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Not a good day for Kevin Randleman

By Zach Arnold | November 7, 2006

Or PRIDE for that matter. Here’s the news:

The Nevada State Athletic Commission will be filing a complaint against MMA star and sometimes pro wrestler Kevin Randleman regarding what is alleged to be a fake urine sample he provided in his 10/21 drug test.

Keith Kizer of the Nevada State Athletic Commission got the doctor’s report earlier today that the urine sample contained no hormones, and therefore, it is believed to not be either his urine or the urine of a living human being.

This story reminds me of a famous incident a couple of years ago when the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings RB Onterrio Smith was caught at an airport with a device called The Original Whizzinator. I’ve waited for a long time to be able to use the term Original Whizzinator in a news story. Thank you, Mr. Randleman. Thank you for this opportunity.

Ivan Trembow has more details on the Randleman story.

Continue reading this article here…

Topics: All Topics, Media, MMA, PRIDE, Zach Arnold | 14 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

Jeff Joslin vs Josh Koscheck at UFN in December

By Stephan | November 7, 2006

By Stephan Marceau

The big news out of Canada yesterday is that Jeff “The Inferno” Joslin will finally make his UFC debut. To be sure, his start will be a very good test indeed, but a great opportunity to show his skill level. He is set to face Josh Koscheck at the next UFN on December 13.

Many people, south of the border dont know too much about Jeff yet, to find out more about him, read this great interview.

Josh is a fantastic wrestler, but Jeff is much more well rounded. Jeff has been been fighting standing since he’s 3 or 4 years old, and holds a black belt in BJJ.

Kudos to Joe Silva for giving another Canadian a chance in the big show. Jeff has the potential of being another GSP in the UFC.

Topics: All Topics, Canada, MMA, Stephan Marceau, UFC | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

K-1 signs South Korean boxer

By Zach Arnold | November 7, 2006

There is a report on Innolife claiming that K-1 has signed Super Featherweight boxer Choi Yong-Soo to participate in the promotion’s World MAX show series in 2007.

Topics: All Topics, Boxing, Japan, K-1, Media, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

Kawamata names big yakuza groups in appeal

By Zach Arnold | November 7, 2006

By Zach Arnold

On August 31st, Seiya Kawamata embarassingly lost a court lawsuit against Nippon TV in Tokyo District Court. Kawamata had sued Nippon TV for 200 million yen that N-TV did not pay him for the disastrous Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2003 event. Nippon TV stated that they did not pay Kawamata the money because he didn’t produce Mirko Cro Cop for the event. However, Kawamata was able to book Emelianenko Fedor and on the outside-looking-in, Kawamata (an admitted yakuza fixer) looked like he was going to win his lawsuit in court. Instead, he lost. And that was not a good thing for him.

Kawamata has decided to file an appeal in court. And what an legal appeal it is.

Continue reading this article here…

Topics: All Topics, Japan, Media, MMA, PRIDE, Yakuza, Zach Arnold | 1 Comment » | Permalink | Trackback |

Tuesday media highlights

By Zach Arnold | November 6, 2006

Will be updated throughout the next day.

Media round: Erin Bucknell interview
Times-Herald Record (New York): Video interview with Matt Serra
WBRZ News: Latest news on attempts to ban MMA in Louisiana and determine legality of such events
Yahoo (Press Release): BoDogFight will hold a big PPV on 12/2 in Vancouver, Canada at the The Agrodome (Roger Gracie vs. Ron Waterman, Antonio “Junior” Silva vs. Eric Pele, Eddie Alvarez vs. Aaron Riley, etc.)
Daily Sports (via Livedoor Sports): Akebono wants to team with Riki Choshu to face Keiji Mutoh & Yuji Nagata in a pro-wrestling match at K-1’s 12/31 Osaka Dome event
Daily Tech: Microsoft XBox 360 will feature ability to download UFC content
Boston Herald: Tough guy Tito (Ortiz) meets his match
Maui News: Kendall Grove enjoying bout with success
Canadian Press (via Metro News): Big John McCarthy the constant man in the middle of UFC bouts
MMA HQ: Michael Bisping off TUF 4 Finale Card
MMA Fighting: WFA 12/9 Las Vegas event theme (USA vs. Brazil)
New York Newsday: Promoter Bob Arum on boxing & UFC

Continue reading this article here…

Topics: All Topics, BoDog, Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 6 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

Report: Tokuyama rejects PRIDE offer

By Zach Arnold | November 6, 2006

By Zach Arnold

Daily Sports reports that Masamori Tokuyama, the WBC Super Flyweight champion, will not retire from boxing and will not enter into PRIDE. The article claims that Tokuyama formally rejected PRIDE’s offer and that after his meeting with the JBC on Monday, Tokuyama is looking ahead to future boxing matches (title defenses). The report further states that the offer Tokuyama received from PRIDE was for a match (boxing or MMA) versus Takanori Gomi. More information here.

Update: On Tuesday, Tokuyama stated that if he did not end up fighting good opponents in boxing soon that he would retire.

Continue reading this article here…

Topics: All Topics, Boxing, Japan, Media, MMA, PRIDE, Zach Arnold | 1 Comment » | Permalink | Trackback |

Report: Tokuyama heading to PRIDE

By Zach Arnold | November 5, 2006

The headline on Yahoo Japan says it all. Yomiuri Hochi reports that Masamori Tokuyama will vacate his WBC Super Flyweight Title on Monday to the JBC (Japan Boxing Commission), essentially retiring from boxing to work PRIDE’s 12/31 Saitama Super Arena event. Gryphon’s thoughts on this developing story.

Update: Takanori Gomi publicly commented on the news of Tokuyama possibly entering PRIDE. Gomi said that there was a weight and “rule” (Tokuyama from boxing, Gomi in MMA) difference compared to Tokuyama, but that he respected Tokuyama as a boxer. Gomi also expressed interest in fighting overseas soon. Sakakibara stated that he would like to see Gomi fight in America (on 2/24 in Las Vegas).

Update II: Tokuyama was somewhat vague in answer questions from the media in regards to whether or not he was quitting boxing and entering PRIDE. Tokuyama said that there was no conversion to kakutougi (MMA) right now because he is currently an active boxer. The meeting between him and the JBC did take place. A second meeting is expected to take place.

In regards to Tokuyama’s possible participation in PRIDE, Sakakibara said that there was a possibility of it happening. He stated that the promotion is continuing to try to negotiate a deal to get their 12/31 event on free TV. (Ed. — This is not as bold of a statement regarding PRIDE’s TV situation as compared to the statements Sakakibara was making the day after the Las Vegas event. Time is running out.) He confirmed that the promotion will hold an event at the Macau Dome in Macau simultaneously with the Saitama Super Arena event. Sakakibara also stated that PRIDE will hold more overseas events in 2007 (meaning less shows in Japan). The current structure of events (the number series, GP series, Bushido, etc.) would be restructured. The restructuring moves will be announced soon. The Bushido events may be eliminated altogether.

Continue reading this article here…

Topics: All Topics, Boxing, Japan, Media, MMA, PRIDE, Zach Arnold | 12 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

Bushido 11/5 Yokohama Arena event results

By Zach Arnold | November 5, 2006

The Burning Spirit web site says that the first floor (floor seating) of the building is full, but that the second level of seats (second floor) was closed off. The claimed paid attendance for the event was 10,868.

Results/spoilers can be read in full-post view.

Update: Gryphon has a Japanese post (which echoes what I’ve seen elsewhere online) that states that the Bushido show went so long in duration that on various CS (satellite/SkyPerfecTV) tuners, people who were trying to order a later airing of the show were having trouble doing so because the original airing (the live version) went so long (over the scheduled time frame).

Continue reading this article here…

Topics: All Topics, Japan, Media, MMA, PRIDE, Zach Arnold | 18 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

Boxing round-up

By Zach Arnold | November 4, 2006

All links will point to match results & reviews. Will be updated throughout the day.

Shannon Briggs vs. Sergei Liakhovich: Associated Press | Boxing Scene | Fight Report

Floyd Mayweather vs. Carlos Baldomir: Doghouse Boxing | Associated Press | Fight Report

Robert Guerrero vs. Orlando Salido: San Jose Mercury News

Continue reading this article here…

Topics: All Topics, Boxing, Media, Zach Arnold | 4 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |

JBC will have meeting on Monday

By Zach Arnold | November 4, 2006

Daily Sports reports that the Japan Boxing Commission will have a meeting on Monday with boxer Masamori Tokuyama to discuss his future intentions (whether he will continue boxing or go to PRIDE). The commission said that they, along with the WBC, will not continue to license Tokuyama as a boxer if he enters into MMA.

Topics: All Topics, Boxing, Japan, Media, MMA, PRIDE, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |