Justin Levens and Wife Found Dead of Gun Shot Wounds

Former UFC, WEC and IFL light heavyweight fighter “The Executioner” Justin Levens (9-7) and his wife Sarah McLean-Levens were found dead with his wife in their Laguna Niguel, California, condominium. Authorities are calling this an apparent murder-suicide.

According to sheriff’s spokesman Jim Amormino, the couple was found by the Sarah McLean-Levens’ mother, who called 911.

Police are expecting more information later today (Thursday, 18 December 2008).

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UFC’s ‘Fight For The Troops’ Generates Millions For Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund

According to a Spike TV press release today, the the UFC’s “Fight for the Troops” event televised from Fort Bragg 10 December in Fayetteville raised over $4 million for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Ratings numbers reveal that 2 million viewers watched the free televised UFC event making it one of the most popular programs for the night.

According to IFHF president, Bill White, the UFC and Spike TV are admired for the recent efforts.

“We are profoundly grateful to the UFC and Spike TV for their extraordinary support of our nation’s Wounded Warriors,” stated White. “Their efforts have moved us that much closer to complete the traumatic brain injury center in Bethesda for the service members that are fighting for our freedom overseas.”

The IFHF provides assistance to American military personnel critically injured during service. The “Fight For The Troops” event on Spike TV raised money aimed at building a $65 million, 75,000 square foot treatment and rehabilitation center for soldiers with traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

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WEC Bantamweight Ribeiro in Coma

WEC bantamweight Will Ribeiro (8-3) is in a coma after a motorcycle accident Tuesday in Rio De Janeiro, according to Ed Soares, Ribeiro’s manager, in a report at the WEC’s website.

“The doctor said for sure that he has lost sight in one of his eyes,” Soares told the WEC. “After surgery the doctor said there is a 50-50 shot that he will come out of it.”

Ribeiro, riding as a passenger, wasn’t wearing a helmet on the early morning ride on a rain-slicked road.

Soares added, “I’m still crushed right now.”

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Schilt v Mighty Mo, Tokoro v Nakamura at Dynamite!!

K-1 kickboxers “Hightower” Semmy Schilt (25-15-1) and “Mighty Mo” Siala Siliga (2-0) will face off in a heavyweight MMA match at Dynamite!! 31 December in Saitama, the FEG announced Tuesday.

Also added to the card is a bout between Hideo Tokoro (17-13-1) and Daisuke Nakamura (15-8).

Schilt last fought Nandor Guelmino (1-1) in January, and won via first-round KO.

“Mighty Mo” last fought in June 2007, defeating “Warpath” Ruben Villareal (13-13-3) via TKO at 1:33 of round one.

Tokoro lost his most recent fight via unanimous decision to Atsushi Yamamoto (12-5-1) at DREAM.6 in September.

Nakamura is on a seven-fight win streak, most recently submitting Carlos Valeri (0-2) via flying arbar at M-1 Challenge 8 in October.

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Eric Schafer to Face Mendes at UFC 93

Light heavyweight “Red” Eric Schafer (11-4) will face “Samuray” Antonio Mendes (2-2) UFC 93 in Dublin 17 January, Schafer announced on the weekend at the Gladiator Cage Fighting event.

Mendes was originally scheduled to face Andre Gusmao (5-1), who withdrew from the card for unknown reasons.

Schafer is coming off three first-round victories, most recently against “Assassin” Houston Alexander (8-4) via arm triangle choke in August.

Mendes suffered a submission loss due to strikes to Thiago Silva (14-0) in round one at UFC 84 in May.

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Velasquez to Fight at UFC Fight Night 17

The UFC’s Cain Velasquez (4-0) will fight next at UFC Fight Night 17 in Tampa, FL, 7 February, he revealed to ESPN Radio 1100’s Steve Cofield this weekend.

The American Kickboxing Academy heavyweight declined to name his opponent.

Velasquez defeated “Irish” Jake O’Brien (10-2) in July via first-round TKO.

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Mitsuoka v Golyaev to Happen at Sengoku 7

Fighters.com’s sixth-ranked lightweight Eiji Mitsuoka (13-6-2) will face Sergey Golyaev (9-5) at Sengoku Seventh Battle 4 January in Saitama, Japan, World Victory Road announced this week.

Mitsuoka is coming off a submission loss to Satoru Kitaoka (23-9-7) at Sengoku Sixth Battle in November. Mitsuoka was caught with a heel hook at 1:16 of round one.

Golyaev is coming off an upset win via split decision over second-ranked “Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (28-5), also at Sengoku Sixth Battle.

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Johnson, Browning, Kaplan, Soszynski Earn TUF 8 Finale Bonuses

“Rumble” Anthony Johnson (6-2), Junie Allen Browning (3-0), David Kaplan (2-2), and “The Experiment” Krzysztof Soszynski (17-8-1) all walked away with $25,000 bonuses after their fights Saturday night at The Ultimate Fighter 8 finale in Las Vegas.

Johnson earned “Knockout of the Night” with a head kick that dropped Kevin Burns (7-2) to the mat in the third round.

Browning and Kaplan’s two-round brawl was “Fight of the Night”, which Browning finished via armbar.
Soszynski won “Submission of the Night” with his second-round kimura on Shan Primm (3-1).

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A Big Week For American Top Team: Monson, Lashley, Miller, Gouveia, Saunders and Fioravanti All Victorious

The second week of December brought with it a big week in mixed martial arts competition as equally as it delivered a big week of success for the increasingly impressive American Top Team gym headquartered in Coconut Creek.

From the UFC’s “Fight for the Troops” on Spike TV Wednesday night in Fayetteville to the debut of Mixed Fighting Alliance in Miami, American Top Team set the pace of champions. ATT fighters scored big as well at CQC “In the Cage” in Charlotte and during the UFC’s Ultimate Fighter Season 8 Finale in Las Vegas Saturday night.

“Snowman” Jeff Monson (25-8) defeated “Suave” Ricco Rodriguez (30-9) via unanimous decision Saturday night during the main event at the Mixed Fighting Alliance debut in Miami.

“I am happy with the win but I was a little sloppy tonight.” Monson told Fighters.com following the fight.

The main event battle at MFA “There Will Be Blood” was a full round war with each fighter going the distance but Monson winning on all cards in the end. Monson, famous for his blunt honesty, had criticism for his performance.

“A win is a win but I need to improve.” The Abu Dhabi and UFC veteran told Fighters.com. “My jiu-jitsu felt good in the fight but my boxing was a little weak.” Monson continued, “I need to spend more time in the American Top Team gym here in Florida. You know, I need to work with more guys down here to prepare for fights.”

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‘Ultimate Fighter 8 Finale’: Escudero Overwhelms Nover in UD Win to Become the LW Ultimate Fighter

Efrain Escudero’s (7-0) wrestling was the difference in his unanimous decision victory over Phillipe Nover (4-1) to become season eight’s lightweight “Ultimate Fighter” during the live finale Saturday night in Las Vegas.

The bout started with both fighters kicking. Nover looped a big right hand at Efrain’s head, which he ducked for the takedown. Escudero postured up, but Nover kept him away with his legs and scrambled to his feet, eating a right punch on the way. Escudero got Nover’s back and transitioned to full mount. Escudero rained down heavy right fists into Nover’s face before getting back on top. Nover attempted a triangle choke but with one leg trapped under Escudero was unable to cinch it. Before the end of the round Escudero was able to take Nover down to the mat several more times.

In round two, Nover threw a leg kick, then tried punches, but Efrain got the single leg for the takedown. The fight alternated between stand-up and the ground, with Escudero dictating. They both threw knees as they clinched at the cage. Escudero’s right hand tagged Nover and he landed a few inside leg kicks. Escudero scored another single-leg takedown, but they soon stood back up. Nover charged at Escudero with a big kick to the body, but Escudero caught him and slammed him as the horn sounded.

Another takedown by Escudero began round three, but Nover worked hard to get out, elbowing his side hard. Back to stand-up, Nover connected with two stiff jabs. He threw a knee which Escudero caught and again was wrestled to the mat. Nover worked for the omoplata while elbowing at Escudero’s shoulder. He tried to muscle his left foot under Escudero’s chin but Escudero rolled out with half a minute left in the fight. Escudero’s windmilling legs kept Nover from getting close enough to set anything up before the round ended.

The judges awarded Escudero the unanimous decision victory with scores of 29-28 across the board.

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