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Bellator CEO says Roger Huerta at top of 155-pound tourney, not opposed to UFC signings

Acquiring the services of an athlete who's graced the cover of Sports Illustrated is a big deal by any standard.

After an extended negotiation period, Bellator Fighting Championships scored Roger Huerta for its second season of tournament action - which begins April 8 in Hollywood, Fla. - in one of its highest-profile signings to date.

Huerta was a breakout star of 2007 for his gutsy performances inside the UFC's octagon. The Las Vegas-based promotion was quick to recognize his marketability and gave him a major push, which led to his appearance on the cover of the renowned magazine.

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Enson Inoue makes return at ASTRA, Makoto Takimoto announces retirement

Next month's ASTRA event, which is expected to feature the retirement fight of Japanese star Hidehiko Yoshida, today had a couple significant changes.

For the first time since April 2004, Enson Inoue, an early Shooto champion who owns a 1998 victory over Randy Couture, enters professional mixed-martial-arts competition and meets New Zealand kickboxer Antz Nansen.

Additionally, Japanese Olympic Judo gold medalist Makoto Takimoto, a PRIDE and World Victory Road veteran expected to compete on the ASTRA card, instead announced his retirement from the sport.

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Lyle Beerbohm vs. Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro targeted for May 15 Strikeforce event

A lightweight bout between fast-rising prospect Lyle "Fancy Pants" Beerbohm (13-0 MMA, 2-0 SF) and established veteran Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro (20-3 MMA, 0-0 SF) is likely to take place at a May 15 Strikeforce event.

A source close to one of the competitors told MMAjunkie.com verbal agreements are in place for the matchup and that bout agreements should soon be distributed.

The event takes place at the Scottrade Center and airs on Showtime.

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Roger Huerta explains why he chose Bellator, guarantees tournament championship

Roger Huerta says he still has a lot of fight left in him.

The former UFC lightweight is officially bound for Bellator Fighting Championships and joins its season-two lightweight tournament with a chip on his shoulder.

"I've fought my whole life to get to where I am today, and this is a point where I honestly believe this is like a second chance for me," said Huerta, who guaranteed a tournament championship and an eventual fight with Bellator champ Eddie Alvarez.

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WEC executive: DirecTV-Versus deal is a victory for fans, fighters

World Extreme Cagefighting officials obviously were relieved when DirecTV today announced their longtime cable home, Versus, has returned to the satellite cable provider's channel lineup.

More than six months has passed since the all-sports channel was pulled from the lineup after a dispute between DirecTV and Versus parent company Comcast.

WEC Vice President Peter Dropick today told MMAjunkie.com the deal will benefit the fight promotion and its fighters. But he said the real winners are the fans, who will get the usual event broadcasts and even a special countdown show for next month's WEC 48 event.

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Wanting "name" opponents, UFC's Maynard didn't hesitate to call out Florian-Gomi winner

Gray Maynard is tired of fighting tough guys who do little for his career. He's looking for a name that pushes him toward a title shot with UFC lightweight champ B.J. Penn.

"That's just where I'm at," Maynard today told MMAjunkie.com. "The last three or four (fights) I've had tough ones, but they're just not that name. It's like, 'Ah well, he beat Nate (Diaz), but he was supposed to. He beat (Rich) Clementi, but he was supposed to.'"

That's why today on Twitter he called out the winner of a UFC Fight Night 21 headliner between two-time title challenger Kenny Florian and Japanese import Takanori Gomi.

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DirecTV and Versus strike deal, WEC/UFC events returning to satellite provider's lineup

After more than a half-year blackout, the Versus channel is returning to DirecTV.

DirecTV and Comcast, owner of the all-sports Versus channel, today made the announcement stating, "Versus will return to the same DirecTV programming packages it was in at the end of August 2009."

Versus, home to World Extreme Cagefighting and now the Ultimate Fighting Championship, was dropped from the satellite-cable company's lineup on Sept. 1, 2009, after a dispute over carrier fees. The new deal means DirecTV customers will have access to Sunday's UFC on Versus 1 broadcast.

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UFC champ B.J. Penn featured in latest "UFC 2010 Undisputed" videogame trailer

Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion B.J. Penn is featured in a new "UFC 2010 Undisputed" videogame trailer released by gamemaker THQ.

The 80-second spot explores Penn's background while near-seamlessly alternating between real footage of the fighter and game play.

"UFC 2010 Undisputed," a follow-up to the hit debut version that hit stores in 2009, is set for a May 25 release on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable platforms.

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Bellator confirms signing of Roger Huerta for season-two lightweight tourney

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight Roger Huerta officially has joined Bellator Fighting Championships.

MMAjunkie.com first reported the expected signing over the weekend, and during a press conference that today streamed live on bellator.com, Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney made the official announcement.

Huerta (21-3-1), one of Bellator's highest-profile signings to date, joins the season-two eight-man lightweight tournament field. His first fight takes place at Bellator 13 on April 8 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.

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Scott Smith or Frank Shamrock could be next for ex-Strikeforce champ Cung Le

Former Strikeforce middleweight champion Cung Le suffered the first loss of his MMA career this past December but could be back in the cage at a Strikeforce event planned for June.

Le has already begun a campaign to rematch the man who handed him his first loss, Scott Smith, who scored a come-from-behind TKO victory when they met at "Strikeforce: Evolution."

But Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker recently told MMAjunkie.com that Le, who vacated the middleweight prior to the December fight due to a blossoming film career, could face former champion Frank Shamrock instead.

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Bellator CEO says Eddie Alvarez vs. Josh Neer "super fight" set for Bellator 17

The long-expected non-title fight between Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez and UFC veteran/recent signee Josh Neer now has a date.

While a guest on today's edition of MMAjunkie.com Radio, Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney said the fight takes place May 6 at Bellator 17.

Bellator announced last month that the fight was being targeted for a May card, though an exact date wasn't mentioned. It's now set for the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre in Boston, which is a half day's drive from Alvarez's Philadelphia home.

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Anthony Morrison vs. Mackens Semerzier targeted for WEC 48 preliminary card

Verbal agreements are in place and bout agreements should be signed shortly for a WEC 48 featherweight matchup between Anthony Morrison (15-8 MMA, 0-1 WEC) and Mackens Semerzier (5-1 MMA, 1-1 WEC).

Sources close to the event alerted MMAjunkie.com of the matchup and said it'll be part of the night's un-aired preliminary card.

WEC 48 marks the organization's pay-per-view debut and takes place April 24 at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif.

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Former WWE "Diva" Maria Kanellis joins HDNet Fights broadcast team

Former World Wrestling Entertainment "Diva" Maria Kanellis has joined the HDNet Fights broadcast team and will make her broadcast debut with this month's "King of the Cage: Legacy" event, HDNet officials today announced.

Kanellis, who also appears on this season's edition of "Celebrity Apprentice" on NBC, will serve as a backstage correspondent.

Kanellis, 28, served as a broadcaster and performer for the WWE from 2004 until this past month, when she was released from her contract.

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MMAjunkie.com Radio: Bellator's Bjorn Rebney, Eddie Alvarez, Dan Hornbuckle (700th show!)

With Bellator Fighting Championships today hosting a major press conference, MMAjunkie.com Radio celebrates its 700th show with some of the promotion's biggest names.

Joining us are Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney, lightweight champion and season-one tournament winner Eddie Alvarez, and season-two welterweight tournament participant Dan Hornbuckle, who meets Sean Pierson on April 22 at Bellator 15.

MMAjunkie.com Radio begins at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino's Race & Sports Book. Listen to and watch a video stream of the two-hour show at www.mmajunkie.com/radio.

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Ask the Fight Doc: Is the Massachusetts commission's double-weigh-in rule enough?

With the adoption of MMA legislation, the Massachusetts Boxing Commission recently became the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission.

But one remnant of the boxing-only days has stuck: a double weigh-in procedure that limits the amount of weight MMA fighters can cut for fight night.

In our latest "Ask the Fight Doc" installment, MMAjunkie.com medical columnist and combat-sports specialist Dr. Johnny Benjamin explains why the rule - which has been adopted for a 90-day trial run - should become permanent and what other details will assure the safest weight cuts possible.

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Spike TV replays UFC 108 PPV event tonight

A replay of the Ultimate Fighting Championship's first event of 2010, "UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva," re-airs tonight on Spike TV at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT.

The event initially aired on pay-per-view and took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Featured bouts from the event, which had been decimated by injuries in the months leading up to fight night, included Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva, Paul Daley vs. Dustin Hazelett, and Joe Lauzon vs. Sam Stout.

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Despite altitude, UFC on Versus 1's Shannon Gugerty never balked at Clay Guida fight

It's a daunting proposition to fight UFC lightweight Clay Guida at sea level, but to fight him at a mile high? You've got to have guts.

Shannon Gugerty was depressed after a second-round submission loss to Terry Etim this past November at UFC 105 and needed a new challenge, quickly.

"I just wanted to get back into the gym as soon as possible and get another fight," said Gugerty, who now meets the high-energy lightweight this weekend at UFC on Versus 1.

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Reminder: Bellator announces major news at 3 p.m. ET, Roger Huerta signing expected

As a reminder, Bellator Fighting Championships today hosts an online press conference at 3 p.m. ET (noon PT) at www.bellator.com.

As MMAjunkie.com first reported over the weekend, officials are expected to announce the acquisition of former UFC fighter Roger Huerta for Bellator's season-two lightweight tourney.

Huerta instantly would become a tournament favorite in the eight-man field, which kicks off the opening round of the tourney next month.

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The Sunday Junkie: March 14 edition

Next week kicks off one of the busiest periods of mixed martial arts events in recent memory, but this week went without a major card.

As such, this week's edition of The Sunday Junkie, MMAjunkie.com's weekly reader-feedback feature, touched on a variety of subjects.

While the success of the UFC, WEC and Strikeforce were all topics for debate, this week's winner, Mike Rice, took what may prove an unpopular stance on counter-programming tactics.

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UFC 111's Mir says Carwin more dangerous than Lesnar, OK if Velasquez gets first crack

After splitting a pair of bouts with UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar, former title holder Frank Mir has made little effort to hide his current motivation.

As such, some have labeled Mir a "stalker" because of his singular focus on a rubber match with the champ.

Nevertheless, Mir carries on in search of facing Lesnar once again. But standing in his way at UFC 111 is undefeated challenger Shane Carwin, who Mir says may actually be a tougher opponent.

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Hardy predicts UFC 111 finish, but he'll let St-Pierre decide which round

UFC welterweight title challenger Dan Hardy won't bring too many surprises to the cage when he faces champion Georges St-Pierre at UFC 111 on March 27.

The British slugger's striking attack has earned him a perfect mark in the UFC, so why change things now?

In fact, Hardy said the only surprise will be finding out what round he knocks out his Canadian foe, and "The Outlaw" is just fine with letting St-Pierre choose his own fate.

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Ray Mercer vs. Ron Sparks set for April 16 King of the Cage event in Michigan

Olympic gold medalist and former world champion boxer Ray Mercer will put on the four-ounce gloves once again on April 16 and face undefeated super heavyweight Ron Sparks at a recently announced King of the Cage event at Cobo Arena in Detroit.

The matchup was announced on the most recent edition of HDNet's "Inside MMA," and the same network will air the event's main card.

Mercer is best known to MMA fans as the man who knocked out former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia at a June 2009 Adrenaline MMA event, while Sparks has fought exclusively on the local circuits since his 2006 debut.

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UFC on Versus 1's Paul Buentello talks "huge move" to Grudge Training Center

Heading into his UFC 107 contest with Stefan Struve, much of the talk surrounding Paul Buentello's training camp - or rather, his lack of one.

Forced out of his normal routine at California's American Kickboxing Academy, Buentello scrambled to find a suitable training home.

But as his UFC on Versus 1 bout with Cheick Kongo approaches, little word has escaped about where "The Headhunter" was getting ready. Buentello recently said there's a reason for that.

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Bellator calls Monday press conference, expected to announce signing of Roger Huerta

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight Roger Huerta (20-3-1 MMA, 0-0 Bellator) is set to test his mettle in Bellator Fighting Championships' season two eight-man lightweight tournament.

Sources close to the situation confirmed to MMAjunkie.com that the popular lightweight received his formal release from the UFC this week, which opened the door to finalize a deal with the upstart promotion.

Bellator has called a video press conference for Monday at 3 p.m. ET that will stream live at Bellator.com.

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Strikeforce boss sees DREAM co-promotion as key component of future operations

In the early years of the new millennium, with the UFC struggling for U.S. acceptance and PRIDE in its Japanese heyday, the companies toyed around with the idea of co-promotion through fighter sharing.

The UFC has since changed courses on that thought, and you're unlikely to see a fighter under Zuffa contract ever appearing in another promotion.

But Strikeforce has recently partnered up with DREAM to exchange fighters across the Pacific Ocean, and Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker recently told MMAjunkie.com that he envisions a flourishing relationship moving forward.

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Daniel Cormier vs. John Devine planned for Strikeforce Challengers VII

Strikeforce is targeting a heavyweight matchup between Daniel Cormier (1-0 MMA, 1-0 SF) and newcomer John Devine (5-1 MMA, 0-0 SF) at Strikeforce Challengers VII.

The potential preliminary card matchup was first reported by Sherdog.com, and MMAjunkie.com has since learned that the promotion is simply waiting on approval from the California State Athletic Commission before announcing the matchup.

Featuring a heavyweight contest between Lavar Johnson and Lolohea Mahe, Strikeforce Challengers VII takes place March 26 in Fresno, Calif.

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Nate Quarry promises barnburner at UFC Fight Night 21, eyes contender status

The month of March is loaded with high-quality MMA fight cards, and with a number of exciting matchups planned, it's difficult to look forward to just one.

UFC middleweight contender Nate Quarry (12-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) thinks you'd best not sleep on his bout with Jorge Rivera (17-7 MMA, 7-5 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 21 on March 31.

"I think this is really just a fan-favorite kind of fight," Quarry recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio. "Both of us just go in there and throw."

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Josh Barnett vs. Siala "Mighty Mo" Siligia signed for DREAM.13 in Japan

A rumored heavyweight matchup between Josh Barnett (24-5 MMA, 0-0 DREAM) and Siala "Mighty Mo" Siliga (3-1 MMA, 0-0 DREAM) is signed for DREAM.13.

Siligia's manager, Steve Rusich of Triple Crown Fighter, on Saturday confirmed the bout's status to MMAjunkie.com.

DREAM.13 takes place March 22 at Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan and features a featherweight championship bout between titleholder Bibiano Fernandes and top-ranked veteran Joachim Hansen.

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Brazilian lightweight Charles Oliveira offered multi-fight deal with UFC

Undefeated Brazilian lightweight Charles Oliveira (12-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will soon be the UFC's newest commodity.

MMAjunkie.com today learned from sources close to the promotion that Oliveira has been offered an exclusive agreement and is expected to debut in the near future.

Though the contract has yet to be finalized, the process appears to be a mere formality at this point.

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Rich Franklin vs. Chuck Liddell in the works for UFC 115, not rumored April show (Updated)

Light heavyweights Rich Franklin and Chuck Liddell are penciled in for a June showdown.

MMAjunkie.com has learned from sources close to the promotion that the two have verbally agreed to face each other in June at UFC 115, though contracts have yet to be finalized.

The new matchup replaces a planned third meeting between Liddell and Tito Ortiz that had been expected for the promotion's first trip to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and may have been arranged as a result of Franklin's unexpected involvement in "TUF 11."

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"Inside MMA" poll results: Which boxer is most likely to have a notable MMA career?

Smile, Art Jimmerson. You've now got company.

While professional boxer Jimmerson and his one-gloved attack will forever be a part of mixed martial arts and UFC history, not many of his fellow pugilists have followed in his tracks and tried their hand (so to speak) at the booming sport - until now.

With the recent MMAjunkie.com/"Inside MMA" poll, we asked our readers to determine, "Which of the following notable boxers is most likely to have a successful MMA career?"

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The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale targeted for June 19 at the Palms Casino Resort

The UFC has officially requested approval for a June 19 event at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

As MMAjunkie.com first reported in January, the card is expected to serve as the live finale of "The Ultimate Fighter 11," and a formal request for the date will now be considered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission on March 17.

The process is generally a mere formality for the UFC, who have successfully promoted several events under the NSAC's supervision.

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No longer a prospect, UFC on Versus 1's Vera predicts epic fight with Jones

Four years ago, Brandon Vera (11-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) was the new kid on the block that everyone talked about.

But as his March 21 fight with Jon Jones (9-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) at UFC on Versus 1 nears, Vera is now the veteran, and "Bones" is the new fast-rising hotshot.

At 32, Vera remembers being in that position and liked the pressure it brought. And while he knows can't get that time back, he's trying to go back to that mindset - in spirit if not in reality.

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NSAC confirms May 29 event at MGM Grand, expected to serve as UFC 114

It's official: The Ultimate Fighting Championship will own the South end of the Las Vegas Strip on Memorial Day weekend.

With the second-annual UFC Fan Expo already announced for the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, the coinciding UFC 114 event is now set for the nearby MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The location was first reported by MMAjunkie.com, and though not yet officially announced by the promotion, the Nevada State Athletic Commission recently approved the UFC's application to host an event for the date and venue.

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Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker: April 17 date stands for "Strikeforce: Nashville"

The date for Strikeforce's second network-televised fight card stands.

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker on Friday told MMAjunkie.com that "Strikeforce: Nashville" will not be moved from its April 17 date to sidestep a potential head-to-head clash with a rumored UFC event on the same night.

"It's the 17th and it's full steam ahead," Coker said. "The 17th was always a good day when we chose it. We still feel the same way, and so does CBS."

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Frank Mir's WEC status uncertain, hopes to take part in future broadcasts

Frank Mir's future as a broadcaster for the promotion's sister company, World Extreme Cagefighting, remains up in the air, but today the former UFC heavyweight champion said he hopes to return to the commentary role he's held since the company first hit the Versus airwaves in June 2007.

"It's something that hopefully I'll be able to do in the future," Mir told MMAjunkie.com. "Right now, I'm concentrating more on my fighting career."

Mir is currently preparing for a UFC 111 interim title fight with Shane Carwin on March 27.

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MMAjunkie.com on ESPN 1230-AM's "Home Turf" with Corey Costelloe today

MMAjunkie.com lead staff reporter John Morgan will be a guest on today's edition of "Home Turf" with Corey Costelloe on ESPN 1230-AM Bakersfield, Calif.

Morgan and host Costelloe will discuss the amazing return of Lavar "Big" Johnson to the Strikeforce cage after battling life-threatening injuries from a gunshot wound, and the pair will also look at the growth of mixed martial arts around the globe.

Catch the segment at 8:35 p.m. ET (5:35 p.m. PT) on ESPN 1230-AM in Bakersfield, Calif., or listen online at ESPNBakersfield.com.

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UFC 110 drug tests come back clean

lAll eight fighters who underwent drug testing at February's UFC 110 event tested clean for performance-enhancing drugs and recreational/drugs of abuse.

UFC 110 took place Feb. 21 at Acer Arena in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

The NSW Combat Sports Authority, the local regulator, oversaw the drug testing, and a UFC official today confirmed with MMAjunkie.com that all the tests came back clean.

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Brandon Visher vs. Tyler Toner, Chan Sung Jung vs. Cub Swanson set for WEC 48 prelims

The lineup for next month's World Extreme Cagefighting pay-per-view debut is just about complete.

While the main card for the April 24 event was previously announced, WEC officials today unveiled a smattering of preliminary-card matchups, two of which we reported earlier today.

The others include featherweights Brandon Visher (13-0 MMA, 1-0 WEC) vs. Tyler Toner (9-1 MMA, 0-0 WEC) and Cub Swanson (14-3 MMA, 4-2 WEC) vs. Chan Sung Jung (7-1 MMA, 0-0 WEC).

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Anthony Pettis vs. Alex Karalexis in the works for star-studded WEC 48 event

World Extreme Cagefighting today announced a few bouts for next month's WEC 48 event, but MMAjunkie.com has learned of one that hasn't yet been released: Anthony Pettis (8-1 MMA, 2-1 WEC) vs. Alex Karalexis (10-4 MMA, 4-2 WEC).

Sources close to the lightweight fighters tell MMAjunkie.com that verbal agreements are in place and that bout agreements for the preliminary-card matchup should be signed shortly.

WEC 48 marks the WEC's pay-per-view debut and takes place April 24 at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif.

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