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North Texas Fisticuffs
When Mohler’s Jason Sampson squares off against Phalanx/Genesis fighter Randy Villarreal sparks are sure to fly. Unfortunately for fight fans here in the DFW, this eagerly anticipated showdown will take place this Saturday in Amarillo. To be honest, this is the type of fight you drive five hours to see.
We got Villarreal’s take on this fight and posted the video yesterday. Today, we give you Sampson’s take on this awesome fight. Enjoy!
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The biggest MMA fight to hit the DFW Metroplex will take place this Saturday, June 18, from the American Airlines Center in Dallas. It’s the Strikeforce Heavyweight World Grand Prix and it features some of the sport’s biggest and brightest heavyweights going at it Grand Prix style. Saturday’s card will feature the continuation of the first stage and be headlined by Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem taking on Fedor Emelianenko conqueror Fabricio Werdum.
But wait, there’s more!
Pegasus News, with whom North Texas Fisticuffs is a proud content partner, is giving you the chance to win tickets to this huge event. Simply visit the link below to enter and for more information. Seriously, this is one of most anticpated fight cards of the year, don’t miss a chance to catch it live.
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(Photo by Edward Garza)
Few fighters have managed to toe the line between grizzled warrior and gentlemen quite like Houston’s Juan “The Baby Bull” Diaz. The former world champion entertained countless boxing fans with his nonstop aggression in the ring and his desire to take on all fighters. But outside the ring Diaz is the epitome of class and that plays a large role in why we rooted for him feverishly.
My most endearing memory of Diaz’s fighting career came in 2009 when Ed Garza and I travled down to Houston to cover Diaz’s fight with Paul Malignaggi. Following the fight Ed, myself, and a number of fight colleagues were seated in the lobby of the fighter’s hotel when Juan Diaz came walking by with his family. “The Baby Bull” sat down and spent the better part of a half hour laughing and joking with us despite his face bearing the markings of war.
That is what I’ll miss most about Diaz, his humility. Diaz was no marketing act, he was just a genuine down to earth dude who happened to be a complete badass in the ring. The sport of boxing needs fighters like Diaz but Diaz doesn’t need boxing. No doubt he will go on to bigger and better things and that should be applauded. Boxing has it’s fill of sad endings, this time it the ending is more befitting a fairytale.
Diaz’s full retirement announcement after the jump.
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It has long been one of my favorite annual events, suffering heat stroke while taking in the fights from Golden Boy Promotions’ annual Fight Night at Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth. With professional boxing become scarcer here in North Texas one could always count on a sweltering night of decent fights cast in front of the picturesque backdrop of downtown Fort Worth. By the end of the fight fans would he hot, sweaty, and thoroughly entertained.
However, despite a routinely healthy attendance to this annual event word on the street was that Fight Night at Sundance Square was not long for this world. This is why it was a bit uplifting to find a press release in my email inbox announcing the return of Golden Boy’s annual pilgrimage to North Texas. Unfortunately, there are some major changes to the event, primarily, the fact that it will not be held in Sundance Square this year. In place of the hip scene that is downtown Fort Worth will be a return to boxing at the ballpark as this year’s card will take place at the Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Not that this is entirely a bad thing, after all, Dr Pepper Ballpark is a beautiful venue but call me a sucker for nostalgia.
Press release as follows:
Middleweight contenders, Brian Vera and James Kirkland, both of Texas, will be featured in co-main event bouts on Friday, June 24th when Golden Boy Promotions presents Oscar De La Hoya's Inaugural -- FIGHT NIGHT AT DR PEPPER BALLPARK in Frisco, Texas. Dr Pepper Ballpark is the home of the Frisco RoughRiders, minor league affiliate of the Texas Rangers.
Vera (18-5, Fort Worth), coming off his biggest career win over former World Champion, Sergio Mora, will be taking on veteran Eloy Suarez (11-11, San Antonio) in an eight-round contest. Kirkland (27-1, Austin), the former #1 World ranked contender, is set to square off against an opponent to be named in an eight-rounder, as well.
Four-round bouts featuring Dallas prospects Ray Ximenez (2-0, Bantamweight) and Manual Rojas (1-0, Jr. Lightweight) will headline a five-bout undercard, which begins at 7:30 pm.
Regular ticket prices for FIGHT NIGHT are $10, $20 and $50. Tickets are available at www.ridersbaseball.com. If purchased online or by phone, ticket service fees apply. If bought in advance or day of event at the Dr Pepper Ballpark box office, there are no ticket service fees.
Fans can download vouchers for FREE GENERAL ADMISSION or UPGRADE to reserved seating for HALF-PRICE, at www.ridersbaseball.com. Free General Admission seating is limited.
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When Strikeforce executive Scott Coker came on a media conference call Tuesday to announce that Gina Carano’s medical clearance had been yanked by her doctor speculation began to abound in the MMA world as to what could possibly be the reason for Carano’s pull out of her big comeback fight on June 18 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Cocker was mum on the details electing only to read a statement, supposedly, issued from Carano herself:
"I'm seriously disappointed not to be fighting on June 18," Coker read. "I'd like to thank Greg Jackson and Team Jackson for such an amazing camp. I hope this is only a brief setback."
Undoubtedly the whole incident opens up Carano’s removal from the card to a plethora of controversy theories. But adding fuel to the controversy fire is today’s piece from Loretta Hunt of SI.com who spoke with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) in which is being reported that Carano passed all medical requirements set forth by the state of Texas.
According to Hunt:
So again, the question has to be asked, “What is wrong with Carano?” It’s a question that may never be answered publicly, but one that will be debated for years to come.
Photo © Showtime
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There’s an unmistakable appeal to Dutch fighting sensation Alistair Overeem. Sure, it could be his larger-than-life Adonis frame, or his fondness for horse meat, or it could be the fact that he routinely puts his opponents to sleep. In any event Overeem is a fighter that brings out the fans in droves. He’s arguably the most internationally known professional fighter in the game with cult followings in Japan, Amsterdam, and even here in the United States. This is partially due to his international fighting exploits, and partially due to his savvy self-marketing acumen. In fact, his The Reem online documentary is almost universally praised for its artistic direction.
Of course it would be easy to dismiss Overeem as a product of self-created hype if not for the fact that he rocks more gold than a Cash Money music video. With Overeem being the reigning Strikeforce heavyweight champion, the DREAM heavyweight champion, and the 2010 K-1 World Grand Prix champion, it might be safe to assume that Overeem is a the most accomplished MMA fighter in the world.
In yet another attempt to solidify his case as the preeminent heavyweight in the game today Overeem has entered Strikeforce’s Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament. Overeem will face Fedor conqueror Fabricio Werdum next Saturday in a quarterfinal match. On a conference call with assorted media Tuesday afternoon, Overeem reiterated the fact that he is excited to maintain his stature as a fighter by engaging against some of the best heavyweights the game has to offer.
“I like the challenges that lie in front of me,” Overeem stated Tuesday on a conference call with the media. “I’m a fighter. I love to fight. It’s what I do for a living. I’m just ready. I was read y three weeks ago.”
With a loss to Werdum occurring at PRIDE’s Open Weight Grand Prix back in 2006, Overeem seems motivated to avenge the loss suffered at the hands of his Brazilian counterpart.
“I have a lot of motivation, believe me,” explains Overeem. “I’m just happy this fight is happening. I’ve wanted to fight Fabricio and then this tournament came around. You are going to see next Saturday how motivated I am.”
But like many of the fans out there in the MMA universe, Overeem has his sights set on conquering the UFC’s Octagon in the near future.
"If I win the tournament, I personally, and I believe many fans, would love to see the winner of the tournament versus UFC champion Cain Velasquez,” said Overeem.
Of course there are more pressing matters at hand as Werdum is no slouch and has been riding a wave of confidence since usurping Fedor Emelianenko last year. Overeem is well of this fact and is not taking his eye of the prize of being crowned the winner of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix.
“I believe every fighter in the tournament is good and experienced. You have to beat the best to become the best. “
“I’m taking this fight very serious. So yeah, it’s going to be an incredible fight.”
The Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament World Grand Prix will continue on Saturday, June 18 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, and be aired live on Showtime (10 PM EST/9 PM CST)
Photo © FEG Inc/K-1
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Though he’s still making his way as a professional mixed martial artists, few fighters have been able to resonate their skill and passion for the sport in as little time as Alex Russ. The undefeated prospect has slowly begun to make a name for himself fighting on North Texas’ most successful MMA promotion, Arlington-based Xtreme Knockout.
North Texas Fisticuffs recently caught up with the talented Alex Russ to get into the mind of this rising star. The interview was so massive we had to break it into two parts!
Part One
Part Two
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