Sylvia, Rothwell sign with Adrenaline MMA (M-1 Global)

Former UFC champion Tim Sylvia and former IFL Silverback Ben Rothwell have signed with Adrenaline MMA, formerly M-1 Global.

The two heavyweights train out of Miletich Fighting Systems and are both managed by Adrenaline MMA President Monte Cox.

Sylvia is leaving the UFC after six and a half years with the organization. Even though Fedor Emelianenko -- whom Sylvia has stated numerous times his desire to fight - left Adrenaline MMA, the fight is still a possibility with Adrenaline going non-exclusive.

"Adrenaline is a new promotion, but it allows fighters to fight for other organizations... that's huge," Sylvia said. "I've got 3 to 4 years left and want to fight as much as possible, so this is the perfect choice for me at this time."

Rothwell was the IFL's star heavyweight, going an 9-0 from April 2006 to September 2007. He sat out the IFL Grand Prix after refusing to sign a contract extension.

"Adrenaline will give me the chance to take things to the next level," Rothwell said. "I'm ready to see how I fare against the best heavyweights in the world."

The first Adrenaline MMA event will take place June 14 in Chicago, Illinois.

This is a big blow to the UFC as far as the heavyweight division goes. While he wasn't a fan favorite by any means, Tim Sylvia was a mainstay in the heavyweight division and was willing to fight anyone they put in front of him. He wasn't the most exciting fighter but was always there to add his name to a fight card. As bad as the division was, it just got even worse but I'm not certain that this is a smart move on Tim Sylvia's part. He wasn't very recognized outside the world of MMA and fighting for an upstart organization won't help the situation. It will put bread in his pocket but won't help grow the sport.

You can definitely see both sides of this story. The UFC has given Sylvia every opportunity to fight for and defend the heavyweight belt, and didn't get a dominant heavyweight champ. Tim Sylvia did everything the UFC asked and isn't getting the dollar amount they're shelling out to unproven fighters.

One thing is for sure, he probably won't be missed.

M-1 GLOBAL AND FEDOR OFFICIALLY PART WAYS

M-1 Global on Friday announced that it has come to an agreement with the manager of Fedor Emelianenko, Vadim Finkelchtein, to release the former Pride champion from his contractual obligations to the fledgling company. The move will once again make Emelianenko one of the most sought after free agents in mixed martial arts.

“There is so much going on in the world of mixed martial arts right now that we have decided it is in our best interest if our company and Fedor go our separate ways,” said M-1 Global President and CEO Monte Cox.

“During the past six months the landscape of MMA, especially in the U.S., has dramatically changed. The sport continues to gain mainstream acceptance and we believe we will be in a better position to capitalize on these new opportunities with this agreement.”

There has been much speculation over recent weeks that there has been a growing amount of discontent between the American contingent of M-1 Global and Emelianenko’s management team. This recent parting of ways only seems to confirm that speculation.

Aside from the separation between the two parties, M-1 Global will also undergo a name change. Emelianenko’s management also owns the MFC M-1 Mix-Fight Championship.

Cox stated that the former M-1 Global wants to avoid any confusion between the two companies. “Because Finkelchtein already uses the ‘M-1’ name in Russia and Europe, we have mutually decided to avoid any confusion between our two organizations. Shortly, M-1 Global will announce a new name for its operations and its first event.”

Cox indicated that the promotion, under its new name, is looking at a possible June 14 date in Chicago for its first event.

This whole excerpt can be summarized by saying basically Fedor will sign with another organization and not fight anyone with any credibility or someone that isn't hand picked.

TIM SYLVIA EXPECTED TO PART WAYS WITH UFC

Five years, eleven fights, and five titles after joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship, it appears that Tim Sylvia is leaving the Octagon.

Sylvia hinted at the departure on his website’s blog this Wednesday, stating, “I’ve got a couple of big announcements to make about my career.”

Sylvia’s manager, Monte Cox, declined to confirm the exit and would not comment on his fighter’s status.

The Bangor, Maine native made his UFC debut on September 27, 2002, defeating Wesley Correira by TKO at UFC 39: “The Warriors Return.” Since defeating Ricco Rodriguez for the heavyweight title at UFC 41, Sylvia was a constant fixture at the top of the division, fighting for the belt on eight separate occasions.

Sylvia’s tenure with the UFC was not always harmonious. After two lackluster title defenses at UFC 61 and 65, Sylvia strained his relationship with fans and the UFC brass. Long outspoken about the UFC’s business decisions, he attacked former WWE wrestler Brock Lesnar’s pay scale and hinted at his willingness to leave following UFC 81.

“I want to stay with the UFC but I am going to go where the money is right now,” Sylvia wrote on his website. “Brock is making more money then me and that has to change. In case you didn't know my manager runs M-1 so I have a pretty good in so we will see what happens in the next few months.”

Since Fedor Emelianenko’s exit from M-1, the organization is without marquee talent. Despite Sylvia’s hot/cold relationship with fans, Cox is likely to be first in line for his services.

Marcus Davis vs. Mike Swick Set For UFC 85

A UFC 85 fight between surging welterweight Marcus Davis (14-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC) and former middleweight contender Mike Swick (11-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) has been signed and now appears official.

UFC 85 takes place June 7 at the O2 Arena in London, England. Chuck Liddell meets Rashad Evans in the night's main event.

Davis, a former professional boxer who's transformed his overall game since appearing on "The Ultimate Fighter 2," will go for his 12th straight victory, including his seventh straight win in the UFC. Although blessed with quick hand speed, Davis has finished six of his past 11 victories via submission. He currently splits training time between his own gym in Maine, Team Irish Mixed Martial Arts, and Jorge Gurgel's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu center near Cincinnati, Ohio.

Swick, who emerged as a middleweight contender after appearing on the first season of "The Ultimate Fighter," recently dropped to 170 pounds and scored a majority-decision win over Josh Burkman in his debut as a welterweight.

Swick said he was unhappy with the lackluster UFC Fight Night 12 performance -- as were the booing fans who watched the fight.

"I didn't do what I should have in my last fight, and even though it was a win, I took it as a (loss)," Swick wrote. "I can't wait till June 7 to bring back my old self, who goes out there and gives the fans a fight to tell their friends about."

If Swick returns to form this fight should be an awesome one.

Josh Koscheck Re-Signs with UFC

Josh Koscheck (10-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC), a stand-out from the first season of "The Ultimate Fighter" who's since emerged as a top welterweight contender, has re-signed with the UFC.

Koscheck's original nine-fight UFC contract, which he signed after appearing on the UFC's reality series in 2005, was recently fulfilled after his UFC 82 victory over Dustin Hazelett earlier this month.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Earlier this month Koscheck defeated Hazelett with a second-round stoppage. The youngster gave Koscheck a tough fight, but the American Kickboxing Academy fighter eventually ended it with a second-round knockout.

The fight was Koscheck's first since an August loss to Georges St. Pierre, which snapped his five-fight win streak and cost him a shot at the title.

Koscheck is now 8-2 in the UFC, with six victories in his past seven fights. Since his transition into MMA, the former collegiate wrestling stand-out and four-time Division I All-American has become one of the welterweight division's most well-rounded fighters.

Koscheck is expected to next fight Chris Lytle at UFC 86, an event that takes place July 5 in Las Vegas.

Ken Shamrock Responds to Roid Allegations: Frank's Allegations Are Absolutely False

Last week Strikeforce world middleweight champion Frank Shamrock accused his adoptive brother, Ken Shamrock, of being a longtime user of steroids. Today, Ken issued a statement to MMAjunkie.com

Ken also countered Frank's claims that the MMA industry has largely turned a blind eye to the issue of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs, specifically pointing to new year-round testing procedures put in place by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

The following statement was issued by Ken, a UFC hall-of-famer and 15-year veteran of MMA:

During a recent interview with MMA Madness, Frank Shamrock stated that I have used steroids "my whole life." In making such a reckless and irresponsible statement, Frank has attacked my character. As such, I unfortunately find it necessary to respond to his allegations. I'm not sure what his motives were, but Frank's allegations are absolutely false.

During the interview, Frank also comments on the percentage of fighters that are allegedly using steroids, promoters that supposedly don't care about their fighters unless they win, and the industry's drug testing policies, or lack thereof. I would like to set the record straight.

Our sport has policies in place to deter steroid use and to weed out the guys that, as my brother says, "...are taking shortcuts to gain fame." I have been subjected to mandatory steroid testing countless times, and I have never tested positive for steroids, nor have I ever refused a test. Furthermore, my experience has always been that the promoters and fighters willingly comply with the drug testing mandated by the various athletic commissions.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) has always administered steroid and drug testing for licensed fighters. Recently, in an effort to further strengthen steroid testing policies, the NSAC implemented short-notice drug testing for MMA fighters. Fighters are now required to test at fixed times during the year, and are also randomly tested. Commissions in other states have similar policies in place. These policies clearly work as fighters occasionally do test positive and the penalties are significant.

For Frank to state that a majority of fighters use steroids and that the promoters do not care, or that they somehow condone the use of steroids, is unbelievably irresponsible. It tarnishes the image of every fighter and promoter in this industry. The comments Frank made about me and about the industry itself are based purely on his personal opinion, not on facts.

Frank should acknowledge that his comments were without merit and irresponsible, and apologize for the disparaging remarks he has made towards the fighters, promoters, and to the various athletic commissions who regulate MMA.


Sounds to me like Ken Shamrock wasn't as offended to the allegations made about himself than to the sport of MMA. It's no secret that Shamrock was juicing during his days with the WWE, which were well publicized. I'm also certain that the often volatile Shamrock had some help in the writing of that response because givin his quick temper he's not that cool headed.

Anderson Silva and Roy Jones Jr. Negotiating a Boxing Match

Representatives of UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. have confirmed that they are actively engaging in talks for a future boxing match.

Although the potential fight has been rumored since UFC 82 earlier this month, the report says that negotiations are now in the preliminary stage and that both Silva and Jones are pushing for it.

NBCSports.com, which first reported the possible boxing match during an interview with Silva prior to UFC 82, has also learned that the fight will be an official boxing match -- not an exhibition -- and that it would likely take place at a catchweight between 170 and 185 lbs.

There would be a few hurdles, of course. The UFC would have to sign off on the fight, and Silva would have to get a license from the hosting state's athletic commission. Silva and Jones would also have to agree on a split of the revenue.

However, NBCSports.com quoted Alan Hopper, director of public relations for Don King Productions, as saying the talks are ongoing and that Jones is interested in the fight.

No date or possible venue for the event has been decided. However, it would almost assuredly air on pay-per-view.

Silva, a 32-year-old who joined the UFC in late 2006, is a career 21-4 (including 6-0 in the UFC). After defeating Rich Franklin for the title at UFC 64, he's made three successful title defenses (and also has a win over Travis Lutter in a non-title fight). Silva, widely regarded as one of the sport's top strikers, has a seven-fight win streak with all seven victories coming via stoppage. He's 1-1 as a professional boxer, according to BoxRec.com.

Jones, 39, owns a career boxing mark of 52-4 with 38 knockouts, though his past five wins have come via decision. He won titles in the middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight classes before defeating John Ruiz for the WBA heavyweight championship in 2003. He was named the Boxing Writers Association of America's "Fighter of the Decade" for the 1990s, and he held the WBC, WBA, IBF, IBO, NBA, WBF, and IBA light heavyweight championships at the same time.

UFC president Dana White, who would need to approve the fight, has yet to comment on the matter.

This is a really foolish move on the UFC's part if they approve this fight. This is a no win situation especially given the declining skills of Roy Jones Jr. The UFC has been promoting the athleticism of the fighters and how many more skills they have than boxers. If Silva gets pummeled by Jones then you basically proved that an old boxer can beat the best pound for pound fighter in the world.

I seriously doubt that Dana White would let this fight take place. There's too much to risk and nothing to gain. Then again, some of the decisions the UFC has been making lately has a lot of us scratching our heads. As stupid as this fight would be, we can't put anything past Dana White anymore.

Patrick Smith Arrested After High-speed Motorcycle Chase

Patrick Smith, who is scheduled to face Oleg Taktarov on April 11, was arrested and jailed Thursday night at the Bryan County Jail in Oklahoma.

Smith, who was riding a motorcycle upwards of 130 miles per hour, was chased for approximately seven minutes before he was apprehended by police.

Smith was charged with fleeing or attempting to elude police, possession of a prescription drug without a valid prescription, and reckless driving.

Smith was called as a replacement for Don Frye (shoulder injury) to take part in a "Masters Superfight" at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The bout is being promoted by former UFC owner Bob Meyrowitz's upstart promotion, YAMMA Pit Fighting. The organization has not commented on Smith's arrest.

Smith competed for the UFC from 1993-1995 at UFC 1, 2, and 6. He won three fights at UFC 2 before losing to Royce Gracie in the finals.

ULTIMATE FIGHTER 8 FEATURES 155- & 205-POUNDERS

Spike TV and the Ultimate Fighting Championship on Monday announced a casting call for season eight of “The Ultimate Fighter.” The tryouts are scheduled to take place on April 10 in Boston at the Sheraton Boston Hotel.

Unlike season seven, which is comprised entirely of middleweight fighters, the casting call for season eight calls for fighters from both the lightweight (155-pound) and light heavyweight (205-pound) weight classes.

No indication was given as to how many fighters would be chosen for the season eight. Nor was it stated whether or not the fighters would have to take part in the new “fight-off” format that will kick-off season seven.

UFC president Dana White, The Ultimate Fighter executive producer Craig Piligian, and Spike TV senior vice president Brian Diamond will oversee the tryouts.