It's not quite the Shinya Aoki-Paul Daley-Marius Zaromskis lineup initially falsely marketed with, but this Saturday's United Glory event in Amsterdam will still feature a number of notables, including Strikeforce competitors and Shooto champs.
The highlight will be the quarterfinals of an eight-man welterweight tournament featuring Derrick Noble, Siyar Bahadurzada, Sergey Golyaev, John Alessio, Roan "Jucao" Carneiro, Luis Ramos, Tommy Depret and David Bielkheden.
Also, newly-crowned Strikeforce champion Marloes Coenen is expected to compete in the Golden Glory-affiliated event.
Check out the welterweight tournament preview below.
Derrick Noble vs. Siyar Bahadurzada
At stake in this opening round matchup is Siyar Bahadurzada (17-4-1)'s momentum as he heads towards his Strikeforce debut. The Golden Glory middleweight recently signed with Strikeforce and is the current 183-pound Shooto world champion. He's on a three-fight win streak, but has struggled against higher competition. As a member of the Sengoku roster in 2008, the Afghan striker suffered losses to Kazuo Misaki and Jorge Santiago with a freak accident win over Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos (broken arm).
Meanwhile, former MFC lightweight champ Derrick Noble (25-14-1) looks to break a streak of losses against Yves Edwards and Drew Fickett. Noble, who is entering this fight on one week's notice and is stepping in for Minnesota Martial Arts Academy teammate Nick "The Goat" Thompson, is a gritty veteran journeyman who holds wins over current UFC fighters Thiago Alves and Jake Ellenberger.
Sergey Golyaev vs. John Alessio
Russian Sergey Golyaev (17-7)'s claim to fame thus far was his upset win over Takanori Gomi at Sengoku 6 in November 2008. Golyaev lost his following Sengoku fight and was sent packing. Here is his chance to put his name back on the map with a win over the resurging Alessio. Golyaev will enter the fight with more preparation but will give up size as he's a natural lightweight.
Xtreme Couture's John Alessio (28-13) is a surprise competitor in this tournament. With a Tachi Palace fight title shot in the horizon and a five-fight win streak, he's taking this fight on a week's notice. Over the last couple of years, Alessio has revamped his career following key losses in 2008-2009 to Paul Daley and Andre Galvao and is on his way to making a UFC comeback.
Roan "Jucao" Carneiro vs. Luis Ramos
Roan "Jucao" Carneiro (13-8) will need to fight off ring rust as he's only had one fight since his release from the UFC in 2008. The American Top Team fighter's last match was a win over Jorge Patino at Shine Fights 2 in September 2009.
Fighting practically his entire career at home, Brazilian Luis Ramos (16-5) is looking at a chance to breakout internationally. Currently the 167-pound Shooto South American champ, his last three fights were all decision wins in Brazil.
Tommy Depret vs. David Bielkheden
David Bielkheden (16-7) is a UFC and PRIDE veteran who returned to the European MMA scene after his loss to Mark Bocek at UFC 97. The Swede fights out of the Brazilian Top Team and is a BJJ black belt.
Tommy Depret (7-3) doesn't have any notable wins and his fighting here due to his affiliation with Golden Glory.
The highlight will be the quarterfinals of an eight-man welterweight tournament featuring Derrick Noble, Siyar Bahadurzada, Sergey Golyaev, John Alessio, Roan "Jucao" Carneiro, Luis Ramos, Tommy Depret and David Bielkheden.
Also, newly-crowned Strikeforce champion Marloes Coenen is expected to compete in the Golden Glory-affiliated event.
Check out the welterweight tournament preview below.
Derrick Noble vs. Siyar Bahadurzada
At stake in this opening round matchup is Siyar Bahadurzada (17-4-1)'s momentum as he heads towards his Strikeforce debut. The Golden Glory middleweight recently signed with Strikeforce and is the current 183-pound Shooto world champion. He's on a three-fight win streak, but has struggled against higher competition. As a member of the Sengoku roster in 2008, the Afghan striker suffered losses to Kazuo Misaki and Jorge Santiago with a freak accident win over Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos (broken arm).
Meanwhile, former MFC lightweight champ Derrick Noble (25-14-1) looks to break a streak of losses against Yves Edwards and Drew Fickett. Noble, who is entering this fight on one week's notice and is stepping in for Minnesota Martial Arts Academy teammate Nick "The Goat" Thompson, is a gritty veteran journeyman who holds wins over current UFC fighters Thiago Alves and Jake Ellenberger.
Sergey Golyaev vs. John Alessio
Russian Sergey Golyaev (17-7)'s claim to fame thus far was his upset win over Takanori Gomi at Sengoku 6 in November 2008. Golyaev lost his following Sengoku fight and was sent packing. Here is his chance to put his name back on the map with a win over the resurging Alessio. Golyaev will enter the fight with more preparation but will give up size as he's a natural lightweight.
Xtreme Couture's John Alessio (28-13) is a surprise competitor in this tournament. With a Tachi Palace fight title shot in the horizon and a five-fight win streak, he's taking this fight on a week's notice. Over the last couple of years, Alessio has revamped his career following key losses in 2008-2009 to Paul Daley and Andre Galvao and is on his way to making a UFC comeback.
Roan "Jucao" Carneiro vs. Luis Ramos
Roan "Jucao" Carneiro (13-8) will need to fight off ring rust as he's only had one fight since his release from the UFC in 2008. The American Top Team fighter's last match was a win over Jorge Patino at Shine Fights 2 in September 2009.
Fighting practically his entire career at home, Brazilian Luis Ramos (16-5) is looking at a chance to breakout internationally. Currently the 167-pound Shooto South American champ, his last three fights were all decision wins in Brazil.
Tommy Depret vs. David Bielkheden
David Bielkheden (16-7) is a UFC and PRIDE veteran who returned to the European MMA scene after his loss to Mark Bocek at UFC 97. The Swede fights out of the Brazilian Top Team and is a BJJ black belt.
Tommy Depret (7-3) doesn't have any notable wins and his fighting here due to his affiliation with Golden Glory.
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