In response to comments made in an interview this week, Strikeforce has stated that undefeated 135-pound women’s champ Sarah Kaufman does indeed still have a current contract with the promotion. MMAFighting.com first posted comments from both Kaufman and Strikeforce.

The situation appears to be similar to that of Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Jake Shields, whose contract with Strikeforce expired following his successful title defence against Dan Henderson. As with Shields, Strikeforce is now working to iron out the contractual issues with Kaufman.

Read More…

A welterweight bout between hard-hitting strikers Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos and DREAM champ Marius “The Whitemare” Zaromskis is in the works for Strikeforce: “Live” on June 16th. MMAFighting.com was first to report on the planned bout, which would take place at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

Santos has been absent from Strikeforce since last June, but scored a first-round victory in Samurai FC in December. He will look to pick up another win against Zaromskis, whose DREAM title will not be on the line.

Read More…

In the first defence of her Raging Wolf Women’s Flyweight (135-Pound) Championship, Port Colborne, Ontario’s Alexis Davis submitted tough challenger Tonya Evinger in the third round of their main event bout at Raging Wolf 7. Davis battled back after a strong first round from Evinger.

The win got Davis back on the winning track after a razor-thin decision loss to Shayna Baszler at Freestyle Cage Fighting 40 in March. Many observers felt that Davis deserved the win against Baszler, but the rising Canadian star was undeterred and has now won four times by submission.

Read More…

The Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to the Bell Centre in Montréal, Québec, Canada tonight for UFC 113: “Machida vs Shogun 2.” The event was headlined by a UFC Light Heavyweight Championship rematch between Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

Also on the card, welterweight standouts Paul “Semtex” Daley and Josh Koscheck clashed in a number one contender’s bout, while former street fighter Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson made his UFC pay-per-view debut. MMARising.com has live play-by-play for the card.

Read More…

One of the most highly anticipated rematches in recent MMA history headlines tonight’s UFC 113: “Machida vs Shogun 2” event at the Bell Centre in Montréal, Québec, Canada. Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua will once again square off for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.

Also on the card, top welterweight contenders Paul “Semtex” Daley and Josh Koscheck will battle to determine the next title challenger at 170 pounds. MMARising.com previews UFC 113 with full fight predictions.

Read More…

Bellator Fighting Championships officially announced tonight that the world’s top-ranked female fighter, Megumi “Mega Megu” Fujii, will compete at Bellator 22 on June 10th. The announcement was made during the telecast of Bellator 17. No opponent has been named as of yet.

Fujii was initially scheduled to compete for Bellator during the promotion’s first season last year, but remained in Japan and fought for Jewels and Shooto. Her participation at Bellator 22 could serve as the first step towards her inclusion in the planned Bellator women’s tournament this year.

Read More…

As his company prepares for their next event on May 15th, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker spoke exclusively with MMARising.com today in an in-depth interview. The long-time fight promoter addressed comments and concerns about the Strikeforce women’s division and his partnership with Showtime.

Discussing topics ranging from planned tournaments in Strikeforce to upcoming matchups involving his champions, Coker remains focused on developing women’s MMA and the Strikeforce brand as a whole, but clarifies misinformation that has become a common theme in MMA reporting.

Read More…

With former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin sidelined due to injury, Jason Brilz has verbally agreed to step in to face Antonio Rogerio “Minotoro” Nogueira at UFC 114. MMAjunkie.com was first to report on the story and bout agreements are expected to be made final soon.

Brilz has won three of his four fights inside the Octagon, but he will face his toughest test to date when he steps in on four weeks’ notice to challenge Nogueira, who has battled a who’s who of the division. The light heavyweight bout will serve as the co-main event at UFC 114.

Read More…