Frank Lester released from his UFC contract
It appears that welterweight Frank Lester has run out of chances to land a spot on the roster of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Sources informed FiveOuncesOfPain.com late Wednesday night that the Team Quest product received his formal release from the UFC shortly after losing via first round submission to Nick Osipczak during this past Saturday’s live finale for the ninth season of The Ultimate Fighter. Lester qualified for TUF 9 as a member... [Read More...]
Interim WEC lightweight title fight between Donald Cerrone and Ben Henderson in the works
With World Extreme Cagefighting lightweight champion Jamie Varner having revealed on his official Twitter account yesterday that he’s sustained another setback in his recovery from a broken hand, Yahoo! Sports has reported that WEC officials are considering introducing an interim lightweight title. FiveOuncesOfPain.com has learned from sources that the WEC has engaged in preliminary talks to make a match between number one contender Donald Cerrone... [Read More...]
Additional clothing sponsors added to UFC’s banned list
A UFC fighter’s ability to obtain sponsorship from clothing apparel sponsors could take on a new degree of difficulty for upcoming fight cards, FiveOuncesOfPain.com has learned. FiveOuncesOfPain.com was contacted by a manager on Wednesday night who spoke on the condition of anonymity and stated that he recently received an e-mail indicating that additional clothing sponsors have been added to the UFC’s list of banned companies. Five Ounces... [Read More...]
Combat Sports Insider: The Cage vs. The Ring
One unique thing in working for M-1 and getting to travel with the M-1 Challenge is that I get to routinely watch MMA take place in a ring. Having been a fan of PRIDE, I’ve always had an appreciation for the ring but understood why so many promotions have elected to brand around the cage, especially those with television deals. From a marketing perspective, going with a cage as the combat sports contraption of choice makes more sense than a... [Read More...]
Postponed Mike Easton vs. Chase Beebe UWC bantamweight title fight expected for September
Ultimate Warrior Challenge bantamweight champion Mike Easton is expected to make his next title defense in September in a long-anticipated showdown with former WEC bantamweight champion Chase Beebe. Easton revealed the news to FiveOuncesOfPain.com during an upcoming interview conducted shortly after being promoted to black belt last night by Lloyd Irvin in Jenkintown, PA at Jared Weiner’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu United. BJJ United is an affiliate... [Read More...]
Combat Sports Insider: Volume One
It’s been a long time since I’ve written a column for FiveOuncesOfPain.com. As I write this, I’ve embarked on a new chapter in my life that caused me to step away from the site I created. The current state of the U.S. economy has had an adverse effect on a lot of people and I am one of many who have seen their ability to earn a living compromised. After losing a couple of non-MMA writing gigs coupled with the rising cost to operate 5 Oz. while... [Read More...]
After two losses, Xavier Foupa-Pokam released by the UFC
Xavier Foupa-Pokam’s tenure in the UFC has concluded after just two fights. The talented striker known as “Professor X” was released by the promotion on Monday. FiveOuncesOfPain.com confirmed the news on Tuesday afternoon Foupa-Pokam’s agent, Ken Pavia. Foupa-Pokam earned a spot in the UFC’s middleweight division after compiling a 20-9 record with and a seven fight win streak. He made his Octagon debut in Montreal this... [Read More...]
Report: Satoshi Ishii signs with Sengoku
Satoshi Ishii, a gold medalist in Judo during the 2008 Beijing Games last summer, has signed a lucrative fight contract with World Victory Road’s Sengoku promotion. The news comes according to a report by Nightmare of Battle, a English-language blog that has garnered a credible reputation for its coverage of the Japanese MMA scene. News of Ishii’s signing comes on the heels of previous reports that he had signed with the Ultimate Fighting... [Read More...]
Strikeforce confirms Kim Couture’s withdrawl from May 15 ShoMMA event
Strikeforce female fighter Miesha Tate recently revealed on her MySpace page that her planned fight with Kim Couture set for a ShoMMA event on May 15 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif. has been called off after Couture elected to withdraw from the fight. In response to the blog entry, FiveOuncesOfPain.com contacted Strikeforce Vice President of Communications Mike Afromowitz, who confirmed that Couture, the wife of former UFC light heavyweight... [Read More...]
Fedor Emelianenko’s next fight could take place in Japan in July or August
Tokyo, Japan — During his reign as PRIDE heavyweight champion, Fedor Emelianenko was one of Japan’s most recognizable fighters. However, Wednesday’s exhibition vs. WAMMA lightweight champion Shinya Aoki during the M-1 Challenge’s Tokyo event will be the first time he has competed in the country since a first round submission victory over Hong Man Choi on New Year’s Eve 2007 during the one-off “Yarrenoka!!”... [Read More...]
Heavyweight Prospect Shane Del Rosario Expects to Fight for Strikeforce in August
Tokyo, Japan — Former WBO Muay Thai champion Shane Del Rosario was one of the hottest heavyweight prospects in all of MMA following his second round TKO victory over the previously-unbeaten Carl Seaumanutafa during a September ShoXC event. However, Del Rosario became sidelined after the event due to a broken hand sustained in the victory. The Team Oyama fighter spent signficiant time on the shelf and saw his weight increase to 260 pounds. However,... [Read More...]
Reported Overeem vs. Rogers Strikeforce title fight not signed
A recent report on the Sports 1140 KHTK website revealed that Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem is set to defend his crown against undefeated prospect Brett Rogers. However, when contacted by FiveOuncesOfPain.com, sources close to the fight stated that a bout between Overeem and Rogers for Strikeforce’s June 6 show in St. Louis has yet to be signed. The sources did indicate that Overeem vs. Rogers has been discussed but optimistic... [Read More...]
Nick Diaz vs. Scott Smith to be added to June 6 Strikeforce event
Fresh off their dramatic victories during Strikeforce’s “Shamrock vs. Diaz” event on April 11 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif., Nick Diaz and Scott Smith will both be press into action again with less than two months recovery time in order to compete during the promotion’s next big event on Saturday, June 6 in St. Louis, MO. As far as their opponents are concerned, Diaz and Smith will be fighting each other at what... [Read More...]
Aaron Riley to get his rematch vs. Shane Nelson at UFC 101
After losing in controversial fashion to Shane Nelson at UFC 96 this past March, Aaron Riley is now set to receive his long-awaited rematch this coming August at UFC 101 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia. MMAWeekly.com was the first to report the news, which confirmed the rematch with a source close to Nelson’s camp. Referee Rick Fike declared Nelson the winner via TKO just 44 seconds into the bout soon after Nelson dropped Riley with a... [Read More...]
Javier Mendez departs as Strikeforce’s matchmaker
Strikeforce could be in the market for a new matchmaker as FiveOuncesOfPain.com has been informed that Javier Mendez has left the promotion. Five Ounces of Pain learned of Mendez’s departure late Tuesday night and was able to confirm the development with Mendez himself via text message. Mendez had been doubling as one of the sport’s most prominent trainers at the American Kickboxing Academy while working for Strikeforce. While speaking... [Read More...]
Report: Larson to step in for Koscheck vs. Wilson at UFC 98
With Josh Koscheck on the shelf due to a foot injury and unable to compete as scheduled at UFC 98 on May 23, UFC officials were forced to seek out a replacement to fight Chris Wilson. According to a report by MMAjunkie.com, that replacement will be none other than former WEC welterweight title challenger Brock Larson. Larson, 25-2, began his third tour of duty under the UFC banner by recording a submission victory over Jesse Sanders just 2:01 into... [Read More...]
Jake Rosholt vs. Chris Leben targeted for UFC 102
A middleweight battle between former NCAA champion Jake Rosholt (5-1) and the returning Chris Leben (18-5) is set for the yet-to-be announced UFC 102 event expected to take place in Portland, Ore. on August 29. MMAjunkie.com was first to report the new matchup and FiveOuncesOfPain.com has since confirmed the news with a source close to Rosholt. Rosholt graduated from Oklahoma State University, where he won the 184-pound NCAA title in 2003 and the... [Read More...]
Amir Sadollah vs. Johny Hendricks pegged for UFC 101
Amir Sadollah’s first bout since winning the seventh season of The Ultimate Fighter last June won’t be an easy one. Sources have confirmed that Sadollah’s welterweight debut will take place at on Aug. 8 at UFC 101 vs. former NCAA champion Johny Hendricks. FiveOuncesOfPain.com was the first site to confirm with sources close to Hendricks that he has signed and submitted his bout agreement. A source close to Sadollah has indicated... [Read More...]
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Marcus Jones tries out for tenth season of TUF
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Marcus Jones was one of the more high-profile fighters to appear at today’s open tryout in Seattle, WA for the upcoming tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter. Spike TV executives confirmed the news to FiveOuncesOfPain.com and several other websites via an e-mail on Monday afternoon. Jones, 3-2, is currently slated to compete at XFC’s “Regional Conflict” show on April 25 in Knoxville, Tenn. Drafted... [Read More...]
Jens Pulver vs. Josh Grispi added to WEC 41
A featherweight matchup between veteran Jens Pulver and rising prospect Josh Grispi has been added to the lineup for WEC 41 on June 7 in Sacramento, Calif. The news come courtesy of a report by Michael David Smith of AOL’s MMA Fanhouse, who is quoting officials with the WEC. The Pulver vs. Grispi joins a deep WEC 41 lineup that already includes WEC featherweight champion Mike Thomas Brown defending his title vs. former champion Urijah Faber,... [Read More...]
