MMAjunkie.com Articles

"Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers" live play by play and official results

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:15:00 GMT

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - MMAjunkie.com is on scene and reporting live from the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill., for tonight's "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers" show.

The event, co-promoted by M-1 Global, airs on CBS and features a main event of Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers and a middleweight title fight between Jake Shields and Jason "Mayhem" Miller.

Live, round-by-round coverage of tonight's event begins at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT) for the un-aired preliminary card and 9 p.m. ET for the four-fight televised main card.

"Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers" discussion thread

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:14:00 GMT

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - Welcome to the discussion thread for tonight's "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers" event.

Following along with tonight's CBS-televised event, including the long-awaited heavyweight headliner between Fedor Emelianenko and Brett Rogers, in our event play-by-play post.

Tonight's preliminary card begins at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT) and the main card at 9 p.m. ET.

Shinya Aoki introduced by Strikeforce, likely to fight for organization

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:45:00 GMT

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - Midway through Friday's official fighter weigh-ins for "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers," Strikeforce officials introduced a special attendee - one who could soon fight for the promotion.

Taking the stage at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill., was submission specialist Shinya Aoki (22-4), the current DREAM lightweight champion.

The Japanese fighter said he's attending tonight's CBS-televised event and hopes to soon fight for the promotion.

Programming reminder: Spike TV's "UFC Main Events" counters Strikeforce tonight

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:55:00 GMT

As a reminder, the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Spike TV have teamed up for a two-hour special entitled "UFC Main Events" that airs tonight.

The two-hour special features four major bouts from 2009, including Randy Couture vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 102, that have never previously aired on free television.

The special airs at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Spike TV and counters CBS' offering of "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers."

Middleweight Robbie Lawler set for Dec. 19 return at "Strikeforce: Evolution"

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:40:00 GMT

Middleweight contender Robbie Lawler (18-5) will return to competition in December at "Strikeforce: Evolution."

No opponent has been finalized for the 27-year-old fighter, who hasn't competed since a first-round submission loss to Jake Shields at "Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields" in June.

The upcoming event takes place Dec. 19 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Lawler is expected to be part of the night's Showtime-televised main card.

Poll results: Do MMAjunkie.com readers favor Fedor Emelianenko or Brett Rogers?

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:45:00 GMT

The oddsmakers are giving challenger Brett Rogers about a 20 percent chance of winning his CBS-televised main event fight with Fedor Emelianenko.

However, are fight fans giving the undefeated heavyweight better odds at tonight's Strikeforce/M-1 Global event?

That's what what we wanted to know in our latest MMAjunkie.com/"Inside MMA" poll, and the results were revealed on HDNet's special coverage of the "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers" weigh-ins on Friday night.

Omigawa disagrees with upset of Hioki, Khalidov stuns Santiago at "Sengoku 11th Battle"

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:45:00 GMT

Fans of mixed martial arts have become used to controversial decisions, so much so that every enthusiast knows you "can't let a fight go to the judges."

It often seems that two judges awarding a split-decision win may be the only two people in the building who have scored the bout in that manner, and the main event of Saturday's "Sengoku 11th Battle" event at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan, proved no different.

Even the winning fighter disagreed with the call at the conclusion of the HDNet-broadcast event.

Evangelista decisions Gurgel, del Rosario lands rare submission at "Strikeforce Challengers IV"

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:10:00 GMT

FRESNO, Calif. - If it wasn't official before, it is now: Strikeforce lightweight Jorge Gurgel (13-6) uses his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt to wrap his hands.

Despite the proven striking prowess of hometown fighter Billy Evangelista (10-0), Gurgel stood toe-to-toe with his opponent for 15 minutes but lost for the third time in his past four outings.

The bout served as the main event of the Showtime-broadcast "Strikeforce Challengers IV: Evangelista vs. Gurgel" event that took place in front of an announced 4,157 spectators at SaveMartCenter in Fresno, Calif.

"Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Gurgel" play by play and live results

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:40:00 GMT

FRESNO, Calif. - MMAjunkie.com is on scene and reporting live from the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif., for tonight's "Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Gurgel" event.

Tonight's round-by-round coverage and live results commence at approximately 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT), and the Showtime-televised main card begins at 11 p.m. ET.

Lightweight contenders Billy Evangelista (9-0) and Jorge Gurgel (13-5) meet in the night's main event.

"Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers" official weigh-ins: An MMAjunkie.com image gallery

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:35:00 GMT

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - MMAjunkie.com was on scene and captured images of today's official fighter weigh-ins for Saturday's "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers" event.

Like that CBS-televised event, today's weigh-ins took place at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill., near Chicago.

Among those weighing in were Fedor Emelianenko and Brett Rogers, who meet in a heavyweight main event, and Jake Shields and Jason "Mayhem" Miller, who fight for Strikeforce's vacant middleweight title.

Strikeforce and M-1 Global's "Fedor vs. Rogers" official weigh-in results (Updated)

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:00:00 GMT

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - MMAjunkie.com was on scene and reporting live from the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill., for Strikeforce and M-1 Global's "Fedor vs. Rogers" official fighter weigh-ins.

The weigh-ins were free and open to the public, and took place on the main concourse of the Chicago-area venue, which also hosts Saturday's CBS-televised event.

While one preliminary card fighter still has a bit of weight to lose, the evening's main-card competitors, including Fedor Emelianenko and Brett Rogers, hit their required marks without issue.

Cung Le vs. Scott Smith likely for "Strikeforce: Evolution" on Dec. 19

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:50:07 GMT

Former Strikeforce middleweight champion Cung Le (6-0) may have vacated his belt to pursue a career in acting, but that doesn't mean he's given up fighting completely.

In fact, Le may return to action before the end of the year.

MMAjunkie.com has learned from sources close to the event that Le has verbally agreed to face slugger Scott Smith (16-6) at the recently announced "Strikeforce: Evolution" event on Dec. 19 in San Jose, Calif.

Strikeforce to be flagship promotion in upcoming "EA Sports MMA" videogame

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:00:00 GMT

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - EA Sports has teamed with Strikeforce to position the California-based promotion as the dominant brand in its new MMA videogame, "EA Sports MMA," due out next year.

The announcement came Friday afternoon at Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Ill., site of the first Strikeforce "Saturday Night Fights" event tomorrow on CBS. The agreement is non-exclusive, but EA Sports declined to name other promotions that might be part of the game.

The MMA title will be heavily branded Strikeforce, including logos on the cage mat and the voices of two members of the Strikeforce CBS broadcast team, Frank Shamrock and Mauro Ranallo.

M-1 Global announces international broadcast plans for Saturday's "Fedor vs. Rogers" event

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:35:00 GMT

U.S. fans have known for months that the long-awaited network television debut of Fedor Emelianenko (30-1) would take place on CBS, but international MMA enthusiasts have been left a little in the dark.

Today, that changed.

M-1 Global today released a list of international television networks that will carry Saturday's Strikeforce and M-1 Global's co-promoted "Fedor vs. Rogers" event, and the organization also released details of a $5.99 live, online pay-per-view available to fans without a television viewing option.

Bantamweight John Hosman vs. newcomer David Smith completes WEC 45 card

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:55:00 GMT

A bantamweight contest between John Hosman (13-5-1 MMA, 0-1 WEC) and WEC newcomer David Smith (5-1 MMA, 0-0 WEC) completes the organization's upcoming "WEC 45: Cerrone vs. Ratcliff" event in Las Vegas.

MMAjunkie.com has learned from sources close to the event that both fighters have agreed to the preliminary card contest, and bout agreements are expected to be signed shortly.

Featuring a lightweight contest between contenders Donald Cerrone and Ed Ratcliff, "WEC 45: Cerrone vs. Ratcliff" takes place Dec. 19 at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort.

"Strikeforce Challengers'" Luke Rockhold "more than ready" for tough Jesse Taylor

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:45:00 GMT

The goal of Strikeforce's "Challengers Series" is to develop the organization's next potential stars.

American Kickboxing Academy has produced more than it's share of such stars, and tonight Strikeforce middleweight prospect Luke Rockhold (5-1) looks to become the next fighter from the San Jose, Calif., camp to gain national recognition.

"I feel like I'm more than ready for this," Rockhold recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio. "I train with the best guys in the world, so I get a little more experience than most people."

MMAjunkie Radio: Dan Hardy, Paul Daley, Don Frye; Team Takedown in chat (12:15 p.m. ET)

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:30:00 GMT

MMAjunkie.com caps off another stellar week of programming with guests Dan Hardy, who fights Mike Swick next week at UFC 105; Paul Daley, who meets Carlos Condit at UFC 108 in January; and Don Frye, who returns for his popular "Don Frye-days" segment.

As we break down this weekend's Strikeforce cards, we'll also have some notables in our "Combat Chat" feature with special guests and UFC/WEC fighters Jake Rosholt, Johny Hendricks and Shane Roller.

MMAjunkie.com Radio begins at a special time of 12:15 p.m. ET (9:15 a.m. PT) live from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino's Race & Sports Book. Listen to and watch the show at www.mmajunkie.com/radio.

Kyle Dietz vs. Brad Pickett bantamweight bout official for WEC 45 prelims

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:45:00 GMT

A rumored bout between WEC newcomer Brad Pickett (17-4 MMA, 0-0 WEC) and fellow bantamweight Kyle Dietz (5-1 MMA, 0-1 WEC) is now official for next month's WEC 45 event.

The fight is slated for the night's un-aired preliminary card.

WEC 45 takes place Dec. 19 at The Pearl at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, and the night's main card, including a headliner of Donald Cerrone vs. Ed Ratcliff, airs on Versus.

Sengoku 11th Battle weigh-in results: All 22 fighters make weight

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:35:00 GMT

All competitors taking part in Saturday's Sengoku 11th Battle event, which is the latest offering from the Japanese-based World Victory Road promotion, today made weight for the show.

The show takes place at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan and airs in North American early Saturday morning (2 a.m. ET) on HDNet.

Headliners Hatsu Hioki and Michihiro Omigawa, whose meeting in the finale of the Sengoku featherweight grand prix was spoiled by injury earlier this year, both weighed 143.1 pounds.

Caol Uno vs. Fabricio Camoes prelim bout completes UFC 106 fight card

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:35:00 GMT

A bout between veteran Caol Uno (25-12-4 MMA, 3-4-1 UFC) and Brazilian lightweight Fabricio Camoes (10-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is now official and completes the fight card for UFC 106.

The matchup is part of the event's un-aired preliminary card.

UFC 106 takes place Nov. 21 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, and the night's main card, including the main event of Forrest Griffin vs. Tito Ortiz, airs on pay-per-view.

Programming reminder: Catch "Sengoku 11th Battle" on HDNet early Saturday

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:45:00 GMT

"Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers" isn't the only event airing Saturday; a full 17 hours before that event kicks off on CBS, North American fight fans can also catch a live broadcast of World Victory Road's Sengoku 11th Battle event on HDNet.

The show takes place Saturday at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan, and because of the time difference, airs at 2 a.m. ET early Saturday morning.

Featured bouts include Hatsu Hioki (20-3-2) vs. Michihiro Omigawa (7-8-1) and a non-title fight between middleweight champion Jorge Santiago (21-7) and Mamed Khalidov (19-3-1).

Strikeforce headliner Brett Rogers on NBC's "Last Call with Carson Daly" tonight

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Brett Rogers, who headlines Saturday's CBS-televised Strikeforce/M-1 event at the Sears Centre in Chicago, appears as a guest on tonight's new edition of "Last Call with Carson Daly" on NBC.

Rogers joins author Neil Strauss and the band Peaches on the show, which begins late Friday/early Saturday at 1:35 a.m. ET/PT.

Rogers will discuss his upcoming CBS-televised headline fight with Fedor Emelianenko, which takes place at the Sear Centre near Chicago.

"The Sunday Junkie" deadline reminder, win a free Fighters Only subscription!

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:50:00 GMT

As a reminder, submissions for the upcoming edition of "The Sunday Junkie" are due Sunday at 10 a.m. ET.

As always, all topics (including Strikeforce's two shows, Brock Lesnar's illness, "TUF 10" and others) are open for discussion. The person who sends in the submission we deem the best - based on timeliness of subject, clarity and overall persuasiveness - will be invited onto MMAjunkie.com Radio to discuss the topic.

Each winner will also receive a free year's subscription to Fighters Only, the world's leading MMA and lifestyle magazine!

Strikeforce CEO: Coenen vs. Modafferi will determine No. 1 contender for champ Santos

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:05:00 GMT

CHICAGO - While it was initially thought possible, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker made it official: the winner of Saturday's bout between Marloes Coenen (16-3) and Roxanne Modafferi (13-4) will, in fact, earn a title shot with current 145-pound champion Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos (8-1).

Coker confirmed the plans with MMAjunkie.com on Thursday following a press gathering for Saturday's "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers" event.

In a preliminary-card bout likely to air (either completely or in part) on CBS, Modafferi and Coenen meet in a rematch from their initial meeting in May 2007.

"Strikeforce Challengers IV" weigh-ins photos: An MMAjunkie.com image gallery

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:45:00 GMT

FRESNO, Calif. - Preliminary card fighter Chris Culley had to forfeit 20 percent of his purse for being overweight, but all 18 participants of Friday's "Strikeforce Challengers IV: Evangelista vs. Gurgel" event are now official.

MMAjunkie.com was on scene for the proceedings and captured images of all 18 competitors as they squared off at World Sports Cafe in Fresno, Calif. Save Mart Center plays host to Friday's fight card.

Check out the images, which include main-event fighters Billy Evangelista and Jorge Gurgel, who will meet in a catchweight affair, as well as middleweight prospects Luke Rockhold and Jesse Taylor.

"Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers" pre-event press conference photos

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:00:00 GMT

CHICAGO - A pre-event press conference for Saturday's "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers" event, which is co-presented by M-1 Global, took place Thursday at the WBBM Building's CBS Television Studios in downtown Chicago.

The night's main-card fighters and top fight executives were in attendance, and Strikeforce photographer Esther Lin captured the following images.

The presser served as a lead-in for Saturday's CBS-televised event, which takes place at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill.

Official weigh-in results: "Strikeforce Challengers IV: Evangelista vs. Gurgel" (Updated)

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:10:00 GMT

FRESNO, Calif. - MMAjunkie.com was on scene and reporting live from today's "Strikeforce Challengers IV: Evangelista vs. Gurgel" weigh-ins at the World Sports Cafe in in Fresno, Calif.

Friday's event, which features a headliner between lightweight contenders Billy Evangelista and Jorge Gurgel, takes place at the SaveMartCenter in Fresno and airs on Showtime.

Evangelista and Gurgel both weighed 159 pounds. And although the bout listed as a 155-pound fight, a California State Athletic Commission official later clarified with MMAjunkie.com that the fight was contracted at a catch-weight of 160 pounds.

Reminder: Friday's "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers" weigh-ins free and open to public

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As a reminder, Friday's official fighter weigh-ins for "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers" are free and open to the public.

The festivities, which take place on the eve on Strikeforce and M-1's CBS debut, are hosted by the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Ill., near Chicago. The same venue hosts Saturday's event, which is headlined by Fedor Emelianenko (30-1) vs. Brett Rogers (10-0).

The weigh-ins begin Friday at 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. CT local time), and doors open an hour prior.

"The Ultimate Fighter 10," episode No. 8 scores 2.5 million viewers, wins key demo

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:35:00 GMT

Ratings for the eighth episode of "The Ultimate Fighter 10," which aired this past Wednesday (Nov. 4) on Spike TV, held steady with an audience of 2.5 million viewers and 1.8 household rating.

Among the season's eight episodes, the figure tied episode No. 7 for the season's smallest audience, though ratings have still far surpassed past installments of the reality competition series.

Despite going head to head with FOX's airing of Game 6 of the 2009 World Series, "TUF" was the No. 1 rated program in the 10-11 p.m. timeslot in the key Men 18-49 demo, according to Spike TV officials.

WEC newcomer Will Kerr signed, replaces Alex Karalexis at WEC 44 (Updated)

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:00:00 GMT

After Alex Karalexis (10-4 MMA, 4-2 WEC) was forced off the card with a broken hand earlier this week, World Extreme Cagefighting officials searched for a replacement outside the organization and today found one: Will Kerr (8-1).

The WEC newcomer meets fellow rookie Kamal Shalorus (4-0-1 MMA, 0-0 WEC) on the preliminary card of this month's WEC 44 event at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, MMAjunkie.com today learned from a source close to the event.

Featuring a highly anticipated matchup between current WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown and top challenger Jose Aldo, "WEC 44: Brown vs. Aldo" takes place Nov. 18 and airs on Versus.

"Jacare" vs. Lindland, "King Mo" part of Dec. 19 "Strikeforce: Evolution" event in San Jose

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:35:00 GMT

CHICAGO - A recently rumored Strikeforce event expected to take place on Dec. 19 has been added to the organization's promotional calendar.

Scott Coker today confirmed the plans with MMAjunkie.com during a press conference for Saturday's "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers" event.

Coker said the main event is "still being negotiated," but he confirmed Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza (10-2) takes makes his promotional debut against fellow middleweight newcomer Matt Lindland, and Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal (5-0) makes his promotional debut against an opponent to be named.

Ben Rothwell and Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic likely to meet at UFC 110

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:55:00 GMT

A heavyweight clash between Ben Rothwell (30-7 MMA, 0-1 UFC) and Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic (25-7-2 MMA, 2-3 UFC) is likely to take place in February at UFC 110.

The matchup was first reported by Sherdog.com, and MMAjunkie.com has confirmed with sources close to the event that the fight has been discussed as a possibility but not signed.

Although not officially announced by the UFC, UFC 110 is expected to take place Feb 21. The event, which takes place at Acer Arena, marks the UFC's debut in Australia.

Fight Path: "Thrilla in Manila" site helped launch WEC newcomer Karen Darabedyan's career

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:05:00 GMT

Karen Darabedyan's engineer father might not have quite imagined the scene when he first enrolled his then-4-year-old son in karate lessons in the family's Armenian hometown.

About 16 years later, Darabedyan entered Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, for his third professional mixed-martial-arts fight.

It was the same venue where Muhammad Ali met Joe Frazier in the 1975 Thrilla in Manilla heavyweight boxing bout, and the bout helped launch the career of the WEC newcomer, who debuts later this month at WEC 44.

Broken hand forces lightweight Alex Karalexis out of WEC 44 contest

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:00:00 GMT

Former "The Ultimate Fighter 1" cast member and current WEC lightweight Alex Karalexis (10-4 MMA, 4-2 WEC) has been forced to withdraw from a scheduled contest with Kamal Shalorus (4-0-1 MMA, 0-0 WEC) after suffering a broken hand.

Fighters.com was the first to report Karalexis' withdrawal from the WEC 44 prelim contest, and MMAjunkie.com has since confirmed the change with sources close to the event.

Featuring a highly anticipated matchup between current WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown and top challenger Jose Aldo, "WEC 44: Brown vs. Aldo" takes place Nov. 18 at the The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

Undefeated Roger Bowling announces Strikeforce deal, expected early 2010 debut

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:15:00 GMT

Undefeated welterweight Roger Bowling, one of the top stars and the 170-pound champion of the Ohio-based MMA Big Show promotion, has signed a multi-fight deal with Strikeforce.

A press release distributed by MMA Big Show states that Bowling signed the deal during the organization's Oct. 24 "Full Force" event.

The Cincinnati-based fighter, who's 6-0 with six first-round stoppages, expects to make his promotional debut in February or March of 2010.