Clearly one of the best fights ever. Don Frye and Takayama.

This should be a great event. I’m watching Dream III right now. I’ll do Play-By-Play as long as I’m awake and feeling like it. Maybe Jason Miller will have an awesome ring entrance. Also, it has the old PrideFC lady announcer with an awesome voice. I’m hoping to Nick Diaz, Jason Miller, Kawajiri, and Caol Uno win their fights. I also think I’d like to see Eddie Alvarez get a win. Wanna say something? Sign up on our MMA Forum and start a conversation!

1. Shoji Maruyama vs. Takeshi Yamazaki
   Round One: Some ground n pound (mostly slapping) from Yamazaki in round one. Bas saw some liver shots. He mentioned the Liver Shot drinking game. Every time he says “liver” someone should take a drink. Shoji Maruyama has some decent defense, and he hits back once in a while. They’re back on their feet and Shoji Maruyama takes down Yamazaki now and kneed him in the face, but now it was reversed again and Yamazaki is back in side control, and now full mount. Wow, now a strong reversal by Maruyama and he’s on top in Yamazakis guard, Shoji hits hard and they’re back on their feet for now. Yamazaki is holding Shoji in the corner and hoping to take the fight back down to the mat, and he is successful, now in Shoji Maruyama’s half guard. The referee drags them to the middle of the ring. Back to their feet for a second and Maruyama lands a nasty knee to the body (or as Bas Rutten says again, the liver). Dude that round ended nicely, Maruyama ended up in an armbar somehow and fought his way out of it, his arm looked like it would be over but he escaped. Bas said “no beer drinking with the left arm tonight.” — Round 1 is over.Round 2: starts and Shoji Maruyama goes for a flying knee but misses. He is now in Yamazaki’s half guard and looking for strikes but lets Yamazaki reverse, and now Yamazaki is in Shoji’s half guard. Yamazaki is took a kick to the face, and is taking several punches to the face in an attempt to score a takedown by clinching with Shoji. As the fight ends, Yamazaki scored some good takedowns and a good submission attempt, but ate alot of hard strikes from Maruyama. The judges score the fight with Yamazaki as the winner.
2. Jason “Mayhem” Miller vs. Katsuyori Shibata
   Round 1: Jason Miller comes out showcasing his breakdancing skills. I think he already used up alot of his cardio during the ring entrance. he came out with a fat gold chain and hip hop style. The dude he’s fighting is wearing Dan Severn’s underwear. Jason Miller begins the fight in a karate stance, and at one point while in full mount lands a mongolian chop with a KIA sound I think. Also, HOLY SHIT this fight is brutal. Jason Mayhem Miller just totally destroyed homeboy. I even heard Shibata groan in pain after a few of the strikes. The dude’s face took a severe beating via hard knees and undefended punches, and Shibata wouldn’t tap out or be knocked out. I felt sorry for Shibata, it was painful to watch. The referee finally stepped in and stopped the fight (TKO) in round 1. Mayhem Miller spoke after the fight and said in Japanese “I am a demon, I am a ghost, I am a Super Monkey”.
3. Melvin Manhoef vs. Dae Won Kim
   Round 1: Dae Won Kim presses the action against Manhoef and and looks for a takedown. The ref breaks it up and theyre on their feet. Manhoef throws blows but gets knocked upside the dome by a right hand from Dae Won Kim. Manhoef eats some more punches and ends up on the ground and gets mounted. Manhoef escapes and gets side control. OUCH a hard knee to the head of Kim. Follwed by hammerfists, the referee stops the fights at 4:08 of round 1. Melvin Manhoef winner.

**I’m starting to get sleepy. It’s nearly 5am here. I might lay off the PBP for now and just sit back and watch the fights until I fall asleep.

4. Daisuke Nakamura vs. Bu Kyung Jung
   Round 1: Jujitsu, dawg. Chess. This fight will probably go to a decision. These dudes are working hard, going for all kinds of armbars and submissions, sweet takedowns, leglocks and stuff, i’m sleepy, kick to da face. side control.
   Round 2: More of the same, but wow, the fight ended by KO, Nakamura is the winner by punch upside the chin.
5. Nick Diaz vs. Katsuya Inoue
   Round 1: I wonder if Nick Diaz is able to score weed in Japan? Inoue says he’s going to beat Diaz with Ground ‘n Pound. Nick Diaz is wearing an EliteXC shirt to the ring. THE FIGHT STARTS, fast paced, a lot of punching and kicking from Nick Diaz, although he does get hit himself at times. Inoue is bleeding from his nose now. Nick Diaz is liking to throw body shots tonight, and it’s working for him. Ouch, he just nailed homeboy with 5 or 6 good shots to the body. Now he is on top in a weak Inoue half-guard, and Diaz is throwing blows down. Back to their feet now and against the ropes. Referee breaks them up for the doctors to look at Inoue’s nose. Action continues and they start hitting each other again. Back against the rops and now this is weird, Inoue was doing a handstand while Nick Diaz held his feet in a wheel-barrow position. The ref just handed a penalty out for something, I have no idea what. These dudes are slugging again now. Diaz got nailed by some punches but I think he’s OK. Nick Diaz continues to go for body shots. A lot. Uh oh now he’s landing shots to Inoue’s head and it looks like the fight is almost over. Inoue is out on his feet and getting tagged over and over. This is target practice for Nick Diaz now. Here comes the towel. Inoue’s corner threw in the towel.
6. Luiz Firmino vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri
   Kawajiri by decision
7. Eddie Alvarez vs. Joachim Hansen
   Round 1: The fighters are just kinda feeling each others gameplans out right now, Eddie Alvarez lands a good low kick and a right hand, uh oh Joachim Hansen hits the mat. He seems to be ok and pulls guard, looking for a submission, gogoplata? Alvarez is back to his feet. More punches, Hansen tries a takedown unsuccessfully, he seems to be punching well now. Hansen pulls guard for a second but both fighters are standing up agai, Hansen got hit again with the right hand! Hitting each other in the body now. Eddie Alvarez has a bloody nose, another good right hand from Alvarez to the body of Hansen.. both dudes are hitting each other now and Alvarez gets another takedown, hetakes an upkick from Hansen, Hansen lands a straight left hand to Alvarez jawpiece, more punches are traded and Joachim Hansen actually looks to be in better shape right now.
   Round 2: Joachim Hansen lands a knee to the body and trips Eddie Alvarez to the mat. Eddie gets back to his feet but is stuck in a guillotine. He’s out of the choke but Hansen is looking for armbars and submissions from his guard. Damn Eddie Alvarez’ arm is bending he might be in trouble, he escapes though. Joachim Hansen still trying submissions. They’re back to their feet, Eddie Alvarez pushes Hansen against the ropes and tries for a takedown. BIG right hand from Eddie Alvarez at the end of the fight. This is a tough one to call, Eddie Alvarez clearly got the best strikes though. The ringside judges give Eddie Alvarez a unanimous decision victory, even though Joachim Hansen won round 2.
8. Mitsuhiro Ishida vs. Caol Uno
   Caol Uno by submission (Rear Naked Choke)

The XFA announces May 31st fight card featuring three female fights

Las Vegas, NV May 8, 2008 – After a successful debut on March 22nd, the Xtreme Fighting Association (XFA) will once again present a night of action-packed, full-contact, stand-up fighting at the Cox Pavilion, in Las Vegas on May 31. Only this time, a third of the card will feature some of the most talented female stand-up fighters in the U.S.

“The women are great. Some say they generally put on more exciting fights than the men,” said Christopher Reis President of the XFA. “You’ll rarely see women back down in a fight. It’s constant action.”

The fighting style of XFA resembles K-1 minus the tournament format. Fighters can use hand, foot, leg, and knee strikes - essentially the stand-up portion of mixed martial arts (MMA).

The May 31st card will feature a much-anticipated grudge match, a veteran against a super-talented up-and-comer and another test of wills with the return of the last show’s female “fighter of the night.”

Crafty fighter Amy Davis will take on Vanessa Aliling who trains out of Plano, TX with legendary trainer Saekson Janjira. In their last match in December 2006, Davis pulled off the win after a grueling battle. Aliling, who thought she won that match, is ready to settle matters once and for all.

Miriam Nakomoto (of the Oxygen Channel’s reality series Fight Girls) won the 2007 World WMPO Title at the Queen’s Cup in Thailand and will be facing veteran fighter Keri “The Bone Crusher” Scarr. Scarr has fought some of the best female fighters in the world (including Dutch sensation Germaine de Randamie).

After winning fight of the night against Michelle Waterson on the March 22nd XFA card, Catia Vitoria will return to the ring to fight MMA fighter Jaime Lynn Welsh.

“Our event will once again speak for itself. We have some really talented people and they’re going to put on a great show,” said Reis. “I expect to see a number of these fights end in a knockout.”

Also on the card:

Joshua Hancock vs. Shawn Yarborough
MMA veteran Vernon White vs. Muay Thai and Bare knuckle champ Anthony Brown
David Michael Smith vs. Marcelino Menchaca
Travis Garlits vs. Kevin Ross
Doug Edwards vs. Jack Thames
Mark Beecher vs. Mark Holst
Apart from the non-stop action in the ring, XFA brings to the table an impressive broadcast team including ring announcer Sonny Franco, lead commentator Lisa “The Black Widow” King, color commentator Gary Alexander, and celebrity interviewer Dave Farra.

In total this event will have 9 exciting toe-to-toe bouts, including 3 female fights. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. the action begins at 6:00 p.m. sharp. Tickets are on sale now, and are only $40 - $75 - $110 and $150 for ringside. To order online go to: www.xfalive.com or, www.unlvtickets.com.

5/8/2008

Imes Challenges Roy Nelson For Heavyweight Belt; Conn. Native Latina, New York’s Franchi Match Up in Lightweight Bout as Jim Miller Withdraws

NEW YORK, May 9, 2008 –Mixed martial arts veteran Brad Imes (Sacramento, Calif.) will challenge Roy Nelson (Las Vegas) for the heavyweight championship as part of the nine-bout card as the International Fight League (OTC.BB: IFLI) returns to the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on Friday, May 16. Imes replaces Branden Lee Hinkle (Weirton, W. Va.), who was injured in training.

A training injury to Fabricio Camoes of Brazil also necessitated a change in a non-championship lightweight bout. Frank Latina (Middletown, Conn.) will battle John Franchi (Cortland, N.Y.). Jim Miller (Sparta, N.J.), originally slated to face Camoes, withdrew from the bout following the injury to Camoes.

Imes, known as “The Hillbilly Heartthrob,” trains with Miletich Fighting Systems in Iowa. He has competed in several MMA organizations, and was notably a finalist in the second season of The Ultimate Fighter television series. Imes is 11-4 in his MMA career and will be making his IFL debut. May 16 will also mark the first IFL bouts for Latina (4-1 overall) and Franchi (3-0).

As previously announced, two other IFL Champions will put their respective titles on the line to headline the card, as Ryan McGivern (Bettendorf, Iowa) takes on Dan Miller (Sparta, N.J.) at middleweight and Ryan Schultz (North Platte, Neb.) defends against Deividas Taurosevicius (Lithuania) at lightweight. HDNet will televise all three championship bouts, plus three preliminary matchups.

The preliminary bouts feature athletes from four MMA camps, including Team Quest, Team Bombsquad, World Class Fight Center and Team Prodigy.

Tickets are available via www.ticketmaster.com, the Mohegan Sun Arena Box Office, and by telephone at 860-886-0070.

IFL Mohegan Sun
Friday, May 16, 2008 (order TBD)

Preliminary Bouts
155 lbs.: Frank Latina (Middletown, Conn.) (0-0 IFL, 4-1 overall MMA) vs. John Franchi (Cortland, N.Y.) (Team Bombsquad) (0-0, 3-0)
205 lbs.: Aaron Stark (Portland, Ore.) (Team Quest) (2-2, 5-4) vs. Lamont Lister (Philadelphia) (Team Bombsquad) (0-0, 5-3)
170 lbs.: John Howard (Boston) (0-0 IFL, 8-3 overall MMA) vs. Nick Calandrino (Emerson, N.J.) (Team Bombsquad) (0-0, 5-0)
155 lbs.: Zac George (Norman, Okla.) (Team Quest) (1-1, 12-2) vs. Josh Souder (Mason, Ohio) (Team Prodigy) (0-0, 10-6)
185 lbs.: Matt Horwich (Portland, Ore.) (Team Quest) (6-4, 21-10-1) vs. Joey Guel (Oregon) (0-0, 12-5)
185 lbs.: Danillo Villefort (Pompano Beach, Fla.) (World Class Fight Center) (0-0, 6-2) vs. Mike Massenzio (Paterson, N.J.) (Team Bombsquad) (0-0, 10-1)

Championship Bouts
185 lbs.: *Ryan McGivern (Bettendorf, Iowa) (Miletich Fighting Systems) (6-4, 12-5) vs. Dan Miller (Sparta, N.J.) (AMA Fight Club) (1-0, 7-1)
265 lbs.: *Roy Nelson (Las Vegas) (Lion’s Den) (5-1, 12-2) vs. Brad Imes (Sacramento, Calif.) (Miletich Fighting Systems) (0-0, 11-4)
155 lbs.: *Ryan Schultz (North Platte, Neb.) (Team Quest) (6-2, 19-9-1) vs. Deividas Taurosevicius (Lithuania) (Renzo Gracie) (3-0, 9-2)

*Current Titleholder

Troy Santiago and Victor Davila Hosts of New UFC® Program on Galavision

Las Vegas, NV (USA) – In the upcoming premiere of “El Octágono del UFC” (The UFC’s Octagon), renowned sportscasters and UFC commentators Troy Santiago and Victor Davila will take viewers through some of the most thrilling battles and over-the-top mixed martial arts action ever seen in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. “El Octágono del UFC”, featuring Santiago and Davila as hosts, launches tomorrow night, Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 8pm ET/PT (7pm CT) on Galavisión.

“I am so proud to be part of this first UFC program for Galavision,” said Santiago. “This is a sport that seems to have been created for us, the Latinos. It has action, adventure, extreme passion and an always unpredictable ending.”

Troy Santiago is one of the most passionate and enthusiastic sportscasters in the United States and Mexico. With a trademark style that conveys emotions of the sports, Santiago, has specializes in chronicling martial arts, boxing, soccer and American football. He is the official voice in Spanish of the UFC, and also provides the play- by-play for the Major League Soccer (MLS), and serves as host of Copa Sudamericana and the play by play for the Italian League and Mexican Soccer League.

“Every fighter dreams to one day being part of the UFC, and today, here I am, in ‘El Octagono del UFC’ explaining to viewers, in every detail, the different disciplines that form part of the MMA,” said Davila.
“As the host of a UFC show created specifically for the Latin audience, I can not ask for more!”

Victor Davila has more than seven years of practicing and teaching mixed martial arts in Mexico. He is the voice and image of the play-by-play narrations for the Spanish audience for UFC live events. He has hosted and brought to Mexico top UFC and PRIDE® fighters such as Rampage Jackson, Tito Ortiz and Matt Hughes. D’Avila is the founder member of the Federacion Mexicana de Combate Libre y Artes Marciales Mixtas, the first federation in charge of overseeing MMA events in Mexico.

“El Octágono del UFC” will highlight matches from some of the biggest names in the sport and Hispanics’ favorite fighters, including, Diego Sánchez (Winner of the original The Ultimate Fighter® season), Kenny Florian (Top lightweight contender), and highly popular Roger Huerta who is 6-0 in the UFC. The show’s first episode features Huerta vs. Leonard García, in one of the most thrilling matches in the organization’s history.

Now in its fifteenth year of operation, The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the world’s premiere professional mixed martial arts (MMA) organization. Watched around the world,
the UFC has the world’s best fighters across five different divisions, ranging from lightweight (155 lb) to heavyweight (220 lb). Fights take place in an eight-sided fighting arena which has become known worldwide as the UFC Octagon.

Univision Communications Inc. is the premier Spanish-language media company in the United States. Its operations include Univision Network, the most-watched Spanish-language broadcast television network in the U.S. reaching 99% of U.S. Hispanic Households; TeleFutura Network, a general-interest Spanish-language broadcast television network, which was launched in 2002 and now reaches 89% of U.S. Hispanic Households; Galavision, the country’s leading Spanish-language cable network; Univision Television Group, which owns and operates 64 television stations in major U.S. Hispanic markets and Puerto Rico; Univision Radio, the leading Spanish-language radio group which owns and/or operates 70 radio stations in 16 of the top 25 U.S. Hispanic markets and 5 stations in Puerto Rico; and Univision Online, the premier Spanish-language Internet destination in the U.S. located at www.univision.com . Univision Communications also has a 50% interest in TuTv, a joint venture formed to broadcast Televisa’s pay television channels in the U.S. Univision Communications has television network operations in Miami and television and radio stations and sales offices in major cities throughout the United States.

For more information, please visit www.univision.net.