Calgary-based Hardcore Championship Fighting seems to be on a never-ending quest to acquire the talent of high-level Brazilian mixed martial artists. Tatame.com has revealed that the promotion has just signed heavyweight Assuerio Silva (Pictures) to a five-fight deal.
In order to join HCF, Silva first abdicated the Pancrase belt that he won in a contest with Tatsuya Mizuno (Pictures) nearly a year ago. That lengthy time without a fight is the main reason Silva cited for leaving Pancrase. His first HCF bout will be May 10.
Joining Silva on the May 10 card will be Renato "Babalu" Sobral, who will be making his long-awaited HCF debut against Mauricio Alonso (Pictures), Sherdog.com reported last week. The UFC released Sobral last year after he was late to release a choke on David Heath (Pictures) at UFC 74.
ECC 7 ‘Bad Blood' Results and Afterthoughts
Halifax's Extreme Cage Combat held another excellent card on Saturday. Here are a few random thoughts:
The move that Jason MacKay (Pictures) used to escape Shaun Krysa (Pictures)'s north-south hold was truly the most beautiful jiu-jitsu move I've ever seen live. When it happened, Sherdog.com's Jordan Breen and I literally laughed out loud incredulously, not believing what we had just witnessed. With Krysa putting pressure on his chest, MacKay bridged up and then pushed hard with his feet, which curled his body up, over and onto Krysa's back, with his feet going perfectly into hooks. Truly amazing. …
ECC held a moment of silence for the tragically deceased Rene Ayangma, and it was beautiful to watch the solidarity displayed by Team Bueno during the walkout by their fighters. As Travis Axworthy (Pictures), Chris Currie (Pictures) and Richard Arsenault (Pictures) walked to the cage for their bouts, they were followed not only by their usual coach and cornerman but also by their entire team, all wearing Ayangma memorial shirts. …
Sherdog.com caught up with ECC Canadian light heavyweight champ Roger Hollett (Pictures), who said he is recovering faster than expected from his Feb. 1 surgery to repair the knee he had damaged against Lew Polley (Pictures) in October in his first career defeat. Hollett said he may be a little optimistic, but he hopes to make his return to the cage this summer.
Full Results:
Jason MacKay (Pictures) def. Shaun Krysa (Pictures)
Matt MacGrath (Pictures) def. Travis Axworthy (Pictures)
Ryan Jimmo (Pictures) def. Jeff Lundburg
Kyle Sandford (Pictures) def. Chris Currie (Pictures)
Louis-Christophe Laurin (Pictures) def. Peter McGrath (Pictures)
Michelle Vienneau def. Jenna King
Richard Arsenault (Pictures) def. Adam MacDonald
Tim Skidmore (Pictures) def. Craig Skinner (Pictures)
Jaret MacIntosh def. Rene Grenon (Pictures)
Jason Rorison (Pictures) def. Ryan Kenny
Fan Question and Answer with Georges St. Pierre (Pictures)
As a special treat to readers of MM-Eh!, UFC interim welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre (Pictures) has agreed to answer your questions. We'll keep this opportunity open for two or three weeks, and Georges' answers will be posted in the weeks preceding his April 19 rematch with Matt Serra (Pictures) at UFC 83 in Montreal.
So open up your e-mail and send your best question or two to acotterill@sherdog.com
TKO 33 Set for Aruba
Quebec's TKO organization has announced that it will be holding its next card in Aruba. Twenty-six fighters will compete at Surfside Beach on April 11 at "Battle in Paradise."
Headlining the event will be Johan Croes, an Aruban native who beat Mark Fraser in his MMA debut at TKO 32.
Lineup:
Johan Croes vs. Danny Martinez
Steve Bosse (Pictures) vs. Guido Carlo
Derek Gauthier vs. Richard Williams
Adrian Wooley vs. Nick Croes
Yannick Galipeau vs. Jonrick Flanigan
Greghoulos Oehlers vs. Ben Gallant (Pictures)
Christopher Hulme vs. Jamiel Werleman
Fighters Nation Has Big Plans
Albertans are some of the luckiest fans in Canada, with HCF, KOTC, MFC and RITC providing them with their mixed martial arts needs. Now they can add another organization to the mix, as Fighters Nation gets set to have its inaugural card in Calgary on April 26.
"We started this organization thinking outside the box," said Fighters Nation President Ryan Verra. "We are going full throttle ahead and not turning back. We would like to take a whole different approach to the MMA community. By making a diversified company, we can target clients and people that didn't even know they are MMA fans yet and help the sport become more recognized in Canada. The sign on the door of opportunity can only read ‘push' for Fighters Nation Inc."
Public Relations Director Kris LaBelle was excited to give Sherdog.com the news on the upcoming card at the Calgary Corral. Commentating the event will be the IFL's Claude Patrick (Pictures).
Card:
Jimmy Ambriz (Pictures) vs. Dominic Richard
Nick Penner vs. Josh Strickland
Luke Harris vs. Jay Whitford
Nathan Gunn vs. Adam Thomas
Trevor Stewardson vs. Justin Primmer
Victor Daychief vs. Nigel Zettergreen (Pictures)
RITC 29 Card Announced
Lethbridge-based Rumble in the Cage co-owner Lee Mein (Pictures) exclusively revealed the lineup for RITC 29 to Sherdog.com. The main event will feature Dan Chambers (Pictures) vs. Chester Post (Pictures).
RITC will have to do without the pugilism of co-owner Jason Day (Pictures), as he continues to prepare for his shot in the UFC against Alan Belcher (Pictures) in Montreal on April 19.
Lineup:
Dan Chambers (Pictures) vs. Chester Post (Pictures)
Tim Tamaki vs. Chris Desaultels
Neil Berry (Pictures) vs. Mike Gates (Pictures)
Victor Kaminski vs. Shane Landherr
Raphael Bergman vs. Nick Goetz
Tim Chemelli vs. Will Kruger
Mark Aparicio vs. Darryl Stettler
Sean Merkl vs. Trent Rowell
Mike Jones vs. Jesse Kunish
Keirston Gillis vs. Jose Rodriguiz
Peter Neufeld vs. Jeff Lauze
Shay Fortier vs. Steffanie Essensa
Freedom Fight ‘Title Quest'
Freedom Fight promoter Pete Rodley has announced that his second card of 2008 will see the introduction of three different title belts. The July 26 event will crown his organization's first heavyweight, welterweight and lightweight champions, and there will also be several No. 1 contender bouts.
Mark Holst (Pictures) vs. Kris Donaldson (Lightweight Title)
Jason Motard vs. TBA (Welterweight Title)
Andre Desrochers (Pictures) vs. TBA (Heavyweight Title)
Eric Muir (Pictures) vs. Markhaile Wedderburn (Pictures) (Welterweight No. 1 Contender Match)
Ian Dawe (Pictures) vs. TBA (Bantamweight No. 1 Contender Match)
Aaron Basso vs. Marcus Hicks
Jason Bissonnette vs. TBA
Jean-Marc Lalonde vs. Clint Martin (Pictures)
Nicholas Portieous vs. John Sheil
Stephane Bernadel (Pictures) vs. Mike Walton
Chris Myra vs. Robin Black
Brett Portieous vs. Barry McDonald
Wayne Xilon vs. Jamie Fleury
Xtreme MMA 3 Results
Steve Claveau (Pictures) def. Stephan Lamarche (Pictures)
David Whittom def. Jamie MacDonald
Rob Wynne def. Jacob MacDonald (Pictures)
Tommy Pariseau def. Mathieu Boncoeur
Guillaume DeLorenzi def. Nordine Talheb
Dave Pariseau (Pictures) def. Justin Doyon (Pictures)
Daniel Boissoneault def. Reginald Franklin
Dimitri Waardenburg (Pictures) def. Gabriel Lavallee
Ben Jamieson def. David Savard
Canadian Calendar
March 29: Hardcore Championship Fighting "Crow's Nest" - Gatineau, Quebec
March 29: Rumble In The Cage 29 - Lethbridge
April 4: King Of The Cage "Brawl in the Mall 3" - Edmonton
April 11: TKO 33 "Battle In Paradise" - Oranjestad, Aruba
April 11: Ultimate Cage Wars 11 - Winnipeg
April 12: Xtreme Cage Warz "Bitter Rivalry" - Creighton, Sask.
April 19: UFC 83 - Montreal
April 19: Gladiator Fighting Series - Trail, B.C.
April 26: Fighters Nation MMA - Calgary
April 26: Iroquois Mixed Martial Arts Championship - Hagersville, Ontario
April 26: Phoenix Fight Promotions II - Halifax
May 9: Maximum Fighting Championship 16 - Edmonton
May 10: Hardcore Championship Fighting
May 17: Xtreme MMA 4 - Jonquière, Quebec
May 30: Colosseum Fighting Championships 8 - Winnipeg
July 26: Freedom Fight "Title Quest" - Hull, Quebec