Mauricio Rua file photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
• The first title defense of Mauricio Rua will likely be delayed, as the champion underwent knee surgery following his UFC 113 win over Lyoto Machdia. UFC President Dana White said Rua will be recovering in Las Vegas for the next five weeks but did not have a timetable for when he can step back into the Octagon. Rua is expected to make his first defense against Rashad Evans.
• Strikeforce filled out its calendar and added context to upcoming fighters.
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker in a conference call hinted at the stakes of the June 16 Robbie Lawler vs. Renato Sobral fight. Coker said a win for Lawler would mean a fight against Ronaldo Souza to crown a new middleweight champion, in light of the inevitable departure of titlist Jake Shields.
Coker said Sobral could face light heavyweight champion Muhammad Lawal with a win, though Sobral’s manager indicated that was not likely due to the fighters’ relationship. Lawal said he has been booked at a Strikeforce show on Aug. 21 in Houston and has made noise about wanting to fight at heavyweight.
The promotion also announced a Challengers event for July 23 in Everett, Wash., featuring Sarah Kaufman vs. Roxane Modaferri for the 135-pound female title and Shane del Rosario vs. Lolohea Mahe, which was originally scheduled for June 16.
Spike TV announced it would air UFC 113 on June 26 in an effort to counter the Strikeforce/M-1 Global “Fedor vs. Werdum” on Showtime.
• The Nevada State Athletic Commission released official numbers for UFC 114 on May 29 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The show drew 14,996 fans (13,294 paid) for a $3.895 million gate. The attendance, drawn by the Quinton Jackson vs. Rashad Evans main event, represents the largest crowd the UFC has ever drawn in Las Vegas, and the gate stands as the fourth-highest in company history. In addition, the commission approved Josh Rosenthal as the referee for the UFC 116 main event between Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin. Lesnar’s agent, David Olsen, and UFC attorney Michael Mersch spoke before the commission to oppose Steve Mazzagatti getting the assignment. They based their argument on perceived bias against Lesnar, dating to the controversial halt of his UFC 81 fight with Frank Mir and UFC President Dana White’s comments about Mazzagatti’s competence.
• Several Strikeforce signings were reported. Former top 10 lightweight Gesias Calvancante has inked a four-fight deal, while Golden Glory fighters and Pride Fighting Championships veterans Valentijn Overeem and Sergei Kharitonov have also signed on the dotted line, according to Fighters Only.
• A bill that would sanction MMA in the state of New York has moved to the last state assembly committee for review before it comes to a full vote. The bill passed the tourism and sports development committee on June 10 by a 12-9 vote and now is before the codes committee. Two other bills that would sanction MMA in the Empire State are also pending. One is contained in the state budget, and another is before the state Senate.
• In a gruesome scene, Japanese fighter Shigeyuki Uchiyama had a chunk of his right ear torn off as he and opponent Masaya Takita tumbled through the ropes during a double-leg takedown attempt at a June 6 Pancrase event. The piece of flesh was left on the canvas, prompting an immediate end to the bout at 2:57 of round two, with Takita winning via doctor stoppage.