The all-female doubleheader of Jewels events concluded tonight at Jewels: “14th Ring” in Tokyo, Japan. The evening event was headlined by a Jewels vs Valkyrie Special Rules bout between Misaki Takimoto and Naho “Sugi Rock” Sugiyama, which determined the top female strawweight in MMA.
In other action, Jewels Lightweight Queen Champion Ayaka Hamasaki took on promotional postergirl Saori “Shooting Star” Ishioka in a grappling match, while Mika “Future Princess” Nagano faced Emi Murata in a bout rebooked from March. MMARising.com has live play-by-play for Jewels: “14th Ring.”
Noted striker Felice “Lil’ Bulldog” Herrig picked up one of the biggest wins of her mixed martial arts career tonight at Xtreme Fighting Organization 39 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The popular Illinois native earned a Unanimous Decision victory over Nicdali “The Night Queen” Rivera-Calanoc.
The first half of an all-day doubleheader of events kicked off this afternoon at Jewels: “13th Ring” from Shin-Kiba 1st Ring in Tokyo, Japan. The event, which will aid in disaster relief in Japan, was headlined by a kickboxing match between Kozue “Azuma” Nagashima and Yukimi Kamikaze.
Following yesterday’s announcement that former champion Brock Lesnar has been forced out of the upcoming UFC 131 event on June 11th, the card has undergone two more changes. Dave “Pee-Wee” Herman now faces Jon Olav Einemo, while Joey “The Mexicutioner” Beltran takes on Aaron Rosa.
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar has once again been stricken with diverticulitis and has been forced to withdraw from his UFC 131 bout against fellow TUF 13 coach Junior “Cigano” dos Santos. The news was officially announced by UFC President Dana White this afternoon.
Former WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Brown will face TUF 12 alum Nam Phan at UFC 133 on August 6th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 145-pound matchup was announced by the UFC earlier today. Both fighters have verbally agreed to the fight, which joins an already impressive card.
A 145-pound women’s matchup between talented strikers Julia “The Jewel” Budd and Germaine “The Iron Lady” de Randamie has been added to the Strikeforce Challengers 16 card on June 24th in Kent, Washington. Budd will look to avenge her May 2008 loss to de Randamie in Muay Thai.
A welterweight matchup between British striker Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy and long-time UFC veteran Chris “Lights Out” Lytle is currently in the works for UFC Live 5 on August 14th in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Nottingham Post first reported on the targeted bout between the fan favourites.