David Loiseau

Three more fighters have been released by the UFC as lightweight David Bielkheden, welterweight Ryo Chonan, and middleweight David Loiseau have been cut by the promotion following losses in April at UFC 97. Fighters Only was first to report the cuts on Tuesday.

Over the weekend, the UFC released veteran middleweight Jason MacDonald.

Bielkheden (13-7) was 1-2 in his time with his UFC, defeating Jess Liaudin while suffering losses to Diego Sanchez and, most-recently, Mark Bocek.

Chonan (16-9), a DEEP and PRIDE veteran, went just 1-3 in the UFC, earning his lone victory over Roan Carneiro in September 2008 following a debut loss to Karo Parisyan. His release comes after losing back-to-back bouts to Brad Blackburn and TJ Grant.

After back-to-back losses forced from the UFC in 2006, Loiseau was re-signed by the promotion after winning four of five bouts. However, “The Crow” suffered a lopsided unanimous decision loss to Ed Herman at UFC 97 in his return that has resulted in him being released yet again.

For the latest UFC news stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.com.

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua

Anderson Silva defeated Thales Leites via unanimous decision in the UFC 97 main event on Saturday in Montreal, Canada in a fight that will be remembered as one of the most uneventful in UFC history. In the co-headliner, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua likely retired Chuck Liddell with a first-round knockout.

The event’s official results were:

• Anderson Silva (c) def. Thales Leites via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 50-46)
  UFC Middleweight Championship
• Sam Stout def. Matt Wiman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Mauricio “Shogun” Rua def. Chuck Liddell via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 4:28
• Krzysztof Soszynski def. Brian Stann via submission (kimura) — Round 1, 3:53
• Cheick Kongo def. Antoni Hardonk via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 2:29
• Luis Cane def. Steve Cantwell via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
• Denis Kang def. Xavier Foupa-Pokam via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Nate Quarry def. Jason MacDonald via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 2:27
• Ed Herman def. David Loiseau via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
• Mark Bocek def. David Bielkheden via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 1, 4:57
• TJ Grant def. Ryo Chonan via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
• Eliot Marshall def. Vinicius Magalhaes via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

For complete UFC 97: Redemption play-by-play click here to check out our UFC 97 live blog replay.

The 12-bout event will get underway at 7:30pm ET with a 7-fight unaired preliminary card followed by 5 televised bouts, including Silva-Leites and Liddell-Rua.

Join MMAFrenzy.com beginning at 7:30pm ET for live results and main card play-by-play.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Anderson Silva (c) def. Thales Leites via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 50-46)
  UFC Middleweight Championship
• Sam Stout def. Matt Wiman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Mauricio “Shogun” Rua def. Chuck Liddell via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 4:28
• Krzysztof Soszynski def. Brian Stann via submission (kimura) — Round 1, 3:53
• Cheick Kongo def. Antoni Hardonk via TKO (strikes) — Round 2, 2:29
• Luis Cane def. Steve Cantwell via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
• Denis Kang def. Xavier Foupa-Pokam via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Nate Quarry def. Jason MacDonald via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 2:27
• Ed Herman def. David Loiseau via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
• Mark Bocek def. David Bielkheden via submission (rear naked choke) — Round 1, 4:57
• TJ Grant def. Ryo Chonan via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
• Eliot Marshall def. Vinicius Magalhaes via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

PLAY-BY-PLAY

• 185: Anderson Silva (c) (182) vs. Thales Leites (185)
  UFC Middleweight Championship
• 205 Chuck Liddell (206) vs. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (206)
• 265: Cheick Kongo (232) vs. Antoni Hardonk (249)
• 205: Luis Cane (206) vs. Steve Cantwell (205)
• 205: Krzysztof Soszynski (204) vs. Brian Stann (206)

PRELIMINARY CARD (un-televised)

• 185: Vinicius Magalhaes (204) vs. Eliot Marshall (205)
• 185: Xavier Foupa-Pokam (185) vs. Denis Kang (185)
• 185: Jason MacDonald (186) vs. Nate Quarry (186)
• 185: Ed Herman (186) vs. David Loiseau (185)
• 155: David Bielkheden (157) vs. Mark Bocek (154)
• 170: Ryo Chonan (171) vs. T.J. Grant (169)
• 155: Sam Stout (155) vs. Matt Wiman (155)

Note: Non-championship fighters can weigh-in one pound over their respective weight class limit.

TJ Grant

Canadian welterweight TJ Grant has signed a four-fight deal with the UFC and will make his promotional debut in his home country on April 18th in Montreal against Ryo Chonan.

Grant revealed the news in a recent interview with Sherdog.

Grant (13-2), who has fought exclusively in Canada with a variety of promotions including TKO and King of the Cage, holds recent victories over UFC veterans Chad Reiner and Forrest Petz and has lost just once in his last eight bouts.

Chonan (16-8) is a PRIDE and DEEP veteran who has gone just 1-2 since debuting in the UFC in late-2007. “The Piranha”, who defeated current UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva in 2004, rebounded from his UFC debut loss to Karo Parisyan with a split decision victory over Roan Carneiro in September, but was again defeated in December, suffering a unanimous decision loss to Brad Blackburn.

Though Grant has agreed to the 170-pound matchup Chonan has not yet made the bout official.

For the latest UFC 97 rumors check out the MMAFrenzy.com UFC rumors section.

Added to the pay-per-view televised main card are bouts featuring The Ultimate Fighter 7 Finalist CB Dollaway against Mike Massenzio and heavyweight contender Cheick Kongo against UFC newcomer Mustapha Al-Turk.

Matt Hamill vs. Reese Andy, Yushin Okami vs. Dean Lister, Ryo Chonan vs. Brad Blackburn, Antoni Hardonk vs. Mark Burch, and Dan Evensen vs. Pat Berry were all announced for the unaired preliminary card.

For more UFC rumors check out the MMAFrenzy.com MMA rumors section.

Blackburn, an IFL veteran, has posted back-to-back victories, including a second-round TKO of James Giboo in his UFC debut in July.

Chonan, a PRIDE and DEEP veteran, was defeated by Karo Parisyan in his UFC debut last November at UFC 78 but rebounded to defeat Roan Carneiro via split decision at UFC 88 in September.

For more on UFC 92 check out the MMAFrenzy.com MMA rumors section.

The trio of fighters topped the list of medical suspensions issued by the GAEC for Saturday’s UFC pay-per-view event, which was held at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia and drew an official attendance of 14,736 for a live gate of $2.6 million.

Liddell has been suspended for 60 days due to his second-round main event knockout loss to Rashad Evans and must undergo a CT scan or MRI as well as a neurological evaluation before returning to the octagon.

Franklin, who defeated Matt Hamill via third-round TKO, also received a 60 day suspension due to a deep cut above his right eye. Hamill was suspended for 30 days.

Tavares, who was defeated by Kurt Pellegrino via unanimous decision in the “Fight of the Night”, must also sit out 60 days and must have a CT scan of his face for potential facial fractures.

Other notable suspensions include Martin Kampmann, who has been suspended for 30 days for precautionary reasons after suffering a knockout loss to Nate Marquardt, Mike Patt, who has been suspended for 42 days due to a nasal fracture, Ryo Chonan, who was suspended for 42 days due to facial lacerations, and Matt Brown, who was suspended for 15 days due to a cut.

The remaining fighters from the nine-bout card all received precautionary 7 day suspensions.

For more on UFC 88 “Breakthrough” click here.

The pay-per-view event, which took place on Saturday, September 6th at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, drew an official attendance of 14,736 for a live gate of $2.6 million.

Main event winner Rashad Evans took home $120,000 while his opponent, Chuck Liddell, earned $500,000.

The total disclosed fighter payroll for the event was $1,270,000.

The salaries listed below represent the official fighter salaries as reported by the promoter to the GAEC and do not include some bonuses, fees, or sponsorship payments.

Rashad Evans def. Chuck Liddell
Rashad Evans — $120,000 ($60,000 to show, $60,000 to win)
Chuck Liddell — $500,000

Rich Franklin def. Matt Hamill
Rich Franklin — $100,000 ($50,000 to show, $50,000 to win)
Matt Hamill — $10,000

Dan Henderson def. Rousimar Palhares
Dan Henderson — $250,000 ($100,000 to show, $150,000 to win)
Rousimar Palhares — $7,000

Nate Marquardt def. Martin Kampmann
Nate Marquardt — $56,000 ($28,000 to show, $28,000 to win)
Martin Kampmann — $15,000

Dong Hyun Kim def. Matt Brown
Dong Hyun Kim — $46,000 ($23,000 to show, $23,000 to win)
Matt Brown — $8,000

Kurt Pellegrino def. Thiago Tavares
Kurt Pellegrino — $24,000 ($12,000 to show, $12,000 to win)
Thiago Tavares — $13,000

Tim Boetsch def. Mike Patt
Tim Boetsch — $16,000 ($8,000 to show, $8,000 to win)
Michael Patt — $5,000

Jason MacDonald def. Jason Lambert
Jason MacDonald — $44,000 ($22,000 to show, $22,000 to win)
Jason Lambert — $17,000

Ryo Chonan def. Roan Carneiro
Ryo Chonan — $30,000 ($15,000 to show, $15,000 to win)
Roan Carneiro — $9,000

In addition to the salaries listed above Rashad Evans, Jason MacDonald, Kurt Pellegrino, and Thiago Tavares each received an additional $60,000 from the UFC for their performances at UFC 88.

For more on UFC 88 “Breakthrough” click here.

UFC 88 “Breakthrough” took place on Saturday, September 6th, in front of a sold out crowd at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia and aired live on pay-per-view.

An aggressive Liddell circled and punched in the close-yet-tentative opening round while Evans failed to shoot for a single takedown allowing Liddell to steal the first frame 10-9 on the MMAFrenzy.com scorecard. Evans came out confident in the second, countering Liddell’s rights with solid left hooks before connecting with the “Knockout of the Night” overhand right that knocked Liddell out cold.

A disappointed Liddell, who has now lost three out of four fights, took several minutes to recover from the punch before eventually returning to his feet.

With the win Evans moved closer to a future matchup with current UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin.

In the evening’s co-main event former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin successfully returned to the 205-pound light heavyweight division, dominating his former training partner Matt Hamill en route to a third-round technical knockout victory. Despite a large gash near his right eye opened up early in the fight Franklin remain focused and connected with numerous body and leg kicks that slowed Hamill, who was able to take Franklin to the ground just once in their featured bout. After dominating the opening two rounds Franklin finished Hamill off with a kick to the liver in the first minute of the final frame that forced The Ultimate Fighter cast member to tap and the referee to intervene.

Former PRIDE middleweight and light heavyweight champion Dan Henderson won his first bout inside the octagon in over 10 years as he knocked off Rousimar Palhares via unanimous decision. Henderson floored Palhares several times during the three-round bout, including a near finish moments into the contest. Though Palhares attempted to take the fight to the ground and keep it there Henderson escaped several submission attempts in the fights limited time on the ground and was able to keep the fight standing where he picked Palhares apart with crisper striking to earn 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28 scores on the judge’s scorecards.

Henderson had previously lost back-to-back bouts while the win snapped Palhares’ six-fight win streak.

In a key middleweight matchup Nate Marquardt dominated Martin Kampmann, defeating the Dutch kickboxer via TKO just over one-minute into the fight. Following a tentative start to the bout Marquardt landed a massive head kick that collapsed Kampmann then finished him off with a flurry of strikes including a big uppercut and shots to the body. Kampmann temporarily withstood the barrage but eventually sank to the canvas forcing the referee to halt the bout.

With the win Marquardt bounced back from a controversial loss to Thales Leites and moves back into the 185-pound title picture while Kampann suffered just his first loss inside the octagon in five fights.

The opening bout of the pay-per-view spawned controversy as Matt Brown was defeated by South Korea’s Dong Hyun Kim in a close-but-exciting welterweight matchup. In the opening round Kim took Brown’s back with ease, securing several near-submissions that came up just short in finishing the bout but earned him a 10-9 round on the scorecards. Brown rebounded in the second, securing a 10-9 round with good body shots and tough defense. In a close final round Brown was aggressive early but Kim eventually took the fight to the ground and stole the decision with a late assault of elbows in the closing seconds of the bout. The judges awarded the close split decision to Kim with scores of 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28.

In preliminary action Kurt Pellegrino earned a hard-fought unanimous decision victory in the “Fight of the Night” against Thiago Tavares, Tim Boetsch stopped Mike Patt via first-round TKO, Jason MacDonald earned “Submission of the Night” honors for his second-round rear naked choke submission of Jason Lambert, and Ryo Chonan defeated Roan Carneiro via split decision in the event’s opening bout.

Evans, MacDonald, Pellegrino, and Tavares each earned an additional $60,000 bonus for their UFC 88 performances.

UFC 88 “BREAKTHROUGH” RESULTS

• Rashad Evans def. Chuck Liddell via KO – Round 2, 1:51
• Rich Franklin def. Matt Hamill via TKO – Round 3, 0:39
• Dan Henderson def. Rousimar Palhares via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Nate Marquardt def. Martin Kampmann via TKO – Round 1, 1:22
• Dong Hyun Kim def. Matt Brown via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Kurt Pellegrino def. Thiago Tavares via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-28)
• Tim Boetsch def. Mike Patt via TKO – Round 1, 2:03
• Jason MacDonald def. Jason Lambert via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 2, 1:20
• Ryo Chonan def. Roan Carneiro via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

For more on UFC 88 “Breakthrough” click here.