Official: Sperry Out, Monson to Face Sims at GFC
Mario Sperry (Pictures), who was scheduled to face
Lancaster, Ohio native Wes
Sims (Pictures) on Gracie Fighting Championships’
Jan. 20 event, has been forced off the card due to a hand injury,
Sherdog.com confirmed Tuesday evening.
Filling the vacated spot against Sims is American Top Team fighter Jeff Monson (Pictures).
The 35-year-old Monson last fought in Nov., when the Olympia, Wash. native saw his 16-fight win streak came to a halt against UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia (Pictures).
The former UFC contender agreed in principal to a one-fight deal, seemingly leaving the door open for a possible April showdown with PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) in St. Petersburg, Russia on a bodogFIGHT pay-per-view card.
Also of note for GFC’s second effort, with the exception of the event’s title bout between Nick Diaz (Pictures) and Thomas Denny (Pictures), rounds will consist of a 10-minute first period, followed by a five-minute frame. An overtime stanza consisting of five minutes will be added if the bout is ruled a draw after two rounds. The Diaz-Denny contest is scheduled for three frames, and an extra period if necessary.
The GFC’s return will be televised on pay-per-view in the U.S. via iNDEMAND and Dish Network. Canadian viewers will have access through Viewers Choice and Bell ExpressVu. Working the broadcast from cage-side will be UFC and PRIDE veteran Phil Baroni (Pictures), BJJ black belt Cesar Gracie (Pictures) and Ryan Dunn of Jackass fame.
Filling the vacated spot against Sims is American Top Team fighter Jeff Monson (Pictures).
The 35-year-old Monson last fought in Nov., when the Olympia, Wash. native saw his 16-fight win streak came to a halt against UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia (Pictures).
The former UFC contender agreed in principal to a one-fight deal, seemingly leaving the door open for a possible April showdown with PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) in St. Petersburg, Russia on a bodogFIGHT pay-per-view card.
Also of note for GFC’s second effort, with the exception of the event’s title bout between Nick Diaz (Pictures) and Thomas Denny (Pictures), rounds will consist of a 10-minute first period, followed by a five-minute frame. An overtime stanza consisting of five minutes will be added if the bout is ruled a draw after two rounds. The Diaz-Denny contest is scheduled for three frames, and an extra period if necessary.
The GFC’s return will be televised on pay-per-view in the U.S. via iNDEMAND and Dish Network. Canadian viewers will have access through Viewers Choice and Bell ExpressVu. Working the broadcast from cage-side will be UFC and PRIDE veteran Phil Baroni (Pictures), BJJ black belt Cesar Gracie (Pictures) and Ryan Dunn of Jackass fame.
