Big Damn Jay’s Cageplay.com UFN 16 Breakdown

Steve Bruno vs Johnny Rees

Both fighters are coming off losses in their UFC debuts, so this is an important match for both of them. If I were Rees, I would definitely try and get this fight to the ground where he should be able to submit the American Top Teamer.

Big Damn Jay’s Pick: Johnny Rees

Justin McCully vs Eddie Sanchez

Again both fighters are coming off losses in the somewhat ho-hum heavyweight division. These 2 share an opponent in that of the hard kicking Dutchman, Antoni Hardonk. While Sanchez lost to a 2nd Round TKO, McCully beat Antoni by a Unanimous Decision. Expect Team Punishment’s McCully to grind out a GNP victory over hard headed Sanchez.

Big Damn Jay’s Pick: Justin McCully

Click here to read the entire article at CagePlay.com

Goulet, Rees, Wolff, and McCully all Make Weight for UFC Fight Night 16

MAIN CARD
Josh Koscheck (171) vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida (171)
Jonathan Goulet (171) vs. Mike Swick (171)
Razak Al-Hussan (205) vs. Steve Cantwell (206)
Tim Credeur (186) vs. Nate Loughran (185)
Jim Miller (156) vs. Matt Wiman (156)

PRELIMINARY CARD
Brodie Farber (174) vs. Luigi Fioravanti (173.5)*
Steve Bruno (171) vs. Johnny Rees (169)
Ben Saunders (170) vs. Brandon Wolff (170)
Dale Hartt (156) vs. Corey Hill (155)
Eddie Sanchez (246) vs. Justin McCully (228)

UFC Fight Night 16 broadcast set for three hours, minimum five fights

Originally posted on MMAjunkie.com

December's "UFC Fight Night 16: UFC Fights for the Troops," a nationally televised event that serves as a fundraiser for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, will feature a full evening of fights.

The broadcast, which airs on Spike TV, will run three hours and feature a minimum of five fights, Spike TV officials have confirmed with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

The Dec. 13 event takes place at the Crown Coliseum in Fayeteville, N.C., in conjunction with the Fort Bragg military installation.

....

The full UFC Fight Night 16 fight card includes:

MAIN CARD
Josh Koscheck vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Jonathan Goulet vs. Mike Swick
Razak Al-Hussan vs. Steve Cantwell
Tim Credeur vs. Nate Loughran
Frankie Edgar vs. Matt Wiman

PRELIMINARY CARD
Brodie Farber vs. Luigi Fioravanti
Steve Bruno vs. Johnny Rees
Ben Saunders vs. Brandon Wolff
Dale Hartt vs. Corey Hill
Eddie Sanchez vs. Justin McCully

Click here to read the entire article at MMAjunkie.com

Johnny Rees replaces Luke Cummo at UFC Fight Night 16

Originally posted on MMAjunkie.com

Johnny Rees (10-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) has agreed to replace Luke Cummo and will fight Steve Bruno (11-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) at the Dec. 10 "UFC Fight Night 16: UFC Fights For the Troops" event.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) learned of the change over the weekend from a source close to Rees. The bout was first reported by fiveouncesofpain.com.

The fight is expected to be finalized this week.

UFC Fight Night 16, which airs live on Spike TV and serves as a fundraiser for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, takes place in conjunction with the Fort Bragg military institution in North Carolina.

The reason for Cummo's departure for the card wasn't immediately known.

His replacement, Rees, was one of many newcomers who debuted with the UFC after the organization put together a July 19 'UFC: Silva vs. Irvin" card to counter Affliction Entertainment's debut pay-per-view event. Rees, who began his career with 10 consecutive victory fighting for the Indiana-based Legends of Fighting (where he was the organization's welterweight champ), suffered a first-round submission loss (via triangle choke) to fellow UFC rookie Nate Loughran in his UFC debut.

All of Rees' 10 victories have come via stoppage -- eight via submission.

Click here to read the entire article at MMAjunkie.com

Radio: Johnny Rees Is Ready For His Closeup

UFC newcomer Johnny Rees joined us on MMARated Radio to talk about his Octagon debut at Ultimate Fight Night 14 against Nate Loughran.

Some highlights from the interview include:

* How he found out that he will be competing on the card

* How close he was to fighting for the UFC in the past

* His approach to this fight

* His thoughts on his opponent Loughran

* His thoughts on the UFC/Affliction war

* Training with Jake O'Brien for this bout

* His thoughts on O'Brien getting released after his loss to Arlovski

All that and more from "The Hater Hurter" (seriously, that's his nickname)

Copy and paste this link to hear the full interview.
http://mmarated.com/articles/article/news/20080718/radio__johnny_rees_is_ready_for_his_closeup-15317.html

Highly Touted Prospect Johnny Rees Set for his UFC Debut

by Dann Stupp on Jun 19, 2008 at 6:40 pm ET

Johnny Rees (10-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) and Nate Loughran (8-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC), two UFC newcomers with a combined 18 stoppage victories in 18 career fights, will meet at UFC Fight Night 14.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) today confirmed the July 19 bout with Rees' management.

The fight takes place at the The Palms Las Vegas and airs live on Spike TV.

Rees, a veteran of the Indiana-based Legends of Fighting and United Fight League organizations, turned pro in October 2005 and has reeled off 10 consecutive victories -- eight via submission and seven in the first round. He'll now fight for the first time since a November 2007 victory over Jeremy Wingler (7-3) at LOF 22.

Loughran, a veteran of Gladiator Challenge and Palace Fighting Championship, has posted eight consecutive victories -- seven via submission and six in the first round. In his most recent fight, he picked up the PFC middleweight title with a second-round submission victory over Kenny Ento (9-4).

"The winner of the fight will be the fans," said Ken Pavia, Rees' agent. "Between the two of them, they are 18-0 with 18 definitive finishes. (UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva did a great job with this fight. I am excited for Johnny because a win over Nate really puts him on the map and puts him closer to his dream of wearing a UFC strap. The kid is legit."

Rees and Loughran are the latest UFC newcomers added to the July 19 card. MMAjunkie.com previously reported that Reese Andy, Brad Blackburn and James Giboo will also make their UFC debuts at UFC Fight Night 14, an event that was quickly put together to counter "Affliction: Banned." The debut show for Affliction also takes place July 19 and features a main event between former PRIDE champion Fedor Emelianenko and former UFC title-holder Tim Sylvia.

For the latest UFC Fight Night 14 card, check out the UFC Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.