs)
Kazunori Yokota (154 lbs) vs. Bojan Kosednar (153 lbs)

Couture Talks Role in Scorpion King 2

In the above video, UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture discusses his role as King Sargon in The Scorpion King 2. The movie is currently available on DVD and Blu-Ray.

Report: Hieron-Fickett Likely at Affliction II

Former IFL welterweight champion Jay Hieron could reportedly take on fellow UFC veteran Drew Fickett at Affliction’s “Day of Reckoning” show on October 11th in Las Vegas.

Fickett’s manager, Alexander Oxendine has informed Sherdog.com that his client has verbally accepted the bout, although talks are still ongoing and nothing is set in stone.

Hieron has not competed since successfully defending his IFL belt against former U.S. Marine Mark Miller in April. He became the IFL’s first-ever welterweight champion after defeating Donnie Liles and Delson Heleno in consecutive fights. The Long Island native is currently keeping in shape by training at Xtreme Couture.

Although he has been fairly active this year, especially in recent months, Fickett has been embroiled lately in a feud with MFC President Mark Pavelich after breaching a contract he had with the organization by accepting a last-minute fight in a Strikeforce show in June. Fickett was upset by Richard Villa in his Rage in the Cage return last month but bounced back to defeat Joe Manzello just six days later.

MFC Announces Full Card for “Famous”

EDMONTON - The Maximum Fighting Championship, the fastest-rising mixed martial arts organization in North America, puts its fourth show of 2008 under the spotlight with MFC 18: Famous on Friday, September 26 at the River Cree Resort and Casino.

In the main event, a new No. 1 contender for the MFC light heavyweight title will be determined as the always exciting David Heath (9-3) makes his much-anticipated MFC debut against Emanuel Newton (9-3-1).  The winner of the bout is likely to be first in line to face the MFC’s reigning champion in the 205-pound division - Roger “The Hulk” Hollett.

“This is going to be an electrifying fight between two very accomplished competitors,” said Mark Pavelich, Owner/President of the Maximum Fighting Championship.

“David Heath is a fiery guy who craves the title and I was very happy to get him signed to a multi-fight deal. But there is no way that someone like Emanuel Newton who is on a tremendous streak having won seven straight fights can be taken lightly at all. Whoever wins this fight is going to be very ready to face the champ.”

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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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