Bellator Fighting Championships results from Thursday Night in Uncasville, CT:

Dan Hornbuckle (20-2) displayed the tools that have him as a heavy favorite in the 170 lbs tournament with a stellar triangle choke of Tyler Stinson (16-6) the opening round of the evening’s main event.  The official time of the submission was 2:03 in round one and with the win Hornbuckle advances to the semifinals of the Bellator welterweight tournament. 

U.S. Army Sgt. Steve Carl (13-1) gutted out a hard-fought split decision victory over the always dangerous Brett Cooper (11-6).  Scores were 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28.

Ryan Thomas (11-3) was given a second chance in the welterweight tournament following last week’s controversial submission loss to Ben Askren at Bellator XIV in Chicago.  Thomas didn’t waste his opportunity weathering an assault from Jason McClintock (5-1) to eventually earn a TKO victory in the opening round.  Official time of the stoppage was 4:11 in round one.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (13-0) utilized a debilitating heel hook to submit William Romero (5-1) in the opening round to advance to the quarterfinals of Bellator’s lightweight tournament.  Official time of the submission was 2:01 in round one.

(Photo © Bellator.com)

It seems like the combative sports scene is hitting a fever pitch here in North Texas with the coming of spring.  From the cage of mixed martial arts, to the boxing ring, things are looking good for fight fans here in the DFW who have an unquenchable thirst for live fight action. 

Some quick notes and nuggets to tide you over:

Fresh off his high profile win over Sammy Sanchez on the Manny Pacquiao – Joshua Clottey mega fight, Oak Cliff’s Roberto Marroquin is getting ready to return to the ring.  Marroquin is tentatively scheduled to fight on the Top Rank Live card taking place May 29 in Chicago.  Word on the street is that the fight may be for a minor title. 

Friday afternoon’s press conference to announce the Bellator Fighting Championship card that is going to take place at the Verizon Theater on May 20 has been canceled.  The cancelation comes at the hands of Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney coming down with an illness.  No word on if the press conference will be rescheduled.  no comments

MMA fans here in North Texas were given reason to rejoice when news broke yesterday that Bellator Fighting Championships will be staging a mixed martial arts card at the Verizon Theater (formally Nokia Theater) in Grand Prairie on May 20.  

The event will be headlined by an especially tantalizing battle between Bellator Featherweight Champion Joe Soto and Diego Saraiva, who was once a contender with the UFC.  The event will be aired live on Fox Sports Net with special weekend highlight shows airing on NBC, Telemundo, and the Mun2 network. 

“Bellator is  thrilled at the opportunity to bring our innovative, nationally televised tournament-style mixed martial arts events to the many millions of passionate MMA fans in Texas,” said Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney in yesterday’s press release. “Joe Soto has established himself as one of the top featherweights in the world and this fight versus Diego should be a war. Additionally, we have two Bellator semifinal tournament bouts in the welterweight division and five other world class fights on this card. It should be a great night.”

For those of you unaware, Bellator is a tournament-style mixed martial arts promotion that holds the distinction of being the first MMA promotion to be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks.  The first season on Bellator aired on ESPN Deportes last year.  Currently in its second season, which started last Thursday, the Bellator season will run cards for twelve consecutive weeks. 

Tickets for the May 20 card in Grand Prairie go on sale this Friday, April 23rd at 1 p.m. at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or on the Web at www.Ticketmaster.com.

(Joe Soto photo © Bellator.com)

When news broke yesterday that former champion Edwin Valero had killed himself, I wish I could say that I was completely surprised.  Truth of the matter is that if you had asked me which prominent fighter in the game today would end in such a tragic manner, Valero would have been my number one guess.  Not that Valero was some melancholy soul, or walking “emo” song, no, Valero was the opposite: a man possessed with an unwavering intensity.  Valero was a man, and a fighter, built upon extremes.  There was no grey area when it came to the Venezuelan pug; in fact, it was almost like Valero lived his life at 100 MPH, with no brakes. 

I still remember the night I met Valero.  I was leaving the bowels of the Frank Erwin Center in Austin last year, and I literally ran into Valero and his entourage.   Valero was in exceptionally high spirits given that a few hours earlier he had decimated Antonio Pitalua to capture the WBC lightweight title.  Valero was the reason I had traveled the three hours south on I-35, as his medical suspension by the New York Athletic Commission had forced him to fight in Japan, and abroad.  His fight in Austin was his first in America since 2003.  I congratulated Valero on his performance that night, and the intensity in which he thanked me, and shook my hand was lasting.  Some people just have an air about them that illustrates their character.  With Valero it was an air of intensity that blazed hotter than 1,000 suns.  no comments

Three title fights, three decisions, and a brawl to top things off.  Yes, it was quite a night for mixed martial arts Saturday night as Strikeforce held their second MMA card to take place on network television.  With all three fights ending in manners that few saw beforehand, we here at North Texas Fisticuffs reached out to pick the brains of two respected experts, Jeff Fox of MMA Manifesto, and Sergio Hernandez, co-host of Tap or Snap Radio. 

Will Jake Shields take his talents to the UFC?

Sean - Heading into his middleweight title defense against Dan Henderson, rumors seemed to have circulated around the web that Dana White and the UFC were seriously interested in signing Shields when his contract with Strikeforce ended following his fight Saturday.  Well, it’s hard to believe that Shields will forgo the increase in money and popularity that he would find in the UFC, let alone the increase in quality opponents.  Shields may not posses the necessary tools to dethrone Anderson Silva, but for a fighter who has shown considerable heart in the cage, it’s hard to not believe he will jump ship to the greener pastures of the UFC as soon as possible. 

Jeff Fox (MMA Manifesto) - Shields certainly did nothing on Saturday night to dissaude the UFC from courting him.  The UFC marketing machine would have a field day if they were able to snatch a rival company's champion, plus one that just beat a UFC defector to boot.  While undeniably the UFC could make Shields a bigger star and give him far better competition, who knows if that is what he is necessarily seeking.  It might be about the money for him, and Strikeforce might pony up more dough than the UFC.  Or maybe he likes being the big fish in a small pond.  But, if I was a betting man (which I am), I would expect to see Jake Shields in the Octogan sooner rather than later and if things go as planned I wouldn't be surprised to see him challenging Georges St-Pierre at 170 or 185 somewhere down the road.

Sergio Hernandez (Tap or Snap Radio) - Although everyone seems to to think so and it appears to be a foregone conclusion, I don't believe we'll be seeing Shields in the Octagon anytime soon. He talked the same game after EliteXC folded but ended up signing with Strikeforce anyway. I know Dana White would love to sign Shields and have him Alundra Blayze the Strikeforce Middleweight title on a UFC card (all my pro wrestling fans know what's up!) but Shields knows the smart, easy money is with Strikeforce. Scott Coker will throw whatever money is necessary to keep their champ on their roster; that's the smart part. And who else does Strikeforce have to challenge Shields? Rematches with Miller, Lawler, or Hendo, guys he's already beaten? That's the easy part. Shields will re-sign for three or four more fights and expose how truly top-heavy Strikeforce's roster is. no comments

Few things reaffirm ones love for the sport of boxing quite like an amateur tournament.  From the visible aspirations of the young men and women who participate, to the high drama each bout presents, amateur boxing is often a roller coaster of emotional peaks and valleys.  This is part of the charm of the sport, and one of the major reasons why fans of the sport, hold amateur boxing in such high regard. 

This weekend, Premier Boxing Club hosted the Southwestern Association LBC Championships.  The two day tournament hosted some of the best of the best in amateur boxers from here in North Texas.  In many respects, it was like an all-star tournament, one that featured names like Ray Ximenez, Abraham Torres, Jordon Jones, Tony Mack, and Alex Clarkson.  It was a proverbial “who’s who” of amateur talent, on everyone involved, from the officials, to the spectators, was in complete euphoria following a weekend of high intensity bouts.   At stake, winners today advanced to the regional championships in El Paso this May.  So, needless to say, each bout held significance in the highest order.  no comments

Results from Strikeforce: Shields vs Henderson, Saturday in Nashville, TN.

Strikeforce Middleweight Championship
Jake Shields (25-4-1) UD 5 Dan Henderson (25-8)
Scores: 49-46, 49-45, 48-45

Poor Jake Shields, despite beating everyone Strikeforce put in front of him, few gave the reigning middleweight champion much of a shot against former UFC champion Dan Henderson.  Not that some of the doubt was unwarranted; after all, Henderson is the epitome of a fighter. In the opening round, it appeared that Henderson was on his way to coasting to the title in his first ever fight in a Strikeforce promotion.  Henderson’s trademark right hand landed flush more than once on Shields who appeared to have all the initiative of a deer trapped in some headlights.  Unfortunately, Henderson was unable to finish the job before the end of the first round, and this would come back to haunt him.  A freshly composed Shields proceeded to take the fight to Henderson, taking down the celebrated wrestler seemingly at will.  Henderson has never been a great ground technician and this deficiency would be exploited to its fullest as Shields controlled the guard, and continuously softened Henderson up with ground and pound in cruising to an easy unanimous decision. no comments

Dallas, Texas – April 15, 2010 – Two Dallas boxers will compete for their first state professional championship on April 30, 2010 at The Palladium @ Gilley’s in Dallas.  The boxing line-up of six bout card starts at 7:00 p.m. at 1135 S. Lamar in Dallas.  Charles ‘The Future’ Hatley of Dallas faces Marcos Primera of Asheboro, North Carolina for the super welterweight Texas title.  Larry ‘Slomoshun’ Smith of Dallas faces Eloy Suarez of Mexico in the middleweight Texas contest.

Hatley has a professional record of 10-0 (9 KO’s) going into this super welterweight match.  “This will be the biggest fight of my career,” Hatley said.  “I am confident, but there is a lot of pressure having my first pro title fight in my home town.”

This is Smith’s tenth professional match.  He has a pro record of 8-1 (6 KO’s).  “I love the sport which is why I have been boxing for 21 years,” said Smith.  “I am excited about the match.”

Hatley and Smith, both amateur champions, are being trained by Greg Hatley Sr.; president of Black Gloves Promotions which is promoting the event.  The event is sponsored by Hatley Brothers Roofing and Construction.  Black Gloves Promotions is donating ten percent of the proceeds to the Oak Cliff Boys and Girls Club.  “Both my sons and I came up in that club,” Mr. Hatley Sr. said.  “The club helped build our character.”  Club Director, Lois Cross says the money will be used for the Keystone Club program. “It is good to see when alumni appreciate what the club has done and give back.” no comments

During the late 90s and early 2000s Canadian heavyweight Kirk Johnson (36-2-1, 26 KOs) was a fighter on the rise.  Wins over the like of Oleg Maskaev, Larry Donald, and Lou Saverese had many believing that Johnson had the mantle to become a champion in boxing’s glamour division.  Johnson soon relocated to Dallas to team up with Hall of Famer Curtis Cokes, and though he would fall short of capturing a major title, none the less, Johnson’s resume was fairly impressive, especially when compared to the dregs in today’s heavyweight waters.  However, rumored laxed training techniques, and a serious knee injury seemingly had Johnson’s career on ice, until the announcement this afternoon that Johnson was making his triumphant return to the ring April 29 as the co-featured bout on the Paulie Ayala Productions card taking place at the Speedway Club at Texas Motor Speedway.  Johnson will face journeyman Douglas Robertson.  Austin prospect Casey Ramos will headline the card against Angel Rodriguez of Houston. 

Official press release after the jump: no comments

(Today’s installment of Throwback Thursday features a piece I did on one-time boxer Johnny Deas of Lewisville for a local website back in 2008.  Deas made his professional debut in the main event of a Texas Slugfest card back in 2008 against Shug Dorsey (who has since fallen off the face of the map).  After posting my less than stellar impression of his victory, Deas invited me to his house to set the record straight.  An interesting character study soon took place as Deas explained his passion for fighting, amongst other things.)

As I groggily opened my email inbox on the morning of February 7th my attention was immediately beckoned by the first email I opened:

Clinch-a-thon...?  Booing Deas throughout...?  That's funny... did you watch the fight?  If so, its funny how you made no mention of how I dominated round 1 and round 3, I have the tape if you want to see it.  You also failed to print how Deas gave up 16 lbs and 6 years and home field advantage.  Give an old man some credit.  Do you want to know why I was tearful?  It’s because I was supposed to be going to the gallows, the consensus was that I was being served up to a younger, local favorite launching his pro career.  Now you tell me Mr. Malone, what idiot goes toe-to-toe with a disadvantage in weight and power.  Even a casual fan knows that's not how the sweet science works. 
 
Whether you write it or not.  I went into your boy's back yard and got it done against a younger, stronger fighter with a lot more to lose.  I have a great deal of respect for Shug Dorsey.  I told him after the fight that I was confident that he will go on to have a great career.  But here's one thing you nor anyone else can take away.  On January 31st 2008, yours truly was the better fighter.  I taunted the crowd, yes, but it wasn't out of disrespect for the people of Fort Worth, it was out of self-confidence and belief in the person that is Johnny Deas.
 
I thought writers were supposed to be unbiased. 
 
Regards,
 
Johnny "Lets Get It Done" Deas

Wow.  Talk about a wake-up call.

Lewisville based heavyweight Johnny Deas had taken offense to some off-handed remarks I penned in a column on January’s Texas Slugfest card that appeared on Fighthype.com early last month.

Now I stand by what I originally wrote. I stated that the co-featured fight between Deas and Fort Worth based-slugger Shug Dorsey was devoid of the action that the crowd on hand had eagerly anticipated.  However, after exchanging several emails with Deas, I thought it only fair to give the fighter a chance to speak his mind.

I met up with Deas at the Texas Karate Academy, the 34 year-old father of two works out at in the converted boxing gym in the back.  Deas is one of the most affable and loquacious individuals you will ever meet.  Graciously he allowed me into his home where he explained the circumstances surrounding his professional debut.

Deas admits the circumstances were less then ideal for a man embarking on his first professional prize fight. To compound the danger, it was taking place in the heavyweight division.

“[Right after Christmas] coach tells me, I can get you a fight January 31st” explains Deas.  “And I haven’t even been training.  So I’m like, ok and he says it’s a four rounder but I told him that I was not in boxing shape.”

After some prodding by his coach, Deas signed on to fight.  Unbeknownst to him his opponent for the evening would be the Ft. Worth-based slugger Shug Dorsey.  They say ignorance is bliss and it was probably in Deas’ best interest that he knew as little about Dorsey as possible. no comments