Strikeforce heavyweight fighter Chad Griggs (9-1) is fresh off his victory over Bobby Lashley at last months Strikeforce: Houston event. “The Grave Digger” wants to face a big name for his next fight and is hoping for Brett Rogers or Daniel Cormier.
Griggs spoke to MMAWeekly.com about his win and his next fight.
“I have a pretty strong feeling we’re gonna stay at heavyweight because (Strikeforce) needs some heavyweights,” said Griggs, who had been contemplating a move to 205 pounds prior to the Lashley bout. “They’re trying to build on their heavyweight division there. I’ve been hearing a lot of rumors and I hope that it happens, Brett Rogers’ name has been thrown around a few times.”
“I know he’s actually fighting outside of Strikeforce in Canada next,” added Griggs, “but I’m hoping that one goes through. He’s another huge guy, but it would be the exact opposite of the fight that Bobby was. He’s a stand-up guy and I think it would be a real exciting fight, so I’m hoping that gets put together.
“There was talk of December, I guess they’re gonna be doing a big show. They haven’t given me any solid details or anything. We’re hoping to hear in the next few weeks or so.”
Griggs has won four straight fights, including his only Strikeforce appearance against Lashley. Six of his nine victories have all come in the first round with 5 (T)KO’s and 1 verbal submission win.
UFC up and comer Claude Patrick seems interesting in fighting a game and name fighter in Stun Gun, but word is that Patrick will be fighting James Wilks at UFC 120 on October 16 in London, England. The welterweight fighter seems to have quite a few fans though Wilks will certainly carry more recognition into the bout.
The family of recently deceased MMA fighter Michael Kirkham recently released a statement through MidwestFightersFocus.com:
“On behalf of Michael Kirkham’s family, we would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and well wishes. We would like everyone to know a little bit about who Michael Kirkham was. He was a loving and caring son, brother, fiance, father and friend. Michael never met a stranger. Everyone to him was just a friend he hadn’t met, yet.
He was a talented musician and artist. He loved the MMA with a passion and was following his dream. To those who say he was cutting weight in order to be a 6′9” tall lightweight, that couldn’t be farther from the truth! He has always been tall and skinny with a very high metabolism. We do not hold his opponent on Saturday responsible for this! They were both in that cage doing what they were trained to do.
This was just a tragedy and was in no way the other fighters fault. We hope he goes on to be one of the best in this sport. We also hope that this does not become an argument for trying to ban the sport that Michael so dearly loved! He would not want his name to be used for that purpose!!
Michael loved this sport, his family and his friends, and would do anything he could for any of the three. There has been a memorial fund set up in Michael’s name to help his family to make sure his children are taken care of. If you would like to donate to this fund, please go to:
WWW.MichaelKirkhamMemorialFund.viviti.com .
A memorial service will be held Friday for his family and friends. Please respect the wishes of the family and remember that Michael was not just a news story, he was a real person with friends and family who loved him! Again, we thank everyone for their love and support.”
Gerardo "Julio" Gallegos, like many fighters, is trying to make a name for himself in mixed martial arts.
But, in a way, he's also trying to erase the effect his name has.
"I fight to take my last name out of the dirt for what my dad did to it," said Gallegos, an undefeated XFC fighter who witnessed his parents' murder-suicide as a kid. "Half my family doesn't even talk to me because of what he did, but I'm trying to do good with it, to make it a better name."
Before his victory over the “Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung, WEC featherweight Leonard Garcia (14-5-1) wasn’t a name casual fans would recognize. Now after the two fighters epic WEC 48 battle on Spike TV, both fighters are household names.
Having to sit out his six-month medical suspension, Garcia has some time to prepare for his next fight and the two-time back-to-back WEC “Fight of the Night” winner say’s he’s gonna face a big name in his next fight. One that may have title implications should he win.
“It’s going to be a big fight, somebody I haven’t fought before, a really big name in the division, and it should definitely have title implications afterward. I’m trying to give you as many clues as I can without giving it away. To me it seems like a really exciting fight, because this guy’s always in really exciting fights.”
He’s got no plans on changing his style for this upcoming fight even if a title is on the line.
“I’m not going to change my style any time soon, so I guess I’ll just be in the back smiling again on the way to the hospital.”
Read more of Garcia’s comments as he talks about the ride to the hospital with the “Korean Zombie” and how much his fighting style frustrates his coaches off by visiting MMAFighting.com.
My name is Keith "Boogie" Brown. I was lucky enough to win a pair of MyHouse board shorts at a raffle at the "Good Fight" Thanksgiving Throwdown 2 and I've been rocking them ever since. From the practice mats, to the boxing ring, to the cage, these shorts hold up and stay comfortable. I have been spreading the word that My House gear is the truth. I will definitely be wearing them when I step in the cage for Naga's "Reality Fighting" at the Battle at the Beach weekend in Wildwood.
Ryan Freeman - "My parents picked these shorts up at the super grands in Buffalo. Loved the way they fit and thought you would like to see your name getting out there!"
Thanks to Ryan Freeman for sending us this video of his 22 sec KO! Rumble at the Ramada, while wearing MyHOUSE shorts! Check it out. He kills it!
Early in the fighter's career, he got a fight at UFC 65 when the Ultimate Fighting Championship was still building up heavyweight Jake O"Brien. And he next fights at "Strikeforce: Nashville" later this month.
But the fighter, who once had $200 to his name and fought a guy who put a $4,000 bedroom set up against Schockman's car, isn't too concerned with fame. His fights for money and fun, and he can do that on stages big and small.
Martins Denis, UFC - Ricardo Almeida. It is a name that is synonymous with Brazil, and fans from the country are eagerly awaiting the former middleweight contender's debut at 170 pounds against Matt 'The Immortal' Brown this Saturday night at UFC 111 in his home state of New Jersey.
Strikeforce heavyweight fighter Chad Griggs (9-1) is fresh off his victory over Bobby Lashley at last months Strikeforce: Houston event. “The Grave Digger” wants to face a big name for his next fight and is hoping for Brett Rogers or Daniel Cormier.
Gerardo "Julio" Gallegos, like many fighters, is trying to make a name for himself in mixed martial arts.
Germany's Marcel Mette (148) added his name to Michael Soong's All-Time Rankings on April 11 at the WPC German Championships in Elmshorn, Germany. 
The name Josh Schockman may ring a bell.