SCOTT SMITH RALLIES FROM BRINK OF DEFEAT – AGAIN --
TO SHOCK CUNG LE; GILBERT MELENDEZ REGAINS STRIKEFORCE TITLE WITH WIN OVER JOSH THOMSON IN FIGHT OF YEAR

KING MO, JACARE SCORE VICTORIES AS STRIKEFORCE
ENDS 2009 IN SMASHING FASHION

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Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009, LIVE on SHOWTIME From HP Pavilion, San Jose, Calif.;

Must-See Replay Of STRIKEFORCE: Evolution Wednesday, Dec. 23, on SHOWTIME 2

SAN JOSE, Calif. (Dec. 20, 2009) – No stranger to stirring comeback victories, Scott “Hands Of Steel’’ Smith rallied to knock out Cung Le, Gilbert Melendez regained the STRIKEFORCE lightweight world title in perhaps the Fight of the Year, and STRIKEFORCE newcomers “Jacare’’ Souza and “King Mo’’ Lawal triumphed impressively as STRIKEFORCE closed out an amazing year in spectacular fashion with an incredible fight card before 9,362 at HP Pavilion Saturday on SHOWTIME®.

PHOTOS: ESTHER LIN/STRIKEFORCE

After Melendez (17-2) of San Francisco earned a unanimous, five-round decision and avenged a loss to Josh Thomson (16-3), of San Jose, and Brazil’s Jacare (11-2) and King Mo (6-0), of Carlsbad, Calif., had earlier scored first-round victories over Matt Lindland (21-7) of Oregon City, Ore., and Mike Whitehead, (24-7) of Las Vegas, respectively, Smith stormed back from the brink of defeat – again – to knock out the previously undefeated Le at 3:25 of the third round.

The event, presented by SHOWTIME and STRIKEFORCE, aired live simultaneously on SHOWTIME® and on the Web (Strikeforce: All Access) at http://strikeforce.sho.com. The SHOWTIME telecast began at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast); the Strikeforce: All Access webcast went at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and is available through Dec. 24 at the site.

Smith (18-6), of Elk Grove, Calif., is known for dramatic victories (see: Benji Radach on April 1, 2009, at HP Pavilion and a highlight-reel win over Pete Sell on Nov. 11, 2006, to name two). But the victory over Le (6-1), of San Jose, may be impossible to top.

The fight seemed over at least a couple of times as everything was going Le’s way. His trademark spinning back kicks were connecting almost every time and they were knocking Smith around the cage. At one point, with Smith on the ground after getting dropped, Le seemed to throw more than 50 consecutive punches. He slammed Smith once.

But there is no quit in the courageous Smith, a proven finisher who somehow summoned the energy and heart – again – to twice drop Le. After he connected with two rights hands after Le was down, the referee stepped in and stopped it.

“This was one helluva fight,’’ Smith said afterward. “He had me the first two-and-a-half rounds, but I’ve got a hard head. On the knockdowns, I faked the right and threw the left. Everyone always looks for my right, but the left hook is my best punch.

“Right now, I just want to go home and enjoy Christmas with my kids and family and friends. It never matters who I fight. I just want these types of tough fights.’’

SMITH, MELENDEZ, JACARE, KING MO VICTORIOUS AT HP PAVILION ON SHOWTIME

Le, a former STRIKEFORCE middleweight titleholder who relinquished the belt to concentrate on an acting career, offered no excuses.

“He got me with a punch,’’ Le said. “I did my best, he did his best tonight and we both fought our hearts out. This was a great fight. It was not about focus, or a lack thereof. I just got caught. It is what it is.’’

In a wildly exciting 25-minute, crowd-pleasing give-and-take slugfest that featured a bit of everything, Melendez outpointed Thomson by the scores of 49-46 twice and 49-47. Most everybody had rubber match on their minds when it was over.

“I feel great,’’ Melendez said. “I sparred better for this fight than I did for our first, but Josh is the toughest guy I’ve fought and the toughest guy around.’’

Said Thomson, who unanimously outpointed Melendez over five rounds on June 27, 2008, but has not fought since Sept. 20, 2008, due to injuries:

“There are no excuses. It had nothing to do with the layoff. Gilbert was the better fighter tonight. I’ll do whatever STRIKEFORCE wants. I’m up for a third fight if that’s what they want.’’

Jacare, a talented, non-nonsense, aggressive-minded sort, who will be an immediate threat in STRIKEFORCE’s deep, talent-laden 185-pound weight class, submitted the more experienced Lindland, a 2000 Olympic Games silver medalist, with an arm triangle choke at 4:18 of the first round.

A flamboyant showman, King Mo was escorted down the aisle and into the cage for the opening bout of the telecast by six young, dancing ladies and wearing a crown on his head.

The southpaw, who seemingly is willing to fight anybody in any weight class, dropped Whitehead with a huge overhand right hand, followed with six more punches before the ref stepped in.

“This was a good fight for me, but I am ready for anybody,’’ King Mo said.

Saturday’s thrilling event will re-air as follows:

DAY CHANNEL

Wednesday, Dec. 23, at 11 p.m. ET/PT SHOWTIME 2®

STRIKEFORCE: Evolution also will be available On Demand beginning Tuesday, Dec. 22.

Mauro Ranallo called the action on SHOWTIME with MMA expert Stephen Quadros and MMA superstar Frank Shamrock serving as expert analysts.

Saturday’s non-televised results: Antwain “The Juggernaut’’ Britt (9-3), Virginia, TKO 1 over Scott Lightly (5-1), San Luis Obispo, Calif., at 205 pounds; Justin “The Silverback’’ Wilcox (8-3), San Jose, unanimous decision (30-27 twice, 29-28) over Daisuke Najamura (20-12) of Japan, at 155 pounds; and Alex Crispim (4-2), Pleasanton, Calif., unanimous decision (30-27 three times) over Al Fonseca (4-2), Santa Rosa, Calif., at 145 pounds.

For information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive video, photos and news links on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and STRIKEFORCE mixed martial arts telecasts, along with access to the SHOWTIME Sports Facebook® and Twitter® pages, please go to http://Sports.Sho.com.

Professional Boxers and Mixed Martial Artists Get Roasted For a Good Cause!

La Habra, California - On Sunday September 6, 2009, a live comedy roast of elite mixed martial artists and professional boxers is scheduled to take place at the scintillating Jon Lovitz Comedy Club in HOLLYWOOD 'S Universal Studio's City Walk. Many organizations have teamed up to help raise money to rebuild the recently destroyed La Habra Boxing Foundation’s Club located in La Habra, California. The club was established from an old church in 1981 by one of Southern California’s highest recognized Vietnam Veterans and boxing trainer David Martinez. Mr. Martinez opened the La Habra Boxing Foundation to allow youngsters to constructively channel their energies into a self-confidence building sport. Over ten World Boxing Champions have been trained from Mr. Martinez’s boxing club.

The MMA Roast is presented by Convicted Artist and is the first of its kind Mixed Martial Arts event in which top MMA & Boxing stars are subject to publicly bearing comedic insults, praise, and outrageous true and untrue stories and heartwarming accomplishments by top comedians in which they all take in good faith. Elite fighters including KJ Noons, Rob McCullough, Mighty Mo, Saad Awad, Kimo Leopoldo, Richard Schiller, Dave Cryer, Georgi Karakhanyan will have shots taken at them including Boxing & MMA trainers such as John Bray of the TV Reality Show “The Contender”; cut man & trainer David Martinez, Masters Hall of Fame Inductee & former IFL Sabres Striking Coach, Joe “Striker” Hanlin; and Tony Salazar of Advanced Boxing Techniques.

The Roast will be hosted by “Big Dog” Benny Henderson Jr., Bob Carroll & Ron “The Yacman” Yacovetti. Comedy Headliners include Eliot Chang, Big Earl, The Greg Wilson, Randy Johnson, Amir K, Chris Strait, Aaron Westly, the Funny Lady, the Philly Cat, the Deacon and a special appearance by Reggie Warren Jr.

We would like to give special thanks and recognition to the following contributors and partners: John Bray Boxing Foundation, ConvictedArtist.com, OTM Fight Shop, Wilner & O’Reilly APLC, North Town Gym, Energy Party Crew, IBN Sports, Fight Engine, New Era Fighting, El Paso Custom Graphics, Sports Academy, King of the Cage, Tuff N Uff, Convicted Artist Magazine, G Pro Photo, JAGS, Griffis Realty Investments, Barbie Mafia and Painter of the Stars Paul Bryan Jr.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the program running from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. Tickets are only $20 general admission and $30 VIP. All ticket sale proceeds go to La Habra Boxing Foundation. Tickets are available online at http://www.thejonlovitzcomedyclub.com/. For additional information, contact Steven Arredondo at 714-235-7522 or visit http://www.mmaroast.com/.

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Elena “Baby Doll” Reid switches gloves for “Extreme Beatdown” fight against Michelle Waterson

Special Guest Brock Lesnar Saturday Night at Apache Gold Casino show

PHOENIX (April 8, 2009) – Two-time world boxing champion Elena “Baby Doll” Reid is one of the few hybrid fighters, equally adept at professional boxing and mixed-martial-arts, and she’ll display her MMA skills Saturday night (April 11) in “Extreme Beatdown,” featuring a pair of Sovereign Nations Mixed Martial Arts (SNMMA) championship matches, as well as a special appearance by MMA heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar, Apache Gold Casino, located five miles east of Globe in San Carlos, Arizona.

Former Arizona high school wrestlers, Yaotzin Meza (11-4-0) and Jamie “The Headhunter” Schmidt (7-2-0), will fight for the SNMMA featherweight title in the main event (5 five-minute rounds).

SNMMA links federally recognized tribes throughout the United States and Canada. SNMMA’s mission is to develop, promote and help regulate mixed-martial-arts in a fair and professional manner by federally recognized tribes that are sovereign nations.

Show sponsors include MTX Audio, Respek MMA Fight Gear, Catch 22 Sports Grill, and Hacienda Harley. Highlights of “Extreme Beatdown” will be taped and later shown on HD Net’s Inside MMA Show.

Phoenix-based Reid (2-0-0), who sports a 19-5-6 (5 KOs) pro record, takes on Michelle “The Karate Hottie” Waterson (7-2-0), from Albuquerque, in a special female 112-pound catch-weight attraction match.

Reid, who has a Bachelor’s degree in marketing from UNLV and will soon be attending Arizona State University to pursue another degree in leadership/management for non-profit organizations, started kick-boxing when she 15 and she won a few titles. Finding it difficult to get kick-boxing fights, she concentrated on boxing and eventually dabbled in MMA. “I was living in Las Vegas and was surrounded by MMA fighters with Randy Couture and I knew Gina (Carano) when she was starting out,” the former Liberty College student said. “MMA was another way of fighting, a good outlet for me to do, and I’m having more MMA fights because it’s tougher getting boxing matches.

“I started calling out Michelle six months ago. We hung out a little three months back at an MMA event. She’s cool, beautiful and was on an MMA fight television show. Michelle’s into karate and has a Taekwondo background. She wants to go on the ground and I want to stay on my feet.. I hope that she wants to stand, I’ve heard her say that about other fights, but styles make fights and this should be exciting for fans to watch.”

The first SNMMA super heavyweight (266-pounds or more) title will be contested in the co-feature (5-five minute rounds) as local hero Chance “King of the Street” Williams (6-2-0), who hails from nearby Globe (AZ), meets Las Vegas invader Brice Ritani-Coe (2-0-0).

Lesnar will be at “Extreme Beatdown” to sign autographs and pose for pictures with fans, as well as to support his friend and Minnesota Martial Arts Academy workout partner, Chris Tuchscherer (16-1-0), the first and reigning SNMMA heavyweight champion. The former 2-time NCAA, Division II All-America wrestler, Tuchscherer, from Fargo (ND), is slated to fight in a non-title match against unbeaten Jamie Klair (7-0-0).

Phoenix-based MMA rising stars on hand at “Beatdown Extreme” for a meet-and-greet with the public include Efrain Escudero, Danny Martinez, Ben Henderson and others.

Also on the undercard is Phoenix bantamweight Jesse “Arturo” Moreng (8-1-0) vs. Brandon Miller (3-3-0), of Fresno (CA); Phoenix light heavyweight Jesse “Kid Hercules” Forbes (8-3-0) vs. Shane De Zee, of Minneapolis; Phoenix middleweight Ray “C4” Steinbeiss (11-5-0) vs. Chris Hugh (6-2-0), of Bismarck (ND); Phoenix lightweights Chris Gruetzemacher (0-2-0) vs. Josh Gaskins (4-1-0); Phoenix middleweight Jeremy Larsen (3-1-0) vs. Jeff Horlatcher (6-16-0), of Globe (AZ); York (ND) heavyweight Seth Harrison (2-1-0) vs. TBA.

All fights and fighters are subject to change. All fights excluding the two SNMMA title matches feature 3 five-minute rounds.

Tickets, priced at $20.00 (bleachers), $30.00 (floor) and $50.00 (ringside), are available at the Apache Gold Gift Ship (1.800.272.2438 X3277) or at www.TicketWeb.com (Age requirements: General Admission – all ages; Floor Seats and Ringside -- 21 years of age or older). Go to www.ApacheGoldCasinoResort.com or www.snbcmma.com for additional information. Doors open at 6 PM/MST, first bout at 7 PM.MST.

OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN – OPEN TO PUBLIC

The official weigh-in for “Extreme Beatdown” will be held Friday, April 10 at 11 AM at Catch 22 Sports Grill (18725 North 32nd St., Phoenix, Arizona 85050 – 602.482.9222 – www.catch22phx.com

Nick Diaz and Gilbert Melendez To Host Media Session Next Friday, March 27, at Fairtex Muay Thai Fitness In San Francisco At 1 P.M. PT

SAN JOSE, Calif. (March 20, 2009) – Three-time world champion and mixed martial arts (MMA) legend, Frank Shamrock (24-9-1), welcomed the media to his new Shamrock Martial Arts Academy in San Jose during an open workout on Wednesday, March 18, three and a half weeks before his highly anticipated showdown with bitter rival Nick Diaz (18-7, 1 NC).

The former Strikeforce and UFC world middleweight champion, who has been referred to as “the closest thing that mixed martial arts has to Muhammad Ali,” wooed the press with his western boxing regimen and, soon after, with his magnetic personality, while fielding a host of questions.

Shamrock and Diaz haven’t masked their resentment for one another during the last several weeks while preparing for their matchup at San Jose’s HP Pavilion, the same arena where Shamrock knocked out Diaz’s trainer, Cesar Gracie, in 21 seconds on March 10, 2006.

The two fighters exchanged multiple barbs during the kickoff press conference held by SHOWTIME and Strikeforce at Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 12^th.

The bout represents the first appearance of 2009 for both fighters. The 36-year-old Shamrock is looking to regain his footing amongst the sport’s best after suffering a broken arm in his championship bout with undefeated Cung Le on March 29, 2008.

Diaz is aiming for his fourth consecutive victory, following a flawless run in 2008. The 25-year-old Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belt, who hails from Stockton, Calif., stopped all three of his opponents last year.

Diaz and former Strikeforce lightweight champion, Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez (14-2), will host a joint media day at Fairtex Muay Thai Fitness in San Francisco next Friday, March 27, at 1 p.m.

The 26-year-old Melendez will look to reclaim his title from Josh “The Punk” Thomson (16-2),
the man who seized it from him last year, in a five-round title fight on the April 11^th card.

Strikeforce “Shamrock vs. Diaz” will air live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) on Saturday, April 11.

Tickets for “Shamrock vs. Diaz,” priced from $30, are available for purchase at the HP Pavilion box office (408-287-7070) as well as at all Ticketmaster locations (408-998-TIXS), Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com), and Strikeforce’s official website (www.strikeforce.com).

CSAC needs KIMO Therapy

IRVINE, California (February 9, 2009) – If combat fighting legend KIMO Leopoldo, the face of New Era Fighting, is appointed for the position he’s applied as Executive Officer of the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC), his first order of business will be to recruit a staff of fresh, clean people without a trace of corruption associated with the previous regime.

“Somebody or some group apparently is trying to hide the degree of corruption in CSAC,” KIMO explained his position. ”CSAC former director, Armando Garcia, was allegedly caught with $350,000 (in cash) in his locker, but he was allowed to resign instead of being prosecuted. I’d allow some of the present staff remain in their positions, provided they voluntarily subject themselves to an FBI investigation into the entire matter, and prove they aren’t involved with the CSAC’s corruption, bias or improper activities. In my opinion, temporary executive officer Dean Lohouis isn’t any different than Armando. The CSAC needs change and I’m willing to provide therapy.”

KIMO is publically offering to speak with California high school wrestlers about being winners in and out of competition. “I think it’s better to instill good habits in a young person as opposed to trying to break bad habits when you’re older,” KIMO said as he prepared to schedule to his campaign trail. “Since most MMA fighters seem to be coming out of my backyard in southern California, I want to talk to local wrestlers about the benefits of staying drug free and how to remain positive even when times seem too tough. I don’t want anyone to make the same mistakes I made and, if I can save just one young person, my efforts will be worthwhile. Anyone who wants me to visit their high school to speak may email requests to KIMO@NewEraFighting.com.”

For more information about NEF or KIMO, call 949.221.9704/702.317.4265, or go on line to www.NewEraFighting.com.

-NEF-

Thomson To Defend Strikeforce Title, Seek Vengeance Against Edwards

10/21/08

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Strikeforce World Lightweight (155 lb. limit) Champion, Josh “The Punk” Thomson (16-2), will set out to make his first title defense and, at the same time, look to even an old score against the only man on the planet who has stopped him in the heat of battle - Yves Edwards (34-14-1) – at San Jose’s HP Pavilion on Friday, November 21st.

The 32-year-old Edwards, who scored an unforgettable, first round knockout on Thomson with a head kick at UFC 49 on August 21, 2004, remains one of only two competitors who have defeated Thomson. The finishing shot that Edwards landed on Thomson was afterwards called “the greatest knockout due to a kick in UFC history” by play-by-play announcer, Mike Goldberg.

“I was better than him then and I’m way better than him now,” said Thomson who, one day before his 30th birthday, coasted to his eighth consecutive victory, a first round TKO of Lion’s Den protégé, Ashe Bowman, during Strikeforce’s second affair at the world famous Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, California on Saturday, September 20th.

“This rematch is about winning back something that I let slip through my fingers last time,” Thomson explained. “It was a fluke, but that’s part of the fight game – anyone can get caught. I blame my error last time on my cockiness. This time, I’ve got to stamp my mark on it.”

His dominance of “El Nino” Gilbert Melendez at HP Pavilion on Friday, June 27th earned Thomson the Strikeforce title and a return to the lightweight division’s world top 10 rankings.

“I respect Yves as a fighter and consider him a friend. This is a business, though, and we know it so I’m going to do what I have to do,” said Thomson.

“It was a spectacular finish. We both scrambled and had a good idea, but mine was better,” noted Edwards of his first meeting with Thomson. During his 11-year professional career, Edwards has triumphed over a number of other notable rivals, including Rich Clementi, Dokonjonosuke Mishima, James Edson Berto, and Hermes Franca, whom Edwards defeated twice.

“Both Josh and I have improved. He’s always been comfortable in the cage, but his stand-up looks a lot better and he looks like he puts things together a lot better than he used to. He also looks even harder to take down than before.”

A native of The Bahamas, Edwards took up Karate at age nine and, soon after, began studying Kung-Fu. After relocating to Houston, Texas at the age of 15, he fell in love with mixed martial arts (MMA) and gradually immersed himself in various components of the sport, most notably Muay Thai, western boxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Edwards later dubbed his hybrid style of combat “Thug Jitsu.”

It is his passion for MMA that recently lured Edwards to Coconut Creek, Florida, where he has become a full fledged member of star-filled fight squad, American Top Team. “Being able to go with these guys all the time has helped improve my game a lot. I’m not lacking anything down here. I’m in a fighter’s haven.”

Tickets for Strikeforce “Destruction,” priced from $30, are on sale at the HP Pavilion box office (408-287-7070) as well as at all Ticketmaster locations (408-998-TIXS), Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com), and on Strikeforce’s official website (www.strikeforce.com).

In the main event, Strikeforce World Light Heavyweight (205 lb. limit) Champion, Bobby Southworth (9-5), will make his highly anticipated title defense against top-ranked superstar, Renato “Babalu” Sobral (30-7).

Joe “Diesel” Riggs (28-11) will make his return to the welterweight (170 lb. limit) division in a featured contest with Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, Luke Stewart (6-1).

SCOTT SMITH RALLIES FROM BRINK OF DEFEAT – AGAIN -- TO SHOCK CUNG LE; GILBERT MELENDEZ REGAINS STRIKEFORCE TITLE WITH WIN OVER JOSH THOMSON IN FIGHT OF YEAR

KING MO, JACARE SCORE VICTORIES AS STRIKEFORCE ENDS 2009 IN SMASHING FASHION

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Thomson To Defend Strikeforce Title, Seek Vengeance Against Edwards

SCOTT SMITH RALLIES FROM BRINK OF DEFEAT – AGAIN --
TO SHOCK CUNG LE; GILBERT MELENDEZ REGAINS STRIKEFORCE TITLE WITH WIN OVER JOSH THOMSON IN FIGHT OF YEAR

KING MO, JACARE SCORE VICTORIES AS STRIKEFORCE
ENDS 2009 IN SMASHING FASHION