A bout between Jewels postergirl Mika “Future Princess” Nagano and Emi Murata has been rescheduled for Jewels: “14th Ring” on May 14th in Tokyo, Japan. The fight was first set to take place at “12th Ring” on March 11th, but the event was cancelled after a massive earthquake off of Japan’s coast.
Both Nagano and Murata last competed at Jewels: “11th Ring” in December. Nagano was upset by Korean kickboxer Seo Hee Ham in the semi-finals of the Jewels Lightweight Queen tournament, while Murata picked up a quick triangle armbar submission victory over Anna Saito earlier in the night.
Three additional matchups have been announced for Jewels: “13th Ring” on May 14th in Tokyo, Japan. The all-female event, which will serve as the first half of an all-day Jewels doubleheader, will feature a “Jewels vs Valkyrie” Special Rules bout between Mongolia’s Esui and Japan’s Chisa Yonezawa.
One day after announcing his return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, former Strikeforce title challenger Jason “Mayhem” Miller has an opponent for UFC 132 on July 2nd. The charismatic Miller will face Aaron “A-Train” Simpson in a featured middleweight bout on the Las Vegas card.
After an injury forced Brad “One Punch” Pickett out of UFC 130, the event has undergone two changes. Miguel Torres, who was set to face Pickett, will now take on Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson. Renan “Barao,” who was first set to face Johnson, will now battle Cole “The Triangle” Escovedo.
Former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich “Ace” Franklin will continue his campaign in the light heavyweight division when he faces Antonio Rogerio “Minotoro” Nogueira at UFC 133 on August 6th. The fight was announced today and is expected to take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Hard-hitting striker Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort will look to rebound from his knockout loss to UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva when he takes on former K-1 HERO’s star Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 133. ESPN.co.uk first reported on the targeted matchup earlier today.
First-round matchups for the upcoming eight-man bantamweight tournament on May 29th in Japan are now set. Previously dubbed the “Japan Cup,” the event has been rebranded the DREAM Japan Grand Prix: “Fight For Japan” and will be held under the DREAM banner at the Saitama Super Arena.
A bantamweight battle between former WEC champion Brian Bowles and Japanese standout Takeya Mizugaki is currently targeted for UFC 132 on July 2nd in Las Vegas. The UFC announced plans for the fight today, and verbal agreements are in place. Bout agreements have not been signed.