DC Promotion Puts Itself on the Map with Top Level Match-Up

Washington, DC-based promotion Ultimate Warrior Challenge announced yesterday that its next show will feature a bantamweight match-up between former WEC champ Chase Beebe and local superstar Mike Easton - a bout that suddenly puts the UWC on the map in terms of its status as a high-level organization, as Beebe vs. Easton could easily headline a WEC or Shooto event. Dubbed "Man 'O' War", the February 21st UWC installment will take place at the Patriot Center at George Mason University in Northern Virginia, and will be streamed live on http://Sherdog.com . Expect MMA Journalist to liveblog this one - it would be a crime to not see this fight in person.

Archaic New Jersey Regulation Allowing for Instant Shakespearian Replays in MMA Bouts Utilized at New Breed Fighters

The super-welterweight title bout between Joel Roberts and Ryan Vaccaro ended in controversy at last week's New Breed Fighters November 26th amateur event at the House of Blues in Atlantic City, and for the first time ever an archaic New Jersey State regulation allowing for instant replays in an MMA bout was utilized. The rule, invoked by New Jersey Chief of Dramatics Nick Lembo, requires a re-enactment of the bout with the competitors assuming roles from the works of William Shakespeare - in this instance, with Roberts and Vaccaro playing Tybalt and Mercutio from "Romeo and Juliet", respectively. As Roberts screamed "Have at thee, coward!" and Vaccaro decried "A plague o' both your houses!" it was determined that Roberts' rendition was truer to what "The Bard" had intended. Roberts was subsequently awarded the win. Said Lembo of this groundbreaking occurrence, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women are merely players."

WEC 37 Title Bout to be Broadcast in Microvision (tm)

The WEC 37 title bout between incumbent champ Miguel Torres and challenger Manny Tapia, a contest in the ultra-small "molecule weight class", will be broadcast on the "Versus" channel in Microvision (tm) according to a WEC press release. Microvision (tm) utilizes a microscope lens affixed to a television camera, which will enable fans to see the flea-sized Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Torres hunt for submissions and the undefeated Tapia do... whatever it is he does in a fight. "We're really fortunate to have secured a Microvision (tm) lens," says producer Derek Mason-Gimble. "I mean, otherwise, how else would fans know what's going on when these really, really tiny mixed martial artists fight?" WEC 37 will air live on December 3th, and it will also feature the organizational debut of IFL champ Wagnney Fabiano.

Fedor Realizes He Can't Speak English, Cancels US Press Tour

Fedor Emelianenko, widely hailed as the best heavyweight fighter in the world, has cancelled his US press tour according to a written statement from his management team. The cancellation comes after the Russian sambo specialist's sudden realization that he cannot speak English, a realization that struck when Fedor was presented with his itinerary (which was to include interviews on "The Today Show" and "Nightline" as well as guest lectures at Columbia University, Yale and Harvard). "This man who follows me around and repeats what I say, but in other languages, I think he's a translator," said Fedor through a translator. "Really, I just thought people couldn't understand me because I mumble. But no, it's because I don't speak anything but Russian." Fedor is set to face former UFC champ Andrei Arlovski at Affliction's sophomore outing on January 24th.

Jorge Gurgel Jumps From UFC to Strikeforce, Vows to Never Go to the Ground Again

TUF 2 veteran Jorge Gurgel, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and grappling instructor for former champ Rich Franklin, was cut from the UFC's roster this week but immediately signed with Strikeforce. Gurgel lost four of his seven bouts in the Octagon, with his last outing - a three-round "Fight of the Night" war against Aaron Riley - garnering the lightweight submission master both praise and criticism for his dogged desire to engage in a pure stand-up battle. "I may be a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, but I swear you will never see an ounce of grappling from me ever again," said Gurgel, who wields at best only mediocre kickboxing skills. "Fans don't want to see me win with fancy armlocks and chokes. They want to see me get my head pounded in - and that's what I'll give them." Gurgel joins a talent-rich Strikeforce roster that includes Josh Thomson and Gilbert Melendez, both of whom will be more than happy to punch him in the face.

Major Staff Changes at WEC

According to inside sources, the WEC has undergone some major staffing changes in the past few days. The long-running promotion, which went from a regional, California-based affair to an international Zuffa-owned organization showcasing the best of the lighter weight classes, suffered dismal ratings on its last "Versus" channel event. Included on the list of those who got the axe are janitor John "Broomy" Legumet, who purportedly left a dirty mop head too close to Urijah Faber's hamster cage (Faber subsequently ate it), street team member Spence Feinstein, who failed to put flyers under the windshield wipers of every car in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino parking lot, and Geraldine "Easy" Ryder, an intern who is allegedly "getting back together with her ex-boyfriend". No word yet if these key employees will be replaced.

Faber and Pulver to Rematch... Because I Guess Their First Bout was Inconclusive or Something

According to an http://www.MMAWeekly.com report, former WEC champ Urijah Faber will rematch with former UFC champ Jens Pulver at WEC 38 on January 25th. The two had met in June at WEC 34, with Faber earning a unanimous decision after winning each round of the five-round championship contest. But despite the decisive victory, questions remained - questions such as, "Is Pulver capable of taking more punishment like that?" and "Can we milk this bout again for more ratings?" On January 25th those questions will be answered.

Update on Shane Ott

Courtesy of Anthony "The Duke": "Shane is awake and talking now, though he is heavily sedated and still in the ICU. His condition is still critical but stable. Doctors are worrying about infection, that is why Shane is still in the ICU. Shane's speech is improving, probably slurred by the drugs they have him on. Shane lifted his arms, despite his injuries. He talked with his family and even watched a little TV. Shane is making excellent progress in his recovery and he has a very positive attitude towards his situation right now.

There is a benefit concert for him in Reading, PA. Link to my site for flyer and information (http://anthill1.blogspot.com)"

A Piece of MMA History: Laura D'Auguste

If the sport was in its infancy in 2002, then the concept of women competing in MMA was barely clearing the birth canal. But Laura D'Auguste was ahead of her time, and in events like New Jersey's Ring of Combat and Reality Fighting and Japan's Smackgirl, she was racking up wins against top lady warriors such as Amanda Buckner, Roxanne Modefferi and Megumi Yabushita, putting the world on notice that a bout featuring two females waging war was every bit as exciting as seeing a clash between two men. What made D'Auguste special? The truth is, D'Auguste could really grapple - so much so that she'd compete in men's divisions at NAGA tournaments. Her skills on the mat (honed to a razor's edge at Tiger Schulmann fight team sessions) translated into an undefeated MMA record and a berth at the prestigious 2007 Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships, and by July of that year she was widely seen as the best 135-pound female fighter on the planet. Sadly, it's been a two years since D'Auguste last saw action. A split from Team Tiger Schulmann prompted her to join Romulo Bittencourt's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy in Newark, while an injury had her bow out of a potential BodogFIGHT match-up against Tara LaRosa. Add to that a new marriage, and the full-time cardiovascular nurse no longer seemed to hold MMA competition as a priority. Which is a shame, because thanks to her, the East Coast was at one time the center of the female mixed martial arts universe.

Help Wanted: Reporter Near Buffalo

Will you be near Buffalo, New York on December 13th? Do you have a digital camera capable of taking about three pics? Can you tell the difference between an armbar and a leglock? If so, then MMA Journalist wants you to cover a pro/am show by Knockout Productions called "There Will Be Blood". New Jersey superstars Kevin Roddy and Steve DeAngelis are fighting, as is Lance Evans (TUF star Rashad Evans' brother). How much does the job pay? Zero! But you do get the writing and photography credit, plus, thanks to your all-access press pass, you get to keep whatever you can steal from the fighters' locker rooms (note: they will kill you if you get caught). If interested, send an email to mma_journalist@yahoo.com.