This week we'll do a quick Canadian perspective of last weekend's IFL card in Atlanta as well as PRIDE 33. We also have thoughts on Jason MacDonald (Pictures), who fights Rich Franklin (Pictures) this Saturday in the UFC. Also we have news and notes Victor Valimaki (Pictures) and the MFC, David Loiseau (Pictures), John Alessio (Pictures), Kalib Starnes (Pictures) and more.
When I spoke to Shawn Tompkins (Pictures) a few months ago, at one point he gave a laugh of disbelief as he said, "If you had have told me a few years ago that I'd be walking down the ramp with Dan Henderson (Pictures) at a PRIDE event I'd have thought you were crazy."
But that's exactly what he did at PRIDE's "Second Coming" in Las Vegas last Saturday night, when Henderson knocked out Wanderlei Silva (Pictures) in devastating fashion.
It wasn't the first time Tompkins has helped prepare Henderson for a fight, but it is the first time since becoming the boxing/Muay Thai coach for Henderson's new Team Quest location in Temecula, Calif.
Considering the ferocious striking that Tompkins has helped the Greco-Roman based Henderson refine, I'd have to think that Tompkins' stock has risen immeasurably.
On a side note, it was great to hear the obvious jubilation in Shawn's voice when he joined Josh and TJ on the "Beatdown" on Monday to talk about the victory.
Dragons burned by Wolfpack
Going into last weekend's International Fight League event in Atlanta, Carlos Newton (Pictures)'s Toronto Dragons were feeling pretty good about their match-up with the Matt Lindland (Pictures)'s Portland Wolfpack.
Personnel changes to both sides seemed to slightly favor the Dragons, who lost welterweight Claude Patrick (Pictures) due to injury, but picked up the lightweight Wagnney Fabiano (Pictures) to replace the departed Ivan Menjivar (Pictures).
The Wolfpack on the other hand were making their first appearance without last season's team leader, Chris Wilson (Chris Wilson' class='LinkSilver'>Pictures), and were also forced to appear without two of their mainstays, Ryan Schultz (Pictures) and Aaron Stark (Pictures), both out due to injuries.
After all was said and done though, it was the Wolfpack that won the team event that night by a 3-2 tally.
Victorious for the Dragons was their new permanent heavyweight, Rafael Feijao, and particularly impressive was Wagnney Fabiano (Pictures)'s side-choke submission of Ian Loveland (Pictures) less than one minute into round one.
If you're not familiar with Fabiano, he's a Brazilian transplanted to Canada five years ago who has a hockey bag full of grappling awards, having previously won at both NAGA and Grappler's Quest in the United States, and in 2005 he won the Brazilian Abu Dhabi Combat Club trials. Keep your eyes on him.
Jason MacDonald (Pictures) and the fight of his life
Following two spectacular submission victories over Ed Herman (Pictures) and Chris Leben (Pictures), Red Deer, Alberta's, Jason "The Athlete" MacDonald has transitioned from almost a complete unknown into a fan favorite.
Whether it was the way he authoritatively dismantled two of the most vocal Ultimate Fighter alumni, or the bold statement telling the UFC that "I'm nobody's steppingstone," MMA fans can't seem to get enough of him.
I've met Jason many times, and one thing that impressed me each and every time was his unwavering belief in himself and his abilities. He has always said that he considers himself in the top five middleweights in the UFC, and only wants to prove himself by fighting the best. This weekend he's been given that opportunity.
Jason will face off against former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin (Pictures), returning for his first fight since losing his belt to Anderson Silva (Anderson Silva' class='LinkSilver'>Pictures), in a featured fight at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
This is going to be an extremely tough fight for Jason, and once again he's coming in as the underdog, a role that he's gotten used to.
There have been two separate camps of prognosticators that have emerged when talking about this fight.
The first thinks that Rich will come out decisively with the goal of erasing any doubt placed upon his quality after his devastating loss to Silva.
The second feels that due to that loss, Rich just won't be the same fighter, a la Wanderlei Silva (Pictures) after losing to Mirko Filipovic (Pictures).
Jason doesn't plan on making Franklin's job any easier either, as he has extended his training routine and has gone to New Mexico to join Greg Jackson and his gang to prepare.
"It's crazy man," MacDonald told me, "They'll just go out to a mountain and run up and down it."
When I asked Jason how he hooked up with Jackson, he told me that it was initiated at UFC 66 when he was in the same dressing area as Keith Jardine (Pictures), who fights out of Jackson's.
Just before Jardine was set to head out to meet Forrest Griffin (Pictures), Jason stuck his head into the dressing room to wish him good luck.
Apparently joining Jackson's team isn't an easy thing. Jackson is no dictator, and if a fighter makes a request to come for training, the decision is discussed amongst the whole core group. They decide if the fighter will mesh with the team.
Jason says they told him it was his "good luck" to Jardine that put him over the top.
MacDonald is definitely aware of the opportunity that's been handed to him, in fact according to Neil Davidson of the Canadian Press, this past Monday in a conference call with Dana White, the UFC president claimed that the winner of the MacDonald-Franklin fight is "in line for a title shot."
Not too bad for a steppingstone, eh?
Valimaki returns to UFC
The Maximum Fighting Championship (MFC) has confirmed that Victor Valimaki (Pictures) has agreed in principle to face Italian Alessio Sakara (Pictures) at UFC 70 on April 21 in Manchester, England. This will be Valimaki's second shot at the UFC, after losing his UFC debut via split decision to David Heath (Pictures) at UFC Fight Night 7.
Valimaki has strong words about the fight, saying, "I told everyone after I knocked out Jared Kilkenny (Pictures) that I was going to be back in the UFC. This time I will make the most of my opportunity.
"Sakara is going to find out first-hand why I'm the MFC champ. I've got the power to knock him out and I've definitely got the better ground game and ju-jitsu skills to submit him. There is no way he is going to take this second chance away from me."
More MFC
Based out of Edmonton, Alberta, the MFC is one of Canada's more reliable promotions, holding regularly scheduled professional events. Recently, in between their larger events, they've held smaller cards called "Unplugged."
It was revealed recently that MFC Unplugged 3 will happen April 20, and the main event will feature Halifax's Roger Hollett (Pictures). Hollett must have impressed the MFC crowd with his 36-second KO of Mike Maurer at MFC 11 a few weeks ago. Look for him next at ECC 5, on March 31 in Halifax.
For Unplugged 3, the MFC is also bringing in the most recent addition of Pro Camp Sports Management, B.J. Penn (Pictures) student Scott Junk (Pictures), who will fight for the first time outside of the Hawaiian Islands.
My only question is how they plan on fitting the 6-foot-1, 280-pound Junk through the doors to enter inside the smaller venue of the Crowne Plaza.
Loiseau migrates south
The Fight Network has revealed that perennial favorite David "The Crow" Loiseau will be joining Greg Jackson's camp of all-stars to train. Interestingly, Loiseau will now train alongside his most recent opponent at the inaugural EliteXC, Joey Villasenor (Pictures).
Loiseau won't be the first Canadian to train there either, not by a long shot. In addition, to Jason MacDonald (Pictures), who I mentioned above, one of Loiseau's best friends, current UFC welterweight champion, Georges St. Pierre (Pictures) has been to Jackson's to train before and may again.
I wonder how this works out, seeing as one of the most valid threats to GSP's belt, Diego Sanchez (Pictures), is a Jackson fighter also.
Alessio gets chance at WEC welterweight belt
World Extreme Cagefighting has announced that its next card on March 24 will feature Canadian John Alessio (Pictures) against Carlos Condit (Pictures) for the welterweight title. If Alessio wins, this means Canadians will hold both Zuffa-promoted welterweight belts.
Kalib Starnes (Pictures) vs. Chris Leben (Pictures)?
Although not confirmed, it has been heavily rumored lately that Kalib Starnes (Pictures) will make his return to the UFC sometime in May against fellow TUF veteran Chris Leben (Pictures).
If this is true, I'm not so sure it's a smart move for Leben. As we all can remember, his last fight was a memorable submission loss to Jason "The TUF Killer" MacDonald. Starnes is very similar in physique and style to MacDonald, and has actually beaten "The Athlete" in competition before.
I wonder if by accepting this fight Leben is trying to avenge his MacDonald loss by proxy?
Chute Box to open academy in Canada
According to Tatame.com, Chute Box, the Brazilian fight team that features such world-class athletes as Wanderlei Silva (Pictures) and Mauricio Rua (Pictures), will open an academy in Toronto, Ontario.
This exciting initiative will be led by Mauricio Veio, who said, "It is a great opportunity that masters Rafael and Rudimar are giving to me, and I will not let it go. There is a big structure there, with Olympic medalists in boxing and wrestling, and they also have a Nova União black belt that teaches BJJ."
Holanda and Cote Seminar
Ronin MMA of Ottawa, Ontario will host an MMA seminar featuring BJJ Black Belt Fabio Holanda (Pictures) as well as his student, the UFC's Patrick Cote (Pictures), on March 3.
Times will be from 1–4 p.m. and will cost $75 in advance, or $85 at the door. Spectators will admitted for a $20 fee. For more information contact Ben Meireles at Ben@ronin-mma.com.