Middleweight

Silva-Akiyama Rumored For UFC 111 in Australia

Former PRIDE light heavyweight champion Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva will make his first appearance at middleweight in February when he takes on top contender and K-1 veteran Yoshihiro “Sexyama” Akiyama.

The report comes of USA Today who states the bout is rumoured for UFC 111 on February 21 when the UFC makes its first appearance in Sydney, Australia.

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Linhares to Replace Sakara Against Palhares at “TUF 10 Finale”

It appears that M-1 veteran Lucio Linhares will be headed to the UFC. The Brazilian middleweight has reportedly been selected to replace an injured Alessio Sakara against Rousimar Palhares at “The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale” on December 5 in Las Vegas.

Multiple outlets are reporting the news, including MMA Junkie, which cites sources close to Linhares. Nor M-1 Global or the UFC have yet to officially comment on the potential signing.

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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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Fight of the Day: Kennedy vs. Rivera

From the International Fight League’s World Grand Prix Finals event in December 2007, here’s Army veteran Tim Kennedy, who will be in action against undefeated prospect Zac Cummings at this weekend’s Strikeforce Challengers show, facing Elias Rivera.

Nansen Spoils Izumi’s Debut at Sengoku 10

New Zealand kickboxer Antz Nansen used superior striking skills to spoil the anticipated professional debut of 2004 Olympic judo silver medalist Hiroshi Izumi, knocking Izumi down three times en route to a first-round TKO win at World Victory Road’s “Sengoku Tenth Battle” event on Wednesday.

Izumi (0-1) did surprisingly well in the loss. Willing to stand with a dangerous Nansen (1-0) on the feet, Izumi caught his opponent on multiple occasions with a few straight left hands. The tide turned when Nansen hurt Izumi with a right hand midway through the round. Izumi stumbling backwards prompting Nansen to stalk his foe, dropping him twice before finishing him off with a final combination that left Izumi bloodied and seated in a corner.

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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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UFC 103 Notes: Belfort Moves to Forefront of Middleweight Title Picture

A win over Rich Franklin was expected to make Vitor Belfort an instant contender for Anderson Silva’s UFC middleweight title. But according to UFC President Dana White, Belfort may have positioned himself as the leading candidate for Silva’s next title defense, even before Dan Henderson and Nate Marquardt.

“You know, I think he might be ready now,” White said at last night’s UFC 103 post-fight press conference.

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Escudero Blasts Miller in UFC 103 Prelims

“Ultimate Fighter 8” lightweight winner Efrain Escudero kept his perfect record intact on Saturday night, scoring a devastating first-round stoppage of fellow “TUF” alumnus and skilled grappler Cole Miller during the preliminary portion of UFC 103.

Both Escudero and Miller opted to spend the first couple minutes of their Spike TV-televised attraction feeling each other out on the feet. Miller used a substantial reach advantage to land a number of jabs and stiff right hands while Escudero timed some of Miller’s leg kicks and put Miller on the mat on two separate occasions.

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UFC 103: “Franklin vs. Belfort” Live Results

We will be going live at 6:00 PM ET with live results of UFC 103: “Franklin vs. Belfort”, which will take place at a sold out American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The event’s televised main card will be broadcast live on pay-per-view starting at 10:00 PM ET. An additional hour of preliminary bouts will also be shown on Spike TV starting at 9:00 PM ET prior to that.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort headlines the event, returning to the UFC in a 195 lb catchweight bout against former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin. A heavyweight contenders clash between formidable strikers Mirko Cro Cop and Junior Dos Santos serves as the co-main event.

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Previewing UFC Fight Night 19: The Main Card

One of the more busy weeks in MMA will kick off on Wednesday when the UFC holds UFC Fight Night 19 at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma before premiering the first episode of the tenth season of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show on Spike TV.

Headlining UFC Fight Night 19 will be a lightweight clash between “Ultimate Fighter 5” winner Nate Diaz and colorful striker and fellow “TUF” alumnus Melvin Guillard as well as Roger Huerta’s potential final UFC bout against standout wrestler Gray Maynard.

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