A lightweight bout between undefeated rising star Evan Dunham and former champ Sean “The Muscle Shark” Sherk is reportedly in the works for UFC 119 on September 25th. MMAjunkie.com was first to report on the planned fight, which is expected to be signed and made official shortly.
Dunham has won four straight fights since debuting in the UFC early last year and seems poised to make a run for the title, while Sherk needs a big win to get his career back on track. The former UFC Lightweight Champion has battled injuries and has fought just four times in close to four years.
After sitting out for the promotion’s most recent event in May, Jewels star Shizuka Sugiyama will return to action at Jewels: “Ninth Ring” on July 31st in a shootboxing match. She will face Jewels newcomer Esui, a native of Mongolia who previously worked as a professional wrestler.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada tonight with UFC 116: “Lesnar vs Carwin.” The event was headlined by a blockbuster UFC Heavyweight Championship unification bout between Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin.
Widely regarded as the top female fighter in mixed martial arts, Japanese star Megumi “Mega Megu” Fujii (20-0-0) now has her sights set on capturing the first major title of her storied career. She will look to do so in the Bellator 115-pound women’s tournament, which begins in August.
After a year of injury setbacks and waiting on the sidelines, top 145-pound contender Erin “Steel” Toughill is likely to make her long-awaited Strikeforce debut on August 21st in Houston, Texas. The fight would be Toughill’s first in well over a year, dating back to a May 2009 decision victory.
The long-awaited Strikeforce 135-pound women’s tournament is currently targeted for Strikeforce Challengers 10 on August 13th in Phoenix, Arizona. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker confirmed the date with MMARising.com today, as well as the names of four of the tournament participants.
Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum shocked the MMA world on June 26th when he submitted “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko in just 69 seconds. The upset victory sees Werdum temporarily take over the top spot in the heavyweight rankings, pending the July 3rd UFC Undisputed Heavyweight Championship bout between Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin.
Two of the four opening round bouts for the Bellator 115-pound women’s tournament are official. Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney confirmed with MMARising.com today that Megumi “Mega Megu” Fujii will take on Angela Magana, while Jessica “Jag” Aguilar faces Lynn “Lights Out” Alvarez.