Another Possible Opponent for Fedor Emelianenko Could be Rolles Gracie

Rolles Gracie In Consideration to Face Fedor Emelianenko in Russia
www.mmaweekly.com

Fedor Emelianenko will next compete in June in his home country of Russia against an as of yet unnamed opponent, but a new contender has entered the fray.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and student of legendary trainer Renzo Gracie, Rolles Gracie is now under consideration for the bout with Emelianenko on June 21 in St. Petersburg.

While there is no deal in place at this time, Gracie is one of the leading candidates to potentially land the spot against the former pound-for-pound king later this year.

Meh.

Nick Diaz to Meet Braulio Estima in BJJ Superfight on May 12

Nick Diaz, World Champion Braulio Estima Agree to Meet in BJJ Superfight
www.mmafighting.com

Braulio Estima, one of the best Jiu-Jitsu players in the world, will welcome Nick Diaz back to the world of BJJ.

The Diaz vs. Estima BJJ superfight, which will be contested at 180 pounds, will take place at the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo on May 12 in Long Beach, Calif., according to WJJE officials.

The 31-year-old Estima has won a plethora of BJJ competitions over the past decade. He most recently defeated Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in a super-fight at the 2011 edition of the prestigious Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling Championship and won gold medals at the 2009 ADCC tournament in the 88kg and Absolute divisions. He is currently training with the Blackzilians in South Florida in preparation for his MMA debut later this year.

Mike Winkeljohn Convinced Greg Jackson to Corner Jon Jones Against Rashad Evans

Winkeljohn Convinced Jackson to Corner Jones After Evans 'Kept Throwing Greg Under the Bus'
www.mmafighting.com

Winklejohn recently told Bleacher Report’s Ari LeVaux that he ultimately convinced Jackson to corner Jones against Evans at UFC 145 after feeling Evans criticized his former coach one too many times.

“I was always going to corner Jon because I was working with Jon since almost day 1 here, and Rashad had left camp, and Rashad is actually cool with that. We’ve spoken many times and he understands that everybody is out there to make a living, do their thing and we’ve got a good rapport.

“But he upset me in that he kept throwing Greg under the bus. Enough’s enough. You have your disagreements, I understand that, but there’s more important things out there and it’s time for Greg to work in Jon’s corner.”

“TUF Brazil” Episodes Likely to Air on FUEL TV Starting in June

FUEL TV targets June for 'The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil' debut
mmajunkie.com

“The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil” is expected to air for U.S. audiences on FUEL TV in June, FUEL TV executive vice president and general manager George Greenberg today confirmed.

Greenberg said FUEL TV decided to delay the debut of the first international season of the long-running reality series in order to avoid competition with “The Ultimate Fighter: Live.”

“We don’t want to take any air out of the room promotionally for ‘TUF’ on FX,” the executive told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “As soon as ‘TUF’ on FX is done then we will premiere ‘TUF: Brazil,’ which will feed into the next ‘TUF’ on FX.”

Good news for those who haven't seen any of the season yet and are waiting for it to hit the television airwaves. I've been catching the episodes a couple of days later online and they have been pretty entertaining.

FUEL TV’s George Greenburg Reveals Schedule for Remaining 2012 UFC Events

Target Dates Revealed for Remaining UFC on Fuel TV Events in 2012
www.mmaweekly.com

During a conference call with media on Tuesday, Fuel TV Executive Vice President and General Manager George Greenberg laid out a tentative plan for the UFC’s shows on the network for this year.

“(UFC on Fuel) 4 you’re looking at July,” Greenberg stated.
...

“Right now for us we’re probably, the fifth one could be September 4th, and I think the sixth one perhaps November, not exactly sure yet, things are still floating around, but I would say probably September/November,” said Greenberg.

Bellator Posts Season-High 175,000 Viewers for Bellator 64 Last Weekend

'TUF 15' Episode 5 Averages 947,000 Viewers on FX; Bellator 64 Draws 175,000 on MTV 2
www.sherdog.com

Sherdog.com confirmed the figure with an industry source on Tuesday, who also revealed that Bellator 64 averaged 175,000 viewers on MTV2, a season high for the Chicago-based promotion.
...

Meanwhile, Bellator 64 posted an increase of 35,000 viewers from last week’s event, which netted 140,000 viewers on MTV2. Featuring the second world title fight of the season, Bellator 64 saw Ben Askren successfully defend his welterweight championship against Douglas Lima in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

IFL Veteran and Bellator Light Heavyweight Rafael Davis Arrested for Insurance Fraud

Rafael Davis, Laid-Up L.A. Firefighter, Arrested After He's Caught MMA Fighting
blogs.laweekly.com

Prosecutors say that laid-up L.A. city firefighter Rafael Davis was caught moonlighting as a mixed martial arts fighter, under the name “The Noodle:”

The 35-year-old was arrested at his Lomita home at 9 a.m. this morning on suspicion of insurance fraud, according to a statement from the L.A. County District Attorney’s office.

He was hit with four felony counts of insurance fraud, the office says.

Prosecutors contend that the Los Angeles Fire Department employee filed for workers compensation insurance between Dec. 2, 2008, to May 20, 2011, even as he fought in MMA bouts.

Touch of gloves to The UG for the find.