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Bellator
Ronny Markes enters his 28th professional MMA bout at Friday’s Bellator 262 in Uncasville, Conn., but facing Said Sowma will be different than any other fight he’s ever had.
A veteran of the game who has competed against the likes of Yoel Romero, Thiago Santos, Paulo Filho and Linton Vassell, Markes agreed to facing Sowma in a heavyweight bout despite their relationship as occasional training partners over at American Top Team in Florida.
“He’s the most humble guy there is at ATT,” Markes said in an interview with MMA Fighting. “Everybody loves this guy. He helps everybody. He truly is a nice guy, but I couldn’t turn down the fight. I’m coming off a loss, so it’s a complicated situation. But I hope it doesn’t change anything because I hope to train at ATT in the future. There’s nothing we can do. We’re professionals.”
Remembering the Impact of Carlson Gracie
Feb. 1, 2006: Exactly 15 years ago one of the most important
masters of jiu-jitsu and MMA history was declared dead in a
hospital in Chicago, putting the entire martial arts community in
mourning. Carlson Gracie died due to heart failure as a result of
complications of kidney stones following a hospitalization of
several days.
As a fighter, Carlson was the Gracie who defended the family for
the longest period. He started in 1950, but was only acknowledged
by the press as Brazil s best fighter in 1955, after avenging his
uncle Helio by beating Waldemar Santana. He went on to become an
Out of Obscurity: Fight Time 29, Cage 34 and Shooto Brazil 61
Every week, Combat Press takes a look at three regional, developmental or international cards from the upcoming weekend, previewing from each a single fight to which people should pay close attention. We will also list other significant bouts from the card, as well as information on how to follow each promotion and watch the events.
Let’s discover those prospects that fight in the obscurity of the regional, developmental and international circuits, waiting for their shot at the bright lights and big stage of the UFC, and those veterans looking for one more chance at stardom. It all begins here, in the small convention centers and high school gymnasiums. It all begins with promotions such as these…
Minowaman, a legend among hardcore fight fans, is headed to the RIZIN Fighting Federation ring.
The 44-year-old, who has competed in well over 100 mixed martial arts bouts and many pro wrestling matches, will take on
jūryō-ranked sumo Tsuyoshi Sudario at RIZIN 26 inside the Saitama Super Arena on New Years Eve.
Considering the legend has fought just about everywhere else on earth, this debut in RIZIN ring, the biggest promotion in his native Japan, feels like a long time coming. But according to the man himself, the timing is perfect.
“I was actually hoping to get the opportunity to fight for RIZIN,” he told BJPENN.com ahead of his RIZIN 26 fight with Sudario. “I was thinking about it about a month before I got the offer so I think it was meant to be.