I'd like to say that these articles will likely be on the briefer side. It's been a really good while since the news has happened so there are a shitload of unreported stories. Full time given to every unpublished story would take more hours of pages of text than I can handle right now. Future articles will be appropriately emphasized, but this one is more just a "catch up."
JFC News Changes Hands
The previous incarnation of the JFC has been abandoned by it's operators, Promma and Bombstriker, and as such I have taken over duties at the news. Bombstriker, like his partner Promma, left his position with the news after incurring punishment for breaking JFC rules. Whether or not my involvement is permanent or temporary depends on either of them, though Promma's extended absence and Bombstriker's unexplainable sense of indignation over his punishment leads me to believe this might be lengthy.
Apropos new news staffing, I'd like to announce an opening here at the news. I'm seeking someone to help with articles and ideas, but mainly create awesome little graphics for banners and suchlike, which is well beyond my ability. Applicants can contact me via PM.
Junkie Vs Weekly Imminent
The long awaited showdown between fantasy MMA kingpins MMAWeekly and MMAJunkie is slated to take place at the next JFC event, says commissioner and JUF 2 coach Buffaloblue. JFC 27, which will use UFC 98: Evans Vs Machida as base, has one of the most complicated and even main events in recent MMA history, making this a great event for the two sites to meet over.
The first announced match up is between JFC champion Castellammarese and UFF champion Ricardo Mendoza in a contest that could be argued to be as important as all the other matches combined.
In a surprise news, Weekly mainstay Epkenpo has signed to fight for the JFC, after a reported falling out with Weekly staff members, and the contest will mark something of a return to action for the fighter, who has been recovering from an injury sustained in a KO loss to JoseCuervo at JFC 21.
This inter-site contest is a milestone for online MMA, and a well timed one as the UFC nears a milestone of their own.
King of Asia
JEC commish Buffaloblue recently announced the "King of Asia" tournament, which will take place over three events: Sengoku 9, Shooto 20 Years, and Dream 9, with the winner receiving an automatic title fight. Initial matches in the 12 man invitational are as follows:
Buffaloblue vs Chaely
HBase vs Brad
srdafish vs iceman22
dnfaught vs Chuckw94
KPeazy vs Juniper
DanielsanFTW vs pilqs
The first event of the tournament, Sengoku 9, takes place tomorrow, 5/02/09, so news will develop rapidly on this front.
Castellammarese Nears Defense Record
JFC Champion Castellammarese recently defeated former champion Phenom by UD at JFC 26, giving him his third consecutive title defense, and bringing him with 1 of inaugural champion Lightsout84's record of 4. Cast defeated former champion Mutation to win the belt at JFC 23, and defended against plural nouns Lines and Skidds before his recent bout with Phenom. The JFC belt has changed hands so often in recent history that Castellammarese alone has as many defenses as the 4 champions previous to him, while he nears his "Anderson Silva" moment. How will Cast react to the pressure, by playing it safe and letting his opponent spend 5 rounds on his back, or will he come out looking for the clinch and KO?
JUF 3rd Round
JUF competitor Smcdonald5 jumped the fence to get his hands on some hot news, and ended up being booted from the house. Enderwigen was brought back in as a replacement, and after Castellammarese adjusted the fights to make up for this new development, the next round of the JFC looks like this:
Ace23 Vs ThunderCat
Daywork Vs El-Diablo
badasscoffee Vs EnderWiggin
comebackkid Vs dublindevil83
Resident statistician elfudge predicts Ace23 to come out with the win, but if Nover/Escudero or Bader/Magalhaes has shown us anything, it's that the pressure of fighting in a finale is not something that numbers can reflect. Accurate predictions or not, the whole JFC is locked in to see who the next #1 contender will be.