Las Vegas, NV

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view)

• Carlos Condit (169) vs. Nick Diaz (169)
• Roy Nelson (246) vs. Fabricio Werdum (246)
• Josh Koscheck (170) vs. Mike Pierce (170)
• Renan Barao (136) vs. Scott Jorgensen (135)
• Ed Herman (185) vs. Clifford Starks (185)

PRELIMINARY CARD (FX)

• Max Holloway (144) vs. Dustin Poirier (146)
• Alex Caceres (136) vs. Edwin Figueroa (135)
• Matt Brown (171) vs. Chris Cope (171)
• Henry Martinez (169) vs. Matt Riddle (170)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)

• Rafael Natal (186) vs. Michael Kuiper (183)
• Dan Stittgen (170) vs. Stephen Thompson (171)

Chicago, Illinois

Swanson earned the night’s “Knockout of the Night”, the “Submission of the Night”, Dunham and Lentz the”Fight of the Night”, each earned $65,000 bonus.

MAIN CARD (FOX)

• Rashad Evans def. Phil Davis via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
• Chael Sonnen def. Michael Bisping via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Chris Weidman def. Demian Maia via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

PRELIMINARY CARD (FUEL TV)

• Evan Dunham def. Nik Lentz via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) Rnd 2, 5:00
• Mike Russow def. John-Olav Einemo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Cub Swanson def. George Roop via TKO (punches) Rnd 2, 2:22
• Charles Oliveira def. Eric Wisely via submission (calf-crusher) Rnd 1, 1:43
• Michael Johnson def. Shane Roller via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Lavar Johnson def. Joey Beltran via KO (punches) Rnd 1, 4:24

PRELIMINARY CARD (un-aired)

• Chris Camozzi def. Dustin Jacoby via submission (guillotine choke) Rnd 3, 1:08

Chicago Theater, Chicago

MAIN CARD   (FOX)

• Phil Davis (205) vs. Rashad Evans (205)
• Michael Bisping (185) vs. Chael Sonnen (185)
• Demian Maia (186) vs. Chris Weidman (185)

PRELIMINARY CARD  (FUEL TV)

• Evan Dunham (155) vs. Nik Lentz (155)
• John-Olav Einemo (253) vs. Mike Russow (251)
• George Roop (145) vs. Cub Swanson (145)
• Charles Oliveira (144) vs. Eric Wisely (145)
• Michael Johnson (156) vs. Shane Roller (156)
• Joey Beltran (228) vs. Lavar Johnson (252)

PRELIMINARY CARD  (Facebook)

• Chris Camozzi (185) vs. Dustin Jacoby (185)

Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee

Denis earned night’s “Knockout of the Night” award, Miller the “Submission of the Night”, Barry and Morecraft “Fight of the Night”, each earned $45,000 bonus.

MAIN CARD (FX)

• Jim Miller def. Melvin Guillard via submission (rearnaked choke) Rnd 1, 2:04
• Josh Neer def. Duane Ludwig via submission (guillotine choke) Rnd 1, 3:04
• Mike Easton def. Jared Papazian via majority decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-29)
• Pat Barry def. Christian Morecraft via knockout (punches) Rnd 1, 3:38

PRELIMINARY CARD (FUEL TV)

• Jorge Rivera def. Eric Schafer via TKO (punches) Rnd 2, 1:31
• Khabib Nurmagomedov def. Kamal Shalorus via submission (rearnaked choke) Rnd 3, 2:08
• Charlie Brenneman def. Daniel Roberts via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Fabricio Camoes def. Tommy Hayden via submission (rearnaked choke) Rnd 1, 4:03
• Daniel Pineda def. Pat Schilling via submission (rearnaked choke) Rnd 1, 1:37
• Nick Denis def. Joseph Sandoval via KO (elbows) Rnd 1, 0:22

Nashville, Tenn. – Bridgestone Arena

MAIN CARD (FX)

• Melvin Guillard (156) vs. Jim Miller (155)
• Duane “Bang” Ludwig (170.5) vs. Josh Neer (171)
• Mike Easton (135) vs. Jared Papazian (135.5)
• Pat Barry (242) vs. Christian Morecraft (256)

PRELIMINARY CARD (FUEL TV)

• Jorge Rivera (185.5) vs. Eric Schafer (185)
• Khabib Nurmagomedov (155) vs. Kamal Shalorus (155.5)
• Charlie Brenneman (170.5) vs. Daniel Roberts (170.5)
• Fabricio Camoes (157.5) vs. Tommy Hayden (155.5) – Camoes weighed 157.5 first attempt, on second attempt made 156
• Daniel Pineda (145) vs. Pat Schilling (145)
• Nick Denis (135.5) vs. Joseph Sandoval (135)

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

Two Episodes of Acclaimed Docu-Series Premieres

Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME^®

Multiple Replays on CBS Sports Network, SHOWTIME & SHOWTIME EXTREME

NEW YORK (Jan. 19, 2012) —  FIGHT CAMP 360°, the acclaimed documentary series which launched during the Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament, returns ahead of the highly anticipated Feb. 11 edition of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING featuring Victor Ortiz vs. Andre Berto. SHOWTIME Sports^® will produce two episodes of FIGHT CAMP 360°: Ortiz vs. Berto II, shining its unique spotlight into the lives and personalities of both of these compelling young fighters as they prepare for the rematch of the 2011 Fight of the Year (USA Today, The Ring magazine). The first episode will premiere on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME^®, following the Super Bowl preview edition of Inside the NFL.

Episode one of FIGHT CAMP 360°: Ortiz vs. Berto II will replay multiple times on CBS Sports Network, SHOWTIME and SHOWTIME EXTREME. The program will also be available on SHOWTIME On Demand. The full airing schedule is below.

 Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

The series—which has been called “gritty” and “outstanding” by ESPN and “the most groundbreaking concept the sport has seen in years” by MaxBoxing—will again give fight fans the true 360 degree, full-scope experience. In addition to the 30-minute preview episode in anticipation of Ortiz-Berto II, SHOWTIME Sports will produce a 15-minute wrap-up episode to premiere one week following the fight on

Saturday, Feb. 18 at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME, prior to the start of the next live SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast featuring Paul Williams vs.Nobuhiro Ishida from Corpus Christi, Texas.

“If you look at the level of promotion and support that we are putting into Ortiz-Berto II, you’d assume that Feb. 11 was a pay-per-view event,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “Producing an Ortiz-Berto II version of FIGHT CAMP 360° allows fight fans to get excited about a fight that comes without the pay-per-view price tag, just as the network did with FIGHT CAMP 360°: Inside the Super Six World Boxing Classic. Both Victor and Andre have astounding background stories–not to mention a lot to prove on Feb. 11–so I expect the series to be captivating to our core boxing audience and general sports fans alike.”

In April 2011, Ortiz and Berto engaged in one of the most thrilling fights of the year, with both men hitting the canvas twice before Ortiz rallied to victory and captured Berto’s World Boxing Council (WBC) Welterweight World Championship.  On Saturday, Feb. 11, these rugged and determined fighters will meet once again, this time at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., in a highly anticipated 12-round welterweight rematch live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

FIGHT CAMP 360°: Ortiz vs. Berto II – Evening Schedule

Episode 1:

Wednesday, Feb. 1               10 p.m. ET/PT                        SHOWTIME (PREMIERE)

Wednesday, Feb. 1                 11 p.m. ET/PT                        SHOWTIME EXTREME

Friday, Feb. 3                          8 p.m. ET/PT                          SHOWTIME EXTREME

Friday, Feb. 3                          10:30 p.m. ET/PT                   SHOWTIME

Saturday, Feb. 4                     12:30 a.m. ET                         CBS Sports Network

Saturday, Feb. 4                     11:45 p.m. ET/PT                   SHOWTIME

Monday, Feb. 6                       10 p.m. ET/PT                        SHOWTIME EXTREME

Tuesday, Feb. 7                      10:30 p.m. ET                         CBS Sports Network

Wednesday, Feb. 8                 12:00 a.m. ET                         CBS Sports Network

Wednesday, Feb. 8                 11 p.m. ET/PT                        SHOWTIME EXTREME

Thursday, Feb. 9                     10 p.m. ET/PT                        SHOWTIME EXTREME

Thursday, Feb. 9                     10:30 p.m. ET                        CBS Sports Network

Friday, Feb. 10                        10:30 p.m. ET                         CBS Sports Network

Friday, Feb. 10                        11 p.m. ET/PT                        SHOWTIME EXTREME

Saturday, Feb. 11                   6:30 p.m. ET/PT                     SHOWTIME EXTREME

Saturday, Feb. 11                   6:55 p.m. ET/PT                     SHOWTIME

Episode 2:

Saturday, Feb. 18                  9:45 p.m. ET/PT                    SHOWTIME (PREMIERE)

Saturday, Feb. 25                   6:30 p.m. ET/PT                     SHOWTIME EXTREME

***Both episodes will be available on SHOWTIME On Demand following the premiere airings

RIO DE JANEIRO – Barboza earned the night’s “Knockout of the Night” award, Palhares “Submission of the Night” and Barboza and Etim earned “Fight of the Night”, each earning $65,000. Since Barboza earned two awards, he totaled $130,000.

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view)

• Jose Aldo def. Chad Mendes via knockout (knee and punches) Rnd 1, 4:59
• Vitor Belfort def. Anthony Johnson via submission (rearnaked choke) Rnd 1, 4:45
• Rousimar Palhares def. Mike Massenzio via submission (heel hook) Rnd 1, 1:03
• Carlo Prater def. Erick Silva via disqualification (illegal punches) Rnd 1, 0:29
• Edson Barboza def. Terry Etim via knockout (spinning heel kick) Rnd 3, 2:02

PRELIMINARY CARD (FX)

• Thiago Tavares def. Sam Stout via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
• Gabriel Gonzaga def. Ednaldo Oliveira via submission (rear-naked choke) Rnd 1, 3:22
• Yuri Alcantara def. Michihiro Omigawa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
• Mike Pyle def. Ricardo Funch via TKO (knees and punches) Rnd 1, 1:22

PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)

• Felipe Arantes def. Antonio Carvalho via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

 Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan

• Fedor Emelianenko def. Satoshi Ishii via KO (punch) -Rnd 1, 2:29
• Champ Shinya Aoki vs. Satoru Kitaoka via unanimous decision – retains Lightweight Title
• Champ Hiroyuki Takaya def. Takeshi “Lion” Inoue via unanimous decision – retains Featherweight Title
• Bibiano Fernandes def. Antonio Banuelos via TKO (strikes) Rnd 1, 1:21 -World Bantamweight Grand-Prix & Title
• Megumi Fujii def. Karla Benitez via submission (armbar) Rnd 1, 1:15
• Tatsuya Kawajiri def. Kazuyuki Miyata via submission (arm-triangle choke) Rnd 2, 4:54
• Ryo Chonan def. Hayato “Mach” Sakurai via unanimous decision
• Bibiano Fernandes def. Rodolfo Marques Diniz via unanimous decision – Bantamweight Grand-Prix semifinal
• Antonio Banuelos def. Masakazu Imanari via split decision – Bantamweight Grand-Prix semifinal
• Yusup Saadulaev def. Hideo Tokoro via KO (slam) Rnd 1, 0:42 – Bantamweight Grand-Prix reserve match

Overeem sends Lesnar into retirement. Hendricks earned the night’s “Knockout of the Night” award, and Diaz and Cerrone, “Fight of the Night” honors, each earned $75,000.

• Alistair Overeem def. Brock Lesnar via TKO (strikes) Rnd 1, 2:26
• Nate Diaz def. Donald Cerrone via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Johny Hendricks def. Jon Fitch via knockout (punches) Rnd 1, 0:12
• Alexander Gustafsson def. Vladimir Matyushenko via TKO (punches) Rnd 1, 2:13
• Jim Hettes def. Nam Phan via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26)
• Ross Pearson def. Junior Assuncao via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Danny Castillo def. Anthony Njokuani via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Dong Hyun Kim def. Sean Pierson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Jacob Volkmann def. Efrain Escudero via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Diego Nunes def. Manny Gamburyan via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view)

• Brock Lesnar (266) vs. Alistair Overeem (263)
• Donald Cerrone (156) vs. Nate Diaz (156) – Diaz weighed 157 pounds  first but ended at 156 with additional time
• Jon Fitch (171) vs. Johny Hendricks (170)
• Alexander Gustafsson (203) vs. Vladimir Matyushenko (205)
• Jim Hettes (145) vs. Nam Phan (146)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Spike TV)

• Junior Assuncao (145) vs. Ross Pearson (145)
• Danny Castillo (156) vs. Anthony Njokuani (154)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)

• Dong Hyun Kim (171) vs. Sean Pierson (171)
• Efrain Escudero (155) vs. Jacob Volkmann (155)
• Luis Ramos (171) vs. Matt Riddle (170)
• Manny Gamburyan (146) vs. Diego Nunes (145)

Valley View Casino Center – San Diego, Ca

MAIN CARD

• Champ Gilbert Melendez def. Jorge Masvidal via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)  Melendez retains lightweight title
• Champ Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos def. Hiroko Yamanaka via TKO (punches) Rnd 1, 0:16 Santos retains women’s featherweight title
• Gegard Mousasi def. Ovince St. Preux via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• K.J. Noons def. Billy Evangelista via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

PRELIMINARY CARD

• Caros Fodor def. Justin Wilcox via knockout (punches) Rnd 1, 0:13
• Roger Bowling def. Jerron Peoples via knockout (punches) Rnd 1, 0:42
• Devin Cole def. Gabriel Salinas-Jones via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Eddie Mendez def. Fernando Gonzalez via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
• Herman Terrado def. Chris Brown via submission (armbar) Rnd 3, 4:05  

  

Andre Ward is the Super Six World Boxing Champion

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.  -

Ward had hurt his left hand earlier in training and midway through the fight he re-injured it, Ward ignored the throbbing pain and continued to throw his left hand. Ward dominated Froch with a 12-round, unanimous decision at Boardwalk Hall.

Ward earned $900,000 for the bout. Froch received $600,000 plus a percentage of British TV rights

San Diego, Ca - Valley View Casino Center

MAIN CARD (Showtime)

• Champ Gilbert Melendez (155) vs. Jorge Masvidal (155) –  lightweight title
• Champ Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos (145) vs. Hiroko Yamanaka (145) – women’s featherweight title
• Gegard Mousasi (206) vs. Ovince St. Preux (206)
• Billy Evangelista (156) vs. K.J. Noons (156)

PRELIMINARY CARD

• Caros Fodor (156) vs. Justin Wilcox (156)
• Roger Bowling (170) vs. Jerron Peoples (180.5)  179-pound catchweight fight
• Devin Cole (248) vs. Gabriel Salinas-Jones (265)
• Fernando Gonzalez (186) vs. Eddie Mendez (186)
• Chris Brown (170) vs. Herman Terrado (170.5)

New Deal Kicks Off on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012 with ROCKHOLD vs. JARDINE

Plus, All STRIKEFORCE Preliminary Fights

to Air Live on SHOWTIME EXTREME^® 

NEW YORK (Dec. 15, 2011)—Showtime Networks Inc. and world championship mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion STRIKEFORCE^® have entered into a new broadcast agreement to continue producing live MMA events on the premium television network, SHOWTIME. The agreement was announced jointly today by Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports^®, Dana White, UFC^® President, and Scott Coker, STRIKEFORCE CEO.  

Under the new agreement, SHOWTIME will produce and televise up to eight live events. STRIKEFORCE athletes such as lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez, middleweight champion Luke Rockhold, women’s featherweight champion Cris “Cyborg” Santos, women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate and other world-class MMA fighters will continue to compete for the organization on SHOWTIME.

The new deal kicks off during the network’s Free Preview Weekend, Saturday, Jan. 7, as champion Rockhold defends the STRIKEFORCE 185-pound title against dangerous veteran Keith Jardine at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Notable STRIKEFORCE contenders such as Robbie Lawler, “King Mo” Lawal and Tyron Woodley are also set to compete on the televised card, which—as part of Free Preview Weekend—will be available in more than 60 million households nationwide across SHOWTIME, SHOWTIME HD™ and SHOWTIME On Demand^®.

Beginning with the Jan. 7 card, SHOWTIME will also televise undercard fights for all STRIKEFORCE events live on SHOWTIME EXTREME. The live SHO Extreme preliminary telecasts will afford network subscribers with expanded live fight coverage by up to two hours and provide invaluable exposure for the sport’s next generation of STRIKEFORCE contenders.

Under the new deal, the World Grand Prix Heavyweight Tournament champion will be determined when Josh Barnett battles Daniel Cormier. The winner will compete again on SHOWTIME under the STRIKEFORCE banner in the months to follow.

“Since its advent on SHOWTIME in 2007, live mixed martial arts has always performed well with our subscribers, particularly in the younger demographics,” said Espinoza, who now heads the division of the network responsible for programming live boxing, studio shows from National Football League and NASCAR as well as multiple sports documentary series. “As the one and only premium network in the MMA business, we are proud to renew our commitment to the sport and to our partners at Strikeforce.  This agreement ensures that we can continue to deliver the edge-of-your-seat programming that each live MMA event produces in the New Year and beyond.

“This exciting announcement could not have come at a better time,” he continued. “During our nationwide Free Preview Weekend a whole new crop of MMA fans will have the opportunity to sample the Strikeforce brand free of charge.”

“We’re excited about this renewal with SHOWTIME and I expect to put on some big STRIKEFORCE events next year,” White said.  “I never thought I would say this, but I am very much looking forward to building STRIKEFORCE and working very closely with SHOWTIME.”

“SHOWTIME has been a great TV partner for us and we’re happy to renew our agreement with them,” Coker said. “Together, we’ve put on some really amazing events and we’re going to keep doing that with this new deal. We have a great core of talented fighters on our roster and MMA fans are in for a real treat.”

STRIKEFORCE^®: MELENDEZ vs. MASVIDAL airs live on SHOWTIME this Saturday at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on West Coast) as lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez defends the title against hard-hitting contender Jorge Masvidal. In the night’s co-main event, women’s featherweight champion Cris “Cyborg” Santos meets gifted Japanese star Hiroko Yamanaka.

According to Aaron Ard, founder of Kountermove, “We hope that Kountermove is lots of fun for MMA fans, and that it helps fans discover and really connect with fighters, especially up-and-coming fighters.”

Kountermove’s fantasy MMA games work very similar to fantasy football. Members draft a team of fighters and compete with that team against other Kountermove players in their game. Members have a $25,000 “salary cap” when drafting their fantasy team of fighters, each fighter has a “salary” designated by Kountermove. Members choose from fee or entry fee games of varying sizes.

Winners and losers are then determined by fantasy points based on each fighter’s performance – strikes landed, submission attempts, knockdowns, dominant positions, rounds won, and knockout or submission bonuses.

The place winners in each game are determined by total fantasy points earned by their team of fighters during the event. Each game is based on stats, not over all wins like a simple pick’em game, therefore even if a fighter on a member’s fantasy team loses; it is still possible for that member to win the game.

All entry fees are added into a prize pool that is divided among the league’s winners at the end of the game. After each event, Kountermove updates game results by listing the points members received for that event, the rankings, and prize pool winnings.

The Kountermove scoring system:

-  Significant Strikes Landed: .5 points each

-  Takedown or Reversal: 2 points each

-  Submission Attempts: 3 points each

-  Knockdowns: 3 points each

-  Dominant Position: 2 points each

-  Victory by Knockout, Submission, DQ, or other: 100 points (1st Round); 75 points (2nd Round); 50 points (3rd, 4th, or 5th Round)

The numbers from UFC 140 demonstrate that Kountermove’s Fantasy MMA movement is definitely gaining traction in the MMA community. Over 1,500 players entered Kountermove games this weekend- four times as many players as the Kountermove fantasy MMA tournaments played for UFC 139.

Kountermove awarded over $4,500 in cash prizes to winning players over the UFC 140 weekend. Randy “The Natural” Couture even joined in on the tournament play and ranked a respectable 16th in a 50 player Kountermove Fantasy MMA tournament sponsored by MMA H.E.A.T.

To find out how they do the “math” at Kountermove, check out the latest ‘Kountermove Math Class‘ video here: http://youtu.be/Zsnjs8g6itY To get tips from a hot math teacher on how to draft YOUR Kountermove Fantasy MMA Team visit: http://youtu.be/2-T9OjWB2ZQ.

Join the Kountermove movement at www.kountermove.com. Learn more about How It Works on the Kountermove website as well. 

About Kountermove:

Kountermove, founded in 2009, is backed by MMA Legend Randy “The Natural” Couture and is currently the world’s leading fantasy MMA website. It is the first and only MMA fantasy site where users compete for real cash prize pools. It is fun, friendly, fair, and legal. Fans can win cash by drafting teams of MMA fighters in salary cap-style games. Beyond that, it also provides a compelling platform for interaction between fighters and fans. Fantasy MMA is especially powerful for new and up-and-coming fighters because it drives broader name recognition and a deeper-level of engagement with fans. MMA fans discover new fighters by playing fantasy games and then become invested – literally – in each fighter on their team. To find out more about Kountermove, Inc. please visit www.kountermove.com. Fans can also follow Kountermove on Twitter at twitter.com/kountermove or like Kountermove on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kountermove.

Toronto’s Air Canada Center

Jung earned the night’s “Knockout of the Night” award, Mir the “Submission of the Night”, and Jones and Machida “Fight of the Night”, each earned 75,000 each fight-night bonuses

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view)

• Jon Jones def. Lyoto Machida via technical submission (standing guillotine choke) Rnd 2, 4:26  Jones to retain light heavyweight title
• Frank Mir def. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira via submission (kimura) Rnd 1, 3:38
• Antonio Rogerio Nogueira def. Tito Ortiz via TKO (strikes) Rnd 1, 3:15
• Brian Ebersole def. Claude Patrick via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Chan Sung Jung def. Mark Hominick via TKO (punches) Rnd 1, 0:07

PRELIMINARY CARD (ION Television)

• Igor Pokrajac def. Krzysztof Soszynski via knockout (punches) Rnd 1, 0:35
• Constantinos Philippou def. Jared Hamman via knockout (punches) Rnd 1, 3:11
• Dennis Hallman def. John Makdessi via submission (rear-naked choke) Rnd 1, 2:58
• Yves Jabouin def. Walel Watson via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)

• Mark Bocek def. Nik Lentz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Jake Hecht def. Rich Attonito via TKO (strikes) Rnd 1, 1:10
• John Cholish def. Mitch Clarke via TKO (strikes) Rnd 2, 4:36

Toronto, Air Canada Center

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view)

• Champ Jon Jones (205) vs. Lyoto Machida (204)
• Frank Mir (260) vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (239)
• Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (204.5) vs. Tito Ortiz (206)
• Brian Ebersole (170.5) vs. Claude Patrick (171)
• Mark Hominick (145) vs. Chan Sung Jung (145.5)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ION Television)

• Igor Pokrajac (205) vs. Krzysztof Soszynski (206)
• Jared Hamman (185) vs. Constantinos Philippou (185)
• Dennis Hallman (158.5)* vs. John Makdessi (155.5) – Dennis Hallman failed to make weight; fined 20 percent of his purse
• Yves Jabouin (136) vs. Walel Watson (135.5)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)

• Mark Bocek (156) vs. Nik Lentz (156)
• Rich Attonito (170.5) vs. Jake Hecht (170.5)
• John Cholish (156) vs. Mitch Clarke (154.5)

Photo Credit: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

Virgil Hunter: “Froch Really Doesn’t Have a Clue What He’s Getting Into.”

Rob McCracken: “…Carl Has Done More in the Division than Ward…”

NEW YORK (Dec. 5, 2011) – Less than two weeks from one of the most important fights in the history of the super middleweight division, the trainers for world champions Andre Ward (World Boxing Association) and Carl Froch (World Boxing Council) are brimming with confidence as training camp begins to wind down. The eagerly awaited inaugural Super Six World Boxing Classic Final is slated for Saturday, Dec. 17, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J., live on SHOWTIME^® (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

Says Virgil Hunter, who trains Ward (24-0, 13 KOs), of Oakland, Calif.: “We’re real pleased with how it’s all going in camp. We never actually left. We had a setback (after Ward was cut on Sept. 22), but we never stopped. We just modified things when we couldn’t spar. We’ve been sparring for about three weeks.

“I haven’t seen any difference at all with Andre; there’s been no noticeable drop off for anything.

He’s the same now as he was before the cut. He understands the nature of game.

“We’re just determined to win in a dominant fashion. That’s what we focus on. It’s not personal. We just want to win, and that’s what we plan to do.’’

Offers Rob McCracken, who handles Froch (28-1, 20 KOs), of Nottingham, England: “Carl’s camp has been fantastic. He’s just an exceptional worker and will carry out whatever you want from him every day. He never questions anything. He doesn’t have weight issues; he has the genetics to do that, and very few in the sport can say that.

“We’d worked 10 weeks before the cut, but then took a three-week break. So we will have had nine more solid weeks of camp going in. That’s quite a bit of training, but the three weeks off refreshed him. A similar thing happened when he fought Arthur Abraham, and Carl came back sharper than ever.

“Ward pulled out because of a cut. That’s part of boxing, and Carl knows that. But this is a personal fight.’’

Both Hunter and McCracken have had lengthy relationships with their boxers – who represent each trainer’s top client. The insightful Hunter, who’s also Ward’s godfather, has coached the boxer since he was nine years old. He was with Ward during the run to the 2004 Olympic Games gold medal and has been there every step of the way since.

The respected McCracken, a former British champion and world title challenger at 160 pounds, is the current head of theUKOlympic team. Froch, who often works with the amateurs, has been with McCracken for more than 10 years.

Some industry experts consider Ward a slight favorite to defeat the confident Froch and win the high-stakes 12-round bout for the WBA and WBC titles, vacant The Ring magazine championship and the Super Six World Boxing Classic Cup. But, as always, Ward will enter the ring with something to prove and taking nothing for granted.

“Andre always fights with a chip on his shoulder, but it’s a healthy chip and it’s what fuels and motivates him,’’ Hunter said. “One minute you’re the best in the world, the next minute you’re not. Just the criticism alone is something he has no control over, but it’s enough to motivate him continuously.

“He has his dreams, he has his goals, and until he hangs ‘em up he’ll be motivated. It’s just the type of kid he is. He’ll never be in a situation where he’ll not be motivated because when the tournament is over they will have somebody else for him to fight. Or there will be someone else where they say maybe this guy will be a good test, or that guy will be a good test.

“The way Andre is winning right now, no one seems to think he’s being tested. So if there is a test out there, we welcome it and we’re ready for it.”

Chip or no chip, McCracken believes Froch is the real deal and the one to beat.

“Carl trained with me nine months before his first pro fight and before that I watched him in the 2001 World Championships,’’ McCracken said. “While Carl was becoming the first English boxer to win a medal at the World Championships, I could see the raw talent and that he had all the ingredients.

“Carl and Ward have pretty much proved themselves as the two best; well, Carl definitely has and Ward, who won an Olympic gold medal, is the other best super middleweight in the world alongside Carl.

“But Carl has done more in the division than Ward has.”

So, who’s going to win?

“Andre’s biggest key is that he has the element of surprise,’’ Hunter said. “Froch really doesn’t have a clue what he’s getting into. He just doesn’t know. He’s on the outside looking in. It’ll be interesting to see when he finds out. Then, we’ll adjust accordingly to whatever his intent is.

“Andre is determined. He has a family, and he wants to be great, which is enough stimulation to put everything he has into winning this fight.

“I don’t think that you could ask for a better conclusion.  It’s going to be a great fight and I’m looking forward to it. Froch is a confident fighter who has passionate fans. He’s the type of fighter you want to fight. He says he’ll keep pushing the petal to the metal and I think he’s a man of his word. I’d be very disappointed if he tucks it in, after what he’s been saying.

“We’ve worked hard to win this tournament and we intend to win the tournament. We’re now at the point where we have one more obstacle to overcome. It doesn’t matter if it’s a knockout or a decision. We want the KO if it comes, or a stoppage. Personally, I’d like to see him quit or his corner stop it.’’

Says McCracken: “The reality at this level of fight is intriguing because no one knows for sure how it will play out. We’ll both have game plans and we’ll both try to come out and implement them. But there will be points in the fight where they’ll have to fight on instincts.

“Ward is unorthodox, very fast and very talented. He will only do one of two things. He’ll try to go in and out or try and bull himself inside.

“Carl has the longer reach and is physically stronger. He knows he has to be smartly aggressive. He’s proven himself time and again, against everybody’s he’s been in with. Carl will be ready for anything. He’ll adjust when necessary and do whatever it takes to win.

“But we’re expecting a fantastic fight between two tremendous boxers.’’

The event, originally scheduled for Oct. 29 at Boardwalk Hall, will be promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, Matchroom Sport and Antonio Leonard Promotions, in association with Caesars Atlantic City and sponsored byCorona.

Tickets are on sale at the Boardwalk Hall box office or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 736-1420 or online at ticketmaster.com. All tickets purchased for the original event date will be honored on Dec. 17.  If ticket holders are not able to attend on Dec. 17, refunds are available at the point of purchase. The non-televised undercard begins at 6 p.m. ET.

The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas

Michael Bisping def. Jason “Mayhem” Miller via TKO (strikes) Rnd 3, 3:34

Diego Brandao def. Dennis Bermudez via submission (armbar) Rnd 1, 4:51  - Diego Brandao  TUF 14 Featherweight Champion

John Dodson def. T.J. Dillashaw via TKO (punches) Rnd 1, 1:54 - John Dodson  TUF 14 Bantamweight Champion

Tony Ferguson def. Yves Edwards via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Johnny Bedford def. Louis Gaudinot via TKO (strikes) Rnd 3, 1:58

Marcus Brimage def. Stephen Bass via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28

John Albert def. Dustin Pague via TKO (punches) Rnd 1, 1:09

Roland Delorme def. Josh Ferguson via submission (rear-naked choke) Rnd 3, 0:22

Steven Siler def. Josh Clopton via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Bryan Caraway def. Dustin Neace via submission (rear-naked choke) Rnd 2, 3:38

Jhonatan Romero Upsets ShoBox Regular Chris Avalos

Catch the Replay on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME Extreme^®

SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (Dec. 2, 2011) – Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell recorded his ninth consecutive stoppage after Canadian Renan St-Juste could not continue to fight following what appeared to be a separated left shoulder at 2:54 of the fourth round in the ShoBox: The New Generation main event. The evening’s opener featured Jhonatan “Momo” Romero scoring a 10-round split decision over Chris “The Hitman” Avalos in an action-packed super bantamweight bout by the scores of 96-93, 96-94 for Romero and 95-94 for Avalos. The doubleheader originated from Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif., just up the 101 Freeway from where International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight titleholder Abner Mares and Joseph King Kong Agbeko will battle in a highly anticipated rematch tomorrow on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXINGLIVE at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) on SHOWTIME^®.

After a measured first couple of minutes, Dirrell (24-0, 21 KOs), of Flint, Mich., established his power by backing up St-Juste (23-3-1, 15 KOs) with a right hand late in the opening round. The southpaw St-Juste, who also boasts some fuel in his fists, repeatedly loaded up with his left hand and missed wildly. Facing a 5-inch heigh disadvantage, the shorter St-Juste failed to get inside on Dirrell. Ever patient, Dirrell dictated the fight’s pace and seemlessly switched between orthodox and southpaw stances.

In the fourth, an awkward clash caused a head butt to Dirrell’s forehead that sent him to the ground. Seemingly incensed, Dirrell stood up, regained his composure and proceeded to attack his opponent. After taking a few shots, St-Juste attemped to hold on to his surging opponent but Dirrell merely spun him around. St-Juste began to wince in pain while clutching his left shoulder. Referee Jack Reiss ended the bout when St-Juste informed him that he could not continue. Replays showed that St-Juste’s shoulder was injured during the awkard clash and not from Dirrell’s post-head butt attack.

Although the bout was stopped short, Dirrell looked good through four rounds while taking his largest step up in competition. The victory awards Dirrell the distinction of mandatory challenger for the World Boxing Council (WBC) 168-pound title, currently held by Super Six World Boxing Classic Finalist Carl Froch.

”I’m coming, Super Six. You all better watch out. ’The Dog’ is coming,” Dirrell emphatically stated after the bout as he celebrated with his family, including his brother and former Super Six participant, Andre Dirrell.

The telecast’s co-feature provided more punches and rounds than the headliner but less certainty about the outcome. Avalos (19-2, 15 KOs) – making his ShoBox-record sixth appearance – scored a knockdown just before the end of the first round with his patented power punches against the ropes. The quicker Romero, of Colombia, rebounded in the second session by staying mobile and timing Avalos’ punches to catch him coming in.

Avalos, of Lancaster, Calif., achieved most of his success with powerful combinations while Romero’s right uppercut served as his most valuable asset. The seventh round turned into a slugfest with both fighters refusing to hit the canvas. Avalos continued to display to ShoBox fans that his chin is almost as solid as his right hand.

Avalos caught Romero with a head shot in the eighth that seemed to hurt the Colombian. Avalos went for the kill but was unable to stop his opponent. Romero bounced back with a very successful ninth after looking exhausted in between rounds.

As the fight came to a close, the boxers raised their arms in victory but it was only Romero (20-0, 12 KOs)who was able to keep his arms upstretched when the outcome was officially announced. The vocal crowd booed the decision.

The event was promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC.

Tonight’s telecast will replay on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME Extreme and will be available on SHOWTIME On Demand from Dec. 5 through Dec. 18.

MAIN CARD (Spike TV)

Michael Bisping (186)* vs. Jason “Mayhem” Miller (185.5)

Dennis Bermudez (146) vs. Diego Brandao (145)

John Dodson (134) vs. T.J. Dillashaw (135.5)

Yves Edwards (155) vs. Tony Ferguson (155.5)

Johnny Bedford (136) vs. Louis Gaudinot (136)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)

Marcus Brimage (143) vs. Stephan Bass (145)

John Albert (136) vs. Dustin Pague (136)

Roland Delorme (136) vs. Josh Ferguson (134)

Josh Clopton (144) vs. Steven Siler (146)

Bryan Caraway (145) vs. Dustin Neace (145.5)

HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

McDonald earned the night’s “Knockout of the Night”, Faber the “Submission of the Night” bonus, and  ”Fight of the Night” honors went to two fights: Henderson vs. “Shogun” and Silva vs. Le, each earned $70,000.

Dan Henderson def. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)

Wanderlei Silva def. Cung Le via knockout (strikes) Rnd 2, 4:49

Urijah Faber def. Brian Bowles via submission (guillotine choke) Rnd 2, 1:27

Martin Kampmann def. Rick Story via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)

Stephan Bonnar def. Kyle Kingsbury via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-25, 30-27)

Ryan Bader def. Jason Brilz via knockout (punch) Rnd 1, 1:17

Michael McDonald def. Alex Soto via knockout (punches) Rnd 1, 0:56

Chris Weidman def. Tom Lawlor via technical submission (D’arce choke) Rnd 1, 2:07

Gleison Tibau def. Rafael dos Anjos via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)

Miguel Torres def. Nick Pace via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Seth Baczynski def. Matt Brown via submission (guillotine choke) Rnd 2, 0:42

Danny Castillo def. Shamar Bailey via TKO (punches) Rnd 1, 4:52

SAN JOSE, Calif.

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view)

Dan Henderson (203) vs. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (205)
Cung Le (185) vs. Wanderlei Silva (185)
Brian Bowles (136) vs. Urijah Faber (136)
Martin Kampmann (170.5) vs. Rick Story (170.5)
Stephan Bonnar (205) vs. Kyle Kingsbury (205)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Spike TV)
Ryan Bader (205) vs. Jason Brilz (204)
Michael McDonald (136) vs. Alex Soto (135)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)
Tom Lawlor (185) vs. Chris Weidman (185.5)
Rafael dos Anjos (155.5) vs. Gleison Tibau (155)
Nick Pace (141)+ vs. Miguel Torres (136)
Seth Baczynski (171) vs. Matt Brown (171)
Shamar Bailey (158) vs. Danny Castillo (155) – Shamar Bailey - misses weight and forfeits 20 percent of his purse