UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick “The Dominator” Cruz and bitter rival “The California Kid” Urijah Faber will serve as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 15. The upcoming live season of the competition, the first in history, will air on the FOX-owned FX network and begins on March 9, 2012.
UFC officials announced the news tonight and confirmed that TUF 15 will feature both lightweight and welterweight contestants. Cruz and Faber have already faced off twice in the past, with both fighters earning one victory. At UFC 132 in July, Cruz defeated Faber in a rematch to retain his UFC title.
Two top contender bouts have been officially announced for UFC on FOX 2 on January 28, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Chael Sonnen takes on Mark “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” Munoz at middleweight. Former champ “Suga” Rashad Evans faces Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis in light heavyweight action.
The Ultimate Fighter season 14 concluded tonight at The Pearl at the Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card featured a middleweight bout between TUF 14 coaches Jason “Mayhem” Miller and Michael “The Count” Bisping. The season’s featherweight and bantamweight winners were also crowned.
The third annual Women’s Mixed Martial Arts Awards are currently being constructed for the 2011 calendar year and will recognise many outstanding accomplishments by female fighters in the sport. This year’s awards again feature over a dozen categories including one that is open to the public.
Former Smackgirl Middleweight Champion Hitomi “Girlfight Monster” Akano has agreed to a three-fight deal with ProElite. The submission specialist is expected to face 2004 Olympic silver medallist in freestyle wrestling Sara McMann at ProElite 3 on January 21, 2012 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Two-time All-American wrestler Carla Esparza earned a dominant decision victory tonight at Xtreme Fighting Championships 15: “Tribute” in Tampa, Florida. Esparza employed an effective game plan of takedowns and top control to defeat striker Felice “Lil’ Bulldog” Herrig after three rounds.
Xtreme Fighting Championships returned to the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida tonight for XFC 15: “Tribute.” The HDNet-televised card was headlined by a lightweight bout between Florida veteran Eric “It’s A Wrap” Reynolds and Brazilian submission ace Jonatas “Peixe Frito” Novaes.
The final bout in the inaugural Jewels Under-15 Kickboxing Tournament has now been made official for Jewels: “17th Ring” on December 17th in Tokyo, Japan. Twelve-year-old “Muay Thai Genius” Saya Ito takes on 14-year-old Chihiro Imoto. The promotion confirmed the matchup earlier today.