Billy Donovan, Felicia Wells, Parag Patel, Kim Couture

Parag Patel and Billy Donovan are at the helm of the fastest growing Mixed Martial Arts promotion in the state of Kentucky: Absolute Action MMA. The Northern Kentucky-based organization held its first event in April of 2010 and has gone on to hold six more events this year, with one more event slated for December. Promoter and co-founder, Parag Patel, touts Absolute Action as a “fighter-friendly” organization that is committed to putting on great shows for the fans, taking care of the fighters, and giving back to the local community.

Patel contributes his motivation for starting AAMMA after witnessing a local MMA event in which co-founder, Shane Robinson, broke his hand during a fight. The promoter of that event did not have insurance for the fighters and Robinson was left to deal with the injury and medical bills on his own. Patel knew that fighters like Robinson deserved better and he soon entertained the thought of starting his own promotion:

“I felt that it was time to launch this idealistic venture, putting on a show that I would go to and spend my money on and enjoy the atmosphere. The fighters needed to know that Absolute Action MMA was going to take care of them.” – Parag Patel

Patel soon brought in Billy Donovan, a local MMA fan and businessman, to take on the matchmaking duties for the promotion. Donovan had been a fan of the sport since he was a child and watched a Vale Tudo event on VHS. As a young man Donovan began to go to local MMA events and soon started helping promoters and fighters get more recognition by bringing new fans to the events and introducing them to the fighters. According to Donovan it was a no-brainer to team up with Patel:

“When I received the call from Parag about Absolute Action MMA and helping with the matchmaking I knew instantly this relationship was going to be great. Being around this sport and meeting as many people as I have met over the years, the one thing you don’t find often is someone who is genuine and honest and here was a guy (Patel) doing this just to help propel the sport here locally and help local fighters obtain national attention… I loved hearing his goals and his vision for what he wanted AAMMA to become…” – Billy Donovan

Absolute Action MMA quickly gained support from fighters and fans throughout the Greater Cincinnati area and they have been able to bring in fighters from top gyms in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. The crowning achievement for the promotion was the success of their fifth event, “Battle Against Breast Cancer.” The event marked the first time anyone had ever held an all-female Mixed Martial Arts event in the state of Kentucky. The event was held to raise money for a local support group for survivors of Breast Cancer, The Pink Ribbon Girls.  Absolute Action was able to bring in Kim Couture to fight in the main event, and MMA stars Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos, Evangelista Santos, Jan Finney, Jorge Gurgel, and Zoila Frausto were in attendance.

Absolute Action has lived up to their reputation as a fighter-first organization and they continue to impress with the quality of their matchups and the overall production value of the show. When you watch one of their shows you are going to see an actual “event,” not just “fights.” Absolute Action MMA will hold their next event, “AAMMA VIII: A Night to Give Back,” on December 10, 2010 at the Drawbridge Inn in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky. For tickets to the event please visit AAMMA.net .

If you would like to connect with Parag and stay informed about upcoming MMA events, please check out his CageCraze.com profile: AAMMA

CageCraze.com is your MMA Social Network dedicated to connecting, promoting, covering and improving local MMA everywhere. Create your free profile today, and stay connected with local MMA Everywhere!

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Myron Gerber and Iron Cage Clash held its’ last promotion before the sanctioning of amateur mixed martial arts this past Saturday, October 23, 2010.  The event was held at the Hamilton County Fair Grounds in Noblesville, Indiana, and featured thirteen bouts.  With this promotion, Gerber was able to pay homage and raise money for a family whom had suffered a recent loss.

Jonathon Neville vs. Luis Guerra

Both Neville and Guerra waste little time to engage.  Guerra was able to land a big jab that momentarily stunned Neville.  He was then able to clinch and slam Neville to the mat.  Once on the ground, Guerra moved to full mount and worked to posture-up (to ground and pound).  Guerra was eventually successful and utilized his ground and pound to earn the technical knockout victory.

Adam Frausto vs. Chris Hoel

Hoel first initiates contact with the clinch and slam.  After slamming Frausto to the mat, Hoel worked to take Frausto’s back.  Hoel was eventually able to take Frausto’s back and cinch in the rear-naked choke earning the victory with two seconds left in round one.

Wyatt Toller vs. James Gregory

Toller opened working his jab to test the range of Gregory.  Toller attempts a takedown but is stuffed.  He eventually works Gregory to the ground, but Gregory stands back up.  When the two stand back up, Toller maintains his grip and take Gregory down.  Gregory turtles while Toller rains shots from his back.  Toller then attempts a rear-naked choke, but Toller is able to escape.  Though Gregory escapes the submission attempt, Toller maintains his back position.  Gregory is finally able to work Toller off of his back by standing and throwing Toller.  The two then square off and exchange punches.  Toller then shoots and pins Gregory against the cage.  Gregory is able to apply a guillotine choke, but it is unsuccessful.

Round two begins with Toller faking an overhand right and shooting.  Toller is able to move completely to Gregory’s back and make a sacrifice throw.  While on the mat, Toller applies a rear-naked choke that forces Gregory to tap.

Anthony Hill vs. Michael Dzelme

Hill opened the bout with a superman punch, but slipped in his attempt.  Dzelme was able to capitalize on the Hill mistake and cinch in a guillotine.  Despite Dzelme’s best efforts, Hill’s resiliency became the victor as he was able to escape the submission attempt and bring the fight back to the feet.  Hill was then able to land multiple uppercuts that dropped Dzelme to the mat.  Once Dzelme hit the mat, Hill landed one more strike that forced the referee to call a halt to the bout.

Tyler Akers vs. Stuart Gordon (Submission of the Night)

Akers comes out throwing a looping leg kick and moved right into the clinch.  From the clinch, Akers took Gordon to the mat and forced him up against the cage.  Gordon was able to sweep Akers, but Akers returned the favor.  After a five minute break, due to an inadvertent groin shot, Akers clinched with Gordon once again.  This time Gordon got the better of the clinch and took Akers to the ground.  Akers was able to pull guard, but only momentarily as Gordon moved into full mount.  From full mount, Gordon was swept as the first round expired.

Round two began with Gordon throwing a classic one, two combination that forces Akers to clinch.  Akers was able to then take the Gordon to the ground and utilize his ground and pound.  Gordon was able to withstand Akers’ ground and pound and cinch in a triangle choke.  The triangle forced Akers to submit giving Gordon the victory.

James Lowery vs. Ward Fitzpatrick

Lowery opens the fight with a thunderous jab that causes Fitzpatrick to shoot in for a double leg takedown.  Lowery was able to land with Fitzpatrick in his guard, thus allowing him to work for submissions.  Despite Lowery’s best efforts, Fitzpatrick noticed a hole as soon as Lowery sat up for a submission attempt and was able to apply a guillotine choke.  The guillotine proved to be inescapable and forced Lowery to tap, giving Fitzpatrick the submission victory.

Dan Moore vs. Josh Beals

Moore begins the fight with a straight right that left an opening for a textbook double leg takedown for Beals.  Moore, however, was able to land with Beals in his guard.  From his guard, Moore was able to work for an armbar that looked as if it was going to finish the match, but looks can be deceiving.  Beals was able to power out of the armbar and move into side-mount.  From side-mount, Beals (listening to instruction from his corner) was able to apply a key-lock submission and earn the victory.

Kyle Pettis vs. Aaron Toller

Pettis commences the fight with a front kick.  Toller followed with a one, two combination.  Pettis then threw two knees, but was forced to the ground.  With Toller in his guard, Pettis attempts an arm triangle choke.  Toller was able to escape the choke and work his ground and pound until the round expired.

Round two began with Pettis throwing four unanswered leg kicks.  Pettis then moved in to clinch with Toller, but saw a better opening in a standing guillotine.  After the application of the standing guillotine, Pettis pulled guard (with the guillotine still in place).  This moved forced Toller to submit and gave Pettis the victory.

Dustin Garner vs. Martin Sandage

Sandage starts the bout with a front kick to test Garner’s range.  Sandage then attempted another front kick as Garner charged, but missed.  Sandage was, though, able to apply a guillotine choke.  Garner was able to temporarily escape the choke, but then fell right back into it, thus giving Sandage the submission victory.

Brandon Lawson vs. Tyler Adams

Adams game plan is apparent as he wastes little time hitting a single leg takedown.  Unfortunately, Lawson proved got the better position on the landing and was able to take Adams’ back.  From Adams’ back, Lawson cinched in a rear-naked choke that forced Adams to tap forty seconds into the first round.

Kevin Groff vs. James Mogollon (Lightweight Title Fight)

Mogollon proved to be on a mission as he was able to cut Groff’s angles off early and land multiple shots.  Groff attempted a clinch, but was slammed by Mogollon.  Mogollon utilized his ground and pound momentarily, but then allowed Groff to stand back up.  Groff attempted a kick, but the attempt was caught by Mogollon.  While holding onto Groff’s leg Mogollon land a straight right that dropped Groff to the canvas.  Once Groff hit the mat, Mogollon pounced and showed no mercy with his strikes.  This forced Groff to tap, giving Mogollon the victory and the lightweight title.

Robert Godsby vs. Eddie Critser

Godsby opens the bout throwing a front kick.  He followed the front kick with a takedown.  While being taken down, Critser was able to secure a guillotine choke.  Godsby was eventually able to escape the choke and work his ground and pound.  The first round expired with Godsby still working his ground and pound.

Round two began with Godsby working combinations, clinching Critser, and slamming him to the mat.  While on the ground, Godsby, despite Critser’s best efforts, was able to move to full mount and roll into an armbar.  The armbar gave Godsby his first victory inside the cage.

Matt Velch vs. Chris Boatwright

Velch began the night’s last bout bull rushing Boatwright and pinning him against the cage.  The bull rush left Velch vulnerable and Boatwright seized the opportunity.  Boatwright was able to cinch in a rear-naked choke that forced Velch to submit, thus giving Boatwright the victory.

With this card, Iron Cage Clash proved yet again why the promotion is known around the state as a premier event.  We at CageCraze.com look forward to future I.C.C. events in accordance with the sanctioning of amateur mixed martial arts.

Quick Results:

Louis Guerra defeated Jonathen Neville  via Referee Stoppage due to Strikes in 1:25 of the 1st Round

Chris Hoel defeated  Adam Fransto via Tapout due to Rear Naked Choke in 2:59 of the 1^st Round

WyattToller defeated  James Gregory via Tapout due to Rear Naked Choke in 1:24 of the 2^nd Round

Anthony Hill  defeated Michael Dzelme via Referee Stoppage due to Strikes in 1:35 of the 1^st Round

Stuart Gordon  defeated Tylor Aker via Tapout due to Triangle Choke in 1:26 of the 2^nd Round

Ward Fitzpatrick defeated James Lowery  via Tapout due to Guillotine Choke in 1:41 of the 1^st Round

Josh Beals defeated  Dan Moore via Tapout due to Keylock submission in 2:25 of the 1^st Round

Kyle Pettis defeated Aaron Toller via Tapout due to Guillotine Choke in 0:56 of the 2^nd Round

Martin Sandage defeated Dustin Garner via Tapout due to Guillotine Choke in 0:46 of the 1^st Round

Brandon Lawson defeated Tyler Adams via Tapout due to Rear Naked Choke in 0:40 of the 1^st Round

James Mogollon defeated Kevin Groff  via Tapout due to Strikes in 1:49 of the 1^st Round

Robert Godsby defeated Eddie Critser via Tapout due to Armbar  in 1:36 of the 2^nd Round

Chris Boatwright defeated  Matt Welch via Tapout due to Rear Naked Choke in 0:45 in the 1^st Round

Iron Cage Clash: Premier Challengers 2

Iron Cage Clash, in association with Premier Cage Fighting, is set to bring more exciting amateur mixed martial arts to Noblesville, Indiana October 23, 2010.  I.C.C.:  Premier Challengers II will showcase elite, amateur mixed martial artists from around the state, as well as grappling matches.  Each competitor will be competing for a Japanese Katana, and mixed martial artists will have an opportunity (pending on a win) to compete on the next Premier Cage Fighting card.  Participants on the PCF card will be featured on Comcast On-Demand as well as Hometown Sports Network.

I.C.C. is looking for top notch amateur fighters with aspirations of reaching the next level.  They also welcome fighters looking to make their debut.  If you are interested in participating in this or future events, please fill out the fighter registration form below.

Event Info:

Date: October 23, 2010

Location: Hamilton County Fairgrounds and Exhibition Center 2003 Pleasant St. Noblesville, IN   (Directions)

Time: Doors open at 5 P.M., while fights begin at approx. 7 P.M.

Ticket Info:

General Admission: $25

V.I.P.: $40

Cageside: $50

Fighter Registration

Bellator 30

CageCraze.com was live at Bellator 30 at the “4th Street Live!” Entertainment District in Louisville, Kentucky on Thursday night. The event was headlined by a middleweight clash between Bryan Baker and Jeremy Horn. The card also featured the semi-final bouts in Bellator’s Season 3 Bantamweight Tournament, as well as a qualifier for Bellator’s Season 4 Welterweight Tournament between Jacob McClintock and local favorite, Brent Weedman. It certainly was a night to remember for Kentucky MMA fans as the local fighters from the “Bluegrass State” stole the show.

Jeremiah Riggs (186 lbs.) vs. Mike Fleniken (185 lbs.) @ 185 lbs.

Louisville MMA’s Mike Fleniken lost a hard-fought war to Jeremiah Riggs via Unanimous Decision. Both fighters sustained a ton of punishment through three rounds but Riggs managed to outwork Fleniken to earn the decision. The loss brings Fleniken back to .500 (3-3) in his professional MMA career. Fleniken thought that he had the opportunity to finish the fight at several points but lamented the fact that he could not close out Riggs. There is no such thing as a “moral victory” in Mixed Martial Arts but the crowd in Louisville made it clear that both fighters should be proud of their efforts in the opening bout of Bellator 30.

Submission of the Night

Stoney Hale (170 lbs.) vs. Mike O’Donnell (170 lbs.) @ 170 lbs.

Mike O'Donnell post-fight

The second fight of the evening matched up Team Oxendine fighter, Stoney Hale, against Four Seasons Martial Arts’ Mike O’Donnell out of Lexington, Ky. O’Donnell came into the fight holding a win over War Machine in 2006, but had not fought since his 2007 loss to Jason Ireland in King of the Cage. Hale’s last fight ended with a submission win over Mike Fleniken at Bellator 23 in Louisville. The lingering question about this fight was whether or not O’Donnell could come back from a three year hiatus and defeat a very dangerous fighter like Stoney Hale. The answer to that question came swiftly at the 0:50 mark in the second round. O’Donnell hurt Hale with a right hand and followed up with a barrage of knees. With Hale against the cage, O’Donnell leaped to his back and brought the fight to the ground. The Carlson Gracie Jr. black belt used a Kimura and then transitioned to a straight armbar, forcing Hale to tap just fifty seconds into the round. CageCraze.com caught up with Mike O’Donnell after the fight and this is what he had to say about his game plan:

“I was just going to let him conduct the symphony. I felt like my takedown would be better off of his shot. I figured that after we connected a few times, that instinctively, he would go for the clinch because of his history in Toughman competitions…after a few rights he would clinch and then I would try for a Kimura or look for a high hip throw. “ O’Donnell’s game plan definitely worked.

T.J. Barber (142 lbs.) vs. B.J. Ferguson (144 lbs.) @ 145 lbs.

All American Martial Arts’ BJ Ferguson was able to pull out a slick armbar submission in a fight that many thought Barber was winning. After an exciting first round, which saw TJ Barber and BJ Ferguson trade punches, kicks, and takedown attempts, Ferguson found himself in a dangerous situation on his back. Barber was landing solid punches when Ferguson grabbed an arm and locked on the decisive armbar.

Jacob McClintock (171 lbs.) vs. Brent Weedman (170 lbs.) @170 lbs.

Brent Weedman following his victory

The Weedman/McClintock fight was pushed off of the live broadcast due to time constraints. If only Bellator would have known what Louisville’s Brent Weedman had in store for Jacob McClintock, they definitely would have shown the fight live. McClintock looked for a standing guillotine early in the fight, but Weedman maintained his composure and slipped out of the choke. With McClintock on the ground, Weedman was able to land several shots, but decided to back off and let McClintock up to his feet. Weedman catches McClintock with a hard body shot that crumples him to the mat. Weedman pounces on the fallen fighter , alternating strikes to the head and ribs of McClintock. The referee gives McClintock ample time to defend himself but he is unable to do so; the referee steps in to save him from further damage. Brent Weedman turns to the cameras and shouts, “What’s my name?” The local hero earned a spot in Bellator’s Season 4 Welterweight Tournament with his win. The sea of fans wearing “Weedman Nation” shirts went nuts with excitement. Weedman is a very passionate, intelligent, and unique person; CageCraze.com met up with the local fighter moments after his win:

“I don’t know if you saw it out there tonight, but there are about 150 t-shirts that say “Weedman Nation” on them…I don’t have any fans out there tonight, those are all my friends. That’s how we do in Louisville.”

When asked if he could describe the way he felt, Weedman admitted he could not adequately explain the emotions that he was experiencing:

“No, I can’t, man. This is why I fight. This is why I wake up at six in the morning and run. This is why I do pushups, this is why I throw up in the gym. This is why I don’t hang out with people, this is why I don’t drink, and this is why I don’t party…I feel like this is what I have been put on Earth to do.”

Knockout of the Night

Greg Maynard (263 lbs.) vs. Ron Sparks (258 lbs.) @ 265 lbs.

Ron "The Monster" Sparks

Ron Sparks has been a 5-0 fighter for what seems like an eternity. For months it looked like the MMA gods were toying with “The Monster” from Louisville, Ky. A fight with Bobby Lashley fell through. Sparks saw two fights with Ray Mercer disappear. Betwixt the two cancelled fights with Mercer, Ron also saw a proposed fight on Bellator 23 vanish due to contractual obligations with King of the Cage. All of that changed Thursday night when Sparks and Maynard entered the Bellator cage. The cage door shut this time. It was really happening. Ron Sparks’ sixth professional win only took fifty seconds. Sparks dropped Maynard with a left and grazed him with a right hand as he fell to the canvas. The fight was immediately stopped. When CageCraze.com spoke to Ron after the fight, he mentioned that he had “found a home” at Bellator. This was a prime opportunity to confirm the rumor that Ron’s win over Maynard was the first fight on his newly inked three-fight contract with Bellator:

“Yeah, it’s true.” Ron then confirmed that he was released from his contract with King of the Cage and is free to pursue his goals within Bellator’s Heavyweight Division:

“I want the Heavyweight belt from Bellator. I want that and I want to fight in that tournament. I want in that tournament bad.”

Fight of the Night

Josh Clark (185 lbs.) vs. John Troyer (186 lbs.) @185 lbs.

Battle-tested John Troyer

This fight was a tale of two streaks. Clark, out of Four Seasons in Lexington, came into the fight after winning his first three fights as a professional. Troyer stepped into the cage Thursday night having dropped three straight fights. It was widely thought that this was Josh Clark’s coming-out party, but Louisville MMA’s John Troyer had something else planned. Both fighters seemed to have “Louisville Sluggers” for arms because these Middleweights came out swinging for the fences. Troyer opens up a huge cut over the right eye of Josh Clark in the first round of a fight that left both fighters battered, bruised, and bloodied. The first two rounds went back and forth with both Troyer and Clark landing punches, knees, and kicks that would leave lesser men crumpled on the floor. After the second round both fighters seemed gassed but Troyer looked to be fresher heading into the final round. Clark put everything he had into trying to end the fight in the third round but just could not stop Troyer. John fired back and closed out the round punishing Clark with elbows and hammerfists from the full mount, securing the decision. Troyer admitted that he “needed” the win, but went on to explain that it was no fluke that he was able to beat Clark:

“I think my record is deceiving, I think I am one of the best fighters out there in Middleweight, and especially at Welterweight…if I can get the sponsors and get to training full time I think I can beat anyone out there…I’m just taking it one day at a time. If could get it to where the only thing I was doing was fighting full time, you could give me two months and I will beat anyone out there.”

Televised Bouts

All three televised bouts went to the scorecards. Ed West and Zach Makovsky won their respective fights and will meet each other in the finals of Bellator’s Season 3 Bantamweight tournament. In the headliner match, Bryan Baker was able to outpoint MMA pioneer, Jeremy Horn, to earn a Unanimous Decision.

Event Notes

Brent Weedman is not your typical tattooed MMA fighter. He has no barbwire or tribal bands around his arms. Weedman sports tattoos of the Solar System on his left leg. Weedman requested that CageCraze.com mention his third passion outside of his wife and MMA:

Helio Soneca, Brent Weedman, and Eric Haycraft

“Astronomy is my other passion. I’d like to say…tonight is Neptune’s Birthday. It was over 160 years ago today that Neptune was in the sky, right where it is right now, when it was discovered. I told my corner that I was going to say that in the ring and they made fun of me. I said that if one kid, somewhere in America, Googles that…that’s all I’m here to do, man.”

Brent is a character and a great ambassador for the sport of Mixed Martial Arts in Kentucky. CageCraze.com would like to congratulate him and his team (Team Haycraft/Real Fighters Gym/Helio Soneca BJJ of Louisville) on the victory. We wish them the best of luck in the Bellator Welterweight Tournament in 2011.

All of the Kentucky fighters rose to the challenge of competing at an event on the level of Bellator Fighting Championships. Their performances served as a great testament to the potential of Mixed Martial Arts across the state. CageCraze.com is proud to be able to bring their stories to you and keep connecting, promoting, and improving local Mixed Martial Arts, everywhere!

Quick Results

Jeremiah Riggs def. Mike Fleniken via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) after three rounds

Mike O’Donnell def. Stoney Hale via Tapout due to an armbar at 0:50 in Rd. 2

Ed West def. Jose Vega via Split Decision – Advances to Bellator Bantamweight Tournament Final

Zack Makovsky def. Bryan Goldsby via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28 twice) – Advances to BW Final

Bryan Baker def. Jeremy Horn via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28 twice)

BJ Ferguson def. TJ Barber via Tapout due to armbar at 2:50 in Rd. 2

Brent Weedman def. Jacob McClintock via TKO at 3:05 in Rd. 1

Ron Sparks def. Greg Maynard via KO at 0:50 in Rd. 1

John Troyer def. Josh Clark via Unanimous Decision (30-27 three times)

Official Fight Card

Jeremiah Riggs (186 lbs.) vs. Mike Fleniken (185 lbs.) @ 185 lbs.

Stoney Hale (170 lbs.) vs. Mike O’ Donnell (170 lbs.) @ 170 lbs.

Jose Vega (135 lbs.) vs. Ed West (136 lbs.) @ 135 lbs.

Bryan Goldsby (135 lbs.) vs. Zack Makovsky (135 lbs.) @135 lbs.

Jeremy Horn (186 lbs.) vs. Bryan Baker (184 lbs.) @ 185 lbs.

T.J. Barber (142 lbs.) vs. B.J. Ferguson (144 lbs.) @ 145 lbs.

Jacob McClintock (171 lbs.) vs. Brent Weedman (170 lbs.) @170 lbs.

Greg Maynard (263 lbs.) vs. Ron Sparks (258 Ibs.) @ 265 lbs.

Josh Clark (185 lbs.) vs. John Troyer (186 Ibs.) @185 lbs.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Hmm, Butterbean is entitled to his own point of view, but his words don’t really carry a lot of weight (get it weight) in the real world of Mixed Martial Arts. Anybody out there think that strongman Pudz will be unbeatable in two years?

Click here to view the embedded video.

Bjorn Rebney, CEO of Bellator Fighting Championships, is still trying to get a cross promotion with Strikeforce that would feature Eddie Alvarez taking on Gilbert Melendez in a drool worthy lightweight “superfight.” The vibe from the video is that Strikeforce is looking at other directions so we’ll more than likely not be seeing this pairing. Bellator has been a very solid entrant into the mixed martial arts promotion game, and seems to be doing well so we could see something in the future.

In the constantly evolving world of mixed martial arts, weightcutting
has quickly developed into a necessary evil for competitors looking to
fight at the sport's highest level.

Just ask Dane Sayers, who's fought as high as light heavyweight in
his two-and-a-half year career, and competed for the first time ever as
a lightweight his elimination contest on "The Ultimate Fighter 12."

"To be competitive in this sport, you have to be cutting," Sayers told
MMAjunkie.com. "You have to play the game."

Typically, when a promotional champion steps into the ring to defend the title there is little more than the actual belt being put at stake beyond, of course, the standard risks associated with competing in Mixed Martial Arts. However, undefeated Strikeforce female 135-pound champ Sarah Kaufman understands there is more on the line than simply gold and her health, or divisional standing, come October 9th when she looks for her thirteenth professional victory against Marloes Coenen in San Jose.

In addition to being Kaufman’s second defense of the Strikeforce welterweight strap, the bout also represents her first appearance for the company on a non-Challengers card – an opportunity that doesn’t escape the Canadian (who actually turned 25 today, September 20th).

Kaufman recently took time to speak with media about her upcoming match-up with Coenen, as well as her appreciation for the involvement of a female title-fight on the main card of a major event.

When asked about the increased spotlight the show, headlined by a rematch between Nick Diaz and KJ Noons with Diaz’s welterweight belt on the line, will bring to her pairing with the Dutch submission specialist, Kaufman replied, “It’s definitely where the title fight should be. And I feel that both Marloes and I are at a level that we should be getting this slot and we are going to be putting on a great show and I think people deserve to see it on a bigger stage. I am very happy to be fighting where we are on a bigger card for Strikeforce on Showtime and I think the fans will definitely enjoy the fight and I am not going to let them down.”

“I think it’s important for fighters to stand up for what they deserve, but you also don’t want to make your organization look bad,” she continued in reference to a post-fight, public request for upgraded event status on the heels of a memorable knockout slam of Roxanne Modafferi last July. “But I am happy to have said what I said, and my fight backed that up. Whether it was me talking, my fighting, or the fans, it all worked together in helping push the division in having the title on the main card.”

As far as her “challenger” in three weeks, the female welterweight champ expressed no issue with Coenen’s shot at the belt after losing at 145-pounds against explosive champion Cris “Cyborg” Santos in her previous fight.

“I am here to fight, and I think having a tough opponent in front of you is the most important thing,” explained Kaufman. “It doesn’t matter who they fought before, and where they just came from…and I thought Marloes looked really good in the fight with Cyborg. Who knows how the different weight classes are going to affect how she fights. Maybe she is more aggressive. Maybe she is less aggressive. We will just need to see what happens. My training hasn’t been any different even though she is coming down from a heavier weight where she hasn’t fought before. My training has been just as intense and I am expecting just as tough of a fight as I’ve ever had.”

However, while she was open to discussing Coenen, Kaufman avoided making a prediction or even stating ultimate confidence in her retention of the belt based on her 17-4 adversary’s skill set.

“Everything is going really well for this fight. This is another tough fight – Strikeforce has been putting together these really tough fights. I fought Shayna (Baszler) and I fought Takayo (Hashi)…Roxanne was really tough, and now I fighting Marloes. She is another really tough opponent. So once this fight is over and if I am able to defend this title again, it will be good to have a break after that.”

Kaufman is 12-0 with nine knockouts and three decisions in her career. She is 4-0 in Strikeforce, including a decision win over top contender Miesha Tate in May 2009.

On top of her bout against Coenen, and the previously mentioned main event between Diaz/Noons, the October 9th show is also scheduled to feature a much-anticipated clash between former Strikeforce lightweight champ Josh Thomson and newcomer Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante, as well as 185-pound action when 7-1 prospect Luke Rockhold faces seasoned veteran Matt Lindland.

Click here to view the embedded video.

UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre responds to recent comments by fellow UFC welterweight Dan Hardy who doesn’t seem to have much respect for wrestling as it pertains to mixed martial arts. St. Pierre has some solid points, and you have to wonder if Hardy is just trying to stay relevant after a dominant loss to the champ. Thoughts?

After 14 months as a professional fighter, Spencer Paige wasn't sure if he still had it in him.

"Every night I would go home, turn on my Xbox and eat some Oreos and drink Jack Daniels," Paige admitted.

Missed opportunities with canceled fights, a frustrating loss to a
WEC-bound Josh Grispi and the stress of a summer job making $250 a week
had left Paige soured on mixed martial arts. That would soon change
thanks to two guys willing to pay $10 per hour to learn the sport.