Strikeforce/elite Xc: March 29, 2008

[Easto]

STRIKEFORCE/ELITE XC: MARCH 29, 2008 ON SHOWTIME
venue: HP Pavilion in San Jose, California

-Frank Shamrock vs. Cung Le
-Gilbert Melendez (#6 Lightweight in the World)* vs. Gabe Lemley
-Jake Shields (#7 Welterweight in the World)* vs. Drew Fickett
-Joey Villasenor vs. TBA
-Nick Diaz vs. Jae Suk Lim
-Luke Stewart vs. Tiki Ghosn

Main card airs live on Showtime on Saturday, March 29

[motawa]

Frank by submission.

[diddydidit]

cung le by ko... rd 1

[diddydidit]

shields is out, lower back injury

[Easto]

March 27, 2008
by Josh Gross (joshg@sherdog.com)


Nick Diaz will not fight Saturday night in San Jose, Calif., nor will he collect the $50,000 purse he was set to receive for his bout against South Korea's Jae Suk Lim.

California State Athletic Commission executive officer Armando Garcia made that determination Wednesday.

Why? It depends on whom you ask.

"He did not turn in his medical information in time for the fight," said Garcia, confirming an MMAWeekly report that Diaz was removed from the Showtime-televised card. "They were just turned in today."

Late Wednesday evening, however, EliteXC President Gary Shaw, who promotes Diaz, disputed Garcia's account.

"He never mentioned anything about late medicals," said Shaw. "And if there were late medicals it wasn't because of Nick Diaz and it wasn't because of EliteXC."

The issue, as described to him by Garcia, said Shaw, was Diaz's prescription for medical marijuana, which is legal in California based on the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.

"He's got a medical marijuana card," confirmed Diaz's manager Cesar Gracie (Pictures), who mentioned Attention Deficit Disorder as the cause for the prescription.

"Nick is a naturalist by heart," said Gracie. "He thinks Ritalin is an amphetamine. He thinks that's really bad for you. People with ADD are kind of hyper, so he has trouble sleeping. He got the medical marijuana card and he takes his pot to go to sleep and be more focused. It's completely legal in California. Voters voted it in. The commission is actually supposed to obey that, so this will probably open up a legal case. If it was something small, OK, f---- it, whatever. But if they're not even going to allow him to test clean, that doesn't make sense. That's overstepping their boundaries."

Completing paperwork on March 10 in the Los Angeles offices of Dr. Richard Gluckman -- in an effort to renew his license to fight in California, Diaz underwent a battery of tests including MRI, EKG, ophthalmological, neurological, bloodwork for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and a comprehensive physical -- the 24-year-old from Stockton, Calif., noted his use of medical marijuana.

Not the first mixed martial artist to list marijuana as prescribed medication on CSAC forms, Diaz included the information, said Gracie, in case a positive test arose out of the CSAC's strict anti-doping regulations, which began almost one year ago. (Earlier this month, the California commission fined and suspended Toby Grear (Pictures), who cited the use of Marinol based on a medical marijuana prescription.)

Two and a half weeks later, Garcia said he first learned of Diaz's medical marijuana usage. As with any mention of prescribed medication taken by fighters applying for a license, Garcia said an investigation was required to determine the reason for the prescription.

"If you're a fighter and you know you're going to fight in a state that has a commission and they test for drugs -- they have a doping program -- you have to tell them way ahead of time, not three days before the weigh-in or the fight," Garcia said. "You have to give the commission the opportunity to evaluate your ailment and the reason you were prescribed a certain drug. And if you don't do that, you're risking not fighting."

Shaw, who said the responsibility for filing medicals to Sacramento rested with Dr. Gluckman's office, called Diaz's acknowledgment of marijuana usage "entrapment."

"He does what you ask him, and you punish him?" said a puzzled Shaw. "It's like if you have a Ferrari and a police officer gives you a speeding ticket before you turn the key.

"It wasn't about lateness because I say you definitely can't pull him off if your own doctor sent it in. We have guys getting licensed today, so you know it's an outright lie."

Garcia declined to comment on Shaw's recollection of their conversation.

Scheduled to appear on a televised bout on the undercard of Frank Shamrock (Pictures)'s tilt with Cung Le (Pictures), Diaz's ouster from the HP Pavilion-housed event forced EliteXC to put together a bout between Lim and Drew Fickett (Pictures), who was left without an opponent when Jake Shields (Pictures) dropped out Tuesday because of a back injury. (The winner between Fickett and Lim will fight Shields for the vacant EliteXC 170-pound title.)

Diaz should return to action on June 14 in Hawaii, said EliteXC Vice President Jared Shaw.

The brash 160-pounder is no stranger to mixing marijuana and MMA. In March of last year the Nevada State Athletic Commission suspended, fined and stripped Diaz of his win over Takanori Gomi after testing positive for THC levels more than three times the accepted limit.

[ManOfMuscle]

Damnit Diaz.

[Easto]

Frank Shamrock vs. Cung Le

This should be a decent fight. I see Shamrock taking Le down and getting the submission.

[Easto]

Strikeforce and EliteXC on Wednesday updated their fight card for Saturday***8217;s co-promoted ***8220;Shamrock vs. Cung Le***8221; event at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

Following a flurry of activity over the past week, an anticipated EliteXC welterweight title bout between Jake Shields and Drew Fickett was dropped from the card on Tuesday when Shields had to withdraw due to a back injury. Indications are that the bout will likely be re-scheduled for EliteXC***8217;s June 14 event in Hawaii.

Joey Villasenor received his third and, hopefully, final opponent in Midwest talent Ryan Jensen. His original opponent Joe Riggs withdrew due to a spinal injury and replacement Evangelista ***8220;Cyborg***8221; Santos was delayed due to visa issues in Brazil.

With the absence of the Shields vs. Fickett bout, a fight between controversial fighter Mike Kyle and Oklahoman Wayne Cole was added to the main card.

Non-televised bouts added to the card on Wednesday include Jesse Jones vs. Jesse Gillespie and Darren Uyenoyama vs. Anthony Figueroa.

The five-bout main portion of the fight card will air live on Showtime.

Televised Bouts (on Showtime):
-Frank Shamrock vs. Cung Le
-Nick Diaz vs. Jae Suk Lim
-Gilbert Melendez vs. Gabe Lemley
-Mike Kyle vs. Wayne Cole
-Joey Villasenor vs. Ryan Jensen

Non-Televised Bouts:
-Tiki Ghosn vs. Luke Stewart
-Jesse Jones vs. Jesse Gillespie
-Darren Uyenoyama vs. Anthony Figueroa

[ManOfMuscle]

Shamrock claims he wants to strike with Le. Probably full of shit.

[Swellin]

Shamrock claims he wants to strike with Le. Probably full of shit.

He stood with Baroni and beat the daylights out of him.

I like Cung Le alot, but he is insanely over rated. He is known for ducking fighters that can whip him. In fact, he ducked Baroni for a couple of years.
I know a 46 year old Thai fighter that was trying to fight Cung, but Cung wouldn't take the fight.....then K-1 scheduled them to fight...Cung backed out.....TWICE.

Don't get me wrong, I think he is one hell of a stand up fighter. He's just not as bad as we are led to believe. He is a very heavily groomed fighter.

As for hat crazy assed Frank Shamrock...who knows what he plans to do. That guy is one serious whack-job. How can you not like what he does though? He's got attitude out the wazzoo, and arrogance on par with Baroni, but the SOB is dangerous!

[ManOfMuscle]

Shamrock stood with Baroni because he was hurt. Not to say that he couldn't stand with him otherwise, but it was really his only option in that fight.

[Swellin]

Shamrock stood with Baroni because he was hurt. Not to say that he couldn't stand with him otherwise, but it was really his only option in that fight.

Yeah, and how'd that work out for him? lol

My point.....that crazy SOB will probably stand with him for a while....until it doesn't go his way. FWIW, Baroni has a much higher likelihood of knocking your head off with one shot than does Cung. Phil hits like a damn tank. Cung hits you alot. People are usually more worried about a guy who hits hard than a guy who hits a bunch of times.

I am not saying it would be smart for Frank....but I am saying that there is absolutely no telling hat Frank will do. He ain't all there.

[ManOfMuscle]

He is definitely a nut.

[Big Dane]

They don't want someone to fight with a medical marijuana card? Like it is a performance enhancing drug or something, lol.

[ManOfMuscle]

They don't want someone to fight with a medical marijuana card? Like it is a performance enhancing drug or something, lol.

That's what I freaked out about the first time. People claim it gives fighters superhuman pain tolerance.

[diddydidit]

i know its so gay, if anything he'd be a better fighter without the weed....i know when i quite smoking my bjj got better, not to mention my cardio

[Swellin]

That's what I freaked out about the first time. People claim it gives fighters superhuman pain tolerance.

Nope, it doesn't. lol
IT does murder your cardio and your drive.

I know guys who smoke just to train bjj. Some claim it helps them slow down and not get carried away with rushing (a terrible problem I have). I know that in Eddie Bravo's newest book, he mentions training while high. One of the best bjj guys I train with is a big Eddie B follower (fwiw, I would be too if I were flexible enough for it to matter), and he's talked about giving it a try...but I haven't seen him roll while high yet. I know it wouldn't be beneficial for a guy while working standup or prepping for a fight. It would certainly get in your way.

[diddydidit]

cung le picks him apart, im so glad, mabye now frank will realize hes not the best fighter in the world, probably not though

[ManOfMuscle]

Awesome fight. Props to Shamrock for standing up and battling. He had 2 legit takedown attempts and never came close, which begs the question how easily could he have gotten Le down if he had tried harder?

[motawa]

Awesome fight. Props to Shamrock for standing up and battling. He had 2 legit takedown attempts and never came close, which begs the question how easily could he have gotten Le down if he had tried harder?

.

I like Frank, but he has some huge ego problems, he wanted to dominate Cung standing to prove a point while he had 2 takedown attempts he didnt exploit.

[motawa]

What did the medical report say about his arm ? was it seriously injured or that he wanted to be on the safe side ? He was doing good end of round 3 and looked like nothing is wrong with his arm.

[motawa]

http://www.sherdog.net/forums/showthread.php?t=733703


Worth a read.

[diddydidit]

i highly doubt it,

[Easto]

SAN JOSE, Calif. ***8211; A crowd of 16,326 fans filled the HP Pavilion to witness what was the biggest fight in San Jose***8217;s short mixed martial arts history. Strikeforce middleweight champion Frank Shamrock headlined against San Shou stylist Cung Le in the latest EliteXC-Strikeforce co-promotion in what was billed as the ***8220;Battle of San Jose.***8221;


Le started off with his patented kicks, keeping Shamrock at bay. Shamrock tried to get the fight to the ground, but was unable to impose his will. Le continued to land his kicks, while Shamrock worked the jab to get inside. It was an evenly matched first round with crowd cheering at any burst of action.

The second went much better for the challenger; he began to find his groove with kicks and mixed in some solid punch combinations. Shamrock was unsuccessful in his lone attempt to take the fight to the ground. Le continued to gain confidence, working Shamrock over with kicks. A worried look struck the champion as the round ended.

With momentum on his side in the third round, Le went on with his assault of kicks and punches, Shamrock continuing to grow more disconcerted. As the round continued, Le began to tire and Shamrock saw his chance to pounce. Shamrock landed a stinging punch and that hurt Le, who was at this point was tired. Shamrock went in for the kill, hurting Le with punches and landing the occasional knee to the head. Somehow Le survived the onslaught and returned fire with a high kick that rocked Shamrock, Le continued with a barrage of punches and one last high kick as the round ended.

Shamrock fell in pain and it was determined that he could no longer continue because of a possible broken arm, which resulted from the first high kick. The crowd exploded into cheer as Le***8217;s corner ran in to celebrate with the new Strikeforce middleweight champion. Le will now be known as the ***8220;King of San Jose,***8221; putting himself on the MMA map.

A late injury postponed Drew Fickett***8217;s chances of becoming the EliteXC welterweight champion, but he still took care of business against Jae Suk Lim, who was also left without an opponent at the last minute. The two fighters traded shots on feet as the action quickly hit the ground and after a quick scramble ended with Fickett on his back. Not wasting any time, Fickett quickly locked on a guillotine choke and Lim stood up trying to escape, but was soon back on the ground forced to tap at 1:14 of the first round.

Fickett will now move on to meet Jake Shields on June 14 for the EliteXC welterweight championship in Hawaii.

Coming off his first career loss, Gilbert Melendez rebounded with a dominating performance over the outgunned Midwest fighter Gabe Lemley. Melendez was making his first defense of the Strikeforce lightweight championship and he made it look easy. From the onset, Melendez hurt Lemley with stinging punches and picking him up and slamming him to the ground. The rest of the round followed the same formula of Melendez landing heavy leather and keeping Lemley on the defensive.

The same formula continued in the second round. This time Melendez turned on the heat and battered the overmatched Lemley with strikes until the referee stopped the punishment at 2:18.

In heavyweight action, former NCAA All-American wrestler Wayne Cole made short work of UFC veteran Mike Kyle. Kyle was making his return to action after a lengthy suspension kept him out of action for the last two years. Cole wasted no time in getting a takedown, quickly trying to maneuver into mount, but was denied by Kyle. Cole once again tried for the mount, but instead switched over to an armbar that forced Kyle to tap at just 42 seconds of the opening round.

Although he faced several changes in opponent leading up to the fight, Joey Villasenor kept his cool and took care of business against UFC veteran Ryan Jensen. Both fighters were fairly cautious to begin the fight, neither engaging until Villasenor scored a takedown. Not much action transpired on the ground and they were stood back up. This is where the action got heated; Villasenor landed a huge hook that hurt Jensen, but was unable to follow up. They began to trade with Jensen getting the better of the exchanges, hurting Villasenor with crisp punch combinations. Just as it seemed to go in Jensen***8217;s favor, Villasenor landed a huge left hook that put him out at 4:45 of the first round.

Tiki Ghosn got back on the winning track with a hard fought decision victory over Luke Stewart. Ghosn was able to thwart many of Stewart***8217;s attempts to get the fight on the ground and punished him on the feet with punch combinations and knees in the clinch. On the rare occasion that the fight hit the ground, Ghosn was on top and in control. The judges rendered their verdict a unanimous decision with scores of 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27.


-Cung Le def. Frank Shamrock by TKO (Severely Damaged Arm) at 5:00, R3
-Drew Fickett def. Jae Suk Lim by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 1:14, R1
-Gilbert Melendez def. Gabe Lemley by TKO at 2:18, R2
-Wayne Cole def. Mike Kyle by Submission (Armbar) at 0:42, R1
-Joey Villasenor def. Ryan Jensen by KO at 4:45, R1
-Billy Evangelista def. Marlon Sims by KO at 0:39, R3
-Tiki Ghosn def. Luke Stewart by Unanimous Decision, R3
-Darren Uyenoyama def. Anthony Figueroa by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 1:27, R1
-Jesse Jones def. Jesse Gillespie by TKO at 0:35, R1

[BigDaddy68]

If frank wasn't so stubborn, he would have dominated Le. He stuck to his word and stayed on his feet, miuns the 1 and a half take down attempts. I think that Le said he should have stopped in the first, because thats when he thought something broke in franks arm.