Marcelinho Garcia ready to MMA

By Marcello Alonso

Two-time ADCC and jiu-jitsu world champion, Marcelo Garcia is ready to make his MMA debut. Considered among the most technical ground fighters in the world, Garcia will make his debut against Marcus Avellan on May 19 in the Gracie Fighting Championship in Columbus Ohio.

"I believe he will repeat the same success in MMA that he did in submission grappling and jiu-jitsu. Ronaldo Jacaré and Marcelo Garcia will make history in MMA -- in fact, they are helping each other train," said Garcia’s manager Wallid Ismail.

Garcia’s agenda is pretty full: today he is be in California to compete at the Pan-American Jiu-Jitsu Championship; one week later, he will be defending his title in the 77kg category at ADCC 2007 in New Jersey; two weeks after that, he will fly to Ohio to make his MMA debut in Gracie Fighting Championship together with Brazilian mates Vinicius Pezão, Ronaldo Jacaré and Daniel Moraes.

COMPLETE CARD (subject to change):

Gracie Fighting Championship
Saturday, May 19 2007
Value City Arena
Columbus, Ohio

Jeff Monson vs. Wes Sims
Marcelo Garcia vs. Marcus Avellan
Chris Brennan vs. Adam Disabato
Dorian Price vs. Phil Cardella
Vinicius Pezão vs. George Bush
Ronaldo Jacaré vs. TBA
Thomas Denny vs. TBA
Daniel Moraes vs. TBA
Nissen Osterneck vs. TBA

Jeff Monson vs Wes Sims at GFC - May 19th

Gracie Fighting Championships, which postponed its Jan. 20 event at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, has pinned a new venue and date for its return.

The 20,000-seat Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio, home to the Final Four-bound Ohio State University men's basketball program, will host "Evolution" on May 19 headlined by American Top Team heavyweight Jeff Monson against Lancaster, Ohio native Wes Sims.

Monson, 36, is scheduled to face Kazuyuki Fujita April 8 on Tokyo in what is being billed as the first UFC-PRIDE "dream fight." The former UFC heavyweight title challenger looks to get back in the win column after seeing his 16-fight win streak come to a halt against Tim Sylvia last November at UFC 65. Sims last saw action against Van Palacio at Palace Fighting Championship's "Fast and Furious," with the bout being ruled a No Contest after Sims was struck illegally twice in the groin.

Grappling wizard Marcelo Garcia makes his mixed martial arts debut against Marcus Avellan. PRIDE and UFC veteran Chris Brennan confronts three-time D-I collegiate All-American wrestler Adam Disabato. Hammer House striking instructor Dorian Price squares off against Relson Gracie BJJ black belt Phil Cardella. And Vinicius Magalhaes takes on George Bush.

Other fighters confirmed for the card include "Jacare" Ronaldo Souza, Thomas Denny, Daniel Moraes and Hawaiian Nissen Osterneck.

The card will be broadcast on pay-per-view in the U.S. via iNDEMAND and Dish Network. Canadian viewers will have access through Viewers Choice and Bell ExpressVu. Mark Cuban's HDNet is expected to televise "Evolution" at a later date. Well known actor Keith David will join Cesar Gracie in handling commentating duties.

GFC Evolution Fight Card:
Jeff Monson vs. Wes Sims
Marcelo Garcia vs. Marcus Avellan
Chris Brennan vs. Adam Disabato
Dorian Price vs. Phil Cardella
Vinicius Magalhaes vs. George Bush
Ronaldo Souza vs. TBA
Thomas Denny vs. TBA
Daniel Moraes vs. TBA
Nissen Osterneck vs. TBA

Thomas Denny speaks on the postponed Gracie FC

Needless to say, Thomas "Wildman" Denny is unhappy.

He was scheduled to fight Nick Diaz earlier this year for Gracie Fighting Championships in Miami, but the event was postponed. Months of preparation went towards an event cancelled less than a week before fight night.

He was then rumored to fight on March 10th against Erik Apple for King of the Cage in Laughlin. That fight also did not come to fruition. His opponent for that card will be brawler Richard Solis, whom Denny has already beaten.

He was gracious enough to take a quick time out to talk to MMAFighting.com about his relationship with Gracie FC, his thoughts on Solis, and his future with King of the Cage.

Q: What have you been up to in the MMA world since your fight with Nick Diaz was canceled?
A: Man, eating a lot of junk food and staying as far away from a gym as possible. My couch when I get up has an impression of my body still, crumbs everywhere...

Q: I for one was really looking forward to seeing you lock it up against Diaz. What was your immediate reaction after you were told the fight had been cancelled?
A: Emotional wreck! I trained so hard for this fight. It was a great opportunity. I trained through Christmas, New Year's, some other things. I had no life for 8 weeks. I ate, slept, and trained Nick Diaz.

Q: Take us through your training regiment in preparing for a fighter like Diaz? Did you do anything special in your preparations?
A: Like I said I ate, slept, and trained Nick Diaz. I brought in southpaws and had them mimic every aspect of Nick’s game.

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