Chris Lytle vs. Kevin Burns official for TUF 9 Finale in June

Originally posted on MMAjunkie.com

A welterweight contest between Kevin Burns (7-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) and Chris Lytle (26-17-5 MMA, 5-9 UFC), first reported in March, has been officially added to the June 20 finale of "The Ultimate Fighter: U.S. vs. U.K."

The organization made the announcement on its official website.

The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale takes place June 20 at The Pearl in the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. It airs on Spike TV.

Lytle will be looking to rebound from an exciting split-decision loss to Marcus Davis at UFC 93 in January. The 14-time UFC veteran hasn't dropped two consecutive bouts since back-to-back defeats to Matt Hughes and Matt Serra in 2006 and 2007.

*********

MAIN CARD
Lightweight finalist No. 1 vs. No. 2
Welterweight finalist No. 1 vs. No. 2
Clay Guida vs. Diego Sanchez
Nate Diaz vs. Joe Stevenson
Matt Brown vs. Anthony Johnson

PRELIMINARY CARD
Kevin Burns vs. Chris Lytle
Mike Ciesnolevicz vs. Tomasz Drwal*
Brad Blackburn vs. Edgar Garcia*
* - Not officially announced

Click here to read the entire article at MMAjunkie.com

Mike C in for Schafer at TUF 9 Finale

Originally posted on MMAweekly.com

Mike Ciesnolevicz is seizing the day once again.

The former International Fight League mainstay is stepping in for an injured Eric Schafer to face Tomasz Drwal at the season nine finale of “The Ultimate Fighter” on June 20 in Las Vegas.

A source close to Schafer’s camp on Tuesday told MMAWeekly.com a rib injury had forced his withdrawal from the fight. NWI.com was the first to report the news.

Click here to read the entire article at MMAweekly.com

Mike C vs. Eliot Marshall at UFC 97

Originally posted on MMAweekly.com

A light heavyweight bout has been added to the UFC's upcoming return to Montreal as "Ultimate Fighter" season 8 submission specialist Eliot Marshall gets back in the Octagon for the first time since the finale show to take on Mike Ciesnolevicz on April 18.

The fight was confirmed to MMAWeekly.com by sources close to the fight who indicated the bout has been agreed upon and bout agreements should be issued shortly.

.............

His opponent, Mike Ciesnolevicz, will return to the 205-pound weight class after moving up to heavyweight for his UFC debut in February.

The former IFL fighter made a great impression in his first fight in the Octagon, submitting British heavy hitter Neil Grove with a heel hook early in the first round of their match-up.

Click here to read the entire article at MMAweekly.com

PRO MMA exclusive interview with UFC newcomer Mike Ciesnolevicz

Originally posted on ProMMA.info

IFL veteran and UFC newcomer, Mike Ciesnolevicz took his most recent fight, which was at UFC 95 against Neil Grove, on about two weeks notice. Mike C. submitted Grove with a heel hook in just 1:03 of the first round. He was giving up six inches in height and about thirty pounds in weight to the man they call ‘Goliath,’ but Mike has been training with big guys like Brad Imes, Ben Rothwell, and Tim Sylvia at Pat Miletich’s gym for five years to prepare him for opponents just like Grove.

PRO MMA (promma.info) staff writer, Tim Thompson was able to sit down for a few minutes with Mike Ciesnolevicz yesterday and get his thoughts on what it was like being in the big show for the first time, his win over Neil Grove, the Miletich camp, his pick for the Jardine vs. Rampage fight, who he thinks the next UFC Light Heavyweight Champ will be and much more. Maybe most impressive is Tim’s ability to prounounce Mike’s last name without a hitch! We hope you enjoy the interview.

Click here to listen to the entire interview at PROmma.info

Mike C Finally Gets His Shot

Originally posted on MMAweekly.com

“I think it’s been a long time coming,” says Mike Ciesnolevicz of finally getting the opportunity to debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championship on Feb. 21 in London.

Many would be inclined to agree with the former International Fight League light heavyweight.

After six years as a professional fighter and only three losses in 20 bouts, Ciesnolevicz has earned his way to the biggest stage of MMA one step at a time.

“It’s well overdue,” he stated. “I’m pretty pumped about getting to debut in the UFC on the same card as Rory (Markham), but I wasn’t expecting the fight to be at heavyweight, obviously.”

As he alluded to, normally competing at 205 pounds, he will be stepping up on short notice to the heavyweight ranks to face English goliath Neil Grove.


Click here to read the entire article at MMAweekly.com

Mike Ciesnolevicz replaces McCully for UFC 95

Originally posted on MMAweekly.com

An undisclosed cut injury has forced Justin McCully from his pending bout with Neil Grove at UFC 95 in London.

Stepping in for McCully will be former International Fight League regular Mike Ciesnolevicz, who makes his Octagon debut with the replacement.

Sources close to Ceiesnolevicz and McCully confirmed the change to the Feb. 21 card on Tuesday evening.

Click here to read the entire article at MMAweekly.com