The MMA News Report 05.07.08
Posted by Morgan Marx on 05.07.2008
Another packed news edition of the report: Sherk tests negative, a rematch of former UFC champions, the continuing sagas of Nick Diaz, Shinya Aoki, and DREAM, and which Gracie will be fighting at Sengoku. All this and more inside.
INTRODUCTION
Another busy week, another glut of MMA news stories. As finals begin to wind down, the summer MMA scene is beginning to heat up. Unfortunately, you'll have to make due this week without a commentary section. I know, I know, you're all heartbroken. But those fake obituary rewrites won't complete themselves for my journalism 110 course. We've still got two weeks before UFC 84, and another 16 DREAM fight cards between then. Is it me, or is DREAM seemingly putting on three cards a week? Anyway, there's a bunch of interesting news updates to cover, so let's get to it.
MAILBAG/RANT TIME
The Reader's Question: Are out-of-competition drug tests a violation of fighter's personal rights, or a necessary evil to make sure the sport remains clean?
NEWS LEG KICKS
Sherk Cleared to Face Penn
After undergoing out-of-competition drug testing, Sean Sherk has been cleared to fight BJ Penn for the UFC lightweight title at UFC 84. Sherk tested negative for performance enhancing drugs, according to a statement made to MMAWeekly.com by NSAC executive director Keith Kizer.
Sherk's test follows on the heels of similarly negative tests produced by Penn and Tito Ortiz. While questions will continue to swirl around Sherk regarding his drug-related suspension last July, UFC 84's main event should be drug free. The report goes on to state that the NSAC is planning on testing Ortiz's opponent, Lyoto Machida, as well.
I'm not sure if fans will ever trust Sherk again. Sherk's personality and fight style (or lack there of) put off many fans even before his controversial suspension. Well, controversial in Sherk's mind. I think the average fan believes that Sherk was punished justly, whether his positive test was due to ignorance or malice.
While some may question the intrusion associated with the NSAC's new testing policy, there is now doubt that it adds an element of certainty to the event. Fans can be sure that the biggest names on the PPV card won't be producing post-fight positive tests. That security may be worth the added observation. Olympic athletes like Allison Felix are tested far more frequently than pre and post-event. Perhaps MMA fighters will be forced to adapt to the heightened scrutiny.
In 2001, Pedro Rizzo knocked out Josh Barnett at arguably the high point of his MMA career. Now, seven years and six losses later, the two are set to battle again, according to Sherdog.
Rizzo confirmed that the bout would take place in the new Affliction promotion. The Sherdog report identifies Anaheim as the likely location for the fight card. A bout between heavyweights Tim Sylvia and Fedor Emelianenko is still scheduled to main event the card.
While it will be great to see Barnett fighting on American soil once again, one has to question Rizzo's claims that both fighters are better today then during their first fight. While Barnett has established himself as a top five heavyweight (albeit one facing somewhat weak competition currently), Rizzo is still trying to recapture his former stature as a former UFC heavyweight champion. Back-to-back losses Randy Couture in 2001 marked the beginning of a long slide for Rizzo, one that culminated in two lackluster PRIDE appearances. Rizzo has won two consecutive fights, including a TKO victory over Jeff Monson. Perhaps the old Rizzo is back.
The fight is scheduled to take place July 19. Stay tuned for details about how to watch the event.
After back-and-forth wrangling on both ends, Nick Diaz has officially been removed from this Sunday's DREAM III card. The proximity of Diaz's Japan appearance to the June 11 Elite XC event was deemed too close, according to Sports llustrated's Josh Gross.
Diaz has been the subject of numerous changes in recent months. An April fight against Marcelo Garcia in DREAM was postponed, allegedly due to Garcia's request. Instead, Diaz was set to face Katsuya Inoue May 11. Elite XC felt that the time frame would have jeopardized Diaz's fight with Muhsin Corbbrey to take place on Honolulu, HI. With Diaz's history of cutting (not to mention the risk of injury), those concerns certainly seem valid.
Hopefully, Diaz comes out and performs up to expectations versus Corbbrey. Diaz remains a fan favorite, and a rematch with Elite XC lightweight titleholder KJ Noons (or a fight versus title challenger Yves Edwards) would be intriguing. Although, I'm not sure if CBS audiences are ready for a figure like Diaz. If so, the network had better ready the seven-second delay.
In other DREAM news, the Japanese organization confirmed that Shinya Aoki would continue in the lightweight grand prix. Aoki's fight against Katsuhiko Nagata is scheduled for June 15 at DREAM IV, according to MMAJunkie.com (because Lord knows I can't read the DREAM official website). This Sunday, the remaining grand prix competitors (including Eddie Alvarez and Joachim Hansen) will battle it out in the second round of the tournament.
Aoki's inclusion caps a frantic period of speculation rivaled only by Kazushi Sakuraba's "will he or won't he" participation in the middleweight tournament. Aoki's injuries left DREAM officials scrambling for a replacement. When JZ Calvancante couldn't be coaxed into progressing, DREAM officials were left with few options outside postponing the fight. Which, oddly enough, they did.
Aoki will have fought three times in four months after his bout with Nagata. One has to question the pacing of the tournament, especially when coupled with Aoki's injuries and the "redo" affair with Calvancante. No one wants to see Aoki burn out due to over scheduling.
Personally, I believe the winner of Penn v. Sherk will emerge as the number one rated lightweight in the world. But with Takanori Gomi sitting on the sidelines, Aoki emerges as a strong number two candidate alongside Gilbert Melendez.
The latest "next great Gracie" will be facing UFC, PRIDE, and Pancrase super veteran Yuki Kondo on May 18, according to the Sengoku website. Josh Barnett is scheduled to main event the first Sengoku card against fellow American Jeff Monson. The Gracie v. Kondo fight currently sits second on the docket.
Roger Gracie made his MMA debut almost 1.5 year ago, defeating Ron Waterman by submission in the Bodog organization. Gracie is one of the most decorated BJJ fighters making the transition to MMA. In 2005, Gracie won both his weight division and the open weight class at the ADCC submission wrestling championships. Gracie is an instructor at the aptly named Roger Gracie Academy in London.
Kondo is the owner of a 48-21-6 record. He's fought (and lost against) some of the biggest names in MMA, from Tito Ortiz to Dan Henderson. Though listed at 5'11 and 194lbs (according to Sherdog), Kondo has fought heavyweights before. Kondo actually holds victories over both Semmy Schilt and Pete Williams. Kondo durable to say the least about the well traveled fighter
While this fight can definitely be seen as a career builder for Gracie, one has to remember that it will be only the second MMA appearance for the BJJ practitioner. Kondo may not be a world beater, but he isn't exactly Bo Cantrell or Tank Abbott either
Good stuff. Hopefully Affliction can pull this event off and not fade away like a lot of other upstarts. And what's up with my boy N. Diaz?!?! Fame is in his grasp!
Posted By: Steve Gustafson (Registered) on May 07, 2008 at 12:11 PM
