Shark Fights & Fox Fuel TV Sponsorship Opportunities! We Can Explode Your Brand At Almost Any Budget!

MMA Maxim's Sports Consultants Are Working For KO Dynasty To Forge A Strategic Partnership With FOX Fuel TV and Shark Fight Promotions, LLC to Explode Brands & Mixed Martial Arts In Over 30 Million Homes!  Contact Us Today To Tell Us How We Can Promote Your Brand With Your Budget! 
(213) 973-9MMA or by e-mail at MMAMaxim.com@gmail.com & Info@MMAMaxim.com

 Every Friday night at 10 pm ET/P on FUEL TV, Shark Fights pro mixed martial arts competitions feature some of the best names and match-ups in the game. With heavy hitters such as Houston Alexander, Keith "The Dean of Mean" Jardine, Sokoudjou, Paul Daley, Trevor Prangley, and Danillo Villefort having graced the cage, you know, whatever the card, that your going to witness a war.

We would like to talk to you about an amazing opportunity that is

 available with FOX Fuel (www.Fuel.TV) and Shark Fight Promotions, LLC

 (www.sharkfights.com).  This opportunity would give Netflix excellent

 exposure with one of the fastest growing professional sports.  Shark

 Fights and FOX Fuel have recently signed a deal to air a new Shark

 Fights show as part of FOX Fuel's “Friday Fight Night” programming. FOX

 Fuel specializes in extreme sports like Motocross, Surfing and

 Skateboarding. They are looking to get behind Mixed Martial Arts in a

 big way and are really pushing Shark Fight.

 Just recently, FOX put George Greenberg in charge of FOX Fuel because

 FOX really wants to bring FOX Fuel to the next level. George Greenberg

 has been nominated for over 16 Emmys, and created FOX sports media with

 the NFL, and is a guru when it comes to sports. George believes in MMA

 and actually put MMA on FOX back in the 90’s so he knows the sport, and

 believes that MMA is going to take FOX Fuel to the next level. That is

 why George has created "Friday Fight Night" on FOX Fuel to help build

 the content and audience.

 The reason I am telling you this is because this will have a MAJOR

 impact on you as a sponsor, and being on the ground floor with Shark

 fights, and FOX Fuel. George is a genius and understands the business of

 MMA so this is very good news for Shark fights, sponsors, and FOX fuel.

 This just happened about 2 weeks ago and we all were very excited. Here

 is the press release: 

 http://www.multichannel.com/article/467457-Fox_Sports_Taps_Greenberg_To_Lead_Fuel.php

 *On FOX Fuel they will air the episodes 3 and 4 weeks later in a 2 part

 series so that gives us time to edit, integrate the sponsors, make sure

 we edit out all the boring fights, and have to take a 3 hour show and

 condense into 2 hours. George Greenberg wants to do it this way so all

 the fights are exciting and he can build the audience.

 *Shark fights 13 has re aired already 10 times over one month on FOX

 Fuel to give you a idea of re airs. On the HDnet broadcasts they usually

 re air about twice a month.

 *EACH FOX fuel episode is one hour. So part 1 is a hour and part 2 is

 also one hour.  HDnet is a 3 hour show.

 Here is the schedule for the upcoming fights:

 FOX  FUEL – Shark fights 16  Saturday, June 25  Amarillo  Texas

 1)      July 15th  Friday Night 10pm Friday Night Fights presents Shark

 fights 16  part 1

 2)      July 22nd  Friday Night  10pm Friday Night Fights presents

 Shark fights 16 part 2

 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 HD NET – Shark Fights  17  Friday, July 15 Lubbock   Texas

 1)      July 15th  HDnet  fights presents Shark Fights 17  Friday 10pm

 ( LIVE)  3 hours

 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 FOX FUEL –Shark fights 18  Saturday, August 20 Odessa  Texas

 1)      September 9th    Friday Night 10pm   “Friday Night Fights

 presents” Shark fights 18  part 1

 2)      September 16th  Friday Night  10pm  “Friday Night Fights

 presents” Shark fights 18 part 2

 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 FOX FUEL – Shark fights 19   Saturday, September 10  Location TBD

 1)      September 30th  Friday Night 10pm “Friday Night Fights

 presents” Shark fights 19  part 1

 2)      October 7th Friday Night  10pm  “Friday Night Fights presents”

 Shark fights 19 part 2

 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 HD NET –  Shark fights  20   Friday, September 30   Location TBD

 1)      September 30th  HDnet  fights presents Shark Fights 20  Friday

 10pm ( LIVE)  3 hours

 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 FOX FUEL – Shark fights  21   Saturday, October 15  Albuq/NM

 1)      November 4th   Friday Night 10pm “Friday Night Fights presents”

 Shark fights 21  part 1

 2)      November  11th  Friday Night  10pm  “Friday Night Fights

 presents” Shark fights 21 part 2

 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 HD NET –Shark fights  22   Friday, November 4    LOCATION TBD

 1)      November 4th  HDnet  fights presents Shark Fights 22  Friday

 10pm ( LIVE)  3 hours

 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 FUEL – Shark fights 23  Saturday, December 3 Lubbock   Texas

 1)      December 23rd    Friday Night 10pm “Friday Night Fights

 presents” Shark fights 23  part 1

 2)      December  30th   Friday Night  10pm  “Friday Night Fights

 presents” Shark fights 23 part 2

 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Strikeforce Champ Gil Melendez's New Contract. Sick Of Fans Asking Him Why He Is Scared To Fight In The UFC!

STRIKEFORCE LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION GILBERT MELENDEZ SIGNS NEW
MULTI-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH STRIKEFORCE.

Melendez is a protégé of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu master Cesar Gracie and Muay Thai legend Jongsanan Fairtex so why would he be scared?  Fans need to understand that Zuffa, LLC which controls the UFC has exclusivity and non-competition clauses preventing their fighters from competiting outside the UFC.  In sharp contrast, Strikeforce, Dream, Sengoku, and M-1 Global have not been known to use these clauses. This is how Alistair Overeem and Fedor Emelianenko compete in different competitions.  Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker has repeatedly discussed why he thinks this is advantageous to the sport.  It is simply a different business approach than Zuffa, LLC. Zuffa who in return for exclusivity pay out large performance bonuses and attract substantial sponsorship money for fighters acting as independent contractors for the UFC. Ford may have invented the automobile but it is no longer the sole dominant manufacturer.  MMA like the auto industry needs competition to thrive for fans, businesses, and mostly fighters.

NEW YORK (Feb. 7, 2011) – Two-time STRIKEFORCE World Lightweight Champion (155 pounds), Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez (18-2), has signed a new, multi-year agreement with the San Jose, Calif. based world championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion.  Today he mentioned on MMAJunkie.com that he wished fans would not ask him if he is scared to fight in the UFC.

Melendez has further stated “STRIKEFORCE is my home, they’ve always been like family to me and I’m looking forward to continuing my career with them,” said the talented, exciting, 5-foot-9, 27-year-old protégé of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu master Cesar Gracie and Muay Thai legend Jongsanan Fairtex.  “There are a lot of great fights out there for me – lots of challenges. I can’t wait to get back into the cage, do my thing and show the world that I’m still at the top of my game.’’

Universally recognized as one of the top 155-pounders in the world, Melendez has won four in a row and five of six.

Melendez of San Francisco, by way of Santa Ana, Calif., last fought on April 17, 2010, retaining the STRIKEFORCE belt with a dominant, lopsided five-round decision over Japanese superstar Shinya Aoki in Nashville, Tenn., live on The CBS Television Network.


The impressive, one-sided triumph over the highly regarded Aoki came in Melendez’ first title defense since he regained the  STRIKEFORCE crown with a hard-earned, hard-fought unanimous five- round decision over the fighter that had dethroned him, Josh Thomson, on Dec. 19, 2009, at HP Pavilion San Jose, Calif.

Melendez, who turned pro on Oct. 18, 2002, and won his initial 13 starts, owns other notable victories over MMA standouts Aoki, Clay Guida<http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Clay-Guida-8184> andTatsuya Kawajiri<http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Tatsuya-Kawajiri-1326>. Melendez captured the STRIKEFORCE interim lightweight belt with a second-round knockout (punches) over Rodrigo Damm on April 11, 2009, in San Jose.


“I’m healthy again and excited about fighting again real soon,’’ the personable, charismatic Melendez said. “It doesn’t matter who I fight. I just want to get back in there and rip.’’



 About STRIKEFORCE
STRIKEFORCE (www.strikeforce.com<http://www.strikeforce.com/>) is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its "Shamrock vs. Gracie" event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight card in California state history.  The star-studded extravaganza, which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose's HP Pavilion, played host to a sold-out, record crowd of 18,265.  Since 1995, STRIKEFORCE, sanctioned by ISKA, has been the exclusive provider of martial arts programming for ESPN and, after 12 years of success as a leading, world championship kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial arts (MMA) series with "Shamrock vs. Gracie."  In May 2008, West Coast Productions, the parent company of STRIKEFORCE, partnered with Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment (SVS&E), an entity created in 2000 to oversee all business operation aspects of the San Jose Sharks and HP Pavilion at San Jose.  In March 2009, STRIKEFORCE signed a multi-year agreement with SHOWTIME® to stage live events on the premium cable television network.  The promotion has since also produced two live, primetime events on the CBS Television Network.

UFC Fight Night: Tito Ortiz Returns To Take On Lil Nog In Seattle On Sat. March 26

Do you want to see Tito Ortiz Fight Lil Nog After His Not So Stellar Performance Against Matt "the Hammer" Hamill at UFC 123 in Anaheim?

The UFC hits the Key Arena in Seattle on Saturday, March 26 as former champion Tito Ortiz battles Antonio Nogueira, plus Dan Hardy and Anthony Johnson collide! UFC Fight Club Presale starts Thursday, Jan. 27 - join today for first access to tickets!

Matt Hamill beat Ortiz at UFC 121.  Ortiz was his former coach Tito Ortiz on "The Ultimate Fighter" TV Show.  See http://mmafightingwords.blogspot.com/2010/11/deaf-mma-fighter-matt-hamill-inspires.html 

MMA In L.A.: Long Beach Fight Night (Willie Gates' TKO of Skylar Reider)

MMA: Long Beach Fight Night Intro Willie Gates & Skylar Reider
Long Beach Fight Night, Jan 2, 2010. Willie Gates (Black trunks from Aguirre Fighting Systems) uses some nice knee strikes to set up a TKO of Skylar Reider (Kings Martial Arts) in Round 1 (see videos). Contact us to show our fans MMA, combat sports, and/or martial arts in your area.

Ultimate Fighter Season 13 Casting Call!

MMA Fighter Casting Call for THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER season 13. It will be in Las Vegas on Nov. 4, 2010.  Contact us for more details.

Middleweights (185 lbs) 

Welterweights (170 lbs) 

REQUIRMENTS:

1. All applicants must be at least 21 years of age.

2. All applicants must have at least 3 PROFESSIONAL MMA fights.

3.  Fighters will be required to grapple and hit pads, so please dress appropriately and bring all necessary gear. (Mouth guard, cup, hand wraps & gloves) 

If you cannot attend the tryouts in Las Vegas, please fill out and follow the instructions on the application. All applications must be received by November 5th, 2010. 

See Season 12 Tryouts:

    TUF 12: Exclusive - Open Tryouts

UltimateFighter.com

See More:           Dana White           • TUF 12

Start on the path to destroying your opponents like Vitor Belfort who favors our MMA Fitness Equipment to prepare for his fights!

more pics →

  

Pics for Classifieds

http://apps.facebook.com/groupsplus/group.php?id=13250

Elite MMA Bas Rutten's UFC 119 Viewing Party & Grand Opening with MMA Fighters

Location Elite MMA

880 Hampshire Rd. Suite X

Westlake Village, CA

Saturday, September 25 · 11:00am - 5:00pm
http://www.elitemmagym.com/

More Info GRAND OPENING of Elite MMA

"Self Defense and Fitness for the whole family"

Sept 25th 11am - 5pm



Exhibitions during the grand opening:

... - Elite Krav Maga - Sam Sade 11:30am, 2:00pm

- Kids Grappling Exhibition - Randy Khatami 12:00pm, 2:30pm

- Bas Rutten - MMA 101 (plus some of Bas's signature moves) 12:30pm, 3:00pm

- "Extreme Fit" Bag Classes - Chelsea & Randy Khatami 1:00pm, 3:30pm

- CorMax Fitness Demo - Certified CorMax Trainer 1:30pm, 4:00pm



Guests will also enjoy Great Food, Drinks and Special Giveaways



Special Guests include:

- Cris "Cyborg" Santos

- Kevin Randlemen

- "Big John" McCarthy

- Gene LeBell

- Steven "The Fight Professor" Quadros

- Guy Mezger

- Benji "The Razor" Radach

- Krzysztof "The Polish Experiment" Soszynski

- Renato "Babalu" Sobral

- plus MANY more of your favorite fighters and MMA personalities!



Brand New 8,000 sf+ training facility including:

- Over 3,000 sf of mat and heavy bag space

- Advanced Cardio, Weight Training and Fitness Equipment

- Certified Cormax Training Center

- Men's and Women's Locker Rooms, Showers and Saunas.

- Pro Shop with large selection of MMA gear and apparel.



Classes Include:

- Elite Krav Maga - The ultimate in self defense training!

- Boxing - Basics to Advanced!

- Extreme Fit Bag Classes - Not just another workout!

- Kids and Family Programs

- Bas Rutten's MMA System - Learn MMA, Get in Shape and Have Fun!



www.elitemmagym.com

(805) 496-4472

880 Hampshire Rd. Suite X Westlake Village, CA

STRIKEFORCE DIAZ vs NOONS I (SHOWTIME TO RE-AIR) PRIOR TO LONG-AWAITED OCT. 9, 2010 REMATCH

SHOWTIME® TO RE-AIR DIAZ-NOONS I




PRIOR TO LONG-AWAITED OCT. 9 REMATCH




Beginning Friday, Sept. 24 at 10 P.M.;





Also Available on Showtime On Demand





NEW YORK (Sept. 21, 2010) - In anticipation of their must-see grudge rematch on Saturday, Oct. 9, SHOWTIME® will re-air the memorable first fight between Nick Diaz and KJ Noons as part of an hour-long, multi-fight highlight package on SHO 2 beginning Friday, Sept. 24, at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).



The Diaz-Noons special, which features their original showdown along with three of Diaz's past fights and three of Noons' past fights, will also air on Tuesday, Sept. 28, at 10:10 p.m. ET/PT on SHO 2 immediately following an airing of Oscar-winning film The Hurt Locker. It will air again on Monday, Oct. 4, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHO2. The program will also be available On Demand beginning Sept. 24.







The first slugfest ended in bloody controversy when Noons won a disputed, first-round upset TKO over Diaz in a thrilling, give-and-take brawl, Nov. 7, 2007, on SHOWTIME. Both fighters have gone undefeated since their last meeting and bad blood between the brash fighters has only been growing.







Diaz-Noons II will be for Diaz's STRIKEFORCE World Welterweight Title in the main event of a sensational fight card at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., which will also feature Sarah Kaufman defending her STRIKEFORCE Women's Welterweight World Title against No. 1 contender Marloes Coenen.







The following Diaz and Noons fights, consisting of five knockouts and one submission, will also appear on the highlight video: Diaz vs. Thomas Denny (July 26, 2008), Diaz vs. Scott Smith (June 6, 2009), Diaz vs. Marius Zaromskis (Jan. 30, 2010), Noons vs. James Edson Berto (July 27, 2007), Noons vs. Yves Edwards (June 14, 2008) and Noons vs. Jorge Gurgel (Aug. 21, 2010).



TYRON WOODLEY-ANDRE GALVAO FIGHT TO REPLACE




ROCKHOLD-LINDLAND BOUT



ON SATURDAY, OCT. 9, IN SAN JOSE, CALIF.









Training Injury Sidles Rockhold









Nick Diaz Risks Welterweight Title Against KJ Noons; Sarah Kaufman Defends

Lightweight Belt Against Marloes Coenen Live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT







NEW YORK (Sept. 22, 2010) - A matchup of welterweight prospects, Tyron Woodley (8-0), of St. Louis, Mo., and Andre Galvao (5-1) of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will replace the fight between Luke Rockhold and Matt "The Law" Lindland on STRIKEFORCE: Diaz vs. Noons II on Saturday, Oct. 9, at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).







The middleweight bout between Rockhold and Lindland was called off after Rockhold sustained a shoulder injury last Saturday while training at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose. The extent of the injury is not yet known.







"The fight between Tyron and Andre is a great matchup between two young fighters looking to take their careers to the next level," said STRIKEFORCE CEO Scott Coker. "We wish Luke a speedy recovery and are confident he will soon enough rejoin our growing crop of top prospects."







Woodley and Galvao are two of MMA's fastest-rising 170-pounders and both possess the talent, ability and dedication to one day fight for a world title. The highly touted fighters will be making their respective televised debuts on a STRIKEFORCE championship series fight card on SHOWTIME after having appeared on STRIKEFORCE Challengers.







The unbeaten 5-foot-9, 28-year-old Woodley of St. Louis, Mo., is a two-time All-American NCAA wrestler for the University of Missouri. He fought three times on the Challengers series, winning his last on a hard-fought split decision over Nathan Coy in his first start of the year on May 21 in Portland, Ore. Woodley triumphed by submission in both his 2009 outings on STRIKEFORCE Challengers, finishing Rudy Bears with an arm-triangle choke and Zach Light with an arm-bar on Nov. 20 and Sept. 25, respectively.







Woodley, who turned pro in February 2006, is a member of American Top Team. He won his initial start for STRIKEFORCE with a first-round submission (Brabo Choke) over Sal Woods in a non-televised, undercard bout on June 6, 2009, in St. Louis.







Galvao, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist, is coming off a third-round TKO (punches) over Jorge Patino in an undercard bout last Aug. 21 at STRIKEFORCE: Houston. In his fight before last, he triumphed via controversial split-decision over Luke Stewart during a STRIKEFORCE Challengers event last March 26 in Fresno, Calif.







The 5-foot-7 Galvao, who turns 28 on Sept. 29, is 2-0 in 2010. His only defeat came on a split decision to Jason High in the DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix on July 20, 2009. Before going pro in August 2008, Galvao earned countless Jiu-Jitsu titles in international competition for Brazil, including a gold medal at the World Championships in '08.



The postponement is a setback for Rockhold, an up-and-coming middleweight on a six-fight winning streak.




"There's not much I can do. Injuries are part of the game,'' Rockhold said. 'But I feel bad for Matt, the fans, STRIKEFORCE, everybody. I'd been working really hard and was really focused on this fight. Hopefully, I will be OK soon and Matt and I can get it on in the future.''



About STRIKEFORCE

STRIKEFORCE (www.strikeforce.com ) is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its "Shamrock vs. Gracie" event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight card in California state history. The star-studded extravaganza, which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose's HP Pavilion, played host to a sold-out, record crowd of 18,265. Since 1995, STRIKEFORCE, sanctioned by ISKA, has been the exclusive provider of martial arts programming for ESPN and, after 12 years of success as a leading, world championship kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial arts (MMA) series with "Shamrock vs. Gracie." In May 2008, West Coast Productions, the parent company of STRIKEFORCE, partnered with Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment (SVS&E), an entity created in 2000 to oversee all business operation aspects of the San Jose Sharks and HP Pavilion at San Jose. In March 2009, STRIKEFORCE signed a multi-year agreement with SHOWTIME® to stage live events on the premium cable television network. The promotion has since also produced two live, primetime events on the CBS Television Network.

Should Georges St. Pierre (GSP) say Josh Koscheck "I Am Not Impressed With Your Performance?"

According to Josh Koscheck's sparring partner at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), Daniel Cormier, Josh is a guy who likes to joke around.  He told us a joke Josh played on a wrestler by putting dog poop in his wrestling shoes.  Josh did buy him another pair of shoes and the wrestler was not fighting when he did this prank.

Listen to GSP and Josh "Kos" Koscheck's Fighting Words as they face off as MMA coaches on "The Ultimate Fighter" then fight in a rematch on the UFC on December 11, 2010 in Montreal, Quebec. "Kos" claims he is portrayed as the villian and GSP is not the "squeaky clean" "superman" as he portrays himself.  Koscheck even ironically called GSP fake. GSP counters that Kosscheck has already lied about three things.  However, GSP forgot to mention Koscheck's fake acting of a knee to his face by Paul Daley (see below).  That fake acting should have had him fined.  We all do not want MMA to experience the acting that occurs in the World Cup FIFA matches.

"Kos" tells GSP to stop wasting his time and money by training with legendary boxing coach Freddy Roach because he will not stand-up with "Kos" once he gets tagged.

We are really surprised Koscheck didn't bring up his allegations that GSP is on steroids and cheats with petroleum products like Vaseline.  Check out the video at the bottom of wrestlers fighting in Turkey while drenched in olive oil.  We think Koscheck will do better than in his first match against GSP especially since he trains with Cain Velasquez but will still lose.  It gets ugly with wrestlers wearing leather pants and putting their hands down their opponent's pants to avoid the oil...we guess?  We are sure glad we have our MMA rules and not the wrestling rules in Turkey.  We also posted a video of GSP swearing in private in Quebecois French only after be insulted after his fight with BJ Penn.


GSP's statement to Matt Hughes that "I am not impressed with your performance" has become a famous and funny comment amongst MMA fans.

Georges St. Pierre (GSP) beat Josh "Kos" Koscheck by Unanimous Decision at UFC 74- Respect on Aug. 25, 2007 in a three round fight. GSP thinking "I am not impressed with your striking Josh!"

Georges St. Pierre thinking "Koscheck I am not impressed with your grappling" when he won by Unanimous Decision at UFC 74- Respect on Aug. 25, 2007 in a three round fight.

UFC 111 Georges St. Pierre vs. Dan Hardy on March 27.  GSP's last fight before facing Koscheck with GSP apologizing he made a mistake in his technique when he was unable to submit Dan Hardy.

Georges St. Pierre
Nick Name Rush
Record 20 - 2 - 0 (Win - Loss - Draw)
Wins 8 (T)KOs ( 40 %)
5 Submissions ( 25 %)
7 Decisions ( 35 %)
Losses 1 (T)KOs ( 50 %)
1 Submissions ( 50 %)
Association Jackson's Submission Fighting
Height 5'10" (178cm)
Weight 170lbs (78kg)
Style Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Birth Date 1981-05-19
City St. Isidore, Quebec
Country Canada

Josh Koscheck beat Paul Daley in his last fight before his rematch with GSP.  Daley who was released from the UFC for hitting Koscheck after losing the fight claimed "Kos" was talking trash when he was in this hold and apologized for losing his temper.  Unsportsman like yes, but we think the UFC was too harsh in banning him.  A large fine to be donated to charity and community service would have been a better punishment

Josh Koscheck
Nick Name Kos
Record 15 - 4 - 0 (Win - Loss - Draw)
Wins 4 (T)KOs ( 26.67 %)
5 Submissions ( 33.33 %)
6 Decisions ( 40 %)
Losses 1 (T)KOs ( 25 %)
1 Submissions ( 25 %)
2 Decisions ( 50 %)
Association American Kickboxing Academy
Height 5'10" (178cm)
Weight 170lbs (78kg)
Birth Date 1977-11-30
City Buffalo, New York
Country United States

MMA Management: Heavyweight Josh Barnett Signs with Strikeforce

MMA HEAVYWEIGHT JOSH BARNETT SIGNS WITH STRIKEFORCE



NEW YORK (Sept. 13, 2010) – Two-time champion and top world-ranked heavyweight superstar Josh “The Babyfaced Assassin” Barnett has signed a multi-fight agreement to compete for world championship Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion STRIKEFORCE.







“STRIKEFORCE is the home of the best heavyweight division in the world and I’m proud to be able to call it my home now,” said the 32-year-old Barnett (29-5), an expert in catch wrestling who hails from Seattle, Wash.

“I’m looking forward to competing amongst the greatest fighters in the world and fighting my way to another world title.”

The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Barnett became the youngest UFC champion in history at age 24 when he scored a second-round TKO (4:35) on MMA legend Randy “The Natural” Couture in Las Vegas, Nev., on March 22, 2002.  In his sixth career fight, Barnett submitted wrestling and MMA legend Dan “The Beast” Severn with an armbar in the fourth round (1:21) in Hawaii.

In addition to his achievements in America, Barnett has spent a good portion of his career competing in top tier promotions overseas, including the now defunct PRIDE Fighting Championships in Japan where he notched memorable victories over the likes of Aleksander Emelianenko, Mark Hunt and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.  On Oct. 21, 2006, Barnett took part in PRIDE’s first event on U.S. soil, submitting Pawel Nastula with a toe hold in the second round (3:04) at Las Vegas’s Thomas & Mack Center.

In 2008, Barnett competed in another Japanese promotion, Sengoku.  After submitting (heel hook) Hidehiko Yoshida in Tokyo on March 5, 2008, Barnett returned to action on May 18, 2008, and earned a unanimous decision over top-ranked rival and fellow American Jeff “The Snowman” Monson.

Barnett signed an agreement to compete in Japan’s DREAM promotion earlier this year.  Last March 22, he made his debut with the organization, submitting former K-1 tournament champion and devastating power puncher, “Mighty Mo” Siligia, with a kimura at 4:41 of the first round.

On July 10, Barnett followed up the strong showing with a first-round TKO (punches) over Geronimo dos Santos in the main event of a fight card in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

About STRIKEFORCE
STRIKEFORCE (www.strikeforce.com) is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its "Shamrock vs. Gracie" event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight card in California state history.  The star-studded extravaganza, which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose's HP Pavilion, played host to a sold-out, record crowd of 18,265.  Since 1995, STRIKEFORCE, sanctioned by ISKA, has been the exclusive provider of martial arts programming for ESPN and, after 12 years of success as a leading, world championship kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial arts (MMA) series with "Shamrock vs. Gracie."  In May 2008, West Coast Productions, the parent company of STRIKEFORCE, partnered with Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment (SVS&E), an entity created in 2000 to oversee all business operation aspects of the San Jose Sharks and HP Pavilion at San Jose.  In March 2009, STRIKEFORCE signed a multi-year agreement with SHOWTIME® to stage live events on the premium cable television network.  The promotion has since also produced two live, primetime events on the CBS Television Network.

Former Strikeforce Champ Josh Thomson to Face Dangerous Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante in Battle of World-ranked Lightweights, Sat, Oct. 9

FORMER STRIKEFORCE CHAMP JOSH THOMSON
TO FACE DANGEROUS GESIAS “JZ” CAVALCANTE
IN BATTLE OF WORLD-RANKED LIGHTWEIGHTS
SATURDAY, OCT. 9, IN SAN JOSE, CALIF.

Josh "the Punk" Thomson (16-3) punching Pat Healy (23-15)

GESIAS “JZ” CAVALCANTE

Nick Diaz To Defend Belt Against KJ Noons In Grudge Rematch;
Sarah Kaufman To Risk Women’s Crown Against Marloes Coenen
At HP Pavilion Live on SHOWTIME® at 10 p.m. ET/PT

NEW YORK  (Sept. 10, 2010) – On a night when STRIKEFORCE will present a World Championship Doubleheader that includes a grudge rematch between defending welterweight champion Nick Diaz and KJ Noons, former STRIKEFORCE belt-holder and local favorite Josh Thomson (17-3) will meet world-ranked Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante (15-3-1) of Brazil in an important lightweight fight Saturday, Oct. 9, at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., live on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

The winner between Thomson and Cavalcante, both world-ranked at 155 pounds, could be next up to challenge STRIKEFORCE World Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez.

Healthy again after injuries sidelined him for 15 months in 2008-‘09, Thomson turned back a determined bid from game Pat “Bam Bam’’ Healy of Portland, Ore., to score a hard-fought, third-round submission in his most recent start last June 26 at HP Pavilion.

The popular, exciting, crowd-pleasing Thomson earned the victory over Healy in a tight, even match via rear-naked choke at 4:27 of the third despite injuring his ribs along the way.

In his first effort back after the lengthy layoff, Thomson, who shut out Melendez across five rounds to capture the STRIKEFORCE world 155-pound belt on June 27, 2008, lost a thrilling rematch to Melendez by the scores of 49-46 twice and 49-47 on Dec. 19, 2009, at HP Pavilion.

“Fans expect me to fight guys the caliber of JZ and so do I. I want to fight all the best lightweights,’’ said the 5-foot-10 Thomson, who turns 32 on Sept. 21. “Right now STRIKEFORCE has a bunch of top fighters at 155 pounds. There’s always going to be talk about a third fight with Gilbert, but that will come when the time is right.

“In the meantime, I need to keep taking it one fight at a time and I need to continue to win. There are plenty of great fights out there for me, and this is definitely one of them.’’

A prominent member of American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose, Thomson is 9-1 in his last 10 starts.

It will be the eagerly awaited STRIKEFORCE debut for Cavalcante, a former consensus top five-ranked lightweight and two-time K-1 Hero's lightweight Grand Prix champion who signed with the San Jose-based organization earlier this year.

Not unlike Thomson, Cavalcante has had to fight through injuries the last few years -- most significantly, a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee that sidelined him for several months.

“I train very hard against very good guys every day,’’ said the 5-foot-8, 27-year-old Cavalcante, a top performer in Japan the last few years who is coming off a split decision victory over  Katsunori Kikuno last July 10 at DREAM 15 in Japan. It was JZ’s first start in nearly 13½ months, the longest layoff of his career.

“I think I could have performed better in my last fight,’’ JZ said, “but it was my first in a long time and ring rust was a factor. But, now, I feel great and I’m excited to be able to get back to doing what I love to do.’’

After suffering his initial pro loss in his third outing in July 2004, Cavalcante went 12-0-1 before fighting a hotly disputed No Contest with former world No. 2-ranked lightweight, Shinya Aoki, in a March 2008 fight that was called due to illegal elbow strikes. Six weeks later, he dropped a decision to Aoki in a match in which the Brazilian sustained a severely bruised rib and tore cartilage in his costal area.

Cavalcante has performed in Japan for several years so he doesn’t figure to be intimidated by the surroundings when he faces Thomson on his home turf.

“I’m  happy to be 100 percent healthy and fighting in America,’’ JZ said. “Once the bell sounds, it will just be Thomson and I in there. This is a tremendous opportunity to re-establish myself against a former world champion. The fight is very important. The winner could be fighting for the STRIKEFORCE title.’’

Tickets for STRIKEFORCE:  Diaz vs. Noons II are on sale at Ticketmaster.com, at the HP Pavilion ticket office, or by phone at (800) 745-3000. Doors will open at 4 p.m. PT. The first live, non-televised fight is at 4:30 p.m.

Diaz (22-7, 1 NC) will defend against Noons (9-1) in the main event. Diaz, of Stockton, Calif., has not lost a fight since he faced Noons, losing via disputed first-round TKO on Nov. 7, 2007.  He has won seven in a row. Noons, of San Diego, Calif., has won his last six fights, including the thrilling slugfest against Diaz that ended when a cageside physician halted the proceedings due to excessive cuts around Diaz’ eyes.

In the co-feature, undefeated STRIKEFORCE Women’s Welterweight World Champion Sarah Kaufman (12-0) of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, will make the second defense of her 135-pound title against No. 1 contender and Dutch superstar Marloes Coenen (17-4).

Another featured fight will pit an emerging star, up-and-coming Luke Rockhold (7-1), of Santa Cruz, Calif., against the vastly more experienced, 2000 Olympic Games wrestling silver medalist, Matt "The Law" Lindland (22-7), of Oregon City, Ore., in a middleweight (185 pounds) contest.

About STRIKEFORCE
STRIKEFORCE (www.strikeforce.com) is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its "Shamrock vs. Gracie" event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight card in California state history.  The star-studded extravaganza, which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose's HP Pavilion, played host to a sold-out, record crowd of 18,265.  Since 1995, STRIKEFORCE, sanctioned by ISKA, has been the exclusive provider of martial arts programming for ESPN and, after 12 years of success as a leading, world championship kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial arts (MMA) series with "Shamrock vs. Gracie."  In May 2008, West Coast Productions, the parent company of STRIKEFORCE, partnered with Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment (SVS&E), an entity created in 2000 to oversee all business operation aspects of the San Jose Sharks and HP Pavilion at San Jose.  In March 2009, STRIKEFORCE signed a multi-year agreement with SHOWTIME® to stage live events on the premium cable television network.  The promotion has since also produced two live, primetime events on the CBS Television Network.