World Victory Road

Evening News and Notes: May 8, 2008

Jonathan Goulet, who recently knocked out Kuniyoshi Hironaka in Canada last month, has reportedly pulled out of his upcoming scheduled bout against Paul Kelly next month at UFC 85: Bedlam in London, England.

The circumstances concerning Goulet’s withdrawal differ however. In a recent interview with MMA Weekly, Goulet apparently stated that he was pulling out of the Kelly bout due to health reasons that he wished not to discuss. However our friends at TKO Xtreme have learned that Goulet may have backed out of the fight at the request of his training partners at the Tristar Gym, of which the Victoriaville native recently aligned himself with.

WVR Announces Thompson-Costa for ‘Sengoku III’

With the fight card for it’s upcoming May 18th event completed, World Victory Road officials today announced the first fight for the promotion’s third event on June 8th via their official website: Nick Thompson vs Michael Costa. Thompson, the current BodogFight welterweight champion, won a unanimous decision over Fabricio Monteiro at Sengoku I in March. Costa, a Chute Boxe product, is currently riding a two-fight winning streak.

Additional fighters being advertised as competing at the event include Hidehiko Yoshida, Rodrigo Damm, Kazuyuki Fujita, Fabio Silva, and Marcio Cruz. Former PRIDE lightweight title holder Takanori Gomi has also stated that he intends to return to action at the show.

Talks Between WEC, Alessio Stall

Contract negotiations between veteran welterweight John Alessio and World Extreme Cagefighting have reportedly come to a halt according to a report by The Fight Network.

“I’m actually wondering myself what’s going on,” Alessio said in the report. “I figured I would have heard something by now. They offered me the rematch with Larson, but it’s now up to my manager to negotiate. It’s going to come down to money and if they want to sign me long-term or not.”

Alessio also went on to say that he had been offered a bout against the above-mentioned Nick Thompson by Hardcore Championship Fighting officials. However it’s key to note that Thompson has stated in the past that he is not locked into any sort of contract with HCF to date.

MTV’s “True Life” to Feature Kit Cope

UFC and WEC veteran Kit Cope will reportedly be featured on MTV’s “True Life” series for the second time according to a report by our friends at MMA Junkie.

Cope, who was originally featured in “True Life: I’m a Muay Thai Fighter” back in 2004, will now serve as one of the featured fighters in “True Life: I’m an MMA Fighter”. Filming for the show is currently being done and cameras will also accompany Cope to his next scheduled fight for World Fighting Championships against Dave Cochran later this month.

Barnett-Monson Signed for Sengoku II

UFC and PRIDE veteran Josh Barnett will fight a familiar face in the form of good friend and part-time training partner Jeff Monson at World Victory Road’s upcoming second “Sengoku” show on May 18th at the at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan.

The organization announced the bout this morning on their official website.

Barnett was part of the inaugural “Sengoku” show in March, submitting former judo standout Hidehiko Yoshida with a heel hook in the third round. Before then, the former UFC heavyweight champion had not fought since losing a unanimous decision to current UFC champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at PRIDE Shockwave 2006.

The fight was a rematch of their Open-Weight Grand Prix bout in September 2006 where Barnett came away with a razor-close, split decision over the Brazilian.

Monson last fought in December, winning a unanimous decision over Hakim Goram at Platinum Fighting Productions “Ring of Fire” event. Barnett served as Monson’s coach for the team vs. team portion of the show.

The Amercian Top Team member is currently scheduled to fight seven days apart in June - Monson is advertised as fighting Mike Russow on June 14th at Adrenaline MMA’s debut show and then again on June 21st at Global Fighting’s upcoming event in Charlotte.

Randleman-Kawamura Set for Sengoku II

Former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman will take on Pancrase veteran Ryo Kawamura at World Victory Road’s upcoming second “Sengoku” show on May 18th at the at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan.

The promotion officially announced the matchup earlier today.

Randleman, who had previously announced his participation at the event, will also be fighting Jeff Monson at a Global Fighting Championships in June.

He has not fought since being submitted by Mauricio Rua in October of 2006. Randleman’s time off last year was filled with bad events, including him suffering from multiple severe staph infections, kidney failure, and an arrest for driving under the influence as well as six other additional charges.

Kawamura was victorious at World Victory Road’s inaugural show in March, winning a unanimous decision over Antonio Braga Neto. A fight between he and Randleman is expected to take place at 205 lbs.

The signing of the matchup means that former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort, who was reportedly offered to fight Randleman at the event, will now most likely be signing with Elite Xtreme Combat parent company Pro Elite.

Report: Belfort Offered Randleman, EliteXC Deal

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort has reportedly been offered a fight against former heavyweight title holder Kevin Randleman at World Victory Road’s upcoming second “Sengoku” show on May 18th at the at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan.

The news comes from Brazilian magazine website Tatame, citing a quote from Josuel Distak, Belfort’s boxing coach.

“We are training hard and Belfort is close to a deal to face Kevin Randleman in Japan or in Pro Elite in June,” Distake said in the report. “He is waiting for the best offer to sign”.

Belfort has not fought since winning a unanimous decision over international veteran James Zikic at a Cage Rage event in September of last year. It was the Brazilian’s second victory in as many fights. A fight with Randleman is expected to take place at 205 lbs.

EliteXC’s potential acquisition of Belfort would immediately make him the biggest star in an almost non-existent light heavyweight division, that is if he isn’t primarily used in Cage Rage. However at this stage in Belfort’s career, especially after struggling the past four years, a string of fights against lower competition may help him to regain his confidence again.

Barnett Slated to Compete at Sengoku II

UFC and PRIDE veteran Josh Barnett will fight for the second time this year at World Victory Road’s upcoming second “Sengoku” show on May 18th at the at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan.

The organization announced Barnett’s participation late last night.

Barnett was part of the inaugural “Sengoku” show in March, submitting former judo standout Hidehiko Yoshida with a heel hook in the third round.

Before then, the former UFC heavyweight champion had not fought since losing a unanimous decision to current UFC champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at PRIDE Shockwave 2006. The fight was a rematch of their Open-Weight Grand Prix bout in September 2006 where Barnett came away with a razor-close, split decision over the Brazilian.

An opponent for Barnett will be announced in the coming weeks.

Pyle-Hornbuckle Added to Sengoku II

Elite Xtreme Combat veteran Mike Pyle will fight in Japan for the first time when he takes on Dan Hornbuckle at World Victory Road’s upcoming second “Sengoku” show on May 18th at the at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan.

The organization officially announced the bout earlier today.

Pyle, who recently became a free agent after leaving EliteXC over a dispute concerning his lack of promotion within the organization, last fought at Hardcore Championship Fighting’s “Destiny” event in February. He submitted Damir Mirenic in the second round.

Hornbuckle, a veteran of BodogFight, also fought most recently inside the confines of HCF. He last submitted Andrew Buckland late last month. The Illinois native is currently riding a thirteen-fight winning streak.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman and Roger Gracie are also scheduled to be in action. The card for the event currently looks as follows:

Satoru Kitaoka vs. Ian James Schaffa
Eiji Mitsuoka vs. Kwang Hee Lee
Jorge Santiago vs. Yuki Sasaki
Mike Pyle vs. Dan Hornbuckle
Yoshihiro Nakao vs. Jim York
Kevin Randleman vs. TBA
Roger Gracie vs. TBA

Fujita Confirmed for Sengoku III

World Victory Road has announced that Japanese professional wrestler and PRIDE veteran Kazuyuki Fujita will compete at the organization’s upcoming third “Sengoku” show on June 8th. He becomes the first fighter the promotion has confirmed for their June show.

Fujita is coming off of a submission win over K-1 kickboxer Peter Graham at the inaugural “Sengoku” show last month. The 37-year-old needed just over a minute to secure a north-south choke and force Graham to tap out.

Before then, Fujita had not fought since being submitted by fellow heavyweight Jeff Monson at PRIDE’s final event in April of last year. The fight was the first and only “UFC vs PRIDE” fight to take place under the plan between Zuffa and Dream Stage Entertainment officials that never ended up coming to fruition.

A potential opponent for Fujita has not yet been announced.

Sasaki-Santiago Set for Sengoku II

World Victory Road has announced that Ultimate Fighting Championship veterans Yuki Sasaki and Jorge Santiago will clash in a middleweight bout at the organization’s upcoming second “Sengoku” show on May 18th at the at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan.

The two were originally booked to face each other in the first round of Strikeforce’s middleweight tournament in November but Sasaki was pulled from the event after failing an an MRI exam. Santiago would go on to defeat both Sean Salmon and Trevor Prangley and win the tourney.

Sasaki has not fought since submitting Bo Guk So with an armbar at a DEEP event in July of last year. Before that the longtime Pancrase and Shooto veteran was unsuccessful in his lone bout inside the UFC, dropping a lackluster unanimous decision to Dean Lister.

After suffering consecutive knockout losses in 2007, Santiago bounced back in a big way last year. His Strikeforce middleweight tournament victory was preceded by a surprising submission win over Jeremy Horn. It was the first time that Horn had been forced to tap out in seven years.

The promotion announced yesterday that former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman and prospect Jim York would both be in action at the event.

A pair of lightweight fights were also already announced for the show: Satoru Kitaoka vs Ian James Schaffa and Eiji Mitsuoka vs Kwang Hee Lee. Roger Gracie, Yuki Sasaki, and Yoshihiro Nakao, who was originally reported as facing Mirko Cro Cop at last month’s DREAM event, are all expected to be in action.

Gomi, Yamamoto Eye Summer Returns

Former PRIDE lightweight champion Takanori Gomi and pound for pound phenom Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto have both reportedly informed the Japanese media of their respective intentions to return to action this summer.

The news comes from Sherdog’s Jordan Breen in his latest edition of the Koubousen Companion.

Gomi stated that he planned to compete at World Victory Road’s upcoming third “Sengoku” event on June 8th while in attendance at this past weekend’s All Japan Combat Wrestling National Championships and plans to begin training again later this month.

The 29 year-old returned to action after a year of inactivity, stopping Duane Ludwig at WVR’s inaugural event last month. Ludwig suffered a cut on the bridge of his nose that forced ringside doctors to prevent him from continuing.

Meanwhile Yamamoto informed the media that he hoped to return to the ring in June or July. His contract with Fight Entertainment Group will have “Kid” competing inside the confines of DREAM. He remains unsure of which weight he will fight at.

Yamamoto last stopped World Extreme Cagefighting veteran Rani Yahya with strikes at K-1 Premium 2007 Dynamite!! on New Year’s Eve.

Randleman, York Tapped for Sengoku II

World Victory Road has announced two additional competitors for it’s upcoming second “Sengoku” show on May 18th at the at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan: Kevin Randleman and Jim York. It’s unknown whether or not the two heavyweights will be facing each other at the event.

Randleman, who had previously announced his participation at the event, will also be fighting Jeff Monson at a Global Fighting Championships in June.

The former UFC heavyweight champion has not fought since being submitted by Mauricio Rua in October of 2006. His time off last year was filled with bad events, including Randleman suffering from multiple severe staph infections, kidney failure, and an arrest for driving under the influence as well as six other additional charges.

After losing his first professional bout, York has gone on two win nine straight fights. He most recently stopped Iro Seki with strikes at a MARS event in April of last year.

A pair of lightweight fights were already announced for the show: Satoru Kitaoka vs Ian James Schaffa and Eiji Mitsuoka vs Kwang Hee Lee. Roger Gracie, Yuki Sasaki, and Yoshihiro Nakao, who was originally reported as facing Mirko Cro Cop at last month’s DREAM event, are all expected to be in action.

Fuji TV is expected to air tape-delayed segments from the event on a program entitled “Special Ring Side”, which will feature highlights from kickboxing and mixed martial arts events around the country. It will be one of the first instances where the network has broadcast any type of mixed martial arts since it broke off ties with the now-defunct PRIDE Fighting Championships.