MMA Madness

The UFC lightweight division is dominated by BJ Penn, but there are plenty of talented fighters itching for the opportunity to take him down.

Multiple sources are reporting that Kurt Pellegrino had to pulled out of his TUF 10 Finale fight with Frankie Edgar. AOL Fan House is reporting that a pair of herniated disc are forcing Pellegrino out of the bout, while MMA Junkie is crediting a knee injury.

The Ultimate Fight Night 20 card is slowly filling out with another potential bout in the works. Sources close to MMA Madness are reporting that fight negotiations between Tim Credeur and Mike Massenzio are in progress for a possible UFN 20 date.

Lightweight fighter Junie Browning will make his return to the cage, after his recent troubles and release from the UFC as part of the MMA Big Show: Onslaught on Nov. 28 against Scott Cornwell. MMA Madness recently spoke to Browning’s coach and friend Shawn Tompkins, who confirmed that the bout was needed to get Browning back into fighting and moving forward with his life.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that “The Ultimate Fighter” alumni Junie Browning was arrested in relation to an assault at St. Rose Dominican Hospital in Henderson, Nev. Browning was admitted to St. Rose after a pair of friends brought him to the hospital, after it was reported that Browning took 16 pills of Klonopin, an anti-anxiety drug.

Rumors were floating that Urijah Faber might leave the WEC for more money in other promotions. That turned out to be untrue, as WEC general manager Reed Harris confirmed to MMA Junkie that Faber had signed a multi-fight deal with the WEC.

MMA Junkie is reporting that lightweight contender Danny Castillo and Alex Karalexis are negotiating terms for a potential fight at WEC 44 in Las Vegas. The WEC couldn’t confirm the bout, but sources close to MMA Junkie is saying the two have verbally agreed to fight.

Efrain Escudero is prepared to shock the world. In his first fight since winning the “Ultimate Fighter” in December, Escudero has prepared for opponent Cole Miller to the point where he says he knows everything that Miller is going to do. If anyone is picking Miller, Escudero is excited to prove them wrong.

Kenny Florian will return to the announcer’s booth for Ultimate Fight Night 19 in Oklahoma City, Okla. He will replace Joe Rogan for the show, and will call the fights alongside Mike Goldberg.

Though the premiere episode has yet to air the finale for the tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter is already taking shape. The latest rumored bout is the lightweight meeting of Matt Veach versus Mark Bocek. Bocek (7-2) is on a two-fight win streak last winning at UFC 97 in April against David Bielkheden. Veach (11-0) last fought in February as part of Ultimate Fight Night 18. The undefeated HIT Squad member retained his perfect record with a TKO win over Matt Grice.