B.C. Bio: Upneet Rai -- "Fighting On Instinct"

Nanaimo's Upneet Rai (1-2), who will compete in the opening fight at this Friday's King Of The Cage: Uprising II card in Nanaimo, took time today to speak with this site's Josh Oliveira. Topics discussed include: his globe-trotting childhood, the benefits of fighting at home, and the importance of strengthening both the mind and the body.


King of the Cage Uprising II

Friday March 12th, 2010

Frank Crane Arena; Nanaimo, B.C.

Tickets on sale online @ http://vimma.ca and at the door!

J.O.: I understand you had a pretty interesting and worldly upbringing, do you care to tell our readers a bit about that?

Upneet Rai: Well, my dad is a doctor who practiced and worked with Doctors Without Borders. They're a non-profit, non-governmental organization. Just like the Red Cross, they go to emergency areas whenever there's a problem. So anyway, I was born in France. Then we went to Yemen, but when the Gulf War broke out we had to go to Holland. After that we went to Ethiopia and after that we came to Canada.

J.O.: And how old were you when you finally settled in Canada?

Upneet Rai: Seventeen.

J.O.: Oh, wow. So you spent a good amount of your life all over the world like that. So what does your father the doctor think about your fighting career?

Upneet Rai: He thinks it's okay. He's feels like, as long as I'm going to college and developing my mental strengths along with my physical strengths, it's okay.

J.O.: Right, and I hear you're graduating from college pretty soon here. Do you care to say what you're studying?

Upneet Rai: Yeah, in a couple weeks I'll be done my bachelor's in Global Studies and Political Science.

J.O.: Oh yeah? And what sort of aspirations do you have? Just out of curiosity.

Upneet Rai: Well, I'm interested in diplomatic work. Just basically following in the footsteps of my father. I'm not going into the medical field, but I'm interested in developmental aid and gender empowerment and what-have-you. You know, just whatever is needed. There are lots of NGO's around the world that need interns and staff.

J.O.: So you could potentially become the world's first-ever fighting diplomat? Those two things don't generally go together.

Upneet Rai: (Laughs) That pretty much sums it up, yeah.

J.O.: (Laughs) Okay, so when did you first get interested in learning MMA and get serious about training at Impact there in Nanaimo?

Upneet Rai: Well, the way it started out was that my roommate in dorms was into MMA, so I just went out there casually to check it out. Also, I used to be part of the rowing team and that fell apart, so I put on weight very quickly. I was just eating lots of food and not watching how much I was working out.

J.O.: Yeah, that happens sometimes in college, doesn't it?

Upneet Rai: Yeah, so I packed on weight and I was up to about 200lbs. I started thinking maybe I should try to do something to get myself back into shape. So I went to Impact and got back into shape. I also met lots of cool people there and made lots of new friends. Soon after, I made the commitment to be a bit more serious and that's been going for about three or four years now.

J.O.: Okay, so you're currently 1-2 as a professional, if I've got that right, and, actually, I watched your last fight live at KOTC:Catalyst in Vernon.

Upneet Rai: Oh yeah? That was fun, I guess.

J.O.: Yeah, I thought you won the first and second round against Brendan Frost, there. Well, at least the first round very convincingly and arguably the second as well. What did you learn or take away from this fight that probably didn't end the way you'd hoped?

Upneet Rai: Basically, I was just too chill. I didn't push the pace and I was having too much fun. I was smiling at the guy and I was having a blast, but then... Anyway, there were instances where I could have kept him against the cage, where he was back-peddling and moving away constantly. I kept throwing jabs, but I should have followed it with a 2 or something. I guess I learned to mix staying calm with turning it up. I'm pretty laid back, so I need to learn to be a bit more aggressive, which I did in the fight before that in Nanaimo. I guess, also, I almost got too technical and I forgot that it was actually just a fight.

J.O.: At a certain point you just have to wade in there and finish, right?

Upneet Rai: Yeah.

J.O.: So have you had a chance to watch any video on your upcoming opponent Cam Deleurme (1-1) or have you seen him fight live?

Upneet Rai: Yeah, I did. Actually, there's a funny thing about that-- he fought on the same card in Vernon.

J.O.: Yeah, but I assume you didn't get a chance to see that fight live.

Upneet Rai: No, I didn't see it live, but he added me to Facebook that day. So, when I heard I was fighting Cam, I just watched his fight. I know what he's all about, not that it really matters at this level, right? We're not talking about world-class athletes here. Most people at this level just fight with instinct. They just go in with a very loose gameplan. So I know what he's about, but other than that there's not much else to worry about. If you go in there with a very strict plan, he'll still be fighting back and you'll probably just end up fighting on instinct.

J.O.: Yeah, it's pretty interesting to hear you speak from that perspective. I think you're probably right, I just didn't know if you'd assessed any particular strengths in his game?

Upneet Rai: Well, the guy he fought was extremely flat-footed, so Cam got a single-leg every time he tried, and the other guy didn't sprawl. So, I'm hoping to make it a different story this time and give him a bit more of a fight for the takedowns. Anyway, I think I know exactly what he's going to do. I don't think he's going to want to stand. I mean, the club where he's from is called Kelowna BJJ so...

J.O.: Yeah, so it's probably all there in the name then, eh? You'll be in the opening fight of the night this Friday in your current hometown of Nanaimo. Do you think that combination will put any pressure on you? Or is getting straight to it in front of a supportive crowd something you're more looking forward to?

Upneet Rai: I'm not usually too worried about the crowd. Actually, I usually sort of forget about the crowd when I walk in, but it is a lot more comfortable fighting at home. When you're in, say, Vernon you're in some unknown hotel where you have to cut weight and you don't know where your next meal is going to be, or always exactly where the weigh-ins are. Here, everyone is around you and you know where everything is. The comfort level is just a lot better. So, I actually really like fighting at home.

J.O.: Yeah, I can see that for sure. Finally, I heard recently that you speak five languages. Can that be true? And if so, what are they and how fluently do you speak them?

Upneet Rai: Well, the first language I learned to read and write was Dutch, so I can speak Dutch fluently. Then I speak English, obviously. I also speak a mountain dialect from my village that my parents taught me. Other than that there's Hindi and then there's Punjabi-- I speak those two. Last there's Amharic as well, which is Ethiopian. So, theoretically, it's about six.

J.O.: Do you feel like you could converse pretty comfortably in most or all of them?

Upneet Rai: I can converse in all of them. I can hold conversations, so yeah.

J.O.: Well, that is extremely impressive to me, and it officially makes you the single person who speaks the most different languages that I have ever met.

Upneet Rai: (Laughs) You should meet my dad, he speaks twelve.

J.O.: (Laughs) Oh, wow. When I meet him you will officially be in second place then, I guess.

Upneet Rai: Ha, yeah. No doubt, eh?

J.O.: (Laughs) Yeah, well it was good talking to you and best of luck to you on Friday.

Upneet Rai: Okay, I'll see you on Friday.

March 27th's UFC 111 (Feat. GSP) Comes To 27 Cineplex Theatres Accross Canada, Including 6 B.C. Locations

For the first time in Canada the UFC will be viewable in a movie theatre near you when Georges St. Pierre faces Dan Hardy on March 27th at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The word is that the general admission tickets will cost 19.95 + tax, which is more than it costs to watch a movie, but similar to the individual cost for three buddies splitting the $60 fee for the HD PPV feed. For anyone who's interested, it could be a great chance to watch the fights amongst other fans and in a family atmosphere. Moreover, the UFC's inclusion in the ranks of standard movie theatre fare will help to normalize the sport of MMA to those who may still consider it unsavory.

Overall, this seems like a great move by the UFC.

Sportsnet News Story: HERE
Cineplex UFC Information Site: HERE

Participating Theatres: HERE

TUF6 Vet Richie Hightower Joins MFC, Will Fight B.C.'s Kajan Johnson in May

First test at lightweight coming for ‘Dirty Samurai’

By MFC Press Release

The Maximum Fighting Championship has deepened its lightweight talent pool and strengthened its already stacked lineup for MFC 25: Vindication all in one strategic move.

With a three-fight deal in his pocket, Richie “The Dirty Samurai” Hightower joins the MFC ranks and immediately jumps into the roster for Vindication as he takes on “Ragin” Kajan Johnson in the opening bout of the live HDNet Fights broadcast on Friday, May 7 from the Northlands Expo Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.

Hightower (8-3) should be a dominant force at lightweight, moving down from welterweight where he won seven of his first eight fights. Hightower mowed through his last opponent, Jordan McKay, needing just 1:31 to capture his third career win by knockout/TKO. The Phoenix, Arizona, product gained a measure of notoriety for his reality show appearance under the tutelage of Matt Serra.

Johnson (17-11-1) is one of the most action-oriented 155-pounders in the MFC and the British Columbia, native will be out for redemption coming off a first-round submission loss at MFC 23. Johnson earned one of the most noteworthy wins of his career at Heat XC 4 back in November when he outdueled Josh Russell en route to a TKO win via doctor’s stoppage at the end of Round 2.

The Hightower-Johnson battle joins a stellar lineup for MFC 25 already featuring

: Ryan Jimmo vs. Wilson Gouveia, light heavyweight

David Heath vs. Solomon Hutcherson, middleweight

Luigi Fioravanti vs. Pete Spratt, welterweight

Tickets are going fast for MFC 25: Vindication. Tickets are available via the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024 and through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.ca and charge-by-phone (780) 451-8000.

Yet Another Fight Likely For UFC115 In Vancouver: Mac Danzig vs. Matt Wiman

In the second major UFC 115 fight announcement in as many days, it is now being reported by MMAJunkie.com that grizzled UFC lightweight veterans Mac Danzig (19-7-1; 3-3 UFC) and Matt Wiman (11-5, 5-3 UFC) have nearly signed on the dotted line to hook 'em up in Vancouver, B.C. on June 12th at GM Place.

Mac Danzig, who recently ended a three-fight losing skid at UFC 109 by defeating Justin Bucholtz (8-5), must have liked British Columbia so much when he was here last weekend to referee AFC:II that he begged UFC matchmaker Joe Silva to send him back. Okay, it might not have gone down quite like that, but I'm sure he's happy to be making his Canadian MMA debut, nonetheless.

Matt Wiman, meanwhile, fought valiantly in a decision loss to Sam Stout (15-5-1) in the co-main event at UFC 97 in Montreal, but will no doubt be hoping for a W in his return trip north of the forty-nine. Since fighting in Montreal last spring, Wiman has rebounded to defeat Hawaiian BJ Penn protege, Shane Nelson (12-5) at UFC 107 last December.

As far as the style match-up goes, both Wiman and Danzig have well-rounded skills, though Danzig might have a slightly more advanced submissions game. Ultimately, it may just come down to gameplanning and who has the better camp.


Complete Rumoured Card For UFC 115:

Possible Main Event:
Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz III
~or~
Wanderlei Silva vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama

Main Card:

Paulo Thiago vs. Martin Kampmann
Carlos Condit vs. Rory MacDonald [CAN]
Tyson Griffin vs. Evan Dunham
Pat Barry vs. Mirko Filipovic
Gilbert Yvel vs. Ben Rothwell

Under Card:
Mac Danzig vs Matt Wiman
James Wilks vs. Peter Sobotta
Mike Pyle vs. Jesse Lennox
Claude Patrick [CAN] vs. TBA

B.C. Bio: Gavin Neil --- "You Have To Be Specific"

Gavin Neil (6-1), who will compete in the main event, lightweight title fight at this Friday's King Of The Cage: Uprising II card in Nanaimo, took time today to speak with this site's Josh Oliveira. Topics discussed include, what's awesome about Fruitvale, fighting for the KOTC title, and the importance of the geek vs. nerd distinction.


J.O: First of all, can you explain for everyone at home the best thing about your hometown of Fruitvale, B.C.?

Gavin Neil: The best thing? Uh, well, it's pretty small. There's only about 2000 people, so you kinda know everyone. It's part of a whole, larger area; it's kinda like a suburb of Trail, but there's not really a lot to do in Trail. I mean that's kinda why I got into fighting in the first place.

J.O.: (Laughs) Okay, fair enough. At what age did you first get into martial arts and what were the first disciplines you studied?

Gavin Neil: I was fifteen years old when I started thai boxing in Trail under a gym called Pride Gym. I was introduced to grappling there and MMA through another friend who trained there. It wasn't anything serious, but that's also where I got my first taste of jiu-jitsu and stuff. One of the reasons for it is that I was about 230lbs. when I was 14-years-old. I just needed to get into shape, so I started doing all that. When I got down to about 190lbs., I started competing.

J.O.: Started competing as an amateur?

Gavin Neil: I started in amateur kickboxing, but, basically, amateur back then meant they'd take a minute off the time and that's about it.

J.O.: So, to begin your pro career from November 2007 to December 2008, a space of thirteen months, you fought six times for Alberta's respected MFC promotion, going an impressive 5-1, is that all correct?

Gavin Neil: Yeah, 5-1 in the MFC and that was my first experience as a pro.

J.O.: That's quite a promotion to start out with...

Gavin Neil: Yeah, [Adam] Zugec (Zuma) really kinda set that up. I think it had something to do with the fact that I was the amateur thai boxing champion before. So I had a bit of a reputation, I guess, already. That was good enough to get me on the under card.

J.O.: Then you went 5-1, which is a very decent record, with four finishes even.

Gavin Neil: Yeah, it's too bad it wasn't 6-0, but, you know, live and learn.

J.O.: Yeah. When the King Of The Cage's (KOTC) lightweight title fight, set for this Friday in Nanaimo, was announced it featured Darcy James and Adam Gabel, neither of whom will appear on the card. Instead, you will face Charlie Zak for the belt. Can you explain a bit about how some of this came to pass?

Gavin Neil: I'm not exactly sure why James can't go. I think I heard something about him breaking a rib or something. Then with Gabel, he's been having to personal troubles from what I understand. You know, he just wasn't able to concentrate. So, I think he made the right decision. He just wasn't able to train and he was quite a bit overweight and he made the decision to say, you know, I'm not ready. Basically he told our coach and the guy who runs KOTC in Nanaimo, John Cooper, that he wasn't ready so they gave it to me. I was already in shape and walking around at about 165lbs. So, I was like, "yeah, why not?" It was a week out and a fairly major title, so I decided to go for it.

J.O.: Yeah, definitely. So, I hear you're out here completing your university degree. Do you care to share what you're studying?

Gavin Neil: Sure, I have one more year and I'm getting a major in History with a minor in Sociology.

J.O.: Okay, sounds good. I'm a UVic alumnus myself.

Gavin Neil: It's a great school

J.O.: Yeah, it really is. When I spoke to your Zuma teammate Sarah Kaufman a while back we discussed what it is that makes her a self-professed geek. In her case it was all about puzzles. According to my sources, you describe yourself similarly. Care to explain?

Gavin Neil: Yeah, I'm one of those guys who's watched Star Trek one too many times and I used to have quite the Batman collection. I'm pretty sure the reason I got into martial arts was Street Fighter. I also have a Nintendo belt buckle, so that's usually a good sign that you're a nerd. I would say that I'm a nerd not a geek if there's a difference.

J.O.: I think there's a difference there, for sure, and, as an occasionally esoteric fellow myself, I can appreciate Zuma's openness policy towards all forms of geekery. Can I assume that nerdy subjects are discussed there regularly?

Gavin Neil: Oh yeah, Zugec and I have had full-blown arguments about Star Trek.

J.O.: You've already answered some of my questions, but, if you'll agree to it, I would like to administer a geek reflex test. I'll offer two options and you can tell me which you prefer. For example, if I said "Spider-Man or Batman" you'd tell me which is superior, but everyone knows that's Batman so it's kind of an easy one.

Gavin Neil: True.

J.O.: Okay, so what do you think? Are you ready? Also, be advised that "neither" is always an acceptable answer.

Gavin Neil: Alright.

J.O.: Here we go, Mac or PC?

Gavin Neil: Ohhh...I'm not one of those guys that are too loyal to either one. I have a Mac, but I should stand up for some of my hugely nerdy friends that say PC's are better because they're kinda right. So, how about neither.

J.O.: That's fair and very diplomatic. Simpsons or South Park?

Gavin Neil: South Park.

J.O.: Star Wars or Lord of the Rings?

Gavin Neil: Whoa...Star Wars.

J.O.: Street Fighter or Mortal Combat?

Gavin Neil: Street Fighter.

J.O.: Yeah, see, I knew that one because you already said you're a fan. Anyway, Final Fantasy or Legend of Zelda?

Gavin Neil: That's a good one, but it depends on the Final Fantasy. You have to watch out with that one, you have to be specific.

J.O.: I suppose. How about Final Fantasy IV or Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past?

Gavin Neil: Uh..Legend of Zelda.

J.O.: Well met, I have to agree. Finally, Monty Python or Kids In The Hall?

Gavin Neil: Oh..I like both.

J.O.: Hmmm... the opposite of neither?

Gavin Neil: Well, you have to give Monty Python a slight edge because sometimes Kids In The Hall was just stupid.

J.O.: Fair enough, Monty Python will probably stand the test of time a little bit better, too. Twenty years from now you'll be looked back on as correct, I assume. Alright, that's all I have for you today Gavin. I wish you tons of luck in your title fight and we'll see you on Friday.

Gavin Neil: Alright, man. Take it easy.

J.O.: Alright, later.


King of the Cage Uprising II

Friday March 12th, 2010

Frank Crane Arena

Tickets on sale online @ http://vimma.ca and at the door!

Programming Reminder: Ep. 01 of "UFC Primetime--St. Pierre vs. Hardy" Debuts Tonight

The first of three high-budget, documentary style, half-hour episodes of UFC Primtime-- St. Pierre vs. Hardy will debut tonight (Wed. March 10th) on SpikeTV at 7:00pm/PST, with replay's airing throughout the week. Prior to the debut, a replay of this Janary's UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva will air from 4:30-7:00pm/PST.

Many fans will remember that the first and only previous instance of this deluxe variation on Spike's "Countdown" show was used to pump up Georges St. Pierre (19-2)'s second fight against UFC lightweight champion, BJ Penn (15-5-1) at UFC 94 last January. Britain's Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy (23-6) will challenge for St. Pierre's UFC welterweight title at UFC 111 on Saturday, March 27th.

I encourage any GSP, Hardy, or, heck, UFC fans to check out the show and remember to tune at the same time on Wednesdays for the next two weeks to catch the premiers of Ep. 02 and Ep. 03.

Martin Kampmann vs. Paulo Thiago Likely For Vancouver's UFC 115

According to an article appearing on the Las Vegas Sun's website, a UFC welterweight contenders' match between Brazil's Paulo Thiago (13-1; WW #5) and Denmark's Martin "The Hitman" Kampmann (16-3; WW #10) is likely to appear on the quickly-filling UFC 115 card in Vancouver, British Columbia. The event is strongly rumoured to be scheduled for June 12th in GM Place.

Reports early last week that came out suggesting the event was in jeopardy now seem to have been largely unfounded as the UFC has not flinched from continuing to fill the rapidly approaching card.

The fight itself is nothing short of drool-inducing. It pits a high-level striker with underrated grappling, in Kampmann, against a well-known grappler with ever-improving strikes, in Paulo Thiago. I refer to the latter as Paulo "Braz-Cop" due to his conspicuous side-job as an elite tactical forces operative tasked with combating Brazil's illicit drug trade. Of course, this is an obvious homage to Mirko "Cro-Cop, who earned his cage name by performing similar duties in his native Croatia.

But I digress, the real issue here is that Thiago vs. Kampmann is an extremely well-matched fight, especially given that, despite the fact that each is coming off of a decisive victory, both desperately need another win to stay near the top of the crowded heap at 170lbs.

Complete Rumoured Card:

Possible Main Event:
Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz III
~or~
Wanderlei Silva vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama

Main Card:

Paulo Thiago vs. Martin Kampmann
Carlos Condit vs. Rory MacDonald
Tyson Griffin vs. Evan Dunham
Pat Barry vs. Mirko Filipovic
Gilbert Yvel vs. Ben Rothwell

Under Card:

James Wilks vs. Peter Sobotta
Mike Pyle vs. Jesse Lennox

Press Release: KOTC Uprising II Full Card Details

As always, we here at B.C. MMA Fan are looking forward to the province's next great fight card. This time it's the King of the Cage: Uprising II event set for this Friday at Nanaimo's Frank Crane Arena. The main event features Victoria's Gavin Neil squaring of against Charlie Zak, who is originally from Germany. The winner will claim the vacant KOTC Canadian Lightweight title that Rory MacDonald left behind when he signed with the UFC.

An official press release containing the updated full card and additional information can be found below:



King of the Cage Uprising II

Friday March 12th, 2010

Frank Crane Arena

Tickets on sale online @ http://vimma.ca and at the door!

MAIN EVENT

King of the Cage Canadian Lightweight Title Fight

155lb Charlie Zak (4-2), Revolution MMA, Vancouver, BC vs. Gavin Neil (6-1), Zuma Martial Arts, Victoria, BC

International Super Fight

185lb Bastien Huveneers (6-2), Dynamic MMA, Brussels, Belgium, VS. Marcus Vinicios (6-5), AXE Capoeira, Recife, Brazil

180lb Nolan Clark (2-5), Revolution MMA, Vancouver, BC vs. Garett Davis (11-10), Dynamic MMA, Vancouver, BC

155lb Tarek Gabali (3-0), Zuma Martial Arts, Victoria, BC vs. Rob Bastone (2-0), Tofino Judo Club, Ucluelet, BC

185lb George Texeira (0-0), Tasherra 2000BC, Surrey, BC vs. Ryan Ballingal (2-3), Impact MMA, Nanaimo, BC

185lb Clint VanRossum (0-0), Surrey Combat Club, Surrey, BC vs. David Perron (1-0), Creative Fighters Guild, Richmond, BC

185lb Geordie Mc Credie (1-0) Comox Valley Boxing Club, Courtenay, BC vs Ryan Janes (2-1), Zuma Martial Arts, Victoria, BC vs.

170lb Dan Laughey (2-1), Crusher Combat Sports, Victoria, BC vs. Zach Bye (1-0), Port McNeil, BC

190lb Brendon Kornberger (0-1), Dynamic MMA, Vancouver, BC vs. Troy Hardy (0-0), Comox Valley Boxing Club, Courtenay, BC

155lb Greg Church (0-0), Zuma Martial Arts, Victoria, BC vs. Pendragon Smith (0-1), Impact MMA, Nanaimo, BC

155lb Jordan Knippelberge (0-0), Pride Gym, Trail, BC vs. David Krawczyk (0-1), Dungeon Grappling, Vancouver, BC

145lb Cam Deleurme (1-1), RDC Jiu Jitsu, Kelowna, BC vs. Upneet Rai (1-2), Impact MMA, Nanaimo, BC

King of the Cage full contact professional mixed martial arts is returning to Vancouver Island on Friday March 12th, 2010 at Frank Crane Arena. This event will be KOTC’s 40th production in Canada and UPRISING II will be the promotion’s 4th event here in Nanaimo. KOTC is Canada’s original MMA promotion and this fight card will be one fans will not want to miss.

The cards main event features Vancouver Island's own Gavin Neil (6-1) fighting out of the ZUMA training center in Victoria. He will face off against the German native, Revolution MMA stand out Charlie Zak (4-2). These 2 ferocious athletes are scheduled for five, five minute rounds inside the 33ft steel cage for the KOTC Canadian Lightweight Title.

Fight fans will also be treated to an international super fight. This feature middleweight fight will stage Brazilian Capoeira practitioner Marcus Vinicios against Belgium's seasoned MMA veteran Bastien Huveneers. Bastien has a win over Vinicios’ brother, so you can expect both of these fighters to come out with intent to hurt.

Zuma’s ground phenom & Judo practitioner Tarek Gabali (3-0) is set to fight Tofino's Judo Master Rob Bastone (2-0). One of these two fighters is about to get their first taste of defeat.

Other Nanaimo fighters on the card out of Impact MMA include: Ryan Ballingal (2-3), Upneet Rai (1-2), and Pendragon Smith (0-1). Come on out and support your local fighters!

King of the Cage: The Evolution of Combat.

Aggression MMA Announces Plans For Show In Vernon

According to their official site, Alberta-based Aggression MMA is planning to make their British Columbia debut in Vernon this summer. Furthermore, they have confirmed today with this site that the new official date for that show is May 21st, 2010.

This is great news for Okanagan MMA fans since Aggression's first two shows in Edmonton, dating back to October 2009, were smashing successes that featured huge names in the Canadian and international MMA scene like Matt Horwich (24-13-1), Nick Denis (9-2), Claude Patrick (11-1), Jason Day (18-9), and Jesse Taylor (14-5). If their upcoming show in Vernon offers a similar level of competition, it would easily become the most talent-rich card ever assembled in the B.C. interior.

Earlier today, the following quote was offered to the inimitable David Stanford of MMACanada.net by Aggression MMA President Moin Moizra:

"Aggression is very pleased to be expanding into new and exciting markets. Ourbusiness model dictated that Aggression become a domestic promotion rather than linger in one market. Edmonton is our base and our home, however we saw an opportunity that we couldn't refuse and jumped at the chance to hold a show in Vernon. We will be back in Edmonton July 9 and October 1 and we hope to keep bringing great quality fights to our ever growing and loyal fan base. Keep posted for more dates to be announced in other cities as well."

Keep it locked to B.C. MMA Fan for updates on this event.

Emelianenko Plays Nice; Summer Return For A Strikeforce/M-1 Show On CBS Is Likely

Last week, the world's undisputed best MMA heavyweight Fedor Emelianeko (31-1) made news when he chose not to appear on Strikeforce's upcoming CBS event this April. Immediately following this announcement rumours began circulating that Fedor would either choose to return to fighting in Japan, or possibly even sign with the UFC.

As it turned out, Fedor, along with his manager Vadim Finkelstein and their company M-1 Global, simply felt that the terms of their agreement with Strikeforce needed some minor tweaking. Specifically, they felt that, even though Strikeforce had agreed to their demands of 50-50 co-promotion, the existence of that partnership was not publicized well enough in the North American market. In hindsight, they have a very solid point in that regard as most people referred to the November event on CBS only as Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers, thus including M-1's strongest bargaining chip, Fedor, without giving them their fair credit.

In any case, it now appears as though those concerns have been addressed fairly by all parties concerned and that, as a result, we can expect Emelianenko to return as early as this June on a M-1/Strikeforce card on CBS. His most likely opponent at this time would appear to be world #10 heavyweight Fabricio Werdum (13-4-1).

The following quote appears in an article on Sherdog.com and is attributed to M-1 Global's Director of Operations, Evgeni Kogan:

"I think June, July is realistic (for Emelianenko's return). It's not 100 percent. Don't take this as a fight announcement, but I think during the summer. After the CBS show, we thought that the (Strikeforce) terms needed a little bit tweaking -- nothing major, just a little bit of tweaking. So, we had a round of negotiations with Strikeforce. Everything went positively. We're pretty much at the end. For us, it's really important that the M-1 Global brand is acknowledged on these co-promotion events. As much as the partners made a lot of effort to acknowledge the co-branding, the media basically picked up on the fact that it was Strikeforce and kind of forgot about everything else, which wasn't the most ideal for us."

B.C. MMA Fan will, of course, keep you updated as the story develops.

Hot Prospect Marlon Sandro Victorious At SRC 12

One of the biggest stories to emerge from this past weekend's Sengogu Raiden Championship 12 was the continued rise of devastating, Brazilian, featherweight, striker Marlon Sandro (16-1) seen here in video from the event in which he KO'ed Japan's Tomonari Kanomata (15-5-5).

The finish comes at around 1:40.

Press Release: Vancouver MMA Expo Set for April 10th-11th

The B.C. MMA scene is about to get a shot in the arm courtesy of the worlds biggest and baddest Mixed Martial Arts Expo, which comes to Abbostford in just over one month. But why listen to us yammer on about it, here's the straight goods direct from the source:

VANCOUVER, BC – Mixed Martial Arts Expo, LLC - The Original MMA Expo since 2005 – announced today some of the key features of the upcoming event at the TRADEX Exhibition Centre in Abbotsford, BC on April 10-11.

Between the Submission Grappling Tournaments, show floor demonstrations, exhibitors with MMA apparel, gear and nutrition, the MMA Referee and Judging Clinic, accredited conditioning seminars by Fitness Kickboxing Canada, the MMA Expo Hotties and the growing list of MMA Celebrities, it would appear that MMA Expo founder and president, Gerald Chopik is bang-on when he says “BC’s MMA fans are in for one action-packed MMA weekend!”

The MMA Expo celebrity line-up starts with former UFC Lightweight Champion Sean Sherk (37-4-1) and King of the Cage Champion Shonie Carter (48-21-7). “Sean and Shonie have attended a number of our events in Toronto and Philadelphia and these guys are always huge hits with the fans.” stated Chopik. “We also like to showcase local talent in each city and also on site for the weekend will be UFC Veterans Bill 'The Butcher' Mahood (17-7-1), and Jason "Dooms" Day (18-9-0), Dream Featherweight Champion Bibiano "Flash" Fernandez (7-2-0) and fan favourite "Ragin" Kajan Johnston (17-11-1).”

Also on the list are Thiago ‘Jambo' Goncalves (11-3-0) from Team Nogueira as well as Vancouver resident and Seventh Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, Marcus Soares – one of the highest ranking BJJ Black Belts in Canada, one of the top in North America and a past Head Instructor at the Carlson Gracie Academy, Brazil. And apparently there are more to be announced over the next two weeks.

Chopik has not overlooked the up-and-coming female fighters of the sport. Included in the line-up are Strikeforce’s Miesha “TkDwN" Tate (8-2-0) and Liz Bader (6-3-1). “I’m a huge fan of female fighters and we are working on a few more additions to our roster that we hope to be able to announce over the next two weeks. Female competitors train and fight every bit as hard as the guys and their growing celebrity status is well deserved. ”

MMA Expo is also proud to bring to the west coast the host of Canada’s number one MMA program, MMA Connected on Rogers Sportsnet. “One of our biggest supporters from Day 1 of MMA Expo has been ‘Showdown Joe’ Ferraro”, said Chopik. “Joe is a one of the most knowledgeable and well-spoken individuals in the sport, period. Far beyond somebody behind a microphone asking the same-old questions, Joe can handle himself inside the cage as well. He knows his striking and also has the skills to take care of himself on the ground. Showdown is one of the pioneers and true ambassadors of MMA in Canada. He and his MMA Connected Team always do a great job of covering the event and hanging out with the fans.”

Some of the best action on the MMA Expo show floor takes place during the submission grappling tournaments.

“Canada has a lot of talented submission grapplers in both the BJJ and NoGi divisions”, according to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt and tournament coordinator, Tim Shears. “MMA Expo represents a great opportunity for west-coast grapplers to showcase their talents. We’re also excited about the opportunity for our open division champions to win free airfare and registration to the Gi and NoGi Abu Dhabi Championships being held at MMA Expo Toronto in June. Competition will be fierce and it going to make for two great days on the mats. If you are a grappling competitor this is the one event that you do not want to miss.”

MMA Expo seems to have just about everything for the MMA fighter and fan, including the potential for career opportunities. Seasoned MMA official, Marc Fennell will be on hand with a comprehensive two-day Referee and Judging Seminar for those who are interested in a career as an official in what many consider to be the fastest growing sport on the planet.

For more information about MMA Expo visit www.MixedMartialArtsExpo.com and select Vancouver.