The lineups are set for the 2010 Rough Stone Grand Prix tournaments, which kick off at Jewels: “Tenth Ring” on October 10th in Tokyo, Japan. Earlier today, Jewels announced the first-round matchups for each of the three weight classes, which are set at 48, 52 and 56 kilograms.

Also announced was a non-tournament bout at 58kg between rising T-Blood star Miki Morifuji and women’s MMA veteran Aya “Ariya” Koyama. Morifuji is fresh off of a win over Jewels postergirl Shizuka Sugiyama, while Koyama, a pro wrestler, returns to MMA for the first time in over six years.

Read More…

One day after he was removed from the main event of UFC 122, former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort has been named the number one contender for Anderson “The Spider” Silva’s middleweight title. UFC President Dana White announced the change earlier today.

Silva had been set to defend his title against Chael Sonnen in a rematch from their August bout, but Sonnen is now facing a one-year suspension following a positive test for steroids. While he plans to appeal, Sonnen’s status and eligibility will not be known until at least December.

Read More…

The main event for the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s return to Germany has changed. UFC 122, set for November 13th, will now be headlined by a middleweight bout between former UFC title challenger Nate “The Great” Marquardt and top contender Yushin “Thunder” Okami.

Okami was originally set to face former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort in the main event, but Belfort was removed from the fight on Tuesday. Instead, Marquardt will step in to face the Japanese standout in a number one contender’s bout to determine a title challenger.

Read More…

After reportedly testing positive for steroids following his UFC 117 loss to Anderson “The Spider” Silva, middleweight contender Chael Sonnen’s team has broken its silence and intends to file an appeal with the California State Athletic Commission. MMAFighting.com first reported the news today.

Earlier this week, Sherdog.com reported that Sonnen had been flagged for an unidentified “steroid substance” and subsequent reports from SI.com’s Josh Gross have noted that Sonnen commented in advance that he may fail the UFC 117 drug test. Sonnen faces a one-year suspension and a fine.

Read More…

The North American Allied Fight Series held its first all-female event tonight at the Chapparells Community Center in Akron, Ohio. The solid card was headlined by a 125-pound pro bout between Jessica “Evil” Eye and Marissa Caldwell and also featured some of the top female amateurs in the area.

Also on the main card, Jessica “The DNA Princess” Zomcik took on the unbeaten Amanda Wilcoxen in a lightweight bout, while Shannon Floyd squared off with Trisha Barr in a bantamweight battle. MMARising.com has live play-by-play for all of the fights on the historic card.

Read More…

King of the Cage came to the MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut tonight for KOTC: “No Mercy.” The event was headlined by a KOTC Flyweight Championship bout between “The Silent Assassin” Abel Cullum and once-beaten challenger Jimmie Rivera.

Also on the card, KOTC Bantamweight Champion Donald Sanchez looked to successfully defend his title against Pat McGreal, while Myles Jury and Sam Oropeza went toe to toe in a brief battle of undefeated welterweights. MMARising.com has live play-by-play for all fights on the card.

Read More…

A new all-female mixed martial arts promotion has emerged in the United States. GirlFight Global, based in Boston, Massachusetts, has formed big plans for MMA’s women’s division and intends to hold its first event in the coming months. That event is targeted for Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The promotion is also planning to hold an eight-woman tournament at 125 pounds next year, which will feature many of the top female fighters in the division from all over the world. A fight between top star Tara LaRosa and former Smackgirl champ Takayo Hashi is already in the works.

Read More…

Michelle Waterson’s first mixed martial arts bout in Japan will have to wait. The rising star from Jackson’s MMA has announced that she is pregnant and will return to MMA in the second half of 2011. MMAWeekly.com first reported on the news on Thursday evening.

Waterson, who has gradually been cutting down to 105 pounds, had been looking into competing in Japan in October or December, but her goal will have to wait until next year. She has won six of her last seven fights and most recently scored a big victory over Masako Yoshida in April.

Read More…