Bellator officials announced on Wednesday that Jackson and Beltran will fight on the Nov. 15 Bellator card, which takes place in Atlantic City, N.J. and airs on Spike TV.

“I want to thank Joey Beltran for stepping up for the fight so I can get my first Bellator victory out of the way,” Rampage said in a statement. “He’ll have the unfortunate honor of taking the ass whooping I was going to give Tito. My body is in incredible shape right now. I feel like I did in PRIDE, and Joey Beltran is the right guy to put on an exciting fight and showcase what I’ve been working on.”

Beltran was recently released from the UFC for a second time, following a split-decision loss to Fabio Maldonado at UFC Fight Night 29. The release from the organization was Beltran’s second, the first coming after a knockout loss to Lavar Johnson at UFC on FOX 2.

Before agreeing to fight Rampage in Bellator, Beltran revealed that the last 30 days have emotionally gone up and down.

“This last month has been an absolute roller coaster of emotion,” Beltran said in a statement. “I’ve always been a warrior and thank god for my family and my teammates at Alliance MMA for keeping me focused and dedicated. I’ve always known that good things will happen to me if you put in the hard work and keep grinding, and that’s exactly what has happened with this opportunity. I fought for Bellator in 2009 when they were just starting out on ESPN, and I was fairly new on the scene as well. I loved my time there, and I couldn’t be happier to be back.”

Beltran’s first stint with Bellator lasted one fight and was a 2009 knockout win over Sherman Pendergarst, a victory he picked up in the first round.

Toquinho está suspenso do UFC por uso de doping. Foto:Josh Hedges/Zuffa LCC via Getty Images

Após noticiado aqui na GRACIEMAG.com sobre Rousimar Toquinho ter sido flagrado no exame antidoping, feito após o evento UFC on FX 6, o atleta comentou o caso, por meio de nota enviada pela assessoria de imprensa da BTT.

“Sempre fui extremamente regrado com minha alimentação e preocupado em nunca usar nada que fizesse mal ao meu corpo e ao meu desempenho dentro do octógono. E não foi diferente dessa vez. Jamais tive a intenção de trapacear. Tenho quase 30 lutas na carreira, sendo grande parte pelo UFC. Já fui submetido a diversos exames de surpresa e nunca houve nada de errado. Além disso, eu sabia que passaria por testes após a luta na Austrália porque isso é padrão do UFC. Tenho a consciência limpa, mas aceito a punição. As regras existem para todos e têm que ser cumpridas”, desabafou Rousimar, antes de explicar quais serão seus próximo passos.

Quem também fez questão de dar uma declaração sobre o caso foi o mestre Murilo Bustamente. O chefe da Brazilian Top Team acredita que seu aluno não teve a intenção de burlar as regras do UFC, mas não deixou de dar um puxão de orelha no discípulo.

“O Rousimar é um dos caras mais regrados com alimentação, preparação física e tudo o que envolve sua profissão. Mas se acusou algo errado, é porque em algum momento houve um descuido. Então, esse caso tem que servir de exemplo para todos os outros lutadores. O cuidado com tudo o que é ingerido tem que ser redobrado. Os exames estão cada vez mais rigorosos e por isso a preocupação com os alimentos e suplementos tem que ser maior também”, afirmou.

Toquinho, que foi nocauteado ainda na primeira etapa para Hector Lombard, além de ter contundido o pé durante o embate, ficará nove meses sem poder lutar. A suspensão imposta pelo Ultimate é retroativa ao dia 14 de dezembro, e Toco só poderá voltar a atuar pela organização após novo teste que comprove que o mesmo está limpo de substâncias ilegais.

Rousimar foi pego por altos índices de testosterona. Além dele, Joey Beltran também foi pego no exame, por uso de Nandralona.

Photo by David Dermer/Diamond Images/Getty Images

After we reported here on GRACIEMAG.com that Rousimar Palhares had been flagged for elevated testosterone after his fight at UFC on FX 6, the athlete addressed the issue publicly by way of a press release.

“I’ve always been very careful about my diet and concerned about not ever using anything that could harm my body or my performance in the octagon. And this time was no different,” he said. “I never meant to cheat. I’ve had nearly 30 fights in my career, a good portion of them in the UFC. I’ve been through numerous surprise tests, and nothing’s ever gone wrong. Furthermore, I knew I was going to be subjected to testing after fighting in Australia because that’s the standard in the UFC. I have a clear conscience but accept the punishment. The rules exist for everyone to follow.”

Another to weigh in on the case was the fighter’s master, Murilo Bustamante. The head of Brazilian Top Team feels his student never meant to break the UFC’s rules but did make sure to admonish his disciple.

“Rousimar is one of the most disciplined guys when it comes to diet, physical conditioning and anything involving his profession there is,” Bustamante said. “But if he got flagged for something, it’s because he got sloppy at some point. So this case has to serve as an example to all other fighters. Everyone has to be double careful about what they put in their bodies. The testing is becoming more and more rigorous, and that’s why everyone has to be more and more careful about the food they eat and supplements they take.”

Toquinho will have to go nine months without fighting. The suspension imposed by the UFC is retroactive dating from Dec. 14, and the fighter will only be allowed to fight again once further testing comes back clean after his suspension is up.

Joey Beltran also had a positive test following UFC on FX 6. The Team Alliance fighter’s results showed traces of nandrolone, and he, like Palhares, will serve a nine-month suspension retroactive to Dec. 14.

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Toquinho teve um 2012 complicado. Foto: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Mais uma triste notícia para Rousimar Toquinho, peso médio do UFC. Após ser nocauteado por Hector Lombard,ainda no primeiro assalto, no UFC on FX 6,  e lesionar o pé durante a luta, Toquinho foi pego no exame antidoping e está suspenso do Ultimate. As informações são do repórter Erik Fontanez.

Toquinho testou positivo para níveis altos de testosterona e vai ficar, no mínimo, nove meses sem lutar, a contar retroativamente do dia 14 de dezembro. Após o tempo na geladeira, Rousimar terá que fazer novo teste antes de ser liberado para lutar novamente.

“O UFC segue uma política rigorosa contra o uso de quaisquer medicamento ilegal para melhorar a performance, estimulantes ou agentes que camuflem drogas”, informou a organização por meio de comunicado oficial.

Além de Toquinho, Joey Beltran também foi pego no doping, por uso de nandrolona. Beltran, que venceu sua luta no UFC on FX 6 contra Igor Pokrajac, na decisão unânime dos jurados, terá o resultado de sua luta convertido em um “no contest” de acordo com informações do UFC ao GRACIEMAG.com.

>>> Não quer perder nada do que acontece de melhor no mundo do MMA e do Jiu-Jitsu? Assine hoje sua revista favorita, com uma promoção imperdível, clicando aqui!

Chad Mendes leaps in celebration after knocking out Yaotzin Meza. UFC publicity photo.

This Friday, in Queensland, Australia, half the fights on the card for UFC on FX 6 ended before regulation time was up. A bona fide knockout fest, the standouts of which were Ross Pearson’s win over George Sotiropoulos and Hector Lombard’s drubbing of Rousimar Toquinho.

Check out the pictures from the event:

[flickr set=72157632255579142]

UFC on FX 6

Gold Coast Convention, Queensland, Austrália

December 14, 2012

Ross Pearson defeated George Sotiropoulos via TKO at 0.41 min of R3;

Robert Whittaker defeated Bradley Scott via unanimous judges’ decision;

Norman Parke defeatedColin Fletcher via unanimous judges’ decision;

Hector Lombard defeated Rousimar Toquinho via TKO at 3:38 min of R1;

Chad Mendes knocked out Yaotzin Meza at 1:55 min of R1;

Joey Beltran defeated Igor Pokrajac via unanimous judges’ decision;

Mike Pierce defeated Seth Baczynski via unanimous judges’ decision;

Ben Alloway knocked out Manuel Rodriguez at 4:57 min of R1;

Mike Wilkinson defeated Brendan Loughnane via unanimous judges’ decision;

Cody Donovan defeated Nick Penner via TKO at 4:35 min of R1;

Chad Mendes e seu salto mortal após nocautear Yaotzin Meza. Foto: UFC/Divulgação

O UFC on FX 6 rolou nessa sexta-feira, em Queensland, na Austrália, e metade dos duelos terminaram antes do tempo previsto. Um verdadeiro show de nocautes, com destaque para a vitória de Ross Pearson sobre George Sotiropoulos e para o cubano Hector Lombard, que acertou bons golpes em Rousimar Toquinho e despachou o brasileiro ainda no primeiro assalto.

Confira as imagens do show:

[flickr set=72157632255579142]

UFC on FX 6

Gold Coast Convention, Queensland, Austrália

14 de dezembro de 2012

Ross Pearson venceu George Sotiropoulos por nocaute técnico aos 41s do R3

Robert Whittaker venceu Bradley Scott na decisão unânime dos jurados

Norman Parke venceu Colin Fletcher na decisão unânime dos jurados

Hector Lombard venceu Rousimar Toquinho por nocaute técnico aos 3m38s do R1

Chad Mendes nocauteou Yaotzin Meza a 1m55s do R1

Joey Beltran venceu Igor Pokrajac na decisão unânime dos jurados

Mike Pierce venceu Seth Baczynski na decisão unânime dos jurados

Ben Alloway nocauteou Manuel Rodriguez aos 4m57s do R1

Mike Wilkinson venceu Brendan Loughnane na decisão unânime dos jurados

Cody Donovan venceu Nick Penner por nocaute técnico aos 4m35s do R1

Ross Pearson comemora após bater o peso. Foto: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LCC via Getty Images

Nesta sexta, o octagon aporta em Queensland, na Austrália e o ginásio de Gold Coast Convention será o palco do UFC on FX 6. Os combates serão transmitidos pelo Canal Combate e começam às 21h, horário do Brasil. O GRACIEMAG.com lista as cinco lutas que devem levantar você, que é fã de Jiu-Jitsu.

1. Norman Parker vs Colin Fletcher

Esse combate será a final do peso leve do “TUF Smashes”. O americano Norman “Stormin” Parker (16v, 2d) tem experiência no MMA e soube usar essa vantagem muito bem dentro da casa. Norman treina na equipe de Jiu-Jitsu de Robert Drysdale, portanto sabe muito bem usar as quedas e aplicar a finalização. Já o compatriota Colin “Freak Show” Fletcher (8v, 1d) tem uma envergadura maior, sabe muito bem defender as quedas e deve querer manter a luta em pé para surpreender o rival.

Palpite: Norman Parker

2. Hector Lombard vs Rousimar Palhares

Hector “Lightning” Lombard chegou cheio de moral ao Ultimate, mas acabou decepcionando na sua estreia contra Tim Boetsch, no UFC 149, em julho, em luta morna. Agora o judoca cubano tem outra chance grande de mostrar seu valor. Já o mineirinho Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares precisa voltar a vencer e provar que é um dos tops da categoria. Será que Toquinho leva mais um pé para casa ou Hector derruba?

Palpite: Rousimar Toquinho

3. Chad Mendes vs Yaotzin Meza

Sempre de olho no cinto de José Aldo, Chad Mendes vem de vitória sobre Cody McKenzie pelo UFC 148, em junho, e iria encarar Hacran Dias, que se contundiu. Será Yaotzin Meza presa fácil ou seus socos podem complicar o boa-praça Chad?

Palpite: Chad Mendes

4. George Sotiropoulos vs Ross Pearson

A coisa não anda muito boa para o lado do finalizador Sotiropoulos, que agora enfrenta o bom striker Ross Pearson para tentar levantar a firma. Será que seu bom Jiu-Jitsu vai funcionar em casa?

Palpite: George Sotiropoulos

5. Robert Whittaker vs Brad Scott

Com apenas 21 anos  Robert Whitaker (9v, 2d) faz a final do peso médio do “TUF Smashes”. Dono de um bom muay thai,  ele quer derrubar o australiano Brad Scott (8v, 1d),  que vem de seis vitórias consecutivas e varreu todos os seus oponentes na casa do “TUF” para chegar até a final. Scott, exímio wrestler, deve tentar botar para baixo e trabalhar a luta no solo.

Palpite: Brad Scott

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuE2XZxjhEY

UFC on FX 6

Gold Coast Convention, Queensland, Austrália

14 de dezembro de 2012

George Sotiropoulos vs Ross Pearson

Brad Scott vs Robert Whitaker

Norman Parker vs Colin Fletcher

Rousimar Toquinho vs Hector Lombard

Yaotzin Meza vs Chad Mendes

Igor Pokrajac vs Joey Beltran

Mike Pierce vs Seth Baczynski

Ben Alloway vs Manny Rodriguez

Brendan Loughnane vs Mike Wilkinson

Nick Penner vs Eddie Mendez

Ross Pearson celebrates making weight. Photo by Josh Hedges/courtesy of Zuffa LCC via Getty Images.

This Friday, the octagon touches down in the Gold Coast Convention Center in Queensland, Austrialia, where UFC on FX 6 will unfold. GRACIEMAG.com put together a list of the five fights you won’t want to miss on the card, if you’re a Jiu-Jitsu fan.

1. Norman Parker vs. Colin Fletcher

This fight marks the final chapter of the lightweight division from the TUF Smashes reality show. US national Norman “Stormin” Parker (16w, 2l) has MMA experience and knew how to use it to his advantage in the house. Norman trains at Roberto Drysdale’s Jiu-Jitsu team, so he’s plenty well versed with takedowns and submissions. Now, his countryman Colin “Freak Show” Fletcher (8w, 1l) has greater reach, good takedown defense and should look to keep the fight standing.

Prediction: Norman Parker

2. Hector Lombard vs. Rousimar Palhares

Hector “Lightning” Lombard was highly touted when he first joined the UFC fray, but ended up disappointing on his promotional debut against Tim Boetsch at UFC 149. Now the Cuban judoka has another chance to show his potential. Now, Brazil’s Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares needs to rediscover his winning ways to remain relevant in the division. Might Toquinho manage to take Hector’s foot home with him?

Prediction: Rousimar Toquinho

3. Chad Mendes vs. Yaotzin Meza

Still craving José Aldo’s belt, Chad Mendes is coming off a win over Cody McKenzie at UFC 148 last June and was set to face up-and-coming Nova União star Hacran Dias, who had to pull out due to injury. Could Dias’s replacement, Yaotzin Meza, be easy prey, or will he give Chad more than he can chew?

Prediction: Chad Mendes

4. George Sotiropoulos vs. Ross Pearson

Things haven’t been going too well for submission whiz Sotiropoulos, who now has to contend with the strike-savvy Ross Pearson in trying to right his ship. Could his Jiu-Jitsu serve him well at home?

Prediction: George Sotiropoulos

5. Robert Whittaker vs. Brad Scott

At just 21 years of age, Robert Whitaker (9w, 2l) is heading into the middleweight final of the TUF Smashes reality show. With solid Thai boxing, he will be looking for the knockdown on Australia’s Brad Scott (8w, 1l), who is riding six back-to-back wins and ran roughshod through all his opponents on the show in making it to the final. Scott, the masterful wrestler, should be looking for the takedown and ground and pound.

Prediction: Brad Scott

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuE2XZxjhEY

UFC on FX 6
Gold Coast Convention, Queensland, Australia
December 14, 2012

George Sotiropoulos vs. Ross Pearson
Brad Scott vs. Robert Whitaker
Norman Parker vs. Colin Fletcher
Rousimar Toquinho vs. Hector Lombard
Yaotzin Meza vs. Chad Mendes
Igor Pokrajac vs. Joey Beltran
Mike Pierce vs. Seth Baczynski
Ben Alloway vs. Manny Rodriguez
Brendan Loughnane vs. Mike Wilkinson
Nick Penner vs. Eddie Mendez

Cigano staredown with Carwin in photo by Josh Hedges

UFC 131 took the goods to Vancouver, Canada, this Saturday night. In the main event, Junior Cigano notched his seventh-straight win, his sixth in the UFC, and now he’ll get his shot at the heavyweight belt. Check out the rundown of the main card:

Junior Cigano vs. Shane Carwin

Early on, it seemed clear Carwin would rather not risk dealing with his opponent’s boxing skills, opting to try to take it to the ground. In the opening round, Cigano landed strikes handily and nearly ended it, with Shane taking an onslaught of strikes while on all fours, going into the second-round break showing heavy damage to his face. After a lukewarm second, Cigano again dominated the action in the third round, even successfully shooting for takedowns. It was the first time Carwin went a whole three rounds, but the unanimous decision win was Junior’s, and now the winner will get his shot at Cain Velasquez for the heavyweight belt.

Kenny Florian vs. Diego Nunes

Diego Nunes had a good first round and managed a knockdown in the waning moments. In the second, Florian found his rhythm and took the lead with takedowns. In the third, with a steady stream of blood flowing from his head, Nunes seemed to have worn out. Kenny forged ahead with the takedowns and took the unanimous decision. It was Florian’s debut as a featherweight.

Demian Maia and Mark Munoz

Demian Maia had the better start. In the first round he landed more potent strikes in the standup exchanges. In the second, the black belt seemed to have run out of gas, mainly with his takedown attempts. Munoz went on to control the fight both with takedowns and strikes. Demian tried a few attacks on the ground but to no avail. Munoz took the unanimous decisions.

Jon Olav Einemo vs. Dave Herman

Olav came on strong in the first round with solid takedowns and strikes. It looked like Olav was sure to win in the second, but Herman landed a knee that set off a sequence of fight-ending strikes, taking the win by technical knockout.

Donald Cerrone vs. Vagner Rocha

Vagner had a promising start with a nice takedown. He was swimming upstream from there on out, though, as Cerrone took control of the fight with leg kicks. Pablo Popovitch black belt Rocha didn’t get to put any of his Jiu-Jitsu to work during the three rounds. Keeping out of danger with his potent leg kicks, Cerrone took the well-deserved unanimous decision.

Complete results:

UFC 131
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
June 11, 2011

Junior Cigano defeated Shane Carwin via unanimous decision;
Kenny Florian defeated Diego Nunes via unanimous decision;
Mark Munoz defeated Demian Maia via unanimous decision;
Dave Herman defeated Jon Olav Einemo via TKO at 3:19 min of R2;
Donald Cerrone defeated Vagner Rocha via unanimous decision;
Sam Stout defeated Yves Edwards via KO at 3:52 min of R1;
Chris Weidman submitted Jesse Bongfeldt via guillotine at 4:54 of R1;
Krzysztof Soszynski defeated Mike Massenzio via unanimous decision;
Nick Ring submitted James Head via rear-naked choke at 3:33 of R3;
Dustin Poirier defeated Jason Young via unanimous decision;
Joey Beltran defeated Aaron Rosa via TKO at 1:26 min of R3;
Darren Elkins defeated Michihiro Omigawa via unanimous decision.

Cigano em momento chave da luta principal do UFC 131. Foto: Josh Hedges.

O UFC 131 trouxe lutas movimentadas em Vancouver, no Canadá, na noite deste sábado. No principal desafio, Junior Cigano chegou à sétima vitória seguida, a sexta no UFC, e agora vai ter a chance pelo título de pesados. Confira todos os resultados e análises das lutas principais:

Junior Cigano x Shane Carwin

Nos primeiros instantes, Carwin dava a entender que não queria se arriscar contra o boxe do oponente, tentando aplicar quedas. Na primeira parcial, Cigano acertou bem com socos quando quase definiu. Shane apanhou bastante de quatro apoios e foi para o intervalo como o rosto avariado. Após segundo round morno, Cigano voltou a dominar na terceira parcial, tendo conseguido até quedar. Foi a primeira vez que Carwin lutou três rounds, mas a vitória foi por unanimidade para Junior, que agora vai ter finalmente a chance contra Cain Velásquez pelo cinturão de pesados.

Kenny Florian x Diego Nunes

Diego Nunes foi bem no assalto inicial e conseguiu um knockdown com socos nos últimos segundos. Na segunda parcial, Florian encaixou o seu jogo e aplicou boas quedas para levar vantagem. Na terceira parcial, com um sangramento na cabeça, Nunes parecia mais cansado. Kenny insistiu nas quedas e, mesmo com o brasileiro sem desistir até o fim, Kenny levou a melhor por decisão unânime. Foi a estreia de Florian no peso pena.

Demian Maia x Mark Munoz

Demian Maia começou melhor. Na primeira parcial, conectou bons golpes na trocação. Na segunda parcial, o faixa-preta pareceu se desgastar, principalmente nas tentativas de queda. Monoz passou a controlar a luta,com quedas e socos. Demian tentou alguns ataques no chão, mas não foi suficiente. Vitória de Munoz por decisão unânime.

Jon Olav Einemo x Dave Herman

Olav veio bem no primeiro round, com boas quedas e bons socos. Na segunda parcial parecia que a vitória de Olav estava garantida, mas Herman aplicou uma boa joelhada e deu início a uma sequência de golpes que o levou a vitória por nocaute técnico.

Donald Cerrone x Vagner Rocha

Vagner começou bem, tendo aplicado uma boa queda. No entanto, logo depois disso Cerrone passou a controlar a luta com muitos chutes nas pernas. Aluno de Pablo Popovitch, faixa-preta, Rocha não conseguiu impor o seu Jiu-Jitsu nos três rounds. Sem sofrer perigo, na base dos chutes, Cerrone teve merecida a vitória por decisão unânime.

Confira todos os resultados:

UFC 131
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canadá
Dia 11 de junho de 2011

Junior Cigano venceu Shane Carwin por decisão unânime
Kenny Florian venceu Diego Nunes por decisão unânime
Mark Munoz venceu Demian Maia por decisão unânime
Dave Herman venceu Jon Olav Einemo por TKO aos 3min19s do R2
Donald Cerrone venceu Vagner Rocha por decisão unânime
Sam Stout venceu Yves Edwards por KO aos 3min52s do R1
Chris Weidman finalizou Jesse Bongfeldt com uma guilhotina aos 4min54s do R1
Krzysztof Soszynski venceu Mike Massenzio por decisão unânime
Nick Ring finalizou James Head com um mata-leão aos 3min33s do R3
Dustin Poirier venceu Jason Young por decisão unânime
Joey Beltran venceu Aaron Rosa por TKO a 1min26s do R3
Darren Elkins venceu Michihiro Omigawa por decisão unânime

C.B. Dollaway won submission of the night. Photo:Josh Hedges

The names of the fighters to earn best-of-the-night bonuses at this Saturday’s UFC 119 show in Indianapolis have been released. This time the sum of 70 thousand dollars was awarded to Sean Sherk, Evan Dunham, Matt Mitrione, Joey Beltran and C.B. Dollaway for their performances.

Sean Sherk, Evan Dunham, Matt Mitrione and Joey Beltran took home fight of the night bonuses. For his fight-ending guillotine, C.B. Dollaway took the prize for best submission.

Although Frank Mir won his fight with Mirko Cro Cop by knockout, the only one of the show, in a monotonous fight, the promoters decided not to reward the achievement.

Stay tuned to GRACIEMAG.com for more on the UFC.