THE GREAT FIGHT NORTH

News and Notes from Canada

Originally Posted By Mike Russell (gfn@thefightnetwork.com)

Dave Wallace, manager for Pride, UFC and K-1 veteran Gary Goodridge, attempted this week to explain the circumstances surrounding comments made by his client. Goodridge claimed in a recent interview that he was frustrated with Maximum Fighting Championship promoter Mark Pavelich and was contemplating whether or not to walk away from his contract with the Alberta-based promotion.

Wallace indicated that messages from conversations he’d had with Pavelich were not properly relayed to Goodridge, resulting in what he called “a grave misunderstanding.” Wallace said he was optimistic the situation could be resolved and that Goodridge was prepared to honor his MFC contract, which calls for one fight with an option for a second.

“Some things were not explained to Gary or were not relayed to Gary in the proper manner,” Wallace said. “There was a misunderstanding on Gary’s part that was fully my fault. Gary, being an emotional guy, made some assumptions that were misconstrued. The perception that Gary had of what was going on with MFC was not reflective of reality.”

Wallace said Goodridge would face Eric Pele at MFC 16 “Anger Management,” scheduled to be held on Friday, May 9 at the River Cree Resort and Casino in Enoch, Alberta.

“Since speaking with Mark this week and relaying the messages to Gary, this misunderstanding has been rectified, and Gary is willing, able and looking forward to fulfilling his contract with the Maximum Fighting Championship,” Wallace said. “He’s not only looking forward to his fight in May, but he’s also anticipating a fruitful relationship with the MFC past that in the future.”

Goodridge railed against Pavelich in an exclusive interview with The Fight Network, saying Pavelich reminded him of an “ex-wife” and claiming the promoter had badgered him about the details for his promotional debut in May. Goodridge’s complaints stem from Pavelich’s refusal to allow him to compete for another organization three weeks before the MFC 16 show. Although the 42-year-old heavyweight’s contract states he may not compete five weeks prior to a scheduled MFC appearance, Goodridge claimed he could not afford to turn down fights – and money – at this late stage in his career.

Goodridge had been penciled in for two other fights within a five-week time frame. The kickboxer was booked to square off with Eric “Butterbean” Esch at a YAMMA Pit Fighting event on Friday, April 11 at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, N.J. He had also agreed to fight Tony Lopez at King of the Cage “Fight Night” on Saturday, April 19 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Pavelich said Wallace had assured him that Goodridge would not be competing at either show and had opted instead to fulfill his contractual obligations to the MFC.

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COTE-ALMEIDA BOOKED FOR UFC 86

Patrick “The Predator” Cote will climb another rung on the UFC’s middleweight ladder when he returns to the Octagon this summer. The Fight Network has learned that Cote will face Renzo Gracie protégé Ricardo Almeida at UFC 86 on Saturday, July 5 in Las Vegas. Cote – who submitted previously to Joe Doerksen and Travis Lutter – wants to showcase his improved ground skills, a facet of his game many still consider his Achilles’ heel. He will get his chance against one of the world’s best grapplers.

Read the full report HERE.

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‘THE CROW’ READY TO HOST HCF, GET BACK ON TRACK

Hardcore Championship Fighting will make its Quebec debut Saturday in Gatineau when the promotion presents HCF “Crow’s Nest” at the Robert Guertin Arena. A 185-pound match-up between one-time UFC middleweight title contender David “The Crow” Loiseau and the Revolution Fight Team’s Todd Gouwenberg will headline the show.

Loiseau (15-8, 0-1 HCF) has trained hard and believes he’s ready to reclaim his once proud standing in the MMA world, as he aims to earn his way back into the UFC with some wins against quality opposition. A date with Gouwenberg (7-3, 0-1 HCF) comes first.

“When I make it back to the UFC, I want to be a contender; I don’t want to just be a UFC fighter,” Loiseau said. “I want to make sure I’m at the top of my game and that there’s no one who can beat me mentally or physically. Some guys go to the UFC, and they’re just OK fighters. I’m not that fighter. I want to dominate when I go back. You’ll see when I do it.”

Once one of the UFC’s promising young stars, Loiseau saw his career hit a snag when he dropped back-to-back decision losses to then UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin and Mike Swick. Released from the UFC roster, Loiseau spent the last two years competing for various organizations. He admits it has been no easy task.

“You’re only remembered for your last fight,” he said. “If you lose one or two fights, forget it, people turn their backs on you. That’s the way MMA works. It’s all politics. That’s OK. I’ve been working my ass off. I’m taking one fight at a time, and I want to prove myself.”

Although he’s rumored to have signed to face UFC veteran Terry Martin in the co-main event at Combat Fighting Championships 4 on Saturday, May 17 in Newcastle, England, Loiseau said he has yet to agree to the bout since he was only recently made aware of his inclusion on the card. Loiseau spoke to his manager, Ken Pavia, on Monday and was told the CFC was interested in having him compete but that nothing had been agreed to.

“To be honest, I’m kind of pissed off that they’re using my name to advertise the event, and I haven’t even agreed to the fight,” Loiseau said. “I’ll fight Terry Martin, but don’t say I’m fighting him without asking me first. I’m only thinking about my fight Saturday against Gouwenberg right now.”

HCF “Crow’s Nest”
Saturday, March 29
Robert Guertin Arena
Gatineau, Quebec

HCF Women’s Bantamweight Championship
Sarah Kaufman vs. Molly Helsel

David Loiseau vs. Todd Gouwenberg
Rob MacDonald vs. Hector Ramirez
Nabil Khatib vs. Gideon Ray
Brent Beauparlant vs. Amir Rahnavardi
Andrew Buckland vs. Dan Hornbuckle
Bill Boland vs. Michal Hamrsmid
Myles Merola vs. Jameel Massouh
Marcus Vinicios vs. Rodrigo Ruas
Dan Grandmaison vs. Nino Schembri

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CHAMBERS IN FEATURED BOUT AT RITC 29

Dan Chambers will square off with Chester Post in the main event at Rumble in the Cage 29 on Satrurday at the North Pavilion at Exhibition Park in Lethbridge, Alberta. Chambers (12-6, 8-1 RITC) last competed in February, when he submitted to a second-round Kimura from Andrew Buckland at a Hardcore Championship Fighting event. Post (6-10-1) will make his promotional debut.

Rumble in the Cage 29
Saturday, March 29
North Pavilion at Exhibition Park
Lethbridge, Alberta

Dan Chambers vs. Chester Post
Tim Tamaki vs. Chris Desaultels
Neil Berry vs. Mike Gates
Victor Kaminski vs. Shane Landherr
Raphael Bergman vs. Nick Goetz
Tim Chemelli vs. Will Kruger
Mark Aparicio vs. Darryl Stettler
Sean Merkl vs. Trent Rowell
Mike Jones vs. Jesse Kunish
Keirston Gillis vs. Jose Rodriguiz
Peter Neufeld vs. Jeff Lauze
Shay Fortier vs. Steffanie Essensa

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SOSZYNSKI TO HEADLINE UCW SHOW APRIL 11

International Fight League veteran Krzysztof Soszynski will meet Marcus Hicks in the featured bout at Ultimate Cage Wars 11 “Hell in the Cage” on Friday, April 11 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Soszynski (14-8-1) has won back-to-back fights by disqualification. Based out of Team Quest, he holds victories against former TKO champion Icho Larenas and UFC veteran Dan Christison. Hicks (8-9) has won three of his last four fights, and only one of his 17 career bouts has been left to the judges.

UCW 11 “Hell in the Cage”
Friday, April 11
Winnipeg Convention Centre
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Marcus Hicks
Simon Marini vs. Lindsey Hawks
Joey Ayotte vs. Missy Parks
Rory McDonell vs. Kevin Manderson
Ryan Bawn vs. Cory Grant
Matt Dayboll vs. Adam Dowds
Justin Knox vs. Dino Camire
Sam Pascuzzi vs. Isaias Alvarado

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CROES-MARTINEZ SET FOR TKO 33 MAIN EVENT

Johan Croes will collide with Danny Martinez in the main event at TKO 33 “Battle in Paradise” on Friday, April 18 at the Surfside Beach in Oranjestad, Aruba. Croes (1-0, 1-0 TKO), an Aruba native, stopped Mark Fraser on second-round strikes in his first professional bout at TKO 32 in February. Martinez, meanwhile, will make his debut at TKO 33.

TKO 33 “Battle in Paradise”
Friday, April 18
Surfside Beach
Oranjestad, Aruba

Johan Croes vs. Danny Martinez
Steve Bosse vs. Guido Carlo
Derek Gauthier vs. Richard Williams
Yannick Galipeau vs. Jonrick Flanigan
Christopher Hulme vs. Jamiel Werleman
Adrian Wooley vs. Nick Croes
Ben Gallant vs. Greghoulos Oehlers
Scott Wright vs. Evan Nedd

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CANADIAN CALENDAR

• Mar. 29 – Hardcore Championship Fighting “Crow’s Nest,” Robert Guertin Arena, Gatineau, Quebec
• Mar. 29 – Rumble in the Cage 29, North Pavilion at Exhibition Park, Lethbridge, Alberta
• April 4 – King of the Cage “Brawl in the Mall 3,” West Edmonton Mall, Edmonton, Alberta
• April 11 – Ultimate Cage Wars 11 “Hell in the Cage,” Winnipeg Convention Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
• April 12 – Phoenix Fight Promotions II, Halifax, Nova Scotia
• April 18 – TKO 33 “Battle in Paradise,” Surfside Beach, Oranjestad, Aruba
• April 19 – UFC 83 “Serra vs. St. Pierre 2,” Bell Centre, Montreal
• April 26 – Iroquois MMA Championship III, Iroquois Lacrosse Arena, Hagersville, Ontario
• May 9 – Maximum Fighting Championship 16 “Anger Management,” River Cree Resort and Casino, Enoch, Alberta
• July 26 – Freedom Fight “Title Quest,” Robert Guertin Arena, Gatineau, Quebec