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[Matt Boone]

From www.Sherdog.com

Cage Rage 18: ''Ninja'' Rua, Dan Severn, "Pe de Pano" to Fight
Friday, July 21, 2006
by Pedro Wrobel (pwrobel@sherdog.com)

LONDON — Chute Boxe star Murilo Rua (Pictures) is almost certain to face Mark Weir (Pictures) at the Cage Rage 18 show on September 30, at Wembley Arena, Sherdog.com has learned.

Previous rumours had suggested that Weir, the current Cage Rage British middleweight champion, would face an American opponent, with names like Phil Baroni (Pictures) and Joe Riggs (Pictures) being bandied about. However, sources indicate the deal with Rua is almost confirmed, and the fight is expected to be officially announced within the week.

Additionally, PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix champion Mauricio Rua (Pictures) will be attending the event in order to corner his brother.

In further Cage Rage news Sherdog can reveal that a match between MMA legend Dan Severn (Pictures) and UFC veteran Marcio Cruz (Pictures) is also close to being signed. Official confirmation for this bout is also expected soon.

Cage Rage 18 is set to be headlined by a battle between British MMA pioneer Ian Freeman (Pictures) and Cage Rage veteran Mark Epstein (Pictures), with the latter's British light heavyweight title at stake.

The current confirmed card, at time of press is:

Ian Freeman (Pictures) vs. Mark Epstein (Pictures) (British lightheavyweight title)
Robert Berry (Pictures) vs. Rob Broughton (Pictures) (British heavyweight title)
Tony Fryklund (Pictures) vs. Alex Reid (Pictures)
Dave Legeno (Pictures) vs. TBA
Gregory Bouchelaghem (Pictures) vs. TBA
Mustapha Al Turk vs. Henry Miller (Pictures)
Sol Gilbert (Pictures) vs. Paul Daley (Pictures) (British welterweight title)
Brad Pickett (Pictures) vs. Robbie Oliver (British featherweight title)
Zelg Galesic (Pictures) vs. James E Nicolle (Eliminator - winner faces Mark Weir (Pictures) for the British middleweight title)

[Mastiff_owner]

I thought Bisping was the LHW champ over there. Did he give up the title to fight in the UFC? Besides that if everything is true that will be a kick ass card.

[Matt Boone]

I don't know if he is the last reigning Light Heavyweight champion in their company, or if he even held the title. He hasn't fought for them since November of 2004, a knockout win over Mark Epstein. Regardless, he's exclusive to UFC now since he won the TUF contract, which calls for you to fight exclusively for the UFC.

[Alvin]

Bisping was the LWH title holder, but his gym Wolfslair at the time had a falling out with Andy Greer & Dave O'Donnel (CR owners) so they stripped him of his title early last year. It was nothing to do with TUF.

Anderson Silva was also their MW champion, but now's he's gone to the UFC I think that's vacant as well.

[Bran]

i thought it was funny that they called Marcio Cruz a UFC veteran when he's had about 3 fights with the company. but speaking of such, he's still in UFC, right? cause i like to see him fight. i know he doesn't have that much stand-up, but i like submission fighters

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by TheBranMan

i thought it was funny that they called Marcio Cruz a UFC veteran when he's had about 3 fights with the company. but speaking of such, he's still in UFC, right? cause i like to see him fight. i know he doesn't have that much stand-up, but i like submission fighters

Yeah, I kept thinking that as well, veteran the guys early 20's & had 3 fights how's that a veteran, but then anyone who has had a fight in any mma organisation is classed as a veteran. I think he's still welcome to go back to the UFC, it's just that he's not signed to a long term deal like Chuck. Most fighters usually sign a one fight deal, unless they impress then they get a 3 fight deal & renegotiate when it expires (hence Tito leaving the UFC when he did, holding out for more money).

[Matt Boone]

They've always called anyone who's fought for UFC one time a "UFC veteran"....I've never understood that.