After a series of delays and cancellations, 2004 Olympic Silver Medallist Sara McMann was victorious in her long-awaited pro MMA debut last night at Universal Cage Combat: “Revolution” in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. McMann needed just 1:41 to submit Christina Marks early in the first round.

The freestyle wrestler, who won a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Games, was initially set to compete as a professional in MMA last year, but she has endured event cancellations and countless opponents who have backed out of fights. McMann will compete again against Julie Malenfant on June 17th.

Read More…

DREAM Lightweight Champion Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki and Joachim “Hellboy” Hansen were among the winners in non-tournament bouts tonight at DREAM: “Fight For Japan” in Saitama, Japan. Aoki submitted Rich “No Love” Clementi, and Hansen edged “The Endless Fighter” Mitsuhiro Ishida.

In other action on the card, Katsunori Kikuno earned a Unanimous Decision win over Daisuke Nakamura, while Caol “Uno Shoten” Uno defeated “Wicky” Akiyo Nishiura in another two-round decision. “Lion” Takeshi Inoue was also victorious tonight, as he stopped Koichiro Matsumoto in the first round.

Read More…

The Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada tonight for UFC 130: “Jackson vs Hamill.” The event was headlined by a light heavyweight bout between former champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and TUF 3 alum Matt “The Hammer” Hamill.

In other action on tonight’s card, Las Vegas natives Frank Mir and Roy “Big Country” Nelson squared off in a pivotal heavyweight battle, while Gleison Tibau clashed with the returning Rafaello “Tractor” Oliveira at 155 pounds. MMARising.com has live play-by-play for all fights on the UFC 130 card.

Read More…

Titan Fighting Championship made its return to HDNet tonight with TFC 18 from the Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas. The event was headlined by a catchweight bout between former UFC Lightweight Champion Jens “Lil’ Evil” Pulver and Missouri-based knockout artist Brian “Mr. D” Davidson.

Also on the card, UFC veteran Jake Rosholt came in on short notice to face John Ott in a catchweight bout at 200 pounds, while Rosholt’s brother Jared faced Kirk Grinlinton at heavyweight in another last-minute event addition. MMARising.com has live play-by-play for the HDNet-televised card.

Read More…

Cage Warriors Fighting Championship will crown a new 125-pound women’s champion at CWFC 43 on July 9th when top UK star Rosi “The Surgeon” Sexton clashes with hard-hitting striker Sheila “The German Tank” Gaff. The targeted matchup will be contested over five, five-minute rounds.

MMARising.com learned of the bout from sources close to the negotiations earlier this month. Both fighters have signed bout agreements, but the fight requires final approval from Bellator Fighting Championships, where Sexton remains under contract. Sexton previously captured CWFC gold in 2005.

Read More…

DREAM’s inaugural Japan Bantamweight Grand Prix kicks off this Sunday, May 29th, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The opening two rounds of the eight-man tournament will take place in one night, with the winners moving on to face off in the final later this year.

The tournament, which is part of DREAM’s “Fight For Japan” charity event, includes WEC and DREAM veterans as well as past and present DEEP champions. Despite a last-minute lineup change, all quarterfinal bouts will proceed. MMARising.com contributor Dean Marchand previews the card.

Read More…

Unbeaten featherweight standout Chad “Money” Mendes will have to wait a little longer for his shot at UFC Featherweight Champion José Aldo. Mendes will square off against jiu-jitsu ace Rani Yahya at UFC 133 on August 6th in Philadelphia after Aldo was forced out due to a lingering neck injury.

Mendes, a powerhouse wrestler, has yet to taste defeat through ten mixed martial arts bouts and he won his Octagon debut at UFC 126 in February. Yahya alternated big wins and losses in the WEC, but impressed in his first UFC bout in January, where he defeated former WEC champ Mike Brown.

Read More…

As one of the top female mixed martial artists in Brazil, 135-pound standout Vanessa Porto is well-respected among the MMA community in her home country. The six-year veteran of the sport has battled the best in Brazil and is eager to make a name for herself once again in North America.

While the future of women’s fights in major North American promotions is uncertain, Porto is hopeful that she will receive an opportunity to compete in the United States again. She speaks with MMARising.com about her plans for the coming year and obstacles that she and others must overcome.

Read More…