Russian prospect Yana Kunitskaya needed just 34 seconds to hand Cindy “Battlecat” Dandois the first defeat of her career today at M-1 Challenge 22 in Moscow. The bout was contested entirely on the feet until Kunitskaya dropped Dandois with a flurry that ended the brief battle.
While Dandois’s striking has improved, she was a step behind Kunitaskaya in the fight today and was unable to close the distance to set up one of her textbook judo throws. Kunitskaya, who also fought and won less than three weeks ago, put herself in 145-pound contendership with the quick victory.
Three additional fights have been added to the all-day Sengoku Raiden Championship “Soul of Fight” event on December 30th. Among them is an SRC Featherweight Championship bout between reigning champion Marlon Sandro and talented submission specialist Hatsu Hioki.
According to a press release today, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will hold a press conference on December 15th to announce plans for an event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The promotion last held an event in Brazil, in the city of São Paulo, at UFC: “Ultimate Brazil” on October 16, 1998.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship will make its long-awaited debut in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada at UFC 131 on April 30, 2011. The date for the historic event, which will take place at the 69,000-seat Rogers Centre, was officially announced by the promotion earlier today.
Jewels postergirl Saori “Shooting Star” Ishioka has a busy month ahead. Already tentatively set to compete on the first DEEP card in Macau, China on January 8th, Ishioka will face once-beaten prospect Yuko “Amiba” Oya in a 52kg reserve match at Jewels: “Eleventh Ring” on December 17th.
Two more bouts are planned for K-1 Dynamite!! “Power of Courage 2010” on December 31st in Saitama, Japan. Former Strikeforce champion Josh “The Punk” Thomson will face one-time Shooto ace Tatsuya “Crusher” Kawajiri, while Kazushi Sakuraba challenges Marius “The Whitemare” Zaromskis.
UFC lightweight contender Kenny “KenFlo” Florian has been forced out of his upcoming UFC Fight Night 23 bout with rising star Evan Dunham after suffering a knee injury in training. Hard-hitting striker Melvin “The Young Assassin” Guillard will now reportedly face Dunham on January 22nd.
Despite a three-week campaign to secure an opponent, Japanese superstar Megumi “Mega Megu” Fujii is unlikely to take part in the upcoming Jewels: “Eleventh Ring” event on December 17th. Fujii may still compete at Sengoku Raiden Championship: “Soul of Fight,” but no decision has been made.