Known as two of the most exciting welterweights in the world, both fighters will be making their debut with Shine Fights, and each fighter is looking to secure a place in the title picture with a victory. <br><br>

Thompson, one of the most respected fighters in the sport, has fought all over the world, including in organizations such as the UFC, Bodog, Sengoku, EliteXC, and Strikeforce. Having compiled an impressive 22-2 record as a welterweight from 2005-2009, including victories over UFC veterans Josh Neer, Keith Wisnewski, Chris Wilson, Ansar Chalangov, Paul Daley, current Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez, and Cage Rage veteran Mark Weir, Thompson found it difficult to find challengers at welterweight and was forced to make the move to middleweight to face a tough opponent in Tim Kennedy in Strikeforce. Thompson lost that fight and immediately sought out an opportunity to fight at welterweight for an organization on the rise. His willingness to fight and an attractive offer from a growing promotion like Shine made Thompson aware that it was time to sign on the dotted line: “I couldn’t get a fight. It was really frustrating,” Thompson said in January when agreeing with Shine. Now with an opponent in hand and a fight on the horizon, the 28-year-old has moved on to his next goal: Shine Fights gold. “I am happy to be with Shine and I look forward to earning the first shot at their welterweight title,” said the former three-time Bodog champion. “Eduardo is a tough and exciting fighter,” Thompson said about his upcoming opponent. “He is the kind of fighter you like to fight because there will be fireworks…while he has not had a loss in the last three years, I am confident that I am the better fighter and will stand victorious when the night is over.”<br><br>

One of the top welterweights in Brazil, Pamplona is now on a mission to prove that he is also one of the best 170-pound fighters in the world. Already a veteran of organizations like Pancrase, Shooto, the IFL, and M-1 Challenge, Pamplona will now bring his aggressive striking and world-class ground game to Shine Fights. Having earned victories over MMA legends Jorge “Macaco” Patino, Jose “Pele” Landi-Jons, and fellow Shine signee Daniel Acacio, Pamplona made his U.S. debut in 2007 at “IFL: Atlanta” in an exciting three round war with former EliteXC champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler. Pamplona lost a hotly contested bout that night, but the 34-year-old has reeled off seven straight victories since, bringing his record to 12-2 overall. “This fight with Thompson is a big fight for me,” Pamplona said. “He has many great victories on his record, and I believe it will be a great fight between us. I believe this fight will have a lot of movement. We both like to stand up and exchange. I believe we will stay on our feet.”<br><br>

“I’m excited to see these two tough fighters slug it out inside the Shine cage,” Shine Fights matchmaker Ron Foster said. “The winner will definitely be at the top of the list when I look for guys to put in a title fight.”<br><br>

This highly anticipated bout in the Shine welterweight division joins the previously announced main event between former boxing champion Ricardo Mayorga and MMA veteran Din Thomas on the May 15 card. Available on pay-per-view in North America, the event will start at 9 PM EST and will be available for $29.95. Tickets for the event will go on sale soon via Ticketmaster.<br><br>

For more information on Shine Fights, please visit www.ShineFights.com, or follow us on Twitter @ShineFights, MySpace (myspace.com/ShineFights), or become a fan on Facebook.

Original post by Site Administration

"You saw all the mainstream press that Herschel was able to deliver," Coker said. "It was probably more than Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz combined in the history of their careers.<br><br>
"I don't think I've ever seen that kind of media surge for any fighter in the history of MMA that Herschel Walker delivered for our Strikeforce fight."<br><br>
"He's is a great guy, and we'll probably have a conversation with Herschel in the next couple weeks," Coker said. "We already had a brief conversation, and he's very happy with doing it – not just fighting, but he's like, 'I can't wait to get back and start training.' He wants to start training again."<br><br>

Props: <a href=http://www.mmajunkie.com>MMAJunkie.com</a>

Original post by Site Administration

Hess and Loeffler are the fourth and fifth confirmed participants in the eight-man middleweight tournament, joining Bryan “The Beast” Baker, Matt Major and Eric Schambari. Overall, the group boasts a combined winning percentage of .859 (55 wins, 8 losses and 1 draw).<br><br>

“Jared’s potential is unlimited,” said Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “When his striking catches up to his strength on the ground, he could be one of the most dangerous 185 pounders in the business. On the other hand, Sean has established a great record, has earned this opportunity to fight his way to a title shot and doesn’t have a reverse gear. Perhaps more importantly, both Jared and Sean come to fight every time they step into the cage.”<br><br>

Hess, 26, a former NCAA All-American wrestler at the University of Central Oklahoma, took a 6-0-1 record into Bellator Season 1 where he notched two quick victories over Daniel Tabera (rear naked choke submission) and Yosmany Cabezas (TKO) before meeting Hector Lombard in Bellator’s first-ever Middleweight Championship bout this past June. Hess took the heavily favored Lombard into the fourth round in a brutal fight that ended by doctor’s stoppage when Lombard opened a cut above Hess’ right eye.<br><br>

In the 9 months since, Hess scored a first round submission win over Keith Johnson at a local show in Oklahoma City and has continued to hone his stand-up game in preparation for Bellator Season 2.<br><br>

“I’m looking forward to winning the tournament and getting a chance to face Hector again,” Hess said. “I think it would be a much different outcome this time. My standup has improved by leaps and bounds since then. Add that to my wrestling and I think I’d have a distinct edge this time.”<br><br>

Loeffler, 27, began training in traditional martial arts at the age of five and made his pro debut 10 years ago at the age of 17. Since then, in 22 career fights, he has gone to the second round only three times and has seen the third only once. He enters Bellator riding a five-fight win streak that includes a first-round armbar submission of former TUF participant Christian Fulgium and a 30-second TKO of local fighter Sam Salas in San Jacinto, Calif., late last month. <br><br>

“I watch fights on TV and the guys are dancing around and throwing jabs. That’s not for me … that’s not MMA,” Loeffler said. “This is not ballet. It’s combat sports, so you won’t see me stalling and circling. If there’s one word to describe my fighting style, it’s violent. Win or lose, if you fight me, you’re not gonna leave looking pretty.”<br><br>

Both fighters said they are also looking forward to fighting in front of a national TV audience thanks to Bellator’s historic TV distribution alliance with FOX Sports Net, NBC and Telemundo.<br><br>

“Bellator’s TV deal is really second to none and something that every fighter dreams of,” Loeffler said. “I’m proud to be a part of it and excited to put on a good show for all the fans.”<br><br>

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA or on Facebook at Facebook.com/Bellator. For tickets, visit ticketmaster.com.

Original post by Site Administration

"His game is tight. His striking is good. His defense works good. We’ve been studying him for a while, and his biggest weakness is his inexperience. That’s the only X-factor in this game. Everything else is almost like a seasoned vet. Nobody’s ever been able to push Jones. He said he’s trying to stay comfortable and relaxed in the ring. Between me and Jones, if you just watch both of us fight, both of us has a hole — somebody drops a hand here, somebody drops a hand there, somebody turns the wrong way and both of us have been capitalizing on other opponents (this way). I’ve been trying to finish fights. I’m getting more and more comfortable in the 205-pound division. It’s a different pace, a different game, (and) I’m feeling a lot better."

Props: <a href=http://www.sherdog.com>Sherdog.com</a>

Original post by Site Administration

In addition, W-1 news, fight highlights, interviews and behind the scenes footage will be aired on Fox Sports' Brawl Call with Jay Adams.<br><br>

Jay Adams, along with W-1's official Fight Correspondent Adam Reid will team up as W-1's ringside play-by-play announcers and perform post-fight interviews and commentary.<br><br>

In signing with Fightzone TV, W-1 events, new and highlights will now be broadcast to over 35 million households across North America, further establishing W-1 as the premier mixed martial arts organization in Canada.<br><br>

Come and check out the debut of Fox Sports Fightzone's Jay Adams and Canada's own Adam Reid in action live from the Pierre Charbonneau Centre in Montreal, Quebec Canada on March 20th, 2010.<br><br>

Get your tickets now at www.w1mma.com - this is an event no MMA fan will want to miss!<br><br>

This is your chance to see MMA at its best - Jason MacDonald, Denis Kang, Vernon White, Antonio Carvalho, John Alessio, Chris Clements, Shonie Carter and more!<br><br>

Tickets are going fast so get yours today! <br><br>

www.w1mma.com

Original post by Site Administration

Regardless of the preferred technique, they are all seeking the same thing. They are in search of the Superhuman.

Original post by news@sherdog.com (news@sherdog.com)

Original post by news@sherdog.com (news@sherdog.com)