Korean standout Chan Sung Jung has signed a six-fight deal with World Extreme Cagefighting. The highly-touted Sengoku veteran, known as “The Korean Zombie,” may debut for the promotion as soon as WEC 48 on April 24th, which airs live on pay-per-view.
Known primarily as a submission specialist, Jung entered the Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix last year, but suffered his first loss in a razor-thin decision against eventual champion Masanori “Kin-chan” Kanehara. Korean Top Team confirmed Jung’s WEC signing today.
Rising star Jennifer “Rosebud” Tate has withdrawn from the second round of the Freestyle Cage Fighting Women’s Bantamweight Grand Prix. Tate, who dispatched of fellow EliteXC veteran Kaitlin Young in the tournament’s opening round, announced today that she is pregnant with her second child.
Reigning NABO and IBA Heavyweight Boxing Champion James “Lights Out” Toney has signed with the UFC. The outspoken 41-year-old had petitioned UFC President Dana White for a shot at competing in the Octagon and recently signed a multi-fight deal with the promotion. The news was first reported by FiveOuncesOfPain.com.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s first trip to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada may not happen as quickly as planned. According to a report from MMA commentator and analyst Paul Lazenby, the city has yet to implement regulations to promote mixed martial arts professionally and may not do so for at least two months.
Two days after shocking many with her abrupt retirement, DEEP Women’s Lightweight (106-Pound) Champion Miku Matsumoto publicly addressed her decision to walk away from mixed martial arts earlier today. Citing a lack of desire to continue competing, Matsumoto offered thanks and apologies to her fans and fellow female fighters.
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett will return to mixed martial arts action for DREAM in Japan. The embattled fighter, nicknamed “The Babyfaced Assassin,” has been left without a fight since testing positive for steroids for the third time last summer. MMAWeekly.com was first to report on the signing.
Over two years after he first captured the title, Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair “Demolition Man” Overeem will make his long-awaited return to the promotion against Brett “The Grim” Rogers on May 15th. While not yet signed, Overeem confirmed plans for the bout in an exclusive interview with MMAjunkie.com today.
Following weeks of rumours, multiple sources have confirmed plans for Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert “El Niño” Melendez to battle DREAM Lightweight Champion Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki in a 155-pound superfight on CBS. The fight has not yet been officially confirmed for the April 17th event, but an announcement is expected later today or tomorrow.