Bellator Fighting Championships will crown its first-ever heavyweight champ on Oct. 14.

That's when Cole Konrad and Neil Grove, finalists from the organization's eight-man heavyweight tournament, meet to determine a tourney winner and first-ever heavyweight title-holder.

Bellator 32 takes place in Missouri at the Kansas City Power & Light District.

Former UFC lightweight champion BJ Penn is still very relevant in the overall division picture, but he’s taking on Matt Hughes at welterweight rather than fighting lightweight top contender Kenny “Kenflo” Florian. Many wondered if Penn was looking for a more likely win versus a tough battle, but that doesn’t seem to be the case at all. Talking to MMAJunkie, Penn explained how the fight with Hughes went down:

“I talked to Dana, and they tried to put me in the ring with Florian, (and) Dana said Florian was hurt,” said Penn, who submitted Florian in 2009 to defend the belt. “[Dana] said, ‘What do you think about Hughes?’ I said, ‘Matt Hughes?’ I got chicken skin all over my body. I said, ‘Tell him I’m coming. Tell him, let’s go.’”

After suffering back-to-back defeats, Penn said he had more sense than to request a fight with a UFC Hall of Famer who fights at a heavier weight class – especially one who’s climbed back into title contention with a string of wins over Matt Serra, Renzo Gracie and Ricardo Almeida. But with the opportunity to fight again quickly, and with Hughes on board, he simply couldn’t pass it up.

“I’m more respectful than that to lose two fights in a row and say, ‘OK, give me Matt Hughes,’” Penn said. “They offered me that fight. Matt was really excited about the fight. Dana called me and said, ‘We offered Matt the fight. He’s going to put everything on hold to take the fight if you want it.’ And I said, ‘I’ve got nothing else better to do. Let’s do this.’

Penn doesn’t gain much with a win except for a paycheck, as most would expect him to return to the lightweight division and make another run at the title. With current champion Frankie Edgar next looking to take on Gray Maynard you could certainly see Penn still fighting Florian for rights to the next title shot. Still a matchup with Hughes does seem like something that fans want, and it should make for a very entertaining bout especially with Hughes recent ressurgence.

Goodbye Chael Sonnen, hello either Vitor Belfort or Yushin Okami. The UFC, via a press release let the word get out that the winner of the upcoming middleweight bout between Vitor Belfort and Yushin Okami will in fact get the next title shot. Here’s the blurb:

In the high-stakes main event, mixed martial arts legend Vitor ‘the Phenom’ Belfort will face Japanese powerhouse Yushin ‘Thunder’ Okami in a three-round contest to determine who will challenge for the UFC Middleweight Championship in 2011.

Seems pretty logical, especially with Sonnen looking like he’s out of the picture. Mind you if Sonnen some how proves he’s innocent he could still fight Silva first and then one of the other two fighters would try for the title later in 2011.

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.

Press Release

Leading up to MFC shows over the past few years, The Z-Files takes an in-depth look at the card, the fighters themselves, and the ramifications of each bout, all leading to the Top 10 Questions.

And in the past year, following each show The Z-Files has expanded its review and added in a rundown of notes, quotes, and fallout. These are not necessarily answers to the Top 10 Questions that were posed coming into the event, but some insight into what happened and what’s in store in the future based upon the results.

So coming out of MFC 26:

It was the most-asked question just hours after the show. Is Douglas Lima that good or did Ryan Ford have an off night? It’s completely unfair and false to take anything away from Lima’s performance by putting the onus back on Ford. Simply put – Lima was that good. He stayed calm under the expected pressure from Ford, never panicked when he was on his back, and so smoothly sunk in the fight-finishing submission. The decisive win begs more questions though including whom does Lima face in his expected title shot, and what is next for Ford. And there are questions arising about Ford’s future. Yes he only has three losses in 15 fights but he’s been submitted twice by armbar and more notably hasn’t peaked when it’s needed the most (two failed shots at the title and now dropping a title eliminator).

And how about this from the Lima locker room . so sure was Lima and his trainer Roan Carneiro that the bout vs. Ford would go five rounds that because it finished early in Round 2, Lima kept his gloves on and did a five-minute round on the pads after the fight. Other than visiting with the doctor, the only acceptable reason for being last guy to the post-fight press conference is that you’re still working.

Antonio McKee may be one of the most radically outspoken fighters around, but for all the doubters who figured he’d fall back on his “boring” style to pull out another decision, they got a very rude awakening when he showcased an all-out aggressive attack in dispatching of Luciano Azevedo inside the opening four minutes of the fight. And what did McKee get out of the fight?

I think not only did he achieve finding some new-found respect from MMA insiders, but more importantly, McKee got the love of the crowd at long last. Fans had always respected his record and longevity but they didn’t care for his win-at-no-cost style. By adopting a more exciting approach, McKee was rewarded with the fans’ appreciation.

While McKee went for more entertainment value, Jesse Taylor took a page out of McKee’s old playbook and used a smothering attack – though complemented by several submission attempts – to stall Tom Watson’s climb up the ladder.

Taylor was relentless and virtually mistake-free. Watson wasn’t given any room to pull the trigger while the fighters were standing and unable to find any groove on the ground where he struggled against Taylor’s strong swarming.

Though he was unable to finish the fight, it was evident that Ford Robertson’s wrestling is at a serious level. He controlled nearly every minute of his test against seasoned pro Andrew Buckland. There are certainly things to work on if he intends to go further and it would be interesting to see what kind of stand-up game he can put together, but there is much to work with.

You have to like both Curtis Demarce and Tyson Steele. Good kids both who put on a terrific tussle with Demarce coming out on top as he benefitted from his wealth of experience. There are some good fights down the road coming for these two.

Best Superman punch knockout ever? Maybe so. Regardless it was a big splash for David Heath in his 185-pound debut. First he busted open Solomon Hutcherson from the bottom. Then nearly ended the fight with beautiful spinning backfist. Then came the supremely executed smashing blow that turned the lights out on “King” Solomon. Heath came into the fight declaring it the start of his new career and he lived up to the touted rebirth. But give both guys credit – it was the show stealer that everyone predicted it would be.

Speaking of Hutcherson, both he and Luciano Azevedo were walking wounded after their respective bouts. Hutcherson’s face was busted up by the assault from Heath while Azevedo suffered what many were calling the worst cut they’d ever seen in MMA as his forehead was split open by vicious McKee elbows.

Dwayne Lewis uses the uppercut better than 90% of all fighters in MMA. For references, check with Ryan McClain, Jay Whitford, Marvin Eastman, and now, Mike Nickels.

AUSTIN, Texas - Consider for a moment what UFC lightweight contender Jim
Miller has accomplished in 23 months as a UFC
employee.

The New Jersey native has amassed a 7-1 record in the octagon - or two
wins more than UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar has garnered in his
entire career. The lone blemish on Miller's record? March 2009 loss to
current No. 1 contender Gray Maynard.

So with a unanimous decision win over the always-tough Gleison Tibau at
Wednesday's UFC Fight Night 22 event, Miller should be involved in any
title discussions, right? Not according to him.

AUSTIN, Texas - For UFC middleweight contender Nate Marquardt, things didn't work out quite as he had hoped.

Sure, a first-round victory in his UFC Fight Night 22 main event bout
with Rousimar Palhares was nice, but as he sat in front of the media at
the evening's post-event press conference, Marquardt was forced to
explain why his opponent had accused him of cheating.

"It's kind of disappointing to have to try and defend yourself over
something like that," Marquardt said. "I'm not a dirty fighter, and I
don't cheat. I don't grease."

PRESS RELEASE / Las Vegas, NV (USA) – Detroit will be infused with adrenaline on Saturday, November 20, as the Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to the Motor City for the first time since UFC IX in 1996. In the main event, two former UFC light heavyweight champions collide as Quinton “Rampage” Jackson takes on Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida at “UFC 123: RAMPAGE vs. MACHIDA”, presented by Bud Light and live from the Palace at Auburn Hills in Detroit, Michigan.

Also on this stacked UFC 123 card, former welterweight champions will settle their score as UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes and former two-division champion BJ Penn face off in the rubber match of one of the greatest trilogies in fight history.

“When you think of Detroit, the first names that come to mind are legends like Joe Louis and Tommy Hearns,” UFC President Dana White said. “This is a real fight town with diehard fight fans, so I’m happy to be the guy bringing big fights to the Motor City.”

“We’re bringing the best UFC fighters here on November 20th,” added White, who is heading to Detroit on Thursday, September 16th, to meet with the media and officially announce UFC 123. “Rampage Jackson and Lyoto Machida are two of the top light heavyweights in the world. I expect this fight to be a war, as both of these guys want to get back in the title run. The co-main event is Matt Hughes vs. BJ Penn, two of the best fighters in UFC history. They have both beat each other and jumped at the opportunity to fight a third time.”

“We’ve stayed in constant touch with the UFC for several years now in working together to develop an opportunity to place one of their electrifying events at The Palace of Auburn Hills,” said Stu Mayer, Senior Vice President, Sports & Events for Palace Sports & Entertainment. “We’re both extremely pleased that it’s finally become a reality. UFC 123 will no doubt be embraced by the greater Detroit area and throughout the state of Michigan.”

A ferocious competitor known for his aggressive slams and knockout power, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (fighting out of Memphis, Tenn. / professional record: 30-8) has been in there with the best and has beaten the best. A former PRIDE veteran and UFC light heavyweight champion, the Memphis native’s UFC stint has seen him score knockout victories over Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva and decision wins over Dan Henderson and Keith Jardine, making it clear that the 32-year-old can stand in the Octagon with anyone.

“I started this camp very early,” Jackson said. “I stayed in shape from the last fight and the weight hasn’t been an issue this time. Every single minute of this camp will be focused on technique, not getting back in shape or shaking the ring rust after a long time off.

“If Machida decides to fight me, it will be an exciting fight for one round before he goes to sleep. I am expecting him to run from me, though. He’d wear sneakers into the Octagon if he could! But don’t worry, I will hunt him down and get him anyway.”

A black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Machida Karate, Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida (fighting out of Belem, Brazil / 16-1) has proved he is dangerous anywhere the fight goes. The former UFC light heavyweight champion won his first 16 professional fights and is focused on getting back into the title picture. Winning five of his first six fights in the UFC, the 32-year-old has finished three bouts, including a submission win over Rameau Sokoudjou and knock out victories against Thiago Silva and Rashad Evans.

“I know what it’s like to be the champion and I want to be the champion again,” Machida said. “I respect Rampage and I think he is an incredible fighter, but I’m going to expose his weaknesses – I’m going to win this fight on November 20 and go after the light heavyweight title.”

A fighter that is seeing a renaissance during an already brilliant career, Matt Hughes (fighting out of Hillsboro, Ill. / 46-7) has won his last three fights, putting himself back in the title picture once again. After a unanimous decision win against Matt Serra, a KO victory over Renzo Gracie, and a submission victory over Brazilian jiu-jitsu blackbelt Ricardo Almeida, the 36-year-old has cemented his UFC Hall Of Fame status as he looks to get his welterweight title back.

In a move back to the 170-pound class after a very successful run as champion at 155 pounds, former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion BJ Penn (fighting out of Hilo, Hawaii / 15-7-1) will meet Hughes in a highly-anticipated rubber match. After Penn won their first fight via submission at UFC 46 and Hughes evened the score via TKO at UFC 63, both fighters are hungry to break the tie. Penn, a highly decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, has always been known as a finisher, and with fighters such as Kenny Florian, Diego Sanchez, Sean Sherk, Joe Stevenson, Jens Pulver and even Hughes on that list, the 31-year-old Hawaiian is one of the sport’s most dangerous competitors.

Tickets for UFC 123 will go on sale Monday, September 20 at 10 a.m. ET and will be priced at $400, $300, $200, $150, $100 and $50. Tickets are available at Palacenet.com, Ticketmaster.com, charge-by-phone (800.745.3000) and all Ticketmaster retail locations.

UFC Fight Club members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Friday, September 17 starting at 10 a.m. ET via UFCFightClub.com. A special internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers on Saturday, September 18 starting at 10a.m. ET. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

UFC 123 will be available live on Pay-Per-View on iN DEMAND, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN, BellTV, Shaw Communications, Sasktel, and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $44.99 US/$49.99 CAN for standard definition or high-definition broadcasts (where available). UFC 123 will also be available on Pay-Per-View in Spanish in the United States.

With another lightweight title shot not on the horizon, B.J. Penn will return to the welterweight division to complete a trilogy of fights with Matt Hughes.

The fight takes place in November at UFC 123 and could serve as the night's co-main event, a source close to the negotiations told MMAjunkie.com.

Hughes first hinted at the matchup in a Tuesday blog post, which prompted reports of the Penn booking.

Former UFC champions BJ Penn (15-7-1) and Matt Hughes (45-7) will meet for a third time when the two square off at UFC 123.

The news was confirmed by MMAFighting.com after rumors of the matchup surfaced on Monday on CagePotato.com.

The welterweight bout will take place at the yet to be officially announced UFC 123, which goes down at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan on Nov. 20.

Both of their previous meetings have been fought for the UFC welterweight title with each fighter holding a win over the other. Hughes holds the last victory, defending the welterweight title at UFC 63, defeating Penn by TKO (punches) in the third round. While Penn earned the first victory by submitting Hughes by rear-naked-choke at UFC 40 to earn the Hawaiian his first UFC title.

Penn is coming off back-to-back lightweight championship losses to Frankie Edgar at UFC 118 and UFC 112. “The Prodigy” has stated that he wanted to come back quickly to face a big name and now has it in Hughes. Penn has fought for either the UFC lightweight or welterweight title in his past seven fights going 4-3 overall in those bouts.

The UFC Hall of Famer, Hughes, has shown a resurgence in his career after losing back-to-back matches to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 79 for the UFC interim welterweight title, and to Thiago Alves at UFC 85 in a 174 lbs catchweight bout. Since those losses he’s earned three straight wins against some tough opponents. He’s defeated Matt Hughes at UFC 98, Renzo Gracie at UFC 112, and earned his first “Submission of the Night” bonus for choking out Ricardo Almeida at UFC 117.

UFC 123 is expected to be headlined by a light-heavyweight bout between another set of former champions, Lyoto Machida vs. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.