Sin City Sentinel: Chicago, Portland in UFC’s Sights
Mike Sloan Jul 10, 2008
Popular UFC lightweight Hermes Franca (Pictures)'s yearlong suspension finally
came to an end Wednesday as he was re-licensed by the Nevada
Athletic Commission in time to fight again on July 19. Franca spoke
to the commissioners from his home in Brazil via conference call,
but getting reinstated to fight wasn't a slam-dunk for the
jiu-jitsu specialist.
The commission members ran Franca over the burners before they unanimously voted to lift the suspension and clear him to fight Frank Edgar (Pictures) at the Spike TV event at The Palms Resort. Franca had been out of action since July 2007 for testing positive for the illegal anabolic steroid Drostanolone following his UFC 73 loss to then lightweight champion Sean Sherk (Pictures) in Sacramento, Calif. The California State Athletic Commission had suspended Franca and fined him $2,500 for the infraction.
On Wednesday, NSAC Executive Officer Keith Kizer appeared pleased
that Franca openly admitted to the steroid use, though he made it
clear that the Brazilian will have to watch his step in the coming
weeks.
"Mr. Franca submitted a letter to [the commissioners] in which he admits to using the product to make himself stronger and it allowed him to train harder," Kizer said. "He initially told the California State Athletic Commission that is was solely for an ankle injury, which doesn't make sense medically. So I appreciate his full admission, although belated, and I know that after speaking with (the UFC) they will have him tested before he fights."
"A year ago I made a terrible mistake," Franca said. "I have paid for my mistake and I understand how wrong it was. I hope that you allow me to fight professionally because that's all I know and that's how I provide for my family. I am in Brazil and I have been praying really hard. I pray every night that you allow me the opportunity to fight again. I am willing to take any drug test at any time, on any day, wherever."
Franca will be required to take and pass a mandatory urinalysis before he will be officially cleared to fight. He denied using any illegal substances while he has been suspended. Franca said he had been unable to locate a certified urinalysis center in Brazil, but he and his management team said if he had to, he'd fly back to his adopted home state of Florida as early as Thursday to have the results back in the commission's hands in a timely manner.
Chicago, Portland in UFC's sights
Zuffa's wildly popular fighting organization will host its next event in Las Vegas on July 19 to coincide with the debut pay-per-view effort of clothing giant Affliction. Zuffa has also already announced an Aug. 9 event in Minneapolis, Minn., a Sept. 6 show in Atlanta and an Oct. 18 rendezvous in Birmingham, England. To add fuel to their world domination tour, Zuffa has added a Sept. 17 date in Omaha, Neb., in addition to three year-end pay-per-view blockbusters.
An anonymous source said one of those events has been tentatively planned for Chicago in either late October or early November. This event would have been anchored by the Windy City's adopted son in Andrei Arlovski (Pictures), who has since moved on to try his hand (and fists) in the Affliction organization on July 19 against former IFL star Ben Rothwell (Pictures). If contract negotiations had yielded an agreement between Arlovski and the UFC, the Belarusian bomber would have met UFC interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures).
The source also named Portland, Ore. as a likely locale for another November event and a final 2008 mega show in Las Vegas to coincide with New Year's Eve.
Their has been strong indication that UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva will defend his title against Japan's Yushin Okami (Pictures) on one of those three dates.
Kampmann still recovering, gunning for October return
UFC middleweight contender Martin Kampmann (Pictures) has no idea when he'll be able to fight again, but the powerful Danish brute is hopeful he'll be able to compete as early as October. Kampmann last fought at UFC 85 on June 7 in London after being sidelined for fifteen months thanks to a severely torn knee. Kampmann's win over Jorge Rivera (Pictures) kept him in the thick of things as far as title contention goes, but according to a source close to the Denmark fighter, he will have to undergo more arthroscopic knee surgery. The process shouldn't hamper him as long if he rehabs it properly. Kampmann and his team are hoping to land a spot on an October UFC card, but he could fall back onto the proposed November roster in Portland, Ore.
Former UFC champ loses in boxing match
Troubled former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez (Pictures) lost a disputed four-round split decision to Chad Davis Tuesday inside the Las Vegas Hilton Showroom. The affair was tedious at best, but it appeared that Rodriguez' punch output did enough to warrant a victory.
Much to the chagrin of the near-capacity crowd and "Suave," two ringside judges favored Davis 39-37. Rodriguez was unavailable for comment following his first professional boxing defeat. He now stands at 1-1 with 1 KO.
LVCC feels the boom
According to Chris Sarkissian, the president of the Las Vegas Combat Championships, he expects his promotion to begin to boom by end of the year. Though he stated to Sherdog.com prior to the LVCC's debut that he intended to keep his shows inside smaller venues like the Alexis Park, Sarkissian has had a change of heart.
According an email from Sarkissian, his next show will be an all-amateur show in September with an all-pro event to follow in late October, both in larger locales.
"We are moving to a casino for the amateur show, and might do the pro show at Cox Pavilion or Orleans arena," wrote Sarkissian. "We are going to have a LVCC Pro Division and LVCC Amateur Division… I have (a) team helping me to improve the show to a whole new level."
Exact dates and locations are still being ironed out but the outgoing promoter assures they will be announced soon.
Quick hits
• Middleweight contender Jorge "El Conquistador" Rivera was granted a new mixed martial artist's license Wednesday via unanimous vote from the Nevada State Athletic Commission. The commission always reviews applicants over the age of 35, but given Rivera's track record of passing medicals and fighting at a competitive level, the decision to grant him a renewal lasted less than two minutes.
• Tuff-N-Uff, a leading amateur mixed martial arts organization that occasionally holds professional events, will return to Las Vegas on Aug. 8 at the Orleans Hotel and Casino, likely inside the popular and storied Mardi Gras Ballroom. Participants will be named in the coming weeks.
• For those who want to learn from one of the greatest fighters of all time, opportunity is knocking. Xtreme Couture Las Vegas will hold a three-day seminar with UFC legend Randy Couture (Pictures) and welterweight contender Mike Pyle (Pictures) from Aug. 29-31. Spots are limited to 40 and it's open to the public for a $500 fee. Check out www.xtremecouture.tv for more details.
• MMA and kickboxing veteran Vernon "Tiger" White got hammered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission Wednesday after the Lion's Den veteran's pre-fight urinalysis revealed that he'd used a banned diuretic prior his XFA main event fight against Anthony Brown on May 31 in Las Vegas. White pocketed a total of $5,000 ($3,000 to show plus $2,000 for the win), but the commission unanimously voted to suspend him for nine months, change his victory to a "No Decision" and take away his $2,000 win bonus in addition to a fine of $1,000 equaling one-third of his purse. White will have to undergo drug testing prior to being re-licensed.
• Continuing the wonderful explosion of a local amateur MMA circuit, Millennium Events, in conjunction with Kick International MMA, will host an event at the Henderson Convention Center on July 24 in downtown Henderson.
• Shad Smith (Pictures)'s disciplinary hearing following his May 10 fight on a Total Combat show in Laughlin was postponed on Wednesday. Smith lost to Toby Imada (Pictures) by a first-round TKO stoppage and soon afterward his post-fight urinalysis came back with traces of marijuana. Smith was present during the hearing via telephone, but requested to have an attorney available, though he stated that he couldn't afford one. His hearing has been postponed indefinitely.
The commission members ran Franca over the burners before they unanimously voted to lift the suspension and clear him to fight Frank Edgar (Pictures) at the Spike TV event at The Palms Resort. Franca had been out of action since July 2007 for testing positive for the illegal anabolic steroid Drostanolone following his UFC 73 loss to then lightweight champion Sean Sherk (Pictures) in Sacramento, Calif. The California State Athletic Commission had suspended Franca and fined him $2,500 for the infraction.
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"Mr. Franca submitted a letter to [the commissioners] in which he admits to using the product to make himself stronger and it allowed him to train harder," Kizer said. "He initially told the California State Athletic Commission that is was solely for an ankle injury, which doesn't make sense medically. So I appreciate his full admission, although belated, and I know that after speaking with (the UFC) they will have him tested before he fights."
Franca apologized to the commissioners and was remorseful for his
poor judgment.
"A year ago I made a terrible mistake," Franca said. "I have paid for my mistake and I understand how wrong it was. I hope that you allow me to fight professionally because that's all I know and that's how I provide for my family. I am in Brazil and I have been praying really hard. I pray every night that you allow me the opportunity to fight again. I am willing to take any drug test at any time, on any day, wherever."
Franca will be required to take and pass a mandatory urinalysis before he will be officially cleared to fight. He denied using any illegal substances while he has been suspended. Franca said he had been unable to locate a certified urinalysis center in Brazil, but he and his management team said if he had to, he'd fly back to his adopted home state of Florida as early as Thursday to have the results back in the commission's hands in a timely manner.
Chicago, Portland in UFC's sights
Zuffa's wildly popular fighting organization will host its next event in Las Vegas on July 19 to coincide with the debut pay-per-view effort of clothing giant Affliction. Zuffa has also already announced an Aug. 9 event in Minneapolis, Minn., a Sept. 6 show in Atlanta and an Oct. 18 rendezvous in Birmingham, England. To add fuel to their world domination tour, Zuffa has added a Sept. 17 date in Omaha, Neb., in addition to three year-end pay-per-view blockbusters.
An anonymous source said one of those events has been tentatively planned for Chicago in either late October or early November. This event would have been anchored by the Windy City's adopted son in Andrei Arlovski (Pictures), who has since moved on to try his hand (and fists) in the Affliction organization on July 19 against former IFL star Ben Rothwell (Pictures). If contract negotiations had yielded an agreement between Arlovski and the UFC, the Belarusian bomber would have met UFC interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures).
The source also named Portland, Ore. as a likely locale for another November event and a final 2008 mega show in Las Vegas to coincide with New Year's Eve.
Their has been strong indication that UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva will defend his title against Japan's Yushin Okami (Pictures) on one of those three dates.
Kampmann still recovering, gunning for October return
UFC middleweight contender Martin Kampmann (Pictures) has no idea when he'll be able to fight again, but the powerful Danish brute is hopeful he'll be able to compete as early as October. Kampmann last fought at UFC 85 on June 7 in London after being sidelined for fifteen months thanks to a severely torn knee. Kampmann's win over Jorge Rivera (Pictures) kept him in the thick of things as far as title contention goes, but according to a source close to the Denmark fighter, he will have to undergo more arthroscopic knee surgery. The process shouldn't hamper him as long if he rehabs it properly. Kampmann and his team are hoping to land a spot on an October UFC card, but he could fall back onto the proposed November roster in Portland, Ore.
Former UFC champ loses in boxing match
Troubled former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez (Pictures) lost a disputed four-round split decision to Chad Davis Tuesday inside the Las Vegas Hilton Showroom. The affair was tedious at best, but it appeared that Rodriguez' punch output did enough to warrant a victory.
Much to the chagrin of the near-capacity crowd and "Suave," two ringside judges favored Davis 39-37. Rodriguez was unavailable for comment following his first professional boxing defeat. He now stands at 1-1 with 1 KO.
LVCC feels the boom
According to Chris Sarkissian, the president of the Las Vegas Combat Championships, he expects his promotion to begin to boom by end of the year. Though he stated to Sherdog.com prior to the LVCC's debut that he intended to keep his shows inside smaller venues like the Alexis Park, Sarkissian has had a change of heart.
According an email from Sarkissian, his next show will be an all-amateur show in September with an all-pro event to follow in late October, both in larger locales.
"We are moving to a casino for the amateur show, and might do the pro show at Cox Pavilion or Orleans arena," wrote Sarkissian. "We are going to have a LVCC Pro Division and LVCC Amateur Division… I have (a) team helping me to improve the show to a whole new level."
Exact dates and locations are still being ironed out but the outgoing promoter assures they will be announced soon.
Quick hits
• Middleweight contender Jorge "El Conquistador" Rivera was granted a new mixed martial artist's license Wednesday via unanimous vote from the Nevada State Athletic Commission. The commission always reviews applicants over the age of 35, but given Rivera's track record of passing medicals and fighting at a competitive level, the decision to grant him a renewal lasted less than two minutes.
• Tuff-N-Uff, a leading amateur mixed martial arts organization that occasionally holds professional events, will return to Las Vegas on Aug. 8 at the Orleans Hotel and Casino, likely inside the popular and storied Mardi Gras Ballroom. Participants will be named in the coming weeks.
• For those who want to learn from one of the greatest fighters of all time, opportunity is knocking. Xtreme Couture Las Vegas will hold a three-day seminar with UFC legend Randy Couture (Pictures) and welterweight contender Mike Pyle (Pictures) from Aug. 29-31. Spots are limited to 40 and it's open to the public for a $500 fee. Check out www.xtremecouture.tv for more details.
• MMA and kickboxing veteran Vernon "Tiger" White got hammered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission Wednesday after the Lion's Den veteran's pre-fight urinalysis revealed that he'd used a banned diuretic prior his XFA main event fight against Anthony Brown on May 31 in Las Vegas. White pocketed a total of $5,000 ($3,000 to show plus $2,000 for the win), but the commission unanimously voted to suspend him for nine months, change his victory to a "No Decision" and take away his $2,000 win bonus in addition to a fine of $1,000 equaling one-third of his purse. White will have to undergo drug testing prior to being re-licensed.
• Continuing the wonderful explosion of a local amateur MMA circuit, Millennium Events, in conjunction with Kick International MMA, will host an event at the Henderson Convention Center on July 24 in downtown Henderson.
• Shad Smith (Pictures)'s disciplinary hearing following his May 10 fight on a Total Combat show in Laughlin was postponed on Wednesday. Smith lost to Toby Imada (Pictures) by a first-round TKO stoppage and soon afterward his post-fight urinalysis came back with traces of marijuana. Smith was present during the hearing via telephone, but requested to have an attorney available, though he stated that he couldn't afford one. His hearing has been postponed indefinitely.
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