Ultimate Chaos Preview

Bobby Lashley returns to action in Ultimate Chaos on Saturday night

The hustling and bustling metropolis of Biloxi, Mississippi will be the site of a highly-anticipated pay-per-view MMA event on Saturday June 27, 2009. The 32 year-old Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center, which holds approximately 8,200 for events, will host the event that is headlined by Super Heavyweights Bobby Lashley and Bob “The Beast” Sapp.

Also showcased on the card is a pair of former MMA superstars that are trying to regain the form of old, as Gilbert Yvel faces off against Pedro Rizzo in the co-main event. Din “Dinyero” Thomas is also in action versus Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist – Javier “Showtime” Vasquez.

Other notable names that may be of interest on the fight card are Chris Horodecki, Brett Cooper, Danny Abbadi and Affliction Vice-President Tom Atencio.

Here is a closer look at some of the featured bouts and full fight card -

Tom Atencio vs. Randy Hedderick

One of the most publicized undercard bouts in the history of MMA features a Vice President of one of the largest MMA promotions against a little-known Mississippi card-dealer. Tom Atencio (1-0) will try and take a “mental-break” from his day job by appearing in his second career fight and first since 2005. Hedderick will be making his professional debut.

Atencio’s only fight was in his family’s homeland of Mexico where he battled David Martinez for three rounds, ultimately earning the decision victory. Win or lose, the forty-two year old Atencio will have to prepare for his next promoted event – Affliction: Trilogy on August 1.

Not much is known about Hedderick, and for good reason, as he is making his debut in his home state of Mississippi. He lists himself as a stand-up fighter that specializes in boxing and sambo with some muay-thai skills. He will be looking for the KO against the skilled grappler – Atencio.

Chris Horodecki vs. William Sriyapai

Lightweights Chris “The Polish Hammer” Horodecki (12-1) and Japanese-born muay-thai star – William “The Bull” Sriyapai (12-4) will meet as part of the main card action. Horodecki has been out of the cage since April 2008 when he won a decision against Nate Lamotte at IFL – New Jersey. Sriyapai stopped William Koogle by 1st round TKO at a Gladiators Challenge event in February.

Horodecki, who was born in Poland then moved to Canada, has been training under Shawn Tompkins, now at Xtreme Couture, since he was a child. While only being active for four years, the 21 year-old well-rounded lightweight has over 13 fights to his credit. While fighting exclusively for Canadian-based TKO and American-based King of the Cage promotions, he has notable wins over Bart Palaszewski (twice), Shad Lierley, and Josh Odom. His only career loss came as a TKO at the hands of Ryan Schultz.

Sriyapai fights and trains from the California fight club – Millennia. After winning four muay-thai championships he transitioned into MMA almost a decade ago. The majority of his fights have been for the King of the Cage promotion. He has won 9 of his last 10 bout and has had his hand raised in victory against notable fighters Kit Cope and Oleg Zakharov while losing twice to Charles “Crazyhorse” Bennett.

Din Thomas vs. Javier Vasquez

A pair of ground specialists will put their talents on display in a lightweight bout that will be televised on the pay-per-view broadcast. Din “Dinyero” Thomas (24-8) looked as impressive as ever his last time out at Roy Jones Jr.’s March Badness event in March, defeating Gabe Lemley by 1 st round TKO. Javier “Showtime” Vasquez (12-2) will resume his career, after an absence of almost two years, when he stopped JC Pennington with an early 1 st round rear naked choke at a Pro Elite event.

Thirty-two year old Din Thomas has been involved in professional MMA for over a decade. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt fought for the UFC lightweight championship at UFC 39 in September 2002, losing to Caol Uno via unanimous decision. He also later appeared on “The Ultimate Fighter 4: The Comeback” in 2006. He has some solid career wins over Jens Pulver, Matt Serra and Clay Guida.

Cuban-born Javier Vasquez earned his black belt in jiu-jitsu under the legendary Carlson Gracie in 2002. The former KOTC and Gladiator Challenge champ last tasted defeat six years ago by split decision to Alberto Crane. He is currently on a three-fight win streak with solid wins over UFC vet – Robert Emerson and DREAM fighter David Gardner. He is also the head jiu-jitsu instructor at Mt. San Antonio College in California.

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Gilbert Yvel vs. Pedro Rizzo

Two of MMA’s “Bad-Boys” will try and reclaim their form of old and once again be considered MMA elite. Gilbert “The Hurricane” Yvel (35-13-1) most recently lost a tough-luck fight to top-heavyweight Josh Barnett at Affliction – Day of Reckoning in January. Barnett punished “The Hurricane” with punches until he was forced to submit late in the 3 rd round. Former UFC champion Pedro “The Rock” Rizzo (16-8) was also taken out by Barnett last summer at Affliction’s first show via 2 nd round KO punch.

Yvel is known to many as “The Bad Boy of MMA” but hardcore fans know him for his accomplished striking and his signature “flying-knee”. Yvel excels against other strikers, as evidence of his career wins over Semmy Schilt, Fabiano Scherner and Cheick Kongo but struggles against opponents that take him to the mat and use their grappling skills. Before his loss to Barnett he was a winner in seven straight while fighting for M-1, K-1, PRIDE, and 2H2H promotions. This will only be his second career fight in the United States.

Rizzo, a Ruas Vale Tudo fighter, is a former undefeated pro kickboxer and four-time Brazilian Muay-Thai champion. He is still considered one of the best technical strikers in the game. He has recent wins over relevant heavyweights – Jeff Monson and Justin Eilers, both at Art of War events. During his 12 ½ year career his most impressive career victories include - Andrei Arlovski, Mark Coleman, and Josh Barnett.

Bobby Lashley vs. Bob Sapp

This one shouldn’t take long, as two super-heavyweights collide in what is sure to be an exciting main event. You can’t mention Bobby Lashley (3-0) without mentioning that he is a former WWE superstar, but he is also a fast-rising MMA heavyweight that choked out his most recent opponent, Mike Cook, at MFC 21 in 24 seconds. Bob “The Beast” Sapp (10-4-1) was submitted in Japan at DREAM 8 by leg-lock master Ikuhisa Minowa with an Achilles lock at the 1:15 mark in the 1st round.

At 6’5” 350-lbs, Sapp is one of the few fighters that claim a strength advantage over Lashley. Sapp wears many hats including former NFL player, K-1 fighter, movie star, singer, Japanese icon, but with a win against Lashley he will again be known as a relevant MMA fighter. Only 1-2 in his last three fights, Sapp’s only win came against lightly-regarded Akihito Tanaka, who dressed up as a Japanese cartoon character at K-1 Dynamite last December. He has only been past the 1st round twice in his seven-year career.

Born in Kansas and now a native of Parker, Colorado, Lashley has always been involved in wrestling. He was a three-time NAIA wrestling champion and four-time All-American at Missouri Valley College. After several successful years in professional wrestling, Lashley turned his attention to MMA and made his debut in December 2008. It took Lashley only 41 seconds to overpower Joshua Franklin then open a cut on his face, forcing the ringside doctor to stop the fight. With a dominating performance versus “The Beast,” Lashley, an American Top Team fighter, would be a welcome addition to any of the sports’ elite heavyweight divisions.

Ultimate Chaos Fight Card

• Bobby Lashley (3-0) vs. Bob Sapp (10-4-1)
• Gilbert Yvel (35-13-1) vs. Pedro Rizzo (16-8)
• Din Thomas (24-8) vs. Javier Vasquez (12-2)
• Chris Horodecki (12-1) vs. William Sriyapai (12-4)
• Brett Cooper (9-4) vs. William Spiritwolf (5-4)
• James Orso (8-3) vs. Colby McMahan (3-1)
• Colin McKee (3-2) vs. Eric Bradley (2-1)
• Danny Abbadi (3-4) vs. Lance Thompson (4-2)
• Tom Atencio (1-0) vs. Randy Hedderick (Pro Debut)

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer