Posts Tagged ‘Jeff Curran’

09/15: Affliction News, Torres @WEC37, Faber’s Move, Xtreme MMA5, Brawl on Bourbon Street!

Monday, September 15th, 2008

Affliction: Postponed & Partnership w/ Golden Boy Promotions!
Causing rumors that Affliction was having organizational and ticket sales issues, Affliction announced that it’s October 11th show “Day of Reckoning” would be postponed until January 17th. Turns out the suits were focusing on financial deals as opposed to getting events worked on, because at a press conference on Saturday, Affliction announced a partnership with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions. This would mean more exposure for MMA and Affliction, since their would be co-sport events, both MMA and Boxing on one card.

While focusing on longevity is definitely an important part of any organization, the side effect is not having more shows, and fighters who were training for an October event, now have to wait until January. Some fighters had already started their training camps and perhaps those that don’t have an exclusivity clause in their contract can squeeze in a fight and a payday. Paul Buentello, Jay Hieron and Ben Rothwell had some words about it all.

Ben Rothwell: “That’s just MMA. Just like it is in the ring, you think you have a sure thing, and you don’t. Don’t ever assume anything in our sport. Luckily, my past has prepared me for such things. I’ve been on shows and had them canceled, pulled out from underneath ya. I’ve got kinda used to it.”

Paul Buentello: “It took the wind out of my sails, man. It’s totally frustrating. I was pretty fired up. The past couple weeks of training has been really hard, and I walk into the gym ready to go and thinking about sparring, and then I got the news from ‘Crazy’ Bob. I’m like, ‘Are you serious?’ I thought he was joking around. You know, I didn’t believe him until I saw Trevor Prangley’s face walk into the gym, and Trevor Prangley is like, ‘Did you hear about the news?’ And it was downhill from there. I didn’t want to train. As soon as I left the gym, I made my reservations, and I came back home.

Now it’s time to focus on me and on the family, relax a little bit and find out. I’m just crossing my fingers that I’ll be on the January card. So we’ll see what pans out.”

Jay Hieron: “I’m pretty much used to that. The same thing happened back in August with the IFL. I was training for that fight [against Brad Blackburn] for Aug. 15, and they ended up canceling that show. And the promotion went under. The life of being a fighter has it’s ups and downs. [Tom Atencio] told me big things are going to be happening. That’s why they postponed the show. From what he was saying, it’s a good thing. The good thing about my contract is that it’s non-exclusive, so I’m trying to find something around the same time to jump on somewhere. I’m just keeping my body in shape. I’m keeping the intensity up [in hopes of landing that other fight].

I really try not to stress stuff that I can’t control, like this whole situation. Of course, on Wednesday, I was a little stressed out about it, but whatever. I got in the gym, and I started sweating. It’s water under the bridge now.”

A side issue, is Fedor. After fighting lesser quality opponents, finally fighting a decent opponent in Tim Sylvia, having shook the ring rust off, he will be going back to square one. Fedor needs to fight before January IMO.

Miguel Torres to defend title against Manny Tapia! Faber next?
No. Not THAT Manny Tapia, but MMA’s Manny Tapia. Torres will defend his WEC Bantamweight Title in the WEC 37 on December 3rd. When asked about a potential matchup with Urijah Faber he said “I’d love to do that fight, man. I know it’s going to have to happen eventually. He’s the champion in his weight class. I’m the champion in mine. It’s a super fight. It’s going to have to happen.” However, Urijah has been talking about going UP a weight class first, specifically mentioning a rematch against Tyson Griffin to avenge his only loss. “I’d like to do a couple fights at 155. I walk around about 154, but I wouldn’t necessarily put on weight, I’d just kind of go in as I am. I think before it’s all said and done, I will have fought some super fights at 55, probably some at 35, and make my home at 45.” When asked abut going down to 135#s: “I’d like to do some big fights. That’s what needs to happen for my career. Maybe go down in a year or two and see who’s at 35. There’s a lot of options out there for me, just looking forward to letting it all pan out.”

Other fights so far for the December event include Jeff Curran, Scott Jorgensen and Bart Palaszewski against yet to be determined opponents.

Anthony Johnson fails to get fight overturned!
Anthony Johnson’s attempt to get the NSAC to change his TKO loss in his fight against Kevin Burns at UFC Fight Night 14 changed to a No Contest has failed. Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer said “Based on advice from the Nevada Attorney General’s office, the appeal was rejected due to lack of remedy.” Absurd, considering he was poked many times by Burns, the last time dropping him to the canvas and requiring surgery for a detached retina. It’s clear on instant replay and not sure how much more evidence the NSAC needs. TO the defense of Kevin Burns, he stated that his hand has been broken so many times that he can’t punch with it so he uses an open palm to strike.

Xtreme MMA 5 Results!
Vanja Vojvodic vs. Dan Tice by RNC in RD 1!
John Makdessi vs. Todd Westcott by TKO in RD 1!
Alex Bon-Miller vs. Jeremy Lavigueur by RNC in RD 1!
Michel Gagnon vs. Dimitri Waardenburg by Guillotine in RD 1!
Antoine Coutu vs. Justin Doyon by RNC in RD 1!
Daniel Grandmaison vs. Joseph Wissman by TKO in RD 2!
Brent Beauparlant vs. Brandon Sene by TKO in RD 2!
Stephan Lamarche vs. Aloisio Barros by DQ in RD 1!
Guillaume Delorenzi vs. Jay Jenkins by TKO in RD 1!
Martin Desilets vs. Jason Cecil by TKO in RD 1!
Aaron Riley vs. Steve Claveau by Unanimous Decision!
David Loiseau vs. Solomon Hutcherson by TKO in RD 5!

Brawl at Bourbon Street Results!
Anthony Gomez def. Paul Paul Zienceck by TWL in R3!
Junior Jose Medina def. Mark Honegger by Doctor Stoppage (Cut) in R1!
Thomas Gagan def. David Langoria by TKO in R1!
Mike Reyna def. Scott Bradley by Armbar in R1!
Mike Bubacz def. Mark Wilkerson by TKO in R1!
Jeremy Sikorski def. Evan Young by TKO in R1!
Dan Alstott def. Victor Detola by RNC in R1!

See what everyone is saying on our forum!