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ECC 13 WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND PHOTOS

Extreme Cage Combat 13 ‘Armageddon’ held the weigh-ins tonight for tomorrow’s card at the Halifax Casino, and they didn’t occur without issue.  At the start of the evening the Nova Scotia Boxing Authority (NSBA) announced that they would only be allowing a one-time weigh-in, as opposed to giving fighters up to two hours if they missed weight the first time.   Consequently several fighters missed their contracted weights when they stepped on the scale.

Albuquerque, New Mexico native Jerome ‘The Syndrome’ Martinez is genuinely excited to have been brought all the way to the Maritimes to fight.  Fighting out of the famed Jackson’s MMA, Martinez told MM-eh that he doesn’t really know much about opponent Ricky Goodall, but he knows that fans will see an exciting fight nonetheless.

“They’re going to see intensity” He said.  ”I’m someone who’s ready to fight and put on a good show — they might see a little Tasmanian Devil in there.”

Ontario’s Chester Post will be stepping into the cage for the first time in over a year, after a snow-tubing accident broke his back.  The rehabilitation was a long process, but he told MM-eh that he’s glad to be back.

At the rules meeting, NSBA head referee Hubert Earle revealed the pleasantly surprising news that as of January 1st of this year, mixed martial arts fights taking place in Nova Scotia will now follow the commonly used Unified Rules, as opposed to their own rules that they have been using since the sport came to the Province in 2006.

The biggest change that will affect the fighters is that now they will be allowed to apply a lubricant (Vaseline) to their face prior to stepping into the cage, something that they had been unable to do before.  This acts a measure to prevent the tearing of the facial skin as a result of a strike, and was a rule that in the past was protested vociferously by visiting fighters.

To see Photo Gallery click HERE

PHOTOS: TITANS TRAIN FOR ECC 13

MM-eh was on location at Titans MMA last Friday, when fighters were participating in their last hard training and sparring session before tomorrow’s Extreme Cage Combat 13 ‘Armageddon’ at the Halifax Casino.

Mike Kent and Ricky Goodall will be the co-main event, Gavin Tucker looks to go to 5-0, and rookie Nathan Hamilton is going into his MMA debut.  Unfortunately on the night of this training, teammate Aaron Myers injured himself and had to withdraw from his planned bout with Christ Franck.

Viewers with a keen eye will notice a lot of spectators on the sidelines.  These are the successful applicants who have made it onto the Reality TV Series ‘Cubicle to the Cage.’  Cameras will follow these MMA newcomers for close to a year, as they will receive free training at Titans, and those who can tough it out will be rewarded with a fight in a cage.

To view the Titans Training photo Gallery CLICK HERE

VIDEO: MIKE KENT TALKS ECC 13 AND CONCUSSION ISSUES

Mixed Martial arts fans might be surprised to hear that while growing up in the Labrador town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Dwayne Lewis never once had a fight.

“I always shied away from confrontation.” He toldMM-eh from his home in Fort MacMurray, Alberta.  ”I never had a fight in my life  until I started fighting professionally.”

Also surprising is that Lewis didn’t start fighting until he was 32-years old, and now, four years and twenty fights later, he’ll be facing UFC veteran Wilson Gouveia in the main event of MFC 32 ‘Bitter Rivals,’ in Edmonton on Friday night.

“I didn’t hesitate a second to take that fight.” He said.  ”I think stylistically it’s a great match up for me. He’s aggressive, he comes forward, and he’s a banger so to speak, so I think stylistically we’re a perfect match.”

Aggression is something that Lewis looks for in an opponent, as he’s made a career — and a legion of fans with his toe-to-toe bang-em, smash-em style. In the past Lewis has knocked out notable strikers Marvin Eastman, Jared Kilkenny, and Jason Kuchera — all inside the first round. In Gouveia he sees someone who has the pedigree to be able to keep up with him in the ring, but he also sees a weakness to be exploited.

In preparation for this fight, Lewis said that he has been focusing primarily on his conditioning.

“He’s got great jiu jitsu and I respect it, but I don’t fear it whatsoever.”  Lewis said, referring to Gouveia’s black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  ”I’m not worried if I go to the ground with him — I’m pretty sure I can get pack up and punish him.”

In 2006 Lewis had been training with Coach Sandy Bowman for about six months, when one Friday afternoon he walked into the club and asked if anyone there wanted to fight in an upcoming Rumble In The Cage card in Lethbridge, and Lewis said that without thinking he just threw his hand up.  He knocked his opponent out in 32 seconds, and from there, Lewis was hooked.

But he knows that at almost 37-years-old, his time in the fight game is coming to a close.

“I’m pretty busy with work and I’m married with three kids, so it’s not actually practical for me to be fighting like this.”

Lewis said that he thinks he’ll be fighting for maybe two more years — or in other words, he said with a boisterous laugh — as long as his wife lets him.

“If I was to quit today I could at least look back and I’d have some great memories, and for me that’s pretty much what I’m trying to do here — build as many memories as I can.  Because you know what, I’ll be 37 years old this year — time isn’t on my side, that’s for sure.”

One interesting note is that as MM-eh reported last week, this will the last ever event that the Edmonton-based Maximum Fighting Championship will hold in a ring.  With the goal of International and cross-Canada expansion, they have decided that holding their events in a cage make more sense.

If Dwayne Lewis emerges from MFC 32 tonight with his hand raised in victory, he will be the last fighter to ever fight and stand in an MFC ring.

That would be a memory to keep.

BC INTRODUCES (COMBAT) ATHLETIC COMMISSIONER ACT

British Columbia’s Minister of Community, Sport, and Cultural Development, Ida Chong, introduced Bill 50 – Athletic Commissioner Act – in the legislature today.

The mandate of the Commissioner would be to regulate and supervise professional contests such as boxing, kick-boxing and mixed martial arts.

“The benefit of having a provincial athletic commissioner would be that every professional contest would be subject to the same rules and regulations, whether it was being held in Vancouver, Nanaimo or Vernon.” Chong said.

This is a welcome and timely initiative, considering that right now there are at least nine different municipal commissions, all with somewhat differing rules and regulations.  Also, the City of Vernon recently denied a request from the City of Cranbrook for Vernon’s athletic commission to sanction a planned event there during Sam Steele Days on June 17.

Chong also said, “Since sports such as kick-boxing and mixed martial arts are very popular and are taking place without a consistent regulatory framework, it makes sense to be proactive about creating this position to increase the safety of athletes and officials, as well as to provide certainty for communities and the industry.”

Although this move is hardly proactive like she said, MMABC chairman Bill Mahood told MM-eh, “The creation of a Provincial commission to regulate all professional combat sports is a huge step in the right direction.  The move came largely as a surprise to everyone here but we are sure happy to finally be moving in the right direction.”

The role of the commissioner would be to oversee the conduct of professional contests such as boxing, kick-boxing and mixed martial arts throughout the province, with a key focus on the safety of competitors and officials.

The key duties of the commissioner would be to:

-Ensure a consistent standard of qualifications and safety protocols for all participants and officials through a uniform licensing and permitting framework.

-Ensure compliance with the proposed act and its regulations, through the use of suspension or cancellation of licences and event permits, as well as administrative penalties.

Both the Community Charter and the Vancouver Charter currently provide for the establishment of local athletic commissions to authorize public events. Such athletic commissions may regulate professional boxing and similar activities, contests and exhibitions.  If the Province establishes an athletic commissioner, both the Community Charter and Vancouver Charter will be amended to remove the authority to create local commissions.

“NINJA OF LOVE” NICK DENIS RETIRES FROM MMA

UFC bantamweight Nick Denis announced his retirement from mixed martial arts competition today, citing his concern over the long-term effects of blows to his head.

The 29-year-old Ottawa, Ontario raised fighter revealed the news on his personal blog, Go love a ninja earlier today.  Denis said that he became concerned about the effects of concussions after his brutal knockout loss to Marlon Sandro in 2009.

At the time a graduate student at the university of Ottawa, Denis started researching the effects of concussions on the human brain, and realized that while concussions do cause damage, an almost more insidious type of damage comes in the form of sub-concussive traumas.

For rest of article CLICK HERE

SCORE FIGHTING SERIES 7 WEIGH-IN RESULTS

The Score Fighting Series held the weigh-ins for their 7th event, to be held at Hamilton Place Theatre tomorrow night.

Fans who want to attend can purchase tickets at Ticketmaster, and those who stay at home, the main card will be televised live on The Score beginning at 10:00 pm EST.

MM-eh’s Shawn Star will be covering the event.

Forrest Petz (left) and Jordan Mein are set for the main event of SFS 7 in Hamilton tomorrow. Photo by Chris Suppa / The Score Television Network

Results

Jordan Mein (170.4) vs. Forrest Petz (170.6)

Jesse Ronson (155.8) vs. Ryan Healy (155.2)

Will Romero (145) vs. Tristan Johnson (145.8)

Alex Ricci (155.2) vs. Kevin Morin (155.4)

Jason Saggo (155.4) vs. Iraj Hadin (156)

Ryan Dickson (170.6) vs. Brandt Dewsbery (168.4)

Elias Theodorou (185.2) vs. Ali Mokdad (184.2)

Rory McDonell (154.6) vs. Desmond Green (155.4)

Adam Assenza (154.8) vs. Tommy Cote (154)

Paul Jalbert (154.2) vs. Oliver Vadnais (155.6)

GSP GIVES BELT TO COACH ZAHABI

Following his dominating return performance over Carlos Condit at UFC 154 last weekend, undisputed UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre gave his belt to long time friend and coach Firas Zahabi.

The belts, which are made by artisan Dave Millican, are triple plated, and have over 60 gemstones set in them.

Zahabi, the owner of Tristar MMA in Montreal, tweeted to following:

Firas Zahabi ‏@Firas_Zahabi

@ufc @danawhite @tristargym. Thank you to @GeorgesStPierre for the great gift!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHAOLIN SHANE CAMPBELL SUBMITS STEPHEN BEAUMONT TO TAKE AFC LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE

Fight # – Winner – Loser – Method – Round – Time

1- Travis Cardinal def. Ivan McKenzie – Submission (Rear Naked Choke) – R1 – 1:27

2- Brent Harvie def. Cole Campbell - Submission (Rear Naked Choke) – R1 – 1:04

3- Joe Keesick def. Mike Newton – TKO (Corner Stoppage) – R2 – 5:00

4- KB Bhullar def. Jason Gorny - KO (Knee) – R1 – 1:17

5- Lenny Wheeler def. Adam Lorenz - Submission (Guillotine Choke) – R1 – 0:33

6- Tim Chemelli def. Mike Kent - KO – R2 – 1:06

7- Victor Valimaki vs. Razak Al-Hassan Fight cancelled due to undisclosed medical issue with Valimaki.

8- Shane Campbell def. Stephen Beaumont - Submission (Guillotine Choke) – R1 – 2:50 Shaolin Shane Cam(Lightweight Title)

MEIN CRUSHES PETZ, RONSON MAKES A STATEMENT AT SFS 7

Lethbridge, Alberta’s Jordan ‘Young Gun’ Mein made quick work of American opponent Forrest ‘The Meat Cleaver’ Petz, barely breaking a sweat on his way to a TKO victory just a minute and a half into their main-event fight at the Score Fighting Series 7 in Hamilton tonight. From the beginning, Petz was throwing heavy leather, but couldn’t quite connect on the younger Mein, who was able to counter effectively. The Canadian Martial Arts Centre prospect was able to close the distance and never looked back, throwing a mean cross elbow, followed by an unrelenting barrage of shots that eventually dropped Petz. He was able to get back to his feet, where Mein continued the assault, landing more elbows, knees and a kick. A few more shots and Petz dropped back to the mat, which prompted referee Yves Lavigne to stop the bout at just 1:29 of the first round. This marks the 23-year-old’s 26th win and 14th by knockout.

For the rest of the complete fight report CLICK HERE

Alessio Sakara was disqualified for illegal blows to the head of Patrick Côté (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

SAKARA’S UFC 154 APPEAL DENIED – CÔTÉ REMAINS WINNER BY DQ

After his disqualification loss to Patrick ‘The Predator’ Côté at UFC 154: St-Pierre vs. Condit last weekend for striking his foe with numerous illegal blows to the back of his head, Italian striker Alessio Sakara’s agent filed an appeal with the Régie des alcools des courses et des jeux (Québec Athletic Commission) to have the ruling reversed.

For rest of article CLICK HERE

HADIN STILL SET FOR GOODALL AFTER SFS 7 LOSS

Organizers of Halifax’s Extreme Cage Combat can breath a sigh of relief, as London, Ontario’s Iraj ‘Cold Blooded’ Hadinwill be able to participate in his planned Dec 08 165-lb catchweight bout against Ricky Goodall at ECC 15 ‘Carnage.’

Hadin lost via rear naked choke to Jason Saggo last night at the Score Fighting Series 7, and fortunately did not receive any substantial damage.  If he had have been given a suspension of any more than 14 days post-fight he would not have been cleared to meet Goodall.

Goodall contacted MM-eh today to say that his manager Peter Martell had contacted Hadin’s management, and was told that Hadin is still in.

Fans arriving to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan’s Sutherland Hall to watch a night of mixed martial arts action last weekend were denied the promised main event, when Xtreme Cage Wars Middleweight Champion Bobby Flamond failed to appear for his first title defence against challenger Denny Heathen.

XCW Promoter Dave Lochert told MM-eh that Flamond has been stripped of his title, and is expected to return the XCW Middleweight belt immediately.

Heathen will be matched up against Evander Masuakapoe for the vacant middleweight title on the next XCW card in January.

Lochert added that he has been in contact with Flamond, who has apparently said that he will not be returning the belt, claiming ownership.  But Lochert sent MM-eh the text of Flamond’s contract, excerpted here:

The Champion will be required to return the XCW CHAMPIONSHIP BELT to the COMPANY promptly, if the Champion fails to accept a title challenge set forth by the COMPANY for any reason, the COMPANY has the right to make the title vacant and have the title fought for by the challenger and an alternate opponent.

Lochert finished by saying that should Flamond not return the belt, he will be filing a report with police for theft.

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