Heavyweight

Quick Hits: Almeida Injured, Sylvia to Japan for NYE & More

- Ricardo Almeida has pulled out of his November 21 bout with welterweight contender Jon Fitch at UFC 106 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The bout was expected to be Almeida’s first at 170 lbs after a career at middleweight. Fitch told MMA Junkie he’ll now get a “bigger fight instead.” [MMAJunkie.com]

- Former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia will be appearing on the upcoming K-1 Dynamite! show on New Year’s Eve. Sylvia has been offered bouts with Alistair Overeem and Hong Man Choi and Fighters Only is reporting that Sylvia’s camp is currently favoring a bout with Choi. [Fighters Only Magazine]

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Quick Hits: Strikeforce Inks Ribeiro, Thomson Injured Once Again & More

— Brazilian lightweight standout Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro has reportedly signed a multi-fight deal with Strikeforce. The promotion is expected to officially announce the signing shortly. While Ribeiro may actually still be under contract with DREAM, the two organizations share a talent-exchange program. Ribeiro returned to active competition earlier this year after an 18-month hiatus, defeating Katsuhiko Nagata and falling to Shinya Aoki thus far. [Sherdog.com]

—Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson will be sidelined until at least December after breaking his leg for the second time this year during training. The injury will now keep Thomson from a potential showdown against Gilbert Melendez at Strikeforce’s “Fedor vs. Rogers” event on November 7 in Chicago. According to Thomson, a return bout for him could be possible at a yet-to-be-announced event on December 19. [MMA Weekly]

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Quote of the Day: Mirko Cro Cop Undecided on Retirement

“Often things can get on top of you but I cannot say that I don’t love this sport. It’s hard for me to decide now but I think that I will do these last two fights for UFC. This [fighting] thing is stronger than me. Sometimes the mind says yes but the heart says no. I thank everyone for their support, for watching and following me, but I hate that I am expected to answer to people. This is my decision. My blood, my sweat, my tears - as such I don’t owe anybody anything. The day I say I won’t do it anymore I’ll stick to my word. But I still haven’t said that and I haven’t decided that this is the end. I know I must rest well and decide.”

— Longtime PRIDE standout Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic tells Croatian newspaper Slobodna Dalmacija that he yet to make an official decision regarding the remainder of his professional MMA career following his latest defeat to Junior Dos Santos at UFC 103 last weekend.

Emelianenko-Rogers to Be Held in Chicago

Strikeforce and M-1 Global announced today that longtime heavyweight king Fedor Emelianenko’s U.S. network television debut against undefeated prospect Brett Rogers on November 7 will take place at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, located just outside of Chicago.

Tickets for the event will go on sale to the public on Monday, September 28 at 11 AM ET. A special pre-sale ticket purchase opportunity will take place for “Strikeforce Insider” e-newsletter subscribers beginning at 10:00 AM ET on Friday, September 27.

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Kimbo Slice to Fight Roy Nelson on Next Week’s “TUF 10” Episode

Even if you didn’t watch last night’s episode of “The Ultimate Fighter 10”, you’ve probably heard about it anyway. Former EliteXC star Kimbo Slice will step into the UFC’s Octagon for the first time to face former IFL heavyweight champion and “TUF 10” tournament favorite Roy Nelson on next week’s episode on Spike. Above is a little video previewing the bout between the two.

Quick Hits: Evans vs. Silva Possible, Sylvia Withdraws from DREAM Debut & More

— Rashad Evans says that a light heavyweight clash against fellow contender Thiago Silva could be possible for a UFC event in December or early next year. “Thiago Silva is a good fighter, I’d like to fight him and I think he wants to fight me,” Evans said. “When I saw him after he fought Keith Jardine, he kind of gave me a nasty look that I interpreted like he wanted to take me on, and I’d like that.” [MMA FanHouse]

— Two-time UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia has been forced to withdraw from a scheduled debut with Japan-based DREAM after suffering a broken hand during his first-round TKO of Jason Riley at Adrenaline MMA IV last weekend. According to Sylvia’s manager, Monte Cox, the Miletich Fighting Systems product will now attempt to land a spot on the DREAM and K-1 co-promoted “Dynamite!!” show on New Year’s Eve. [Sherdog.com]

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DREAM.12 to Feature Six-Sided Cage

Fighting and Entertainment Group today announced details regarding DREAM.12, which will take place on October 25 at the Osaka Castle Hall in Osaka, Japan. For the first time in the organization’s short history, it will use a six-sided cage.

DREAM also released a promotional video for the event, which features eight of the nine announced participants for the fight card. The video can be seen above.

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Sengoku “Tenth Battle” Live Results

We will be going live at 3:00 PM ET with live results of this morning’s “Sengoku Tenth Battle” event, which will take place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The show will air live on HDNet for those in North America.

2004 Olympic judo silver medalist Hiroshi Izumi will meet New Zealand kickboxer Antz Nansen in the professional debut for both fighters in the fight card’s main event. Additional bouts slated to take place include a heavyweight matchup pitting former EliteXC heavyweight champion Antonio Silva against Jim York and a welterweight bout involving Nick Thompson and Dan Hornbuckle.

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Heisman Trophy Winner Herschel Walker Signs With Strikeforce

1982 Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall-of-Fame member Herschel Walker has signed a multi-fight deal that will have him compete in Strikeforce’s heavyweight division. Walker is expected to make his debut with the promotion early next year.

The former two-time NFL pro-bowler is scheduled to begin a 12-week training camp next month under Bob Cook at San Jose-based American Kickboxing Academy. Walker holds a fifth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and has trained in Muay Thai and Kenpo as well.

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Report: Buentello vs. Duffee at UFC 107

Former UFC heavyweight title challenger Paul Buentello will reportedly face rising prospect Todd Duffee in his return to the organization at UFC 107, which is slated to take place on December 12 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee.

According to MMA Junkie, both fighters have verbally agreed to the fight and the paperwork is nearly finalized. The matchup could take place on the televised pay-per-view portion of the event.

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