Official MMA Thread

[zitro_joe]

Miami looks to be a good show so far. MMA and Dexter are the only reason I get Showtime

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by zitro_joe

Miami looks to be a good show so far. MMA and Dexter are the only reason I get Showtime

Yes, it does. I like the card.

"Strikeforce: Miami" gets three more bouts

With Strikeforce's first event of 2010 a little more than three weeks away, the fight card is nearing completion.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) today confirmed with promotion officials the addition of three preliminary card matchups to the Jan. 30 "Strikeforce: Miami" event.

And with Showtime committed to broadcasting five main-card matchups, a pair of high-profile fighters will likely be left off of the evening's premium cable broadcast – though it will not necessarily go unseen.

The three official additions to the card include Pablo Alfonso vs. Marcos da Matta, Sabah Homasi vs. John Kelly, and David Gomez vs. Craig Oxley. Strikeforce is expected to add at least one more preliminary matchup to the card, bringing the total guaranteed bouts to a minimum of 10.

Headlining the preliminary card will be a recently confirmed matchup between Jay Hieron (18-4 MMA, 1-0 SF) and Joe Riggs (32-10 MMA, 3-2 SF). Both are considered top welterweight contenders in the Strikeforce organization, and though Showtime will not air the fight, sources close to the Strikeforce promotion indicated the group may be seeking an alternative method of broadcasting the matchup.

The current Xtreme Fighting Championships bantamweight champion, Alfonso (5-1 MMA, 0-0 SF) brings a proven grappling game to the cage. The 26-year-old has earned four of his five career wins by submission, and his lone loss came in March 2009 via decision.

An American Top Team black belt known as "Parrumpinha," da Matta (7-0 MMA, 0-0 SF) also brings a capable ground game to the card. After sitting out in 2008, da Matta went 4-0 in 2009. The Brazilian owns two wins by TKO in addition to his three submission victories.

A Michigan native, Sabasi (2-0 MMA, 0-0 SF) debuted professionally in 2009. "The Punisher," who trains out of Coopers Gym in Detroit, has earned both of his career wins by first-round TKO.

Kelly (3-0 MMA, 0-0 SF) also brings an undefeated record to the cage. The 31-year-old earned three wins in 2009 in the first three bouts of his professional career. All three victories came via stoppage.

The Florida-based Gomez (0-2 MMA, 0-0 SF) made his professional debut in 2008 for the now-defunct EliteXC promotion. Winless in two professional contests, Gomez fought in 2009 under the Real Fighting Championships banner.

A striking specialist and World Combat League veteran, Oxley (0-2 MMA, 0-0 SF) also seeks his first professional MMA win. While an accomplished standup fighter, Oxley is perhaps best known to MMA hardcores as the recipient of a flashy Genki Sudo submission in a Pancrase contest held in 2000.

With the additions to the card, the full "Strikeforce: Miami" card now includes:

MAIN CARD

Nick Diaz vs. Marius Zaromskis (for vacant welterweight title)
Champ Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos vs. Marloes Coenen (for women's featherweight title)
Robbie Lawler vs. Melvin Manhoef
Bobby Lashley vs. TBA
Herschel Walker vs. TBA
PRELIMINARY CARD (un-aired)

Jay Hieron vs. Joe Riggs
Pablo Alfonso vs. Marcos da Matta*
Sabah Homasi vs. John Kelly*
David Gomez vs. Craig Oxley*


Also, Roger Gracie has signed with SF.

[NCRadioMan]

EA has been wrapping up the photo shoots for their upcoming MMA video game. During the sessions, fighters are asked to make various facial expressions such as a look of suprise or pain. During Fedor's shoot, the photographer noticed his face stayed the same, devoid of expression. The photographer then asked for Fedor to really try harder at which Fedor replied, "I don't make faces", and exited the room while retorting, "we are done here."

[wayner123]

Originally Posted by NCRadioMan

EA has been wrapping up the photo shoots for their upcoming MMA video game. During the sessions, fighters are asked to make various facial expressions such as a look of suprise or pain. During Fedor's shoot, the photographer noticed his face stayed the same, devoid of expression. The photographer then asked for Fedor to really try harder at which Fedor replied, "I don't make faces", and exited the room while retorting, "we are done here."

LOL, my favorite example of this is when Kevin Randelman slammed Fedor on his head. If you slow it down, you can see even at the point of impact, Fedor expression never changes.

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by wayner123

LOL, my favorite example of this is when Kevin Randelman slammed Fedor on his head. If you slow it down, you can see even at the point of impact, Fedor expression never changes.

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showpo...&postcount=906

Great info in your post ncradioman. Roger Gracie in Strikeforce, Wow! Thats goiing to make for some great fights. What a difference 6 months has made for Strikeforce and the mma world because one guy tested positive.

[NCRadioMan]

Ricardo Almeida vs. Matt Brown slotted for UFC 111

A welterweight bout between Ricardo Almeida (11-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) and Matt Brown (11-7 MMA, 4-1 UFC) reportedly will take place in March at UFC 111.

MMAjunkie.com (http://www.mmajunkie.com) first reported Almeida's likely UFC 111 participation last month, and ESPN's "MMA Live" program today reported the Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace has agreed to fight the well-rounded Brown.

UFC 111 takes place March 27 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., with a pay-per-view championship double-header.

Welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre meets Dan Hardy in the headliner, and Frank Mir and Shane Carwin clash in a five-rounder that's currently billed as an interim heavyweight title fight.

After suffering a disappointing split-decision loss to Patrick Cote in July 2008, Almeida, who's now in his second stint with the UFC, has since bounced back with back-to-back wins over Matt Horwich and Kendall Grove. The former middleweight now heads to the welterweight division with nine wins in his past 10 fights.

Brown, meanwhile, recently scored a TKO victory over "The Ultimate Fighter 9" winner James Wilks at UFC 105. The "TUF 7" cast member is now 4-1 in the UFC, and the lone loss came to undefeated Dong Hyun Kim via close split decision.

The latest UFC 111 card now includes:

* Champ Georges St-Pierre vs. Dan Hardy (for welterweight title)
* Shane Carwin vs. Frank Mir (possibly for interim heavyweight title)
* Thiago Alves vs. Jon Fitch*
* Ricardo Almeida vs. Matt Brown*

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Bonnar vs. Soszynski set for UFC 110 prelims

A bout between veteran light heavyweights Stephan Bonnar (11-6 MMA, 5-5 UFC) and Krzysztof Soszynski (18-9 MMA, 3-1 UFC) officially has been added to the UFC 110 fight card.

The bout, which MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reported back in November, is slated for the night's un-aired preliminary card.

UFC 110 takes place Feb. 21 at Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia. The night's main card airs on pay-per-view.

Bonnar, who joined the UFC after a runner-up finish on the first season of "The Ultimate Fighter," looks to rebound from the second set of back-to-back losses in his past six fights. The Xtreme Couture fighter recently followed a unanimous decision loss to Jon Jones with another decision defeat to Mark Coleman at UFC 100 in July.

Prior to the defeats, Bonnar had posted back-to-back wins over Mike Nickels (submission) and Eric Schafer (TKO).

Soszynski returns to the cage for the first time since a disappointing decision loss to Brandon Vera at UFC 102 in August. "The Polish Experiment" took the fight on short notice for an injured Matt Hamill. Soszynski, who advanced to the semifinals on "TUF 8" before a loss to Vinny Magalhaes, was on a roll prior to the loss with six straight wins (three in the UFC) and a pair of Submission of the Night bonuses.

The latest UFC 110 card now includes:

MAIN CARD

* Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Cain Velasquez
* Michael Bisping vs. Wanderlei Silva
* George Sotiropoulos vs. Joe Stevenson
* Ryan Bader vs. Keith Jardine
* Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic vs. Ben Rothwell

PRELIMINARY CARD

* Chris Haseman vs. Elvis Sinosic
* Stephan Bonnar vs. Krzysztof Soszynski
* C.B. Dollaway vs. Goran Reljic*
* Brian Foster vs. Chris Lytle*
* James Te Huna vs. Igor Pokrajac*

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UFC sells percentage of company to Sheik Tahnoon

FiveOuncesofPain.com has recently received reports from multiple sources extremely close to the situation indicating that the UFC has recently sold a minority percentage of the company to Sheik Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the son of the former United Arab Emirates president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Sheik Tahnoon is well known throughout the grappling community as the founder of the no-gi submission Olympics, the Abu Dhabi Combat Club. Himself a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Renzo Gracie, Shiek Tahnoon has been a long time supporter and practitioner of Jiu-Jitsu.

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trainer: Brock will fight again

"Though he may not fight again this year, UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar “will fight again,” according to his trainer, Marty Morgan, who provided the update in a speech at “The Clash” wrestling tournament in Minnesota.

Lesnar had a bout with a bacterial infection in his intestinal tract in November and now we’re working our way back to where we need to get back to to fight,” said Morgan. “I don’t give more answers than that, Brock doesn’t give more answers, and his agents don’t give more answers. There’s only a handful of people that know where we’re at. We’ve always just kept quiet with what’s going on. He will fight again, I know that. It’s just a matter of the public finding out when.”

On Thursday, UFC President Dana White had “no comment” on Lesnar’s status."

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Strikeforce officials has been very aggressive in growing their roster ever since striking a multi-year agreement in early 2009 to provide mixed martial arts events on both Showtime and CBS. And they’re not slowing down.

Now promotion officials are in talks with two more high profile fighters in Roger Huerta and Josh Barnett.

[NCRadioMan]

Rampage get 3 years probation

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson can breathe a little bit easier today, after an Orange County judge struck down his felony conviction of evading police for the high-speed hijinks that ensued back in July 2008 in Newport Beach.

He’ll do his time via three years probation for misdemeanor reckless driving, instead.

In an interview with the Orange County Register, Jackson said, "I will never see that judge in a courtroom again. … I don’t see myself doing anything crazy again. … I want to be a positive role model."

Jackson, who appeared in court sporting his B.A. Baracus mohawk for his role in the upcoming "A-Team" movie, has completed more than 200 hours of community service for the stunt, including conducting seminars with young people and U.S. Marines.

In fact, the judge praised Jackson’s efforts, which he noted were more than the minimum requirements for community service.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hermes Franca calls it quits

UFC veteran and former WEC lightweight champion Hermes Franca on Friday night announced his retirement from mixed martial arts. His decision comes on the heels of a loss via TKO to Eric Wisely at MaxFightsDM: Ballroom Brawl IV in Des Moines, Iowa.

His manager, Reed Wallace of White Chocolate Management, informed MMAWeekly.com of his fighter's decision late Friday night.

The loss was Franca's fourth in his last five outings. Three of those losses were in the UFC to Sean Sherk, Frankie Edgar, and Tyson Griffin.

“The fans gave me the passion and strength that kept me competing at the championship levels for all these years. Without them, I couldn't have done it.
I owe it all to the fans,” said Franca, while indicating that his body just can't keep up with the demands of today's elite level fighters.

From the beginning of his career, Franca continually fought the top fighters in the sport. His victories include a veritable who's who of MMA: Caol Uno, Mike Brown, Nate Diaz, Spencer Fisher, Rich Crunkilton, Jamie Varner, and Marcus Aurelio, to name but a few.

Wallace told MMAWeekly.com that the 35-year-old native of Forteleza, Brazil, native intends to rest briefly then return to training his students and fighters at his gym, East West Combat Club in Syracuse, N.Y.

[NCRadioMan]

UFC Fight Night
Location: Patriot Center Fairfax VA
Date: TONIGHT!

Gray Maynard vs Nate Diaz
Efrain Escudero vs. Evan Dunham
Tom Lawlor vs. Aaron Simpson
Amir Sadollah vs. Brad Blackburn
Chris Leben vs. Jay Silva
Rick Story vs. Jessee Lennox
Thiago Tavares vs. Nik Lentz
Mike Guymon vs. Rory Macdonald
Kyle Bradley vs. Rafael Dos Anjos
Gerald Harris vs. John Salter
Nick Catone vs. Jessee Forbes

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Nate Quarry vs. Jorge Rivera on March 31

March is going to be a very busy time for UFC matchmaker Joe Silva as it appears the UFC will put on a total of 3 shows during the month, the latest of which is slated for March 31 as a lead in to the newest season of the "Ultimate Fighter". One of the first fights set for the card has been confirmed as Nate "Rock" Quarry will take on Jorge Rivera in a middleweight contest on the show.

The bout was originally reported by MMAJunkie.com and confirmed independently by MMAWeekly.com with sources close to the fight indicating the match-up is in the works.

Quarry last competed in September at UFC Fight Night 19 in a back and forth battle against Tim Credeur, before pulling out the unanimous decision win. The former Team Quest fighter is currently 7-2 in the UFC, and known for always bringing excitement in his fights.

Hailing from Massachusetts, Jorge Rivera, is another longtime veteran of the UFC, on a two-fight win streak with victories over Nissen Osterneck and Rob Kimmons.

Both fighters are known for their willingness to stick in any fight and compete to the bitter end, so Quarry vs. Rivera has fireworks written all over it.

No other bouts have been confirmed for the March 31 card, but it's believed the show will take place in North Carolina.

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Lashley to Fight on CBS in April

Former WWE star and current Strikeforce fighter Bobby Lashley (4-0 MMA, 0-0 Strikeforce) has confirmed to Heavy.com that he'll be participating on the next Strikeforce on CBS card in April.

"We're going to do the fight on the 30th in Miami, and then turn around and do the April fight on CBS," Lashley told Heavy on Friday night. "I told them I wanted to stay active. If they want to give me six fights this year, I'll take six fights this year. I need more fights under my belt so that when that big fight comes, I'm ready for it."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

A-Team Trailer with Rampage as BA Baracus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjvkS0bqx70

[NCRadioMan]

Winners in bold:

Gray Maynard vs Nate Diaz
Efrain Escudero vs. Evan Dunham
Tom Lawlor vs. Aaron Simpson
Amir Sadollah vs. Brad Blackburn


4 good fights last night. The decision for Simpson was horrible, imo, but the fight was great! Maynard looked really good and Sadollah continues his mastery. I really enjoyed seeing Escudero getting stretched. I don't like him for some reason.

Fight of the Night:

Aaron Simpson and Tom Lawlor ($30,000/each)

Submission of the Night:

Evan Dunham ($30,000)

Knockout of the Night:

Nick Catone ($30,000)

[ActionAndy]

Originally Posted by NCRadioMan

Winners in bold:

Gray Maynard vs Nate Diaz
Efrain Escudero vs. Evan Dunham
Tom Lawlor vs. Aaron Simpson
Amir Sadollah vs. Brad Blackburn


4 good fights last night. The decision for Simpson was horrible, imo, but the fight was great! Maynard looked really good and Sadollah continues his mastery. I really enjoyed seeing Escudero getting stretched. I don't like him for some reason.
Fight of the Night:

Aaron Simpson and Tom Lawlor ($30,000/each)

Submission of the Night:

Evan Dunham ($30,000)

Knockout of the Night:

Nick Catone ($30,000)

I think it's his face. I don't like him either and that's the only thing I can think of. What a hero not tapping and getting his arm hyperextended for no reason...LOL

I don't see how Aaron Simpson won that fight. First round was a 10-8 blowout for Lawlor.

[Mikey202]

Tom Lawlor was robbed. He pounded Simpson for 2 rounds. I couldn't believe the descision.

[ActionAndy]

Originally Posted by Mikey202

Tom Lawlor was robbed. He pounded Simpson for 2 rounds. I couldn't believe the descision.

Look the first round has got to be 10-8. There's no way that was a 10-9 round. Even if you give Simpson the next two rounds you reasonably have to make them 10-9ers, which makes the fight a draw. And I don't think Simpson clearly won the last two...

Farce!

[goalie204]

lolz:

[NCRadioMan]

Junior Dos Santos vs. Gabriel Gonzaga co-headlines the March 21st UFC on Versus event
A heavyweight bout between rising prospect Junior Dos Santos (10-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) and perennial contender Gabriel Gonzaga (11-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) is set for the March 21 "UFC on Versus 1: Vera vs. Jones" card.

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Brock Lesnar's fighting future to be revealed next week via press conference

UFC President Dana White has revealed that both he UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar will hold a joint press conference next week in Las Vegas to discuss Brock's future as a mixed-martial-artist.

White confirmed the news to MMAfighting.com recently on a trip to New York, refusing to elaborate on the nature of the press conference, only saying Lesnar’s future would be out in the open. Confusing yet very positive reports have surfaced recently with Randy Couture revealing previous conversations with the champ and that he's already back in training and may be fighting by spring.

Lesnar required surgery to repair damage inflicted by intestinal diverticulitis. The promotion recently announced that number one contender Shane Carwin will battle former champion Frank Mir at UFC 111 in his absence and we may finally know by the end of next week if that bout will be contested for an interim title or the true title (if the Minnesotan is forced to surrender the belt in anticipation of a long or permanent absence).

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Belfort's manager confirms UFC 112 title fight with Silva

Following months of speculation on the fate of a postponed bout between middleweight champion Anderson Silva (25-4, 10-0 UFC) and challenger Vitor Belfort (19-8 MMA, 8-4 UFC), the pieces are finally in place for an April fight.

Fabiano Farah, Belfort's manager, confirmed with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) on Wednesday that Belfort meets Silva at UFC 112 on April 10 in Abu Dhabi. UFC president Dana White recently said he hoped the fight would take place on the overseas card.

The middleweight bout originally was scheduled to take place at UFC 108 on Jan. 2 but was shelved when Silva suffered complications from elbow surgery and was unable to train properly for the fight.

Silva recently began hard training again and is "very fired up" to face Belfort, according to manager Ed Soares, who declined to confirm the bout.

Belfort and Silva were on-again, off-again training partners in the original incarnation of fight team Black House formed in Brazil in 2006.

[bobarian]

Originally Posted by goalie204

lolz:

Just trying to stay healthy and keep from getting injured!

[NCRadioMan]

Fighters Only reports:

Takanori Gomi could make his UFC debut against unsuccessful lightweight challenger Kenny Florian at UFC Fight Night 22, Fighters Only was told this week. The event takes place in North Carolina on March 31st.

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Roy Nelson expected to meet Stefan Struve in Versus card

Dutch heavyweight Stefan Struve will be facing TUF10 season winner Roy ‘Big Country’ in his next fight, Fighters Only can reveal. The fight is set to take place at UFC Fight Night 21 in North Carolina and at least one of the fighters is understood to have returned a signed bout agreement.

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Jimmy Ambriz to fight Bobby Lashley at Strikeforce: Miami

Exclusive: Jimmy Ambriz to fight Bobby Lashley at Strikeforce: Miami

FiveOuncesofpain.com has been informed by sources close to one of the fighters that Jimmy Ambriz ( 14-12-1) has been selected to fight Bobby Lashley at the upcoming Strikeforce: Miami show on Janruary 30, 2010.

The news comes just one day after reports that Yohan Banks had been ruled out by the FSBC.

Ambriz, a former King of the Cage super heavyweight champion, last saw action in July of 2009 when he faced Jeff Monson at Total Combat 33.

The expected full card for Strikeforce: Miami
MAIN CARD
NICK DIAZ VS MARIUS ZAROMSKIS
CRISTIANE CYBORG SANTOS VS MARLOES COENEN
ROBBIE LAWLER VS MELVIN MANHOEF
HERSCHEL WALKER VS GREG NAGY
BOBBY LASHLEY VS JIMMY AMBRIZ***

PRELIM CARD
JAY HIERON VS JOE RIGGS
PABLO ALFONSO VS MARCOS DAMATTA
DAVID ZITNIK VS MICHAEL BYRNES
SABAH HOMASI VS JOHN KELLY
CRAIG OXLEY VS DAVID GOMEZ
RYAN KEENAN VS HAYDER HASSAN

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Bob Shamrock, the adopted father of famed MMA legends Frank and Ken Shamrock died today following a long-term battle with various health complications due to diabetes.

News of Shamrock's passing was announced this evening by a representative of Ken's famed Lion's Den academy in Reno, Nev.

Shamrock was 68 years old.

Shamrock is best known for establishing the Shamrock Boys Home in Susanville, Calif., a facility for troubled boys. Ken and Frank each spent considerable time at the facility, and Shamrock would eventually adopt them both.

Shamrock kept the boys busy with various sporting activities, and he allowed the children to turn to controlled fisticuffs to settle their difference, as long as he was around to supervise.

"One of Ken's fondest memories of growing up at the Shamrock home was the way his dad had the kids settle their disputes," today's release stated. "If the kids got mad with each other, Bob would let them put on gloves and box in the backyard to sort things out. The only rule imposed for these matches was that Bob had to be there at the time."

Both Ken and Frank would go on to successful mixed martial arts careers that included appearances in the UFC, Pancrase, PRIDE, Strikeforce and EliteXC.

"My dad had an unbelievable light with these kids," Ken stated in this evening's release. "I've never seen anybody able to take a defiant kid into their home and handle them like my father could – willing to get into a fight with them if he had to because of disrespect and then turn around and hug them and let them know, the minute you give me respect, I'll give you respect.

"Everyone that came in contact with my dad, you could tell he made a difference in their life. I've never seen anyone have that much success with kids. I know he's with the Lord, but I'll miss him and I'm forever thankful."

Shamrock spent his final days at Ken's home surrounded by friends and family.

[ActionAndy]

Sucks about Bob Shamrock.

I like Gomi a lot and hope he's taking his training seriously, cuz we all know Florian surely does. Seems like a tough opening bout but then again Gomi's been Champ before, so I guess he should go right into the deep end. Predictions for this fight?

And Struve seems like a tough opponent for Nelson. I'm a Big Country fan but for some reason I always see him as the underdog.

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by ActionAndy

Sucks about Bob Shamrock.

I like Gomi a lot and hope he's taking his training seriously, cuz we all know Florian surely does. Seems like a tough opening bout but then again Gomi's been Champ before, so I guess he should go right into the deep end. Predictions for this fight?

And Struve seems like a tough opponent for Nelson. I'm a Big Country fan but for some reason I always see him as the underdog.

Ditto on all.

[NCRadioMan]

If health permits, Josh Koscheck meets Paul Daley at UFC 113

It looks like the Brit got half of what he wants.

Mere weeks after calling out Thiago Alves and Josh Koscheck in the wake of a stunning knockout of Dustin Hazelett, U.K. striker Paul Daley (23-8-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) and Koscheck (14-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) are expected to meet at UFC 113 in Montreal on May 1.

Sources close to the negotiations informed MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that the two have verbally agreed to the match-up, though an undisclosed injury to Koscheck that scrapped his expected UFC 109 rematch with Paulo Thiago could hold up contracts from being signed.

The as-yet-unannounced UFC 113 event is expected to take place at the Bell Centre and features a rematch between light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.

I hope this happens. I want to see Kos get KTFO by Daley.

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Henderson vs. Shields Still Not Guaranteed

HENDERSON VS. SHIELDS ON CBS? NOT JUST YET!

It appears that Dan Henderson’s first fight for Strikeforce is all but a done deal.

Henderson appeared on Thursday’s edition of ESPN’s MMA Live, saying, “I’m really excited to be fighting my first fight in Strikeforce; (it) will be on CBS. It will be at 185 (pounds) against Jake Shields.” He also confirmed that the bout would be for the Strikeforce middleweight title currently around Shields’ waist.

Of course, there are two sides to every story, er, bout.

While it appears Henderson is ready to jump on the fight, it is not yet as final as it sounds. Shields’ camp told MMAWeekly.com that they hadn’t yet signed Shields’ next fight. Strikeforce executive Mike Afromowitz later said, “No. It’s not singed,” when asked about a Shields vs. Henderson title bout.