The news was revealed by the UFC themselves today, stating that verbal agreements are in place.

After putting on a great seven-fight winning streak and earning a shot at the UFC welterweight belt, Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy (23-10-0-1nc) has lost all of his last four bouts. The loss to George St-Pierre started a chain of defeats to Carlos Condit, Anthony Johnson and Chris Lytle. Many thought he would be cut, yet Lorenzo Fertitta stated that he would be given another chance.

A world kickboxing champion and MMA veteran, Duane Ludwig (21-12-0) lost his last fight to Josh Neer by way of guillotine choke. Ludwig had won his previous two fights against Amir Sadollah and Nick Osipczak, the latter by close split decision. “Bang” also holds wins over Yves Edwards, Genki Sudo and Jens Pulver.

UFC 146 will take place on May 26th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The card will be headlined by a heavyweight title bout between Junior Dos Santos and Alistair Overeem.

By Mike Clarke

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Gunnar Nelson vs. Alexander Butenko

One of the most talked about prospects in mixed martial arts, Gunnar Nelson (8-0-1) is still undefeated since making his professional debut in 2007, aged just 18. He has looked, pretty much, unstoppable and has defeated the likes of Danny Mitchell and Eugene Fadiora along the way. This fight will be Nelson’s first since September of 2010.

Alexander Butenko (12-4-0) is a Ukrainian fighter who made his debut in the professional ranks in 2008 and did not get off to the best of starts, going 2-3-0 in his first 5 fights. He responded well however and has had his hand raised in 10 of his last 11 outings. Like Nelson, Butenko possesses some outstanding grappling skills and owns 10 stoppage victories, all by submission.

This will be a truly entertaining battle between two outstanding grapplers but Nelson should win this by submission. Although Butenko is outstanding on the ground, Nelson is truly world-class.

Ross Pointon vs. John Michael Shiel

Infamously starring in the third season of The Ultimate Fighter, Ross “The Gladiator” Pointon is known for his willingness to fighting anybody at anytime, as seen with his two bouts against the UK’s number 1 Michael Bisping. Whilst he may not have the best of records, Ross has shown improvements in recent years, even in his losses.

John Michael Sheil comes into this fight with a perfect record of 6-0-0. He made his professional debut in 2007 but after winning his debut fight he would not compete again until March of last year. The heavy handed Irishman had an amazing 2011, winning all 5 of his fights and only having to leave the first round on one occasion.

John Michael Sheil will take home the victory from this bout. His heavy strikes will play an important factor

Brian Moore vs. Conor Dillon

Brian Moore comes into this contest with a professional record of 3-1-0. A professional since only February of 2011 he experienced quite a successful first year, getting off to a flying start and winning his first 3 fights impressively. The SBG Ireland product suffered his first set back in his last bout however coming up short in a match-up with undefeated Atherton Submission fighter Mike Wilkinson

Conor Dillon (5-3-0) has had a somewhat hot and cold career to date. After getting off to a great start in his opening two contests he then dropped back-to-back fights before responding with an impressive 3 fight win streak. Unfortunately he lost in his most recent fight against Paul Cowzer. Dillon has 3 stoppage victories with all 3 coming by (T)KO.

This fight should be an intriguing contest but ultimately it will most likely be Moore who leaves with the win.

Neil McGuigan vs. Richie Edgeworth

Neil McGuigan (1-3-1) makes his Cage Contender debut, stepping in for Paddy Holohan – someone who he has fought twice in the past; drawing in their first encounter and losing the second. McGuigan won his very first fight but lost his next two to Chris Fishgold and Darren Gray.

Richie Edgeworth (2-3-0) lost his opening two contests before he bounced back with a win before losing again in his next fight. Edgeworth comes into this fight on the back of a win however after defeating Barry McGuigan in his last contest.

They may not have the wins on their record to make people take notice so far, but this should be an entertaining scrap with McGuigan picking up the second win of his career.

Cage Contender 12 takes place this Saturday 25th February in Dublin, Ireland and as usual promises to be an exciting night from top to bottom!

For more on Cage Contender be sure to check out The Fight Lounge for all the latest news as it breaks.

By Nathan Court

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Stepping in just 5 weeks before the fight, upcoming talent Luke ‘Bigslow’ Barnatt takes Sam Hooker’s place in a bout against Hyde MMA’s Lee Johnson. Lee Johnson is the more experienced fighter with a record of  5-1 and all wins secured by submission within the first 2 rounds.  However, fighting out of Cambridge’s Tsunami Gym -home to respected UK talent that includes John and Tommy Maguire, and Robby Olivier –Barnatt, though just 2 fights and 2 wins into his career, shows promising talent and comes from a renowned camp whose star continues to rise.  

BAMMA Matchmaker, Jude Samuel, says:

“I’m very excited to have Big Luke on the card. He is one of the UK’s up and coming fighters to look out for. He is one of those tall, dangerous middleweights for whom you have to be on your top game when you come up against him. Both him and Lee are full of character and I’m looking forward to this match very much.”

Source: Press Release

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Sadly diagnosed with dementia pugilistica, which is otherwise known as punch-drunk syndrome, Goodridge has stated in an interview that many fights during the early Pride days were fixed.

“At the beginning, when Pride first started, it was more like 90 percent of the fights were fixed and 10 percent were real,” Goodridge told The MMA Digest, “As the fights went on, they became the opposite way and completely wiped out. All were real.”

He event went on to say that he was offered $20,000 to take a dive against Naoya Ogawa at Pride 6. Goodridge didn’t take up the offer but was submitted in the second round by Ogawa after tiring in the first 10 minutes.

He doesn’t go on to say what fights he knows were fixed, but ones that The Fight Lounge found were suspect were the Mark Coleman/Nobuhiko Takada fight, and when Marco Ruas lost to Alexander Otsuka at Pride 4.

Here is the interview in full.

By Mike Clarke

Although the merger may come as a surprise to some, the promotions have been in talks for a long time, and the merger is a result of lots of planning in the background

“We have been in discussions for a considerable period of time, as to the logistics of being able to expand our remit, encompass as many fighters across Europe and allow us to run Super Shows with the best fighters unsigned from the UFC and StrikeForce for example.” Crowe told The Fight Lounge, “This merger, when completed fully, will be massive.

“This year will be a transition year for us to merge our identity together, forge ideas, fighter brackets and move forward with our longer term goals, but 2012-13 will be the biggest year for Vision FC – and I don’t think it will be a doubt in anyone’s minds how spectacular the show is.”

The merger will allow Scottish talent to be showcased throughout Europe, but VISION FC won’t forget their roots.

“We have our roots in Scotland, our roots will never change, and not only with regards to providing opportunities’ for the Pro Fighters, but with the up-and-coming fighters we have always liked to nurture new talent coming through, and help to showcase some of the stars of the future. It’s an exciting time, and we will be offering as many Scottish based fighters to opportunity to travel and showcase their skills across Europe.”

With 5 events planned for 2012, it is going to be a busy year for the promotion. Fans can expect fights of the same level as they saw at December’s SFC5: RIVALS.

“At the minute our schedule is being firmed up 100% but what is certain at this stage is that we will run 5 top class events, and these events will be across Europe. I’m not giving too much away…. only because we haven’t finalised things as yet, but it will be an exciting and explosive schedule. Watch this space!”

The first VISION FC event will take place on April 28^th at Kelvin Hall, Glasgow. The next event, VFN (VISION Fight Night) will take place just 1 week later in Karlstad, Sweden.

“VFN will be a platform for us to align both shows together and have title contender fights on the show. With at least three shows this year in Sweden, we want to kick-start things with a fight night, in Karlstad, which will be a very encompassing venue, intimate, amazing atmosphere. Almost similar to the SFC shows we ran in Stirling at SFC 3 and SFC 4. There will be however, undoubtedly be some cracking fights on the card!”

VFC3: UPRISING will see the promotion crown their flyweight and bantamweight champions. The promotion already has champions in the lightweight, welterweight and featherweight divisions. In 2012 they hope to develop the heavier divisions.

“It has been seen as a slight draw back in Scotland – and the UK as a whole, but there are also some really top fighters coming through in the heavier divisions, and we certainly will look to put on fights and develop fighter brackets across every weight division within the next 12 months.”

December 2012 will see the first VISION international event; fans will have to wait for more details on this event.

“Plans are still in the pipeline for this show… Watch this space!”

By Stuart Baxter

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