Click Read more to view Showtime's Post Fight Interview
Monday, December 20, 2010
FORMER U.S. JUDO OLYMPIAN DR. RHADI FERGUSON TO FACE UNDEFEATED CANADIAN ION CHERDIVARA JAN. 7 IN NASHVILLE LIVE ON SHOWTIME®
Woodley-Saffiedine Bout To Headline at Nashville Municipal Auditorium
NEW YORK (Dec. 20, 2010) - Four-time U.S. National Judo Champ and 2004 U.S. Judo Olympian Dr. Rhadi Ferguson will put his perfect MMA record on the line against up-and-coming undefeated light heavyweight Ion Cherdivara on the STRIKEFORCE Challengers Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight card presented by Rockstar Energy Drink on Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., live on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
The only athlete to compete in the Olympic Games, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) World Championships and the Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling World Championships, Ferguson is 2-0 with two TKOs as a light heavyweight (205) in MMA.
A BJJ silver medalist, the 35-year-old Ferguson has successfully transitioned to MMA after a brilliant career in Judo and BJJ. A member of America Top Team (ATT) in Coconut Creek, Fla., the longtime martial arts competitor is also a well-respected trainer having worked with Bobby Lashley, Thiago Alves and Brandon Vera, among others.
"I don't think MMA is ever a natural transition," Ferguson said. "I did Judo, I did BJJ, I'm a strength and conditioning coach and a judo coach for some top MMA fighters. After training these guys for a while the sport caught me a little bit. I'm 35, but I feel like I still have some stuff in the tank.
"I'm satisfied with my athletic career but I wouldn't mind putting the STRIKEFORCE Light Heavyweight title belt on my mantel."
Ferguson, who also trains at Gracie Tampa and Nashville MMA, is excited by the challenge of MMA and the task of becoming a more well-rounded fighter.
"The thing about fighting is it makes me feel free," Ferguson said. "I think what I enjoy from MMA is the newness of it - it's new to me and there's so much to learn. When you become good at a sport like Judo you have core skills that you hone in on so much. You're only focused on that.
"With MMA, there are so many things which you have to become proficient at. You don't have to be good at everything but you're proficiency has to be high to be a true mixed martial artist."
To get to 3-0, Ferguson will have to first beat a tough, and much younger, wrestler.
"It's a good matchup, it's an even matchup," Ferguson said. "I have no fear of losing, but I don't get super excited for winning. I get energized and get my thrills from training and the chance to test myself.
"My game plan is the same plan I always have - to have my hand raised at the end. I never really thought that it was the truth until it happened to me. You're game plan goes straight out the window when you get hit in the mouth. You go straight into survival mode."
The Miami, Fla., native was a three-sport star at Howard University in the mid-90s competing in football, wrestling and track & field. Ferguson then went on to compete in Olympic Judo as an alternate at the 2000 Olympics and a member of the '04 team. While training for the Olympics, he furthered his schooling and received a doctorate in education in '09 from Capella University.
His wife, Traci, is a medical doctor in Tampa, Fla., and the couple has two children - 4-year-old son Rufus and 11-month old daughter Rhadi.
A highly-regarded prospect and member of Brazilian Top Team Canada, Cherdivara (1-0, 1 KO) will make his STRIKEFORCE debut in Nashville. Already well-known in the Montreal fight scene, the powerful Moldovan-born light heavyweight is looking to become a threat in STRIKEFORCE's deep light heavyweight division.
A former member of the Moldovan national wrestling team, Cherdivara has raw power and has been sharpening his boxing and other striking skills for his multi-fight deal with STRIKEFORCE. His training routine that includes shadow boxing with a 90-pound dumbbell has become legendary in the Montreal fight scene.
"I'm only 1-0 because I've had a hard time finding fights in Montreal," Cherdivara said. "No one wants to fight me. With STRIKEFORCE, I'll finally be able to face some quality opponents who otherwise wouldn't dare fight me. I'm looking to face the best light heavyweights STRIKEFORCE has to offer."
Tickets for the STRIKEFORCE Challengers event are on sale at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium ticket office, all Ticketmaster locations (800) 745-3000 including Kroger and FYE, Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com) and STRIKEFORCE's official website (www.strikeforce.com ). The first non-televised, undercard fight on Jan. 7 will begin at 7:30 CT. Doors will open at 7.
Other televised fights: undefeated up-and-coming heavyweight prospect and former U.S. Olympic wrestling star Daniel Cormier (6-0) of San Jose, Calif. faces Devin Cole (18-8-1) of Medford, Ore., former University of Tennessee linebacker Ovince Saint Preux (9-4) will be opposed by fellow quickster "Abongo'' Humphrey (7-2) of Atlanta, and promising Julia "The Jewel'' Budd (1-0) of British Columbia, Canada, faces Amanda "Lioness Of The Ring'' Nunes (5-1), of Salvador, Brazil, in a women's middleweight (145 pounds) match.
NEW YORK (Dec. 20, 2010) - Four-time U.S. National Judo Champ and 2004 U.S. Judo Olympian Dr. Rhadi Ferguson will put his perfect MMA record on the line against up-and-coming undefeated light heavyweight Ion Cherdivara on the STRIKEFORCE Challengers Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight card presented by Rockstar Energy Drink on Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., live on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
The only athlete to compete in the Olympic Games, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) World Championships and the Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling World Championships, Ferguson is 2-0 with two TKOs as a light heavyweight (205) in MMA.
A BJJ silver medalist, the 35-year-old Ferguson has successfully transitioned to MMA after a brilliant career in Judo and BJJ. A member of America Top Team (ATT) in Coconut Creek, Fla., the longtime martial arts competitor is also a well-respected trainer having worked with Bobby Lashley, Thiago Alves and Brandon Vera, among others.
"I don't think MMA is ever a natural transition," Ferguson said. "I did Judo, I did BJJ, I'm a strength and conditioning coach and a judo coach for some top MMA fighters. After training these guys for a while the sport caught me a little bit. I'm 35, but I feel like I still have some stuff in the tank.
"I'm satisfied with my athletic career but I wouldn't mind putting the STRIKEFORCE Light Heavyweight title belt on my mantel."
Ferguson, who also trains at Gracie Tampa and Nashville MMA, is excited by the challenge of MMA and the task of becoming a more well-rounded fighter.
"The thing about fighting is it makes me feel free," Ferguson said. "I think what I enjoy from MMA is the newness of it - it's new to me and there's so much to learn. When you become good at a sport like Judo you have core skills that you hone in on so much. You're only focused on that.
"With MMA, there are so many things which you have to become proficient at. You don't have to be good at everything but you're proficiency has to be high to be a true mixed martial artist."
To get to 3-0, Ferguson will have to first beat a tough, and much younger, wrestler.
"It's a good matchup, it's an even matchup," Ferguson said. "I have no fear of losing, but I don't get super excited for winning. I get energized and get my thrills from training and the chance to test myself.
"My game plan is the same plan I always have - to have my hand raised at the end. I never really thought that it was the truth until it happened to me. You're game plan goes straight out the window when you get hit in the mouth. You go straight into survival mode."
The Miami, Fla., native was a three-sport star at Howard University in the mid-90s competing in football, wrestling and track & field. Ferguson then went on to compete in Olympic Judo as an alternate at the 2000 Olympics and a member of the '04 team. While training for the Olympics, he furthered his schooling and received a doctorate in education in '09 from Capella University.
His wife, Traci, is a medical doctor in Tampa, Fla., and the couple has two children - 4-year-old son Rufus and 11-month old daughter Rhadi.
A highly-regarded prospect and member of Brazilian Top Team Canada, Cherdivara (1-0, 1 KO) will make his STRIKEFORCE debut in Nashville. Already well-known in the Montreal fight scene, the powerful Moldovan-born light heavyweight is looking to become a threat in STRIKEFORCE's deep light heavyweight division.
A former member of the Moldovan national wrestling team, Cherdivara has raw power and has been sharpening his boxing and other striking skills for his multi-fight deal with STRIKEFORCE. His training routine that includes shadow boxing with a 90-pound dumbbell has become legendary in the Montreal fight scene.
"I'm only 1-0 because I've had a hard time finding fights in Montreal," Cherdivara said. "No one wants to fight me. With STRIKEFORCE, I'll finally be able to face some quality opponents who otherwise wouldn't dare fight me. I'm looking to face the best light heavyweights STRIKEFORCE has to offer."
Tickets for the STRIKEFORCE Challengers event are on sale at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium ticket office, all Ticketmaster locations (800) 745-3000 including Kroger and FYE, Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com
Other televised fights: undefeated up-and-coming heavyweight prospect and former U.S. Olympic wrestling star Daniel Cormier (6-0) of San Jose, Calif. faces Devin Cole (18-8-1) of Medford, Ore., former University of Tennessee linebacker Ovince Saint Preux (9-4) will be opposed by fellow quickster "Abongo'' Humphrey (7-2) of Atlanta, and promising Julia "The Jewel'' Budd (1-0) of British Columbia, Canada, faces Amanda "Lioness Of The Ring'' Nunes (5-1), of Salvador, Brazil, in a women's middleweight (145 pounds) match.
Bellator Announces Premiere Light Heavyweight World-Championship Tournament for Season 4 on MTV2
CHICAGO, Ill. (December 20, 2010) — Bellator Fighting Championships today announced the promotion's inaugural Light Heavyweight World Championship Tournament which will take place in Bellator’s much anticipated fourth season. The eight-man 205 lbs. Tournament will start in March, 2011. The eight Light Heavyweights will determine their own destiny in the cage on the road to the first Bellator Light Heavyweight Championship belt and $100,000 to the tournament winner.
An exhaustive search is currently underway to find the best available light heavyweights the MMA world has to offer. With six of the eight fighters already selected, announcements regarding confirmed participants of the 2011 Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament are anticipated in the coming days.
“We’ve wanted to add a Light Heavyweight World Championship Tournament since Season 1, but wanted to ensure that when we did it, we had a great group fighting for the title. Now, we do,” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “One of the best parts of my job is handing over the Bellator World Title belt to a new champion, and I’ll have the pleasure of doing it again this upcoming season.”
Some of Bellator’s most electrifying moments have coming during Championship fights, including current Bellator Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez defeating Toby Imada with a devastating rear naked choke submission, Featherweight Champion Joe Warren rallying back from the brink of defeat to knockout Joe Soto, and Zoila “The Warrior Princess” Frausto beating the previously undefeated and #1 ranked pound for pound female fighter Megumi Fujii.
Current Bellator Champions include, Hector Lombard at middleweight, Ben Askren at welterweight, Eddie Alvarez at lightweight, Joe Warren at featherweight, Zack Makovsky at bantamweight, Cole Konrad at heavyweight and Zoila Frausto in the women's 115 lbs. Division.
For more information, visit Bellator.com
An exhaustive search is currently underway to find the best available light heavyweights the MMA world has to offer. With six of the eight fighters already selected, announcements regarding confirmed participants of the 2011 Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament are anticipated in the coming days.
“We’ve wanted to add a Light Heavyweight World Championship Tournament since Season 1, but wanted to ensure that when we did it, we had a great group fighting for the title. Now, we do,” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “One of the best parts of my job is handing over the Bellator World Title belt to a new champion, and I’ll have the pleasure of doing it again this upcoming season.”
Some of Bellator’s most electrifying moments have coming during Championship fights, including current Bellator Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez defeating Toby Imada with a devastating rear naked choke submission, Featherweight Champion Joe Warren rallying back from the brink of defeat to knockout Joe Soto, and Zoila “The Warrior Princess” Frausto beating the previously undefeated and #1 ranked pound for pound female fighter Megumi Fujii.
Current Bellator Champions include, Hector Lombard at middleweight, Ben Askren at welterweight, Eddie Alvarez at lightweight, Joe Warren at featherweight, Zack Makovsky at bantamweight, Cole Konrad at heavyweight and Zoila Frausto in the women's 115 lbs. Division.
For more information, visit Bellator.com
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida Makes Too Much Sense NOT To Happen
By Elton Hobson
The greatest trilogy in all of MMA - at least in terms of interest generated - has got to be Randy Couture vs. Retirement. And as of now, "The Natural" seems to be an unblemished 3-0.
Knocked out twice by Chuck Liddell? Take a year off, then move up a weight class and kick some ass there. Locked in a court battle with your boss? Just kiss and make up. Who needed that chubby Russian dude anyways when you have the guy who headlined last year’s “Wrestlemania”?
Then a few days ago, Couture dropped the bomb. Again. Again again. Third career dropping of the bomb overall. Just so we’re clear. This time the classy (and cryptic) announcement came on Twitter, of all places. And the latest “retirement” lasted as long as it took Randy’s lawyers to shoot this rumour to sunshine.
So if Couture vs. Retirement really were an MMA trilogy, it would be like Shamrock/Ortiz - each instalment is shorter, each saying less and less about those involved while seeming to be more decisive and final.
But hey, why the hell am I complaining? Randy’s back in the fight game! Over-the-hill, morbidly obese former boxers of the world in need of a payday - beware!
Regardless of what any of us say, Randy is back (or never left, whichever) and as long as he keeps winning, he has every right to fight into his golden years. Are YOU gonna tell someone who carries the name "Captain America" without any scorn or doubt what he can and cannot do?
No, you're not, and neither am I.
There was really only one question regarding Randy continuing an MMA career: do you intend to make another, seemingly improbable title run or do you just want fun, “safe” fights to ride out the twilight of your career?
In light of his recent silver screen success ("The Rock" vs. Randy in a Scorpion King spinoff is coming any day now, mark my words) Couture isn't gonna keep fighting just anyone. Chubby former pugilists need not apply anymore, it would seem. According to Randy's people, "The Natural" only wants two people: "Shogun" Rua, or Lyoto Machida.
Well Rua is definitely out. A fight with #1 contender/wrestling powerhouse (in a good way!)/wrestling powerhouse (ok also in a bad way) Rashad Evans looms. That's assuming the LHW champ is victorious in MMA's second greatest trilogy - "Shogun" Rua vs. Lost Potential and Time Due to Recurring Knee Injuries.
That leaves Machida.
Which, if I do say so myself, is a hell of a fight. When this news broke some fans and media heaped scorn on the idea of Machida vs. Couture. Call me crazy, but I'm going to call YOU crazy right back and say this fight is a perfect next step for either man.
For Machida, its the ultimate rebuild fight. While the Karate Kid remains a viable draw and interest at LHW, his stock has dropped somewhat from the heady, towering days of the "Machida Era" (read: a year ago) following back to back losses. He needs a win - a solid, convincing win over an opponent with a "name" - to launch himself back into the title picture. You couldn't ask for a better offering to fill that role than Randy Couture.
For Randy, this fight is a fitting "last hurrah". It's not a gimme fight, which the UFC doesn't like giving out. It's not some irrelevant dust-up between aged has beens. It is a relevant meeting of two of the most marketable LHW fighters with title implications and then some. It's a PPV worthy main event without tying up a world title. It's a logical next step for either man. It's also, to restate, a hell of a fight.
If Machida wins, he rebuilds his reputation and moves on, while Randy has the dignity of going out on top, against the best, like he deserves. Randy "does it again" and pulls of another upset? Then he gets a title shot for his going away present - not to mention another huge payday.
It's too perfect. It makes too much sense. MMA's great riddle against the sports best game planner. The "on the comeback former champion" against the livest 'dog in all of MMA. Cash registers would ring and everyone - Dana White, Lyoto, Randy, the fans, everyone - would win, no matter who ACTUALLY won.
From a matchmaking perspective, it doesn't get much better then that. Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida makes too much sense not to happen in 2011.
UFC 125 Promo and complete fight card
COMPLETE UFC 125 FIGHT CARD:
Ultimate Fighting Championship: "UFC 125: Resolution"
January 1, 2011
MGM Grand,
Las Vegas, Nevada
Main Card:
UFC Lightweight Championship
Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard
Chris Leben vs. Brian Stann
Thiago Silva vs. Brandon Vera
Clay Guida vs. Takanori Gomi
Nate Diaz vs. Dong Hyun Kim
Preliminary Card:
Antonio McKee vs. Jacob Volkmann
Jeremy Stephens vs. Marcus Davis
Mike Thomas Brown vs. Diego Nunes
Daniel Roberts vs. Greg Soto
Phil Baroni vs. Brad Tavares
Dustin Poirier vs. Josh Grispi
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