Zuffa has done its best Pacman impersonation, gobbling up Pride, WFA, IFL, WEC and now Strikeforce, leaving no clear second organization. I know Mark Pavelich would have you believe MFC is number 2 but the truth is it’s a committee effort to supply the needed fighters to move onto the biggest stages, as well as a home for those on their way down the ladder.
On the heels of talk of a television deal for next year, Shine Fight Promotions (Shine Fights) had something else up their sleeve. Today they announced the addition of Rolles Gracie ( son of legendary Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner Rolls Gracie) to its heavyweight roster. Rolles Gracie is the latest member of the famed clan to carry on the familial legacy in the sport of MMA. A brilliant grappler in his own right, Rolles’ recent titles include No-Gi American National Ultra-Heavyweight Champion, No-Gi Pan-American Champion, and 3-time Pan-American Champion.
The MMA veteran of 50 fights, Drew “Knight Rider” Fickett made short work of his three opponents on his way to being crowned Shine Lightweight grand prix champion. Fickett was the only fighter to finish a fight during the tournament and needed only 7:46 of cage time to win three times.
Fickett took on Charles Bennett in the quarter finals and despite being dropped on his head twice, was able to lock in a standing guillotine in round one. It ended up being his longest time in the cage of the night for Fickett at 3:34.
Just days away from the recently moved Shine event, taking place this Saturday on Pay Per view the promotion takes another hit. UFC veteran Marcus Aurelio has withdrawn from the lightweight grand prix with a reported injury suffered during training. He will be replaced by another UFC veteran Shannon Gugerty, who last fought March at UFC on Versus 1 against Clay Guida. Gugerty lost by second round submission and was just 2-3 overall in the UFC.
Every fan sits on his or her couch and complains about the fights or about matchups not being worth watching / paying. Well Shine fights is giving fans a chance to put their money where their mouth is and make the matchups for the opening round of their September 10th tournament.
Just 5 days after his scheduled fight with Luiz Azeredo (12-8) at Shine Fights 3 was cancelled, Charles Krazy Horse Bennett (22-16-2) has found a replacement. Bennett has been added to the Strikeforce Fedor vs. Werdum fight card on June 26th. His opponent is someone familiar to Bennett as the two fought back in 2007 under the EliteXC banner, KJ Noons (8-2).
