BARTIMUS AND THE BULLY WIN AT WEC 47
March 7, 2010 by Matt
Two Chicago-area fighters are leaving Columbus, Ohio with victories, while Miguel Torres is leaving with his second consecutive loss.
Bart Palaszewski took on the very tough Karen Darabedyan in a lightweight battle. Bartimus immediately felt the power and quickness of Darabedyan, who was coming off an impressive win against former WEC champ Rob McCullough. Darabedyan had Bart on the ground and was delivering punishment. Bart absorbed a lot of blows but kept looking for subs. Near the end of round 1 Palaszewski latched on to an arm and hyperextended it until he got the tap. Itwas an amazing submission and Bartimus moves to 34-13 with the win.
Team Top Notch fighter Ricardo Lamas was coming off a TKO loss to Danny “Last Call” Castillo at WEC 42. He needed little time to get back on a win streak with a stunning defeat of France’s Bendy Casimir. In round 1 action, Casimir went for a takedown and Lamas delivered a fierce knee to Casimir’s head that crumbled him to the canvas and left him unconscious. The Bully got the win and improves to 8-1 overall and now 3-1 in the WEC.
Miguel Torres never really got going against Joseph Benavidez, his first fight since losing his WEC title to Brian Bowles. Miguel was active in moving and circling the cage, but couldn’t find the timing on his strikes or kicks. The faster Benavidez easily nullified the nearly 10-inch reach disadvantage with takedowns and easily working his way inside against Torres. The last takedown in round 2 proved fatal for Torres. Benavidez had him up against the cage and delivered a vicious elbow that gashed open Torres’ forehead and immediately started to gush blood. Torres tried to escape but Benavidez caught him in a tight guillotine and Torres was forced to tap. It was a stunning defeat for Torres. Brian Bowles lost the title to Dominick Cruz, so perhaps we will see a Bowles/Torres rematch down the line.
Photos taken from Sherdog’s WEC 47 gallery
MARCH MADNESS, MMA STYLE
March 2, 2010 by Matt
The NCAA tourney will not be the only madness to engulf the sports world in March. There will be 5 MMA major events within 25 days, giving new meaning to March coming in like a lion. Here’s a look at what’s coming up.
3.6 WEC 47: Bowles vs. Cruz
An excellent card to kick off the month. Brian Bowles defends his bantamweight title against Dominick Cruz. We also get the returns of Miguel Torres, who takes on the explosive Joseph Benavidez, and Jens Pulver. The always exciting Scott Jorgensen is also on the card, as well as impressive WEC newcomer Karen Darabedyan.
3.21 UFC on Versus 1
The UFC makes its first appearance on Versus and the card is spectacular. Jon Jones is one of the most dynamic fighters in all of MMA and he will take on Brandon Vera. The most under-appreciated fighter in MMA is also on the card: Junior Dos Santos. Dos Santos will fight Gabriel Gonzaga and needs a win to get closer to a title fight. Also on the card is fan-favorite Clay Guida, as well as a solid heavyweight matchup between Cheick Kongo and Paul Buentello.
3.26 Strikeforce Challengers 7
Where else would you get to see George Bush fight? Not that one, but the heavyweight fighter will take on Ron Humphrey. 2 of the most beautiful — and ferocious — female fighters will do battle at this event, as Miesha Tate brawls with Zoila Frausto. Andre Galvao is back from DREAM to take on Strikeforce veteran Luke Stewart. And Lavar “Big” Johnson will take on Lolohea Mahe.
3.27 UFC 111: St. Pierre vs. Hardy
The Return of GSP against the brash, talented Dan Hardy for the UFC welterweight belt is the main event on this card. But the co-main event of Frank Mir vs. Shane Carwin for the interim heavyweight belt may be an even better fight. Two other top welterweights will go at it in Jon Fitch vs. Thiago Alves, and the exciting Ben Saunders will take on M-1, IFL and Bellator vet Jake Ellenberger.
3.31 UFC Fight Night 21
Just days after 2 title bouts, the UFC is back with another edition of “Fight Night” on Spike. Kenny Florian gets to take on Takanori Gomi in his UFC debut. Ultimate Fighter winner Roy Nelson will battle Stefan “Skyscraper” Struve, an interesting battle of wrestler vs. Jiu-Jtsu. Lightweight Ultimate Fighter winner Ross Pearson gets Dennis Siver, and Nate Quarry and Jorge Rivera will slug it out.
CURRAN, HERRIG TO FIGHT AT BELLATOR XIV IN CHICAGO
February 27, 2010 by Matt
Bellator has added some popular Chicago-area fighters for it’s season 2 debut. Jeff Curran will take on Joe Doherty, and Felice Herrig’s match with Catia Vitoria has been added to the card. That fight was initially to take place in the Reality Combat Challenge, but now Herrig will have her home crowd behind her.
Bellator’s four first-round fights will take place as part of Bellator XIV on April 15th and Bellator XV on April 22nd. Bellator XIV will be broadcast live from the Chicago Theatre.
Here are the welterweight (170 lbs.) matchups:
April 15th
- Ben Askren (3-0) vs. Ryan Thomas (10-3)
April 22nd
- Dan Hornbuckle (19-2) vs. Sean Pierson (9-4)
- Jacob McClintock (6-0) vs. “Judo” Jim Wallhead (18-5)
- Steve Carl (12-1) vs. Brett Cooper (12-5)
Bellator will also conduct tournaments at 145, 155 and 185 lbs. during Season 2 with the winners in each division being declared No. 1 contenders to the current roster of Bellator champions. Fighter pairings for the 145 lbs. tournament were announced last week. Matchups for the remaining two tournaments will be announced in March.
Each of the fights will be broadcast live in prime time on FOX Sports Net. Highlights will be shown the following Saturday night in special action-packed shows on NBC and Telemundo.
“I can’t wait for our welterweight tournament to start,” said Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “It’s turned out exactly as I had hoped it would: world-class talent and well-known names coupled with some tremendous prospects in a tournament that anyone could win. This is what a tournament should be about.”
WHEN CLAY GUIDA WAS CHAMP
February 25, 2010 by Matt
Some of you might not remember that Clay Guida wasn’t always a UFC fighter. Guida cut his MMA teeth fighting locally in the XFO, Combat Do and Ironheart Crown. He fought in the first-ever events for both the XFO and Combat Do. He also fought in the first Strikeforce event and was the very first Strikeforce lightweight champion.
Guida defeated Josh “The Punk” Thomson to win the belt. Check out Thomson’s face and the special guest who presents the belt. Here is the entire fight.
It’s easy to see why Guida is so tough. Chuck Norris presented him the championship belt!
MIGUEL TORRES SUBMISSION FLOW
February 21, 2010 by Matt
Check out this clip from the former local MMA show “Combatwire”. Miguel Torres shows Felice Herrig the submission flow that allowed him to beat Chase Beebe for the WEC title. Playing the part of Beebe is UFC fighter Kurt Pellegrino.
Miguel needs to get back to more of this when he fights Joseph Benavidez at WEC 47 on March 6th. Felice Herrig will fight next on April 17th. Pellegrino will battle Fabricio Camoes at UFC 111.
FELICE HERRIG FIGHTS AGAIN ON APRIL 17
February 14, 2010 by Matt
Felice “L’il Bulldog” Herrig will fight next at “Reality Combat Championship III”, on April 17th. Herrig scored her first pro MMA win by defeating Michelle Gutierrez at “Unconquered 1: November Reign” by armbar.
Her next opponent is Catia Vitoria. Vitoria holds a 2-0 pro MMA record and has beaten one of the bigger names in women’s MMA, Micghelle Waterson. Waterson might be better known by her nickname, “The Karate Hottie”. Along with Felice, Waterson was named as one of the hottest MMA fighters by Channa Loves MMA.
Here is Vitoria talking about her training regimen after her defeat of Waterson.
Looks as if the L’il Bulldog will have a bit more experienced, and possibly tougher opponent when she faces Vitoria in April.
UFC 110 QUICK PREVIEW
February 14, 2010 by Matt
Big Nog vs. Cain Velasquez. The Axe Murderer vs. Michael Bisping. Jardine vs. Bader. Cro Cop vs. Rothwell. No shortage of great bouts on this card, and even the undercard rocks with Elvis Sinosic, Stephan Bonnar and Chris Lytle all fighting. Here is the quick promo for UFC 110.
Silver Star Antonio Rodrigo Minotauro Nogueira UFC 102 Walkout Tee
G2 FIGHT NIGHT RETURNS IN APRIL
Gilbert Grappling’s first G2 Fight Night in November was quite a success. The next event is already scheduled and it will take place on Saturday, April 3 at the Tinley Park Convention Center. For more information contact 630.479.6304 or send an e-mail to g2fightnight@live.com. Click here for G2 Fight Night Tickets
BART PALASZEWSKI TO FIGHT AT WEC 47
January 26, 2010 by Matt
Bartimus is back. Bart Palaszewski will take on Karen Darabedyan at “WEC 47: Bowles vs. Cruz” on March 6th in Columbus.
Palaszewski (33-13) is riding a 2-fight win streak after his WEC 40 loss to Anthony Njokuani here in Chicago. He knocked out Tyler Combs at XFO 32 in October and won in December with a split decision over Anthony Pettis at WEC 45.
Darabedyan made his WEC debut in November at WEC: Brown vs. Aldo and came away with a split decision victory over Razor Rob McCullough. He has won 7 straight fights and is 9-1 overall.
MIGUEL TORRES GETS READY FOR WEC 47
January 26, 2010 by Matt
The Las Vegas Sun catches up with Miguel Torres as he trains for his next fight against Joseph Benavidez at WEC 47. In the interview, Miguel seems revitalized. He explains why he has a totally different camp to train with for the bout against Benavidez in Columbus on March 6th. Benavidez is coming off a very impressive win against Rani Yahya.
