35-year old Jens Pulver made his return to the ring at 155-pounds on Saturday night and left with his head hung low as he has seven of eight times before his bout against Diego Garijo at PWP’s “War on the Mainland” event. Pulver, whose previous five fights came at featherweight, was dropped by a straight punch early, then submitted via guillotine choke a little over a minute into the first round. The loss was the sixth consecutive defeat for “Little Evil”

Meanwhile, Thales Leites was submitted for the first time in his 21-fight career by former IFL middleweight champion Matt Horwich in a battle for the PWP 185-pound title. His rear-naked choke of Leites came shortly into the fourth round after three rounds of grappling prowess being put on display by both in the preceding frames.

Also successful in an attempt at winning a championship was Tony Lopez who left UFC veteran Jason Lambert face-down on the canvas in the second round of their light heavyweight title-bout after a punch following a brutal knee rendered Lambert into a relative puddle of goo. The win was the nineteenth of Lopez’s career and prevented “The Punisher” from taking home his third straight victory.

In main event action, two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia was more fortunate where a trio of consecutive wins where concerned. Sylvia flattened opponent Paul Buentello in the final seconds of the second round of their PWP title bout courtesy of a series of knees and an uppercut against the ropes. Up next for “The Maine-iac” is Pedro Rizzo who entered the ring after the match-up had concluded and expressed his intent to win Sylvia’s new shiny beltbuckle.

A full list of results from “War on the Mainland” can be found below:

A.J. Matthews def. Sean Choice via TKO Round 2
Cleber Luciano def. Todd Willingham via Submission Round 2 (Rear-Naked Choke)
Gustavo Machado def. Rick Reeves via Split Decision
Diego Garijo def. Jens Pulver via Submission Round 1 (Guillotine Choke)
Erin Beach def. Joao Silva via Unanimous Decision
Matt Horwich def. Thales Leites via Submission Round 4 (Rear-Naked Choke)
Tony Lopez def. Jason Lambert via KO Round 2
Terry Martin def. Jorge Ortiz via Split Decision
Tim Sylvia def. Paul Buentello via KO Round 2

Tim Sylvia may not be "back," but he's definitely not gone.

The former UFC heavyweight champion used an effective - if not
necessarily exciting - controlling strategy to wear down fellow UFC vet Paul Buentello before earning a second-round finish.

The bout served as the main event of Powerhouse World Promotions' first
pay-per-view event, "War on the Mainland," which took place Saturday
night at the Bren Events Center in Irvine, California.

Tim Sylvia may not be "back," but he's definitely not gone.

The former UFC heavyweight champion used an effective - if not
necessarily exciting - controlling strategy to wear down fellow UFC vet Paul Buentello before earning a second-round finish.

The bout served as the main event of Powerhouse World Promotions' first
pay-per-view event, "War on the Mainland," which took place Saturday
night at the Bren Events Center in Irvine, California.

Welcome to MMAjunkie.com's live coverage of tonight's Powerhouse World Promotions' "War on the Mainland" event.

In addition to a Paul Buentello vs. Tim Sylvia headliner, tonight's
pay-per-view event includes a loaded main card full of big-fight
veterans.

Join us for live round-by-round coverage and official results from the main card beginning at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT local time).

All 18 fighters for tonight's Powerhouse World Promotions' "War on the
Mainland" event successfully made weight for the show on Friday evening.

Well, more or less.

Former UFC heavyweight champion and "War on the Mainland" headliner Tim
Sylvia looked significantly better than he has in recent outings, as he
weighed in at 274.4 pounds - just under the contracted limit of 275
pounds but almost 10 pounds heavier than the 265-pound limit generally
in place for most heavyweight championship fights - with fellow UFC vet
Paul Buentello.

Each man participating on tonight’s “War on the Mainland” card stepped on the scale Friday afternoon in Irvine, California and, as expected, all nine bouts will take place as originally scheduled.

Perhaps most notably, former UFC heavyweight champ Tim Sylvia officially measured in at 274 pounds. The number is actually thirty pounds down from his weight in his last bout, against Mariusz Pudzianowski at Moosin last May, and only twelve pounds heavier than he was in his final Octagon appearance against Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira in February 2008.

“War on the Mainland” features Sylvia and Paul Buentello locking horns over the PWP Heavyweight Championship, as well as UFC veteran Jason Lambert fighting late replacement Tony Lopez for the light heavyweight belt and former IFL 185-pound champ Matt Horwich facing submission-specialist Thales Leites for the middleweight title.

Additionally, former UFC Lightweight Champion Jens “Little Evil” Pulver and hard-hitting journeyman Terry Martin are slated for action at the show. Pulver measured in at 155.4 pounds, meaning his recent run at featherweight appears to be over, while Martin came in at an even 170 pounds in preparation for his bout against 16-6-1 Jorge Ortiz.

The official results of the weigh-ins are as follows:

A.J. Matthews (168.8 lbs) vs. Sean Choice (169.4 lbs)
Todd Willingham (154.8 lbs) vs. Cleber Luciano (153.8 lbs)
Joao Silva (153.4 lbs) vs. Erin Beach (154.4 lbs)
Jorge Ortiz (169 lbs) vs. Terry Martin (170 lbs)
Gustavo Machado (185.8 lbs) vs. Rick Reeves (183 lbs)
Jens Pulver (155.4 lbs) vs. Diego Garijo (153.8 lbs)
Matt Horwich (185.4 lbs) vs. Thales Leites (184.6 lbs)
Jason Lambert (203.8 lbs) vs. Tony Lopez (204.6 lbs)
Tim Sylvia (274.4 lbs) vs. Paul Buentello (251.6 lbs)*

* – Bout is being contested with 275-pound maximum rather than the standard 265-pound limit for heavyweights

Former IFL middleweight champ Matt Horwich has never been known for acting in a conventional way or subscribing to the norm. Whether expressing his enlightened point of view on the world, his affinity for Brazilian Jiujitsu, or his love for quantum physics, Horwich is as unique a character as you’ll find in Mixed Martial Arts. He also happens to be a tremendous grappler with nineteen submission wins to his credit and a history of being extremely difficult to finish.

The 40-fight veteran faces his newest challenge this weekend, Thales Leites, at Powerhouse World Promotion’s upcoming “War on the Mainland” show in Irvine, California for the PWP Middleweight strap. Leites, who has won three consecutive bouts since parting ways with the UFC, is 17-3 as a professional and considered to be one of the better BJJ-based fighters in Mixed Martial Arts.

Five Ounces of Pain had a chance to speak to Horwich about the challenge Leites provides and how he’s approaching this weekend’s match-up. Though “Suave” considers the Brazilian to be on par with Ricardo Almeida in terms of the offering the best jiujitsu he’s faced in his career, he also didn’t hesitate to express his opinion the fight could also involve a decent amount of striking when asked whether or not he felt the action would focus on stand-up or be purely a ground war.

“I’m thinking both. We’re both well-rounded fighters by the Great Spirit’s grace!”

Horwich also stated he was approaching the five-round affair like any other bout, going so far as to say he prefers the potential for twenty-five minutes – even longer – as opposed to a non-title fifteen.

Said Horwich, “No, I like five rounds better. I think they should have special seven-round fights for guys like us.”

In closing, “Suave” parted with the humility and spirituality fans have come to expect from the 24-15-1 veteran.

“I want to give a big thanks and a shout out to Chris Reilly and my team at “Legends” – Eddy Bravo, everyone at 10th Planet, Melee Fight Wear…and everyone should see Wilmer Valderama’s new movie, “The Dry Land”. He’s one of the nicest famous dudes and part of our family at Legends…God Bless and have a beautiful day everyone! Every day is a new day of adventure and limitless possibilities by Jesus’ grace and surfing the infinitely exhilarating current of creativity!!!”

“War on the Mainland” takes place at the Bren Events Center on Saturday, August 14th, and will be available on cable/satellite PPV starting at 7:00PT/10:00ET. Beyond Horwich vs. Leities, the card also features title fights between UFC alumnus Jason Lambert and eight-time World BJJ champion Allan Goes, as well as the hard-hitting Paul Buentello vs. 2X UFC Heavyweight champ Tim Sylvia.

Press Release

Horwich new opponent for Leites on ‘War on the Mainland’ PPV show
Sylvia-Buentello headlines one of 3 PWP Title fights Aug. 14 in Irvine, CA

SAN DIEGO (Aug. 3, 2010) – Former IFL middleweight champion Matt “The Fighting Hippy” Horwich is the new opponent for former UFC title challenger Thales Leites in their August 14 battle for the vacant Powerhouse World Promotions (PWP) LLC Middleweight Championship, one of three world title fights on the “War on the Mainland” Pay Per View event, live from Bren Events Center in Irvine, California.

Leites (17-3-1), fighting out of Brazil, and Hollywood-based Horwich (23-13-1) are both Brazilian Jui Jitsu specialists. Leiti has defeated Gustavo Machado and Jason Guida, while Horwich’s victims include Jason Lambert, Mike Pyle and Benji Radach.

“We’re excited to add Matt Horwich to our already stacked card,” PWP CEO Brian Manna said. “They are two of the best BJJ fighters in the world. Either one will make a great PWP Middleweight Champion.”

Two-time UFC heavyweight champion Tim “Maine-iac” Sylvia meets former UFC and Strikeforce title challenger Paul “The Headhunter” Buentello in the main event for the PWP Heavyweight Championship.

“War on the Mainland,” presented by Powerhouse World Promotions, is being distributed by Integrated Sports Media at 10:00PM ET/7:00PM PT in North America on cable and satellite Pay-Per-View via iN Demand, DIRECTV, Avail-TVN and DISH Network, as well as Viewer’s Choice, Bell TV and Shaw PPV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95. It will also be available in the United Kingdom via Primetime Live. The PPV card will also be streamed live on Internet PPV outside of the United States, Canada and United Kingdom by going to www.WarontheMainland.com.

In the co-main event, former WEC titlist Jason “The Punisher” Lambert (25-11-0) faces 8-time World Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion Allan Goes (17-3-0) for the vacant PWP Light Heavyweight title belt in the third of three PWP title fights on the card (5 X 5, all other fights are 3 X 5).

Also fighting on “War on the Mainland” is Brazilian middleweight Gustavo “Ximu” Machado (18-8-1) vs. Rick Reeves (10-3-0) and Mexican welterweight Jorge “The Naked Man” Ortiz (16-5-1) vs. veteran Terry Martin (19-8-0).

Undercard fights featuring local fighters include lightweights Joao Silva (3-2-0) vs. Erin Beach (1-0-0), lightweights Cleber Luciano (3-3-0) vs. Todd Willingham (2-4-2), welterweights A.J. Mathews (3-0-0) vs. Sean Choice (1-0-0), and pro-debuting lightweights Evan Aitkins vs. Chad McCausland. All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, ranging from $35.00 to $110.00 reserved and $110.00 to $295.00 on the floor, are on sale at the Bren Events Center Box Office (10 AM/PT-6 PM/PT, Mon-Fri), going on line to www.bren.uci.edu or www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1.949.824.5000.

Doors open at 5:00 PM/PT, first bout 6:15 PM/PT, first PPV bout 7 PM/PT – 10 PM/ET. Go to www.WarontheMainland.com or www.bren.uci.edu for additional information.

Vendor opportunities and sponsorships are available by calling 1.858.798.1541

The California Gold Rush is no longer a thing of the past, at least where Powerhouse World Promotion’s upcoming “War on the Mainland” show is concerned. Former UFC heavyweight champ Tim Sylvia will get another crack at hoisting a belt above his head on August 14th in Irvine, California as one of a number of competitors with Octagon experience slated for title-fights on the card.

 “The Maine-iac” will face fellow UFC veteran Paul Buentello for PWP’s heavyweight strap in a main-event bout sure to deliver stand-up fireworks and most likely a knockout ending.

Also squaring off over gold at the event are two fighters whose individual styles are polar opposites to those of the heavyweight headliners. Matt Horwich and Thales Leites will test each others’ might on the ground for the PWP Middleweight Championship in a battle of American wrestling vs. Brazilian Jiujitsu sure to wow fans of high-level grappling. Leites will be looking for his fourth consecutive victory since parting ways with the UFC, while former IFL 185-pound champ Horwich will be simply hoping to right his proverbial ship with a win after dropping six of his last eight fights (all by decision).

Rounding out the trio of title-fights, 25-11 Jason Lambert will do his best to avoid the slick submissions of eight-time World BJJ champion Allan Goes and take home the PWP light heavyweight belt in the process. Lambert is 2-0 in 2010, and though Goes hasn’t fought in three years his reputation in the sport speaks for itself.

“War on the Mainland” will take place at the Bren Events Center on 8/14/10 in Irvine, California and will be available on cable/satellite PPV starting at 7:00PT/10:00ET.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Powerhouse World Promotions presents War On the Mainland on Saturday August 14 from the Bren Events Center in Irvine California and will feature former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia taking on journeyman fighter Paul Buentello.

Here’s the card, as it stands:

Tim Sylvia vs. Paul Buentello
Jason Lambert vs. Allan Goes
Thales Leites vs. Falaniko Vitale
Jens Pulver vs. Diego Garijo
Terry Martin vs. Jorge Ortiz
Gustavo Machado vs. Rick Reeves
Joao Silva vs. Erin Beach

There’s definitely some recognizable names on the card. Can Sylvia continue his winning streak and push forward towards a bigger show in the future. We’ll find out August 14.