"Ninja" Rua Forced Off Strikeforce/Elite XC Show

Twist of Lemon · 06-17-2007, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Chute Boxe middleweight Murilo Rua (Pictures) has dropped off June 22's Showtime pay-per-view card in San Jose, Calif. after failing a California State Athletic Commission physical, the promoter announced Friday.

Scheduled to fight on the undercard of Frank Shamrock (Pictures)'s showdown against Phil Baroni (Pictures), Rua was a week away from facing Joey Villasenor (Pictures) for the vacant EliteXC 185-pound crown. A replacement for "Ninja" will be announced "very soon," said EliteXC's Gary Shaw, who is promoting in conjunction with Strikeforce.

Hopefully they find a decent match up for Joey, I want his ass kicked after that crow fight....>.>

Dmac · 06-17-2007, 06:45 AM

Not too good for EXC but I'm sure they will get a suitable replacement.

Twist of Lemon · 06-17-2007, 02:36 PM

EliteXC has tabbed Falaniko Vitale (22-7) to fill the shoes left vacated by Brazilian Murilo Rua after it was learned Friday that "Ninja" was forced off June 22's pay-per-view card in San Jose, Calif.

Rua, who failed to pass a physical required by the state of California, was set to face Joey Villasenor (23-5) in a five-round title fight for the vacant EliteXC middleweight belt. Vitale's late appearance on the card would relegate the Friday event a non-title bout, said the Hawaiian's manager Ken Pavia.

Dmac · 06-17-2007, 06:45 PM

^ Credit - Sherdog ^

... you've been around long enough to know that you should credit the source Shaun... are chu high?

Twist of Lemon · 06-17-2007, 07:25 PM

...Nit picker <,<

Twist of Lemon · 06-20-2007, 02:27 PM

Quote:

by Josh Gross (joshg@sherdog.com)

Though EliteXC signed Falaniko Vitale (Pictures) on short notice to fight Joey Villasenor (Pictures), it appears the Hawaiian will have flown to San Jose, Calif. just to watch some mixed martial arts action.

Both California State Athletic Commission Executive Officer Armando Garcia and Vitale's agent, Ken Pavia, told Sherdog.com Tuesday evening that medical questions surrounding Murilo Rua (Pictures) were likely resolved, and that if things progressed down their current track "Ninja" would face Villasenor on the co-promoted Strikeforce/EliteXC card on June 22.

EliteXC announced on June 15 that the Brazilian veteran was off the card after failing a CSAC physical exam. However, "Ninja" was never denied a license and comparisons between this situation and that of Hong-Man Choi, who was pulled off the Los Angeles FEG USA-promoted card on June 2 due to the discovery of a benign tumor on his pituitary gland, were unfair, said Garcia.

Pavia indicated that Vitale would be compensated for his time and trouble and EliteXC agreed to sign the veteran middleweight to a long-term deal.

Regarding a report that surfaced Tuesday on graciefighter.com about the status of Phil Baroni (Pictures), who is scheduled to fight Frank Shamrock (Pictures) on the card's main event, Garcia said the middleweight underwent standard MRI tests required of all licensees.

Pavia, who also represents Baroni, said results should be known sometime Wednesday morning and that he believed his client would be cleared to fight.

w0000t

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"Ninja" Rua Forced Off Strikeforce/Elite XC Show

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