A top level mixed martial artist can be compared to the dominant lion of a pride. Given a title or a reputation to protect, other fighters will soon appear out of the jungle to challenge them.

As in the animal kingdom, every fighter must face the reality that they can only be dominant for a certain number of years before a younger, fitter and hungrier fighter comes along. At any given time, there are a number of fighters who at one time were the dominant fighters of their weight divisions, but who are now facing the end of their reign.

The most recent fight demonstrating this was at UFC 103, in the fight between Mirko Cro Cop vs. Junior Dos Santos. Back in 2005 Cro Cop was arguably the most dominate heavy weight behind Fedor Emelianenko. His display of striking prowess won him the Pride Open Weight Grand Prix in a remarkable fashion. But against Dos Santos in 2009, Cro Cop was unable to execute any of his powerful kicks let alone any punches. Dos Santos, a fresh fighter was able to do all the right things to show the world he could be the next dominant heavy weight fighter.

This idea of young fighters beating once dominant, established fighters got us thinking – who are the next litter of up and coming fighters? Well Fight Burger has given this some thought, these are our picks:

Welter Weight

Based in Seattle, Lyle “Fancy Pants” Beerbohm is tipped by Fight Burger to go on to do great things. The former meth addict who was sent to prison for his indiscretions spent his time watching The Ultimate fighter on Spike TV and fell in love with the sport of mixed martial arts. Spending only 23 months learning about mixed martial arts before making his professional debut in April 2007, Beerbohm has developed an outstanding record of 13 consecutive victories. The 170 pounder has appeared in promotions such as King of the Cage, Exlite XC and Strike Force.

Middle Weight

Hector Lombard (22-2-1) has been in the martial arts business for a while. He competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics games for the Cuban judo team. As a result of his time in Sydney, Lombard now calls Australia home. Representing Australia in the mixed martial arts world, Lombard has constantly showcased his talent by annihilating the majority of his opponents on his way to becoming five times CFC (Cage Fighting Championships) Middleweight Champion and the first ever Bellator Middleweight Champion. Hector has also competed twice in the Pride Bushido series, unfortunately he lost both times to decision to tough opponents: Akihiro Gono and the current Stikeforce Light Heavy Weight Champion Gegard Mousasi. Make no mistake ladies and gentlemen, Hector Lombard is a hungry lion.

Light Heavy Weight

Hailing from Bulgaria, Stanislav Nedkov is enjoying a seven fight winning streak. The Bulgarian looks like he has a fair bit of potential – especially on the ground as Nedkov has earned himself a black belt in Brazilian Jujitsu, however his stand up game my require some work. He is already fighting in Sengoku and his next opponent is set to be Kevin Randleman. This will be the test to see if Nedkov will be a future MMA star.

Heavy Weight

Whilst not being a consistently active mixed martial artist, Roger Gracie has shown potential in his two professional bouts. Currently the heavy weight is undefeted (2-0) in his mixed martial arts career. Gracie, as his name may suggests has an astonishing list of Brazilian Jujitsu credentials, winning titles in top submission grappling competitions like ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club), Submission Wrestling World Championship and the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship. Roger has the skills on the floor but will need to sharpen his striking skills in order to dominate and beat the best out there. Rumour has it that Roger Gracie will soon be signing on with StrikeForce to fight in the heavy weight division.

Stick with fightburger.com for part two of Who Are The Future Stars Of Mixed Martial Arts?

Wanderlei Silva has confimed through a youtube post that his next opponent will beYoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 111 on 21 Feburary 2010 in Sydney, Australia.

Fightburger was the first MMA news site to rumour this and now we are the first to break the news.



Stay tuned for further developments.

A glimpse into the life of Cain Velasquez as he trains for Ben Rothwell at UFC 104: Machida vs. Shogun on Saturday the 24th of October, 2009.

PART ONE:


PART TWO:

A recent bias and factually incorrect article on the UFC coming to Australia and about MMA in general which was published by “story book” The Sydney Morning Herald has caught the attention of Australian mixed martial arts poineer Elvis “The King of Rock n Rumble” Sinosic.


Most likely to the surprise of the The Sydney Morning Herald Elvis who has been mixed martial artist since 1997 was able to write a coherent and persuading article in reply to their article.

My name is Elvis Sinosic. I am Australia’s most well know Mixed Martial Artist (you would no doubt label me a cage fighter). I have been fighting in the sport of MMA since 1997. I read your recent article “Cage Rage coming here” and it read more like a fairy tale than a factual newspaper article. It starts with conjecture stating an opinion that is inaccurate and of someone so irrelevant that it is not sourced at all. First of all the sport is not and has not been referred to as human cockfighting for many years and then only by those who were uneducated to what MMA was. The sport does not promote any sort of “street fighting” as your article claims. If anything it says fighting is for the cage not for the streets.

He even refers to a move called “Pound and Ground”. He hasn’t even bothered to check his facts. When you read things like this you realize that the writer has not taken any effort to check his facts and information. The move is called “Ground and Pound”. It then mentions the absence of a blood rule. Where does he get his facts from? Friday night late night movies? The sport has doctors ringside. The sport allows the referee to stop the match to check for cuts and injuries. Making false claims only makes your paper look like a story book not a newspaper. It even mentions that you cannot throw in the towel. It does not bother to mention that nothing can be thrown into the octagon. It doesn’t then state that the corner can stop the fight by signaling the referee. They just cannot stop the fight by throwing in the towel, it must be done verbally. It then goes on to state that the sport of cage fighting started in 2007. Once again does the writer even bother to check his facts or was that just the first time he saw the sport advertised in his local TV guide? The sport of MMA has been in Australia since March 22nd 1997. The sport has been going on, and safely at that, for over 12years. The false and inaccurate claims and facts just reeks of unprofessionalism.

Then the writer degenerates even further attempting to compare it to fighting animals. Where does he come off? Fighting animals is illegal and unethical. I’m a fighter and was also at one time a volunteer for Sydney wildlife and I find the comparison disgusting. The animals are mistreated and have no choice in the matter. Fighters on the other do have a choice. They choose to fight. They are treated very well by the promoters who look after them and lets not forget that they are also paid for their efforts. Not only that but the sponsors look after their fighters well. When have you ever seen a sponsor at an animal fighting event? Then you have the fans who do look up the fighters. And if you think they are all thugs you are greatly mistaken. Watch the end of a match. You will see two great competitors who, regardless of the result, will congratulate each other in a mutual show of respect, something that is not seen in many less “barbaric” sports. The writers comparison’s are appalling.

I challenge your paper to write a factual article on the sport of MMA. I’ve seen other papers take the time and effort to do their research and write a fair and factual account of the sport. I offer up my services as well. I am a professional MMA fighter. I have been competing in the sport since it first started here in Australia in 1997. I was the first Australian to fight and win in the UFC. I was also the first Australian to get a World Title shot in the UFC. I have competed in MMA across the glove in countries such as the US, Canada, Japan, England and Sweden. Not only have I been involved in the sport as a fighter I have also been involved as corner man helping fighters during the matches. I have also been a commentator in different events such as the UFC, Warriors Realm and The CFC. I also run a martial arts school and teach students who are may become fighters in the future. I have a great understanding and passion for the sport. I hope that your paper decides to do the right thing and write a follow up article that is correctly researched and fair and balanced.

I look forward to hearing back form you.
Regards,
Elvis Sinosic
The King of Rock n Rumble
www.ElvisSinosic.com
www.myspace.com/ElvisSinosic
www.Facebook.com/Elvis.Sinosic
www.spma.net.au

Fight Burger applauds Sinosic for his actions and sincerely hope that he gets slot on the UFC Australia card in February 2010 because good ambassadors of the sport battling that level of closed minded bias deserve a reward.

Help Elvis by joining his facebook campaign to get him onto the UFC Australia card.

Take a look at the trailer for The Expendables featuring mixed martial arts legend Randy “The Natural” Couture. The basic plot of the film is a bunch of mercenaries are sent to South America on a mission to overthrow a dictator.

The film has an action movie buffs wet dream of a cast which include Sylvester Stallone, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Terry Crews, Mickey Rourke, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Dolph Lundgren and cameos from Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The movie is due for release August 2010.

A few weeks back Fight Burger speculated that mixed martial arts superstar Wanderlei Silva would be returning to the octagon after facial surgery in February 2010 to coincide with the UFC’s first trip down under to Australia.

We were the first to put forwarder the rumour that a potential matchup between Wanderlei Silva and Yoshihiro Akiyama could be happening as the main event of the UFC Australia card which is still unofficially slated at this point for February.

Now it seems that Wanderlei Silva vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama will be going ahead as Akiyama has spoken with MMA journalist Tony Loiseieur and confirmed he will be the next opponent for The Axe Murder.
Akiyama stopped short of saying if the bout will take place at UFC 110 which is unofficially set for Las Vegas in early February or at UFC 111 which is also unofficially intended for late February at the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia.

Other names that have been rumoured for the UFC Australia card are Frank Trigg, Matter Serra and local fighters such as UFC veteran Elvis Sinosic, UFC Light Heavyweight prospect Jamie Tahuna and Bellator Middleweight Champion and Cuban turned Aussie Hector Lombard.

Stick to fightburger.com for developments.

A fight between two fighters that are not known for anything else beside their striking are rumoured to be in the works for UFC 107. The UFC’s latest The Ultimate Fighter reality television show acquisition Kimbo Slice (4-1) may face the heavy handed Houston Alexander (9-4).

Alexander who was riding a three fight losing streak before being sent out into the UFC wilderness to find some form managed a first round TKO over Sherman Pendergarst at Adrenaline IV in September. Kimbo’s progress in The Ultimate Fight is unknown as the season is still playing out as the season hasn’t reached the end. Roy Nelson eliminated Kimbo Slice in their match but many believe Kimbo will get a second shot at making the finals.

According to Five Ounces of Pain the fight has not been signed but at least one fight has been officially approached by the UFC in regards to the match up.

Stay tuned to fightburger.com for developments.

The rumoured matchup between Antônio “Minotauro” Nogueira vs. Gabriel Gonzaga has been dismissed as rumours being to grow that the apprentice of Nogueira will be fighting Gonzaga instead.

The trail blazing heavy weight Junior Dos Santos fresh off his dismantlement of Mirko Cro Cop could be trading blows with Gonzaga as soon as UFC 108 in January 2, 2010. The bout has not been confirmed by the UFC but the matchup is said to be likely for the green light as an unnamed source close to one of the fighters has leaked this information to fighters.com.

Check back with as at Fightburger.com for developments.

UFC 104 Machida vs Shogun: Ben Rothwell interveiw video.

During a recent interview with mmafanhouse.com Matt Serra has revealed that he will be returning to action at UFC 110 in February of 2010. A greater revelation may have been revealed when Serra would not confirm or deny a match up with Frank Trigg.


Both Welter weights are coming off loses and this fight could very well be a loser leaves town type fight.
Serra said he has verbally agreed to compete on the card which hasn’t been announced yet which he has said will take place in Las Vegas on February 6th, 2010.


Fight Burger would consider a Matt Serra fight would be well received for a UFC Australia card which is still rumoured for February 2010. Serra striked up a friendship with Australian George Sotiropoulos on the set of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra. Frank Trigg also indicated that he would be interested in fighting in the land down under.

Reading between the lines, we may have something here.