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UFC 48
June 19th, 2004
Las Vegas, NV


Below are some of the matchups, both official and unofficial, that are scheduled for UFC 48 on June 19th. A total of eight matchups are expected to be officially announced for the card by next month:

Ken Shamrock vs. Kimo Leopoldo
Tim Sylvia vs. Frank Mir (Heavyweight title fight)
Phil Baroni vs. Evan Tanner
Dennis Hallman vs. Frank Trigg
Matt Hughes vs. Renato 'Charuto' Verissimo
Lee Murray vs. TBA (possibly Tito Ortiz)
Georges St. Pierre vs. Jason Miller
Ivan Menjivar vs. Matt Serra

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Fedor Emelianenko (right)

PRIDE Heavyweight GP
June 20th, 2004
Saitama Super Arena
Saitama, Japan


Heavyweight GP quarterfinals:
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Kevin Randleman
Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira vs. Naoya Ogawa
Heath Herring vs. Sergei Karitonov
Semmy Schilt vs. 'Giant' Silva


Kazushi Sakuraba is also scheduled to compete on the card, in what PRIDE wants to bill as the beginning of the 'Sakuraba Retirement Road' series.

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SHOOTO
June 27th, 2004
Chiba, Japan

Below are some of the matchups that were announced for the SHOOTO show on June 27th:


Class-A Bouts:
Ryota Matsune vs. TBA
Naoya Uematsu vs. Hideki Kadowaki

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Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira

Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira announced that the second and third editions of his MMA show, 'Conquista Fight', will take place this year in Brazil.

The second show is scheduled to take place in June in the city of Salvador. The third show is scheduled for December in the city of Vitoria da Conquista.

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Vanderlei Silva (top) KOs Quinton Jackson (bottom).

Below is one more excerpt from the 50-minute chat session that PRIDE champion Vanderlei Silva participated in with subscribers to AOL Brazil:


Vanderlei on fighting Quinton Jackson again, and on Jackson's remarks that Silva hits like a girl: "Sure, I would love to fight Jackson again. And I hit pretty hard for a girl, eh? I knocked him out (laughs). I think I made him my bitch (laughs).

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Mike Tyson

K-1 announced yesterday at their show in Las Vegas that Mike Tyson will be making his K-1 debut on July 31st in the US.

Tyson's opponent will be journeyman boxer Kevin McBride. A venue for the fight has not been determined yet.

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K-1: 'Battle At The Bellagio II'
Friday, April 30th, 2004
Bellagio Hotel and Casino
Las Vegas, NV


Superfights (K-1 rules):
Bob Sapp defeats Tommy Glanville
Gary Goodridge defeats TOA 'The Samoan Beast'



8-man tournament (K-1 rules):

Quarterfinals:
Mighty Mo defeats Carter Williams
Michael McDonald defeats Marvin Eastman
Dewey Cooper defeats Nobu Hayashi
Kelly Leo defeats Tatsufumi Tomihira

Semifinals:
Michael McDonald defeats Kelly Leo
Dewey Cooper defeats Mighty Mo

Final:
Michael McDonald defeats Dewey Cooper



San Shou matchup:
Cung Le defeats Brian Warren

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Vanderlei Silva

The Brazilian media reports that Vanderlei Silva injured his knee a few weeks back while training with teammate Jorge Patino 'Macaco'.

An MRI was performed and Silva has been cleared to participate in his scheduled fight against Yuki Kondo on May 23rd.

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Chris Brennan (bottom)

In a complete show of disregard and classlessness, multi-loss fighter Chris Brennan broke the honored training rule of 'what happens in the gym stays in the gym' by making the following post on the Underground internet forum:


"Javi (Vazquez) is a stud. He does things most guys can't do with their body in training. I love to watch him roll. I have tapped him in training 2 times and both were while I was on bottom and my top game is much more dangerous. I think he isn't strong enough for me but he is definatly technical enough. All I need is confidence to win a fight and I would be really confident just from our training even if it was just training." -Chris Brennan

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By Todd Atkins

B.J. Penn

My inside cource known as 'In The Know' has contacted me with more information:


UFC News

The B.J. Penn vs. UFC drama continues, and both sides are still positioning in this battle. Zuffa feels real confident that the contract Penn signed keeps him from fighting elsewhere, and they will do whatever is necessary to uphold it. Penn wants to fight for the big bucks that K-1 is offering badly, and he is taking the position that him fighting elsewhere HELPS promote and bring attention to UFC. Zuffa disagrees and does not think B.J. should worry about 'promoting' the UFC. Zuffa doesn't want to risk their champion fighting elsewhere and losing because it would somewhat dilute the title. Penn has a contract that has some firm language on who promotes him, his likeness, etc. He signed a form called an 'Exclusive Promotional Rights Agreement'. This gives Zuffa the right to decide exactly how he is promoted.

I think B.J. will come to terms with the UFC/Zuffa. He does not have the power that Tito Ortiz had to renegotiate his contract. If he cannot come to terms on the dollars with Zuffa, then he will most likely sit without fighting.

It appears that Wes 'Cabbage' Correira is going to fight in ROTR against the advice of Zuffa. It is highly unlikely that Nevada will allow him back anytime soon for fighting while under suspension. Zuffa feels that Cabbage is getting some bad advice.



K-1 News

The K-1 MMA show on May 22nd will have Gary Goodridge facing Sylvester Terkay in an MMA-rules matchup. Terkay is confidant that he can take Goodridge down and pound away. His last NHB fight lasted only 14 seconds, all standing, but it is doubtful Terkay will test Gary Goodridge standing in the same fashion.

Goodridge will be working hard with Tom Erikson on avoiding the takedown. Word is that Goodridge had been training his standup very hard for the Shannon Briggs fight, and is in top shape. Shannon Briggs has an injured foot and did not want to fight Gary Goodridge at less then 100%. It is somewhat surprising to the insiders that Shannon Briggs chose not to fight despite the injury, as he was guaranteed $220,000 for this fight.



PRIDE News

PRIDE was shocked that Kevin Randleman beat Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic. They needed him to go far in the tourney as he is a big draw, and the Japanese fans love watching him fight. PRIDE is having a hard time competing with K-1's dollars, and they are needing big turnouts and favorable ratings.

K-1 is doing very well running almost live on national TV, and drawing very good ratings. PRIDE still runs on a several days delay, and does not draw ratings comparable to K-1 shows. PRIDE is very worried about K-1's movement into the MMA game. The war between PRIDE and K-1 is picking up as you have seen with the situation involving Mark Hunt.

PRIDE president Noboyuki Sakakibara is giving Mirko Cro Cop another chance on the next Bushido show. However, there exists a real possibility that if Cro Cop wins, that they may scrap the idea of him being a reserve and book him in a Super fight instead. This would guarantee his appearance on the GP Finals card in August.

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Shad Smith (center) against Duane Ludwig.

An inside source in both the US and Canada are reporting that KOTC veteran Shad Smith is supposedly in Jail for 25 years to life. According to the sources, Smith got a third strike offence for what we were told is the rape of a man.


Most MMA fans remember Shad Smith only due to his MMA fight against Duane 'Bang' Ludwig in KOTC 4, a fight in which Ludwig put on a striking clinic right before doing doing a mock Karate Kid crane kick pose and TKO'ing Smith. Smith also spent time being homeless and was used by the mainstream media at one point to make MMA look bad to the public.

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Yuki Kondo

Todd Atkins reports the following from Japan:


This is the list of fighters that will make up Team Japan on the PRIDE Bushido 3 card on May 23rd:

Yuki Kondo
Takanori Gomi
Kazuhiro Nakamura
Ikuhisa Minowa
Ryo Chonan
Daiju Takase
Shungo Oyama
Tamakairiki

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Jerome LeBanner

PuroresuPower.com is reporting that Jerome Le Banner may be a possible opponent for Mike Tyson on the July 31st show that they plan on having in Las Vegas.

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By Tape Lord

Fedor Emelianenko (right)


Hello my friends, my postal connections in both Japan and Canada have relayed to me the following line-up for the second round of the PRIDE Heavyweight GP on June 20th:


Fedor Emelianenko vs. Kevin Randleman
Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira vs. Naoya Ogawa
Heath Herring vs. Sergei Karitonov
Semmy Schilt vs. 'Giant' Silva


Kazushi Sakuraba is also scheduled to compete on the card, in what PRIDE wants to bill as the beginning of the 'Sakuraba Retirement Road' series.

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Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic

The Japanese media report that Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic has talked to PRIDE about participating on the PRIDE Bushido 3 card on May 23rd.

According to reports, Cro Co may face Ron Waterman in an alternate fight on either the May 23rd card or on the July card, with the winner being used as the reserve fighter for the PRIDE Heavyweight GP Final on August 15th.

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Tim Sylvia

Sources in the Japanese media have stated once again what Fightsport.com reported a few months back, that K-1 has a very strong interest in signing former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia.

Not much else is known at the moment, but it is believed by the Japanese media that K-1 has already made inquiries to Sylvia's management.

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Mark Hunt annomces his PRIDE signing.

The Japanese media report that K-1 announced that they will be consulting with their lawyers regarding the signing of Mark Hunt by PRIDE.

According to K-1, Hunt's contract restricted him from leaving for PRIDE.

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Kazushi Sakuraba

Yomiuri Sports report that PRIDE will begin to promote the Kazushi Sakuraba 'Retirement Road' series, in which they plan a series of fight for Sakuraba which most likely leads to a final matchup against Vanderlei Silva.

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Below are some of the matchups, both official and unofficial, that are scheduled for PRIDE Bushido 3 on May 23rd. A total of eight matchups are expected to be officially announced for the card by next month:


Vanderlei Silva vs. Yuki Kondo
Ricardo Arona vs. Quinton Jackson
Ricardo Almeida vs. Ryo Chonan
Hayato Sakurai vs. TBA
Takanori Gomi vs. TBA (possiblt Ralph Gracie)
Tamakairiki vs. TBA
Matt Hume vs. TBA

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Todd Atkins reports from Japan that the matchup of Ricardo Almeida vs. Ryo Chonan has been signed for the PRIDE Bushido 3 card on May 23rd.

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By Jake R

Tra Telligman (right)

As an update to this story, I received word last night from my sources in Vegas that the proposed Gary Goodridge vs. Tra Telligman fight is more than likely off now.

K-1 wanted Tra, but Telligman did not have time to do the proper Nevada State testing in order to be a guaranteed opponent for Gary Goodridge. K-1 has decided on another opponent, though they were happy with Tra's decision to accept the fight on such late notice though, and has asked him to participate in a K-1 show that is scheduled for May.

As usual, keep reading the Fightsport.com and the Jake R report to find out what is really going on.



*Jake R exclusive, must credit the Jake R report when discussing this*

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Vanderlei Silva

PRIDE champion Vanderlei Silva participated in a 50-minute chat session with subscribers to AOL Brazil, which is one of the biggest web portals in Brazil.

Below are the main points Silva made during the chat:


Vanderlei on being voted one of 20 toughest Brazilians alive by Gracie magazine:"You know, I'm not fond of lists and rankings, but I enjoyed reading this one because I was third on the list, and I was one of the youngest guys elected. There were only great names from Brazil on the list. I managed to be among great names representing the sport of MMA, and it made me proud."

Vanderlei on his next fight:"First thing is that I will fight Yuki Kondo in June to defend my belt."

Vanderlei on a possible fight against Vitor Belfort: "I want to fight him in August. There is nothing personal between us, but it's a fight that's destined to happen. I will go for it. I'm a professional fighter and I want to show I that I will fight anyone. I never choose my opponent"

Vanderlei on 'Minotauro': "I think I will fight him some day, and I have no doubt it will be a great fight. Every fight between champions is great."

Vanderlei on jiu-jitsu phenoms: "Between Terere and Pe de Pano? I think Terere is great and I think he can beat Pe de Pano"

Vanderlei on his cauliflower ears: "The girls here in Curitiba say my ears are beautiful!"

Vanderlei on the Gracie family: "Brazilian jiu-jitsu is all Gracie. My teacher, Cristiano Marcello, got his blackbelt from Royler, who is an excellent person. The Gracie family has an excellent tradition in MMA. If they are humble enough to train Muay Thai as we started to learn jiu-jitsu, then they are totally capable of reaching the top again. It's all about becoming modern."

Vanderlei on crying at the birth of his son: “"It happened when I traveled to Japan last August. I was at the airport calling my pregnant wife, and she said my son was born. I started to cry at that exact moment. But there were lots of fans asking for autographs and they got pretty scared seeing me cry. It was the most touching moment of my entire life.'

Vanderlei on the chat session with his fans: "Fifty minutes was not enough. I am happy seeing so many people interested in a fighter's life. I enjoyed the questions and felt really comfortable on AOL. Thank you all. If you fans meet me in the street, don't be shy, come and chat live."

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Mark Hunt

Former K-1 champion Mark Hunt was on hand at yesterday's PRIDE GP and announced that he has signed on with PRIDE. Hunt is expected to participate on the June card.

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Coleman vs. Fedor

PRIDE Heavyweight Grand Prix
April 25th, 2004 (opening round)
Saitama Super Arena
Saitama, Japan


16-man GP:
Fedor Emelianenko defeats Mark Coleman by armbar at 2:11, RD 1.
Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira defeats Hirotaka Yokoi by choke at 1:25, RD 2.
Kevin Randleman defeats Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic by KO at 1:57, RD 1.
Naoya Ogawa defeats Stefan Leko by armlock at 1:34, RD 1.
Semmy Schilt defeats Gan McGee by armbar at 5:02, RD 1.
'Giant' Silva defeats Sentoryu by keylock at 4:04, RD 1.
Sergei Kharitonov defeats Murilo 'Ninja' Rua by KO at 4:14, RD 1.
Heath Herring defeats Yoshiki Takahashi by KO at 4:53, RD 1.

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PRIDE Heavyweight Grand Prix
April 25th, 2004 (opening round)
Saitama Super Arena
Saitama, Japan


16-man GP:
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Mark Coleman
Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira vs. Hirotaka Yokoi
Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic vs. Kevin Randleman
Naoya Ogawa vs Stefan Leko
Semmy Schilt vs. Gan McGee
'Giant' Silva vs. Sentoryu.
Murilo 'Ninja' Rua vs. Sergei Kharitonov
Heath Herring vs. Yoshiki Takahashi
.
Alternate fighter:
Ron Waterman

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By Scoop McTroll

Ryan Bennett (left)

We have had so many readers e-mail us positive feedback about 'The Bennett Files', that we have decided to re-open the files this Monday. But first we will re-post the original Bennett File:

Before reading any further, please read our disclaimer first.


'Where's your dignity-
it's gone just like she is.
And you're groveling about the one that got away.
You'll get no sympathy from her just crying like a baby,
like the big fat stupid baby you've become.
Where's your dignity?' -Bob Dylan


Welcome to the first installment of 'The Bennett Files', an investigative piece by Scoop McTroll on the underhandedness of most people in the MMA industry. Infamous media figure-turned-backstabber Ryan Bennett will be featured today.

As many of you know by now, Ryan Bennett lost his job as the fight interviewer of the UFC. He was replaced by Eddie Bravo, whom bennett acted buddy-buddy with, and even asked Bravo to do some technique video clips for Bennett's website.


Well, Bennett then seemingly tried to get Bravo fired by underhanedly sending the following e-mail to UFC president Dana White and co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta. What Bennett didn't count on was that one of the tech guys at the Zuffa offices then forwarded the e-mail to Eddie Bravo himself! Notice how Bennett also tried to included the comments of Bruce Buffer.

Observe the backstab firsthand:



____________________________________________________________

Date: Sun, 15 Jun 2003 08:04:41 -0700 (PDT)
From: "ryan bennett" | This is spam | Add to Address Book
Subject: UFC Broadcaster smoking weed
To: Lorenzo.Fertitta@StationCasinos.com, dwhite@ufc.tv




Gentlemen;
I know and appreciate the professional image both of you bring
to the sport. With my daily radio show and features on the UFC
I do here at NBC, I like you try to do everything I can to promote the sport.
When I read a post on the underground, I take it a face value.
It's usually a keyboard warrior talking smack. When a Zuffa employee
though gets on there and talks about his drug use, this becomes
an issue as it affects the credibility of the sport that you and
I try to promote in a professional matter daily. I personally would
be fired by NBC for doing something like this. Bruce Buffer said
it best in a recent email to me.

Maybe this is why after an historical Championship main event our
UFC Octagon interviewer calls the new Champion Randy Couture...
"Chuck"... at the end of the interview.

Unbelievably stupid and not good show biz at all! Is this the image
we wish to promote for the UFC, it's fighters and our on-camera
team? I don't think so. What's next... mentioning it on the air during a PPV event.

Disgruntled UFC team member,

Bruce Buffer

Enclosed is the the comments made by Eddie in a thread called "Attn: Eddie Bravo"

------------
From: EddieBravo
Date: 13-Jun-03 01:29 AM

Member Since: 09-May-02

1095 Total Posts




I smoke after I train pretty much everyday, BUT I do cut down alot
when I'm training for a fight.

Cutting out carbs and sugar is torturous when I'm high.

I just got back from teaching my class and I'm about to smoke a
monstrous bowl and go get something to eat

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

From: EddieBravo
Date: 13-Jun-03 01:49 AM

Member Since: 09-May-02

1097 Total Posts




The munchies are real, only when I'm stoned can I eat a large pizza
by myself and then hit an ice cream shop for a hot fudge sundae.




From: EddieBravo
Date: 13-Jun-03 02:19 PM

Member Since: 09-May-02

1098 Total Posts


I spend way more money on food than weed.

peteywheatstraw,

"Grow the bangs back, and slick that @#%$ back again man."

I get more @#%$ with the new dew.

Mental,

Set up a seminar where you live and I'll take you up on that offer.

"good hydro inhibits your appetite. I know this because I'm Canadian and we get real weed here."

I don't know about that, I smoke KILLER @#%$ and I ALWAYS get the
munchies. But the next time I have to cut weight for a fight I'll
look for this magical weed.

Maybe one of you Canadian guys can send me some appetite inhibiting
chronic to help me make weight.



____________________________________________________________


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