WEC

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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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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Quick Hits: Huerta Considering UFC Return, Vasquez to Replace Hominick & More

— Despite announcing his intention to focus on his acting career full-time, UFC lightweight contender Roger Huerta is now considering a full-time return to the organization following a split decision loss to Gray Maynard at last week’s UFC Fight Night 19 that fulfilled his latest UFC contract. “I can’t go out with two losses in a row,” Huerts said. “I don’t think I’m going to call it quits anytime soon. I’m still open to acting. Hopefully we get something going with that, but I’m not going to prioritize acting now. I’ll still prioritize fighting. If the UFC wants me back, I’d be willing to go back.” [Sherdog.com]

— Seasoned veteran Javier Vasquez has been tapped to replace an injured Mark Hominick against Deividas Taurosevicius in a featherweight bout at WEC 43 on October 10 in San Antonio, Texas. Hominick will reportedly be sidelined for about a month due to a reoccurring back injury. Vasquez fell in his WEC debut last month, dropping a split decision to L.C. Davis at WEC 42. [MMA Junkie]

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Tickets for WEC 44 On Sale This Week

Tickets for WEC 44, which will feature WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown defending his title against streaking top contender Jose Aldo, go on sale this week. The event will take place on Wednesday, November 18 at the Palms Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

A two-day newsletter pre-sale started earlier today at 1 PM ET.  To access this presale, users must register for the WEC newsletter through the organization’s official website. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, September 22 at 3 PM ET.

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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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Quick Hits: Couture-Vera Official for UFC 105, Gomi to Fight at VTJ ‘09 & More

— UFC Hall-of-Famer Randy Couture will indeed drop down to 205 lbs to meet Brandon Vera in the main event of UFC 105 on November 15. The UFC officially announced the bout today. Couture (16-10) will fight at light heavyweight for the first time since suffering his second straight loss to former champion Chuck Liddell at UFC 57 and entering a temporary retirement. [UFC.com]

— Former PRIDE lightweight champion Takanori Gomi and Japanese MMA pioneer Rumina Sato have been announced as participants Vale Tudo Japan 2009 on October 30, the first time the event will be held in nearly ten years. According to Gomi, the fight will be his last in his native country of Japan. A featherweight bout between Takeshi Inoue and Alexandre Franca Nogueira will also take place at the show. [Sherdog.com]

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Brown-Aldo Made Official for WEC 44

In a previously rumored bout, Mike Brown will defend his WEC featherweight championship against streaking top contender Jose Aldo in the main event of WEC 44: “Brown vs. Aldo” on November 18 at the Palms Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

World Extreme Cagefighting officially announced the matchup today. The event is being held on a Wednesday instead of the WEC’s usual Sunday slot in order to separate the event from UFC 106, which will take place the following Saturday.

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Garcia vs. Gamburyan Possible for WEC 44

Former WEC featherweight title challenger Leonard Garcia could return to action at WEC 44, a yet-to-be-announced event slated for November 18 in Las Vegas, against “Ultimate Fighter 5” cast member Manny Gamburyan.

The news comes from Sherdog.com, which reports that the two fighters have verbally agreed to the bout. WEC 44 is expected to be headlined by Mike Brown defending his WEC featherweight title against rising top contender Jose Aldo.

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Quick Hits: Silva to Undergo Elbow Surgery, Overeem to Fight in October & More

— UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva will reportedly undergo elbow surgery that will keep him out of action for the remainder of the year. Silva’s manager, Ed Soares, recently announced that his client would be taking a break from active competition after fighting twice already this year. Details regarding the extent of the injury and how it was suffered remain unknown at this time. [Twitter.com]

— Recently criticized Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem will make a much-awaited return to MMA action at Golden Glory 11 on October 17 in Amsterdam. An opponent for Overeem has not yet been named. Overeem’s training partners, Siyar Bahadurzada and Dion Staring, will also be on the card, which is to feature a mix of MMA and boxing bouts. [Fighters.com]

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Updated: Ben Henderson Injured, WEC 43 Move to October 10

WEC lightweight contender Ben Henderson has suffered an injury forcing him to withdraw from his upcoming WEC interim lightweight title fight with Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.

According to MMAWeekly.com, WEC 43, which was slated for September 2 in Youngstown, Ohio, has now been pushed back to October 10 and will likely move to a new venue. Despite the date and venue change, the fight card is expected to remain intact.

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