This weekend, MMA will take center ring on the East Coast with the occasion of Battle Cage Xtreme V. The evening will take place at the Tropicana in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Set to be aired on HDNet as well as streamed live, this is one of the area’s biggest local events of the year.

Below is a Press Release published on July 8, 2008, to promote Battle Cage Xtreme V:

ATLANTIC CITY— Excitement over Battle Cage Xtreme V continues to grow as July 12th gets closer. The card is set, the fighters are ready, the BCX girls are hot as ever and the list of celebrity guests continues to grow because everyone wants to be there.

In addition to the nearly sold out show Saturday the 12th TSEG Promotions has announced that the weigh-ins for the fight will be held at on the boardwalk at Corky’s BBQ & Ribs at the Tropicana on Friday July 11th. at 3pm. Fans and press can meet and interview the fighters and cage girls. There will be a DJ, giveaways, special guests and some great southern food.

Topping an action packed card is the main event with 6 time NCAA title holder and NFL Pro Bowler Carlton Haselrig returning to Battle Cage Xtreme to defend his title won at BCX IV in April. Since his last appearance at BCX he has added a win against Carlos Moreno to remain undefeated. At BCX V he faces his toughest opponent yet in Joe “Apocalypse” Abouata. Also returning to defend titles won at BCX IV are Tim Troxell and Pat Audinwood. Justin Haskins, Jon Jones and Josh Keys are returning after wins at BCX IV to pursue titles. With a total of six title fights on the card along with nine undercard fights this promises to be a great night of Pro MMA cage fighting BCX fans have come to expect. The card is subject to change.

As it stands, this is the latest complete fight card:

• Carlton Haselrig vs. Joe Abouata [USKBA/BCX Title] 265 lbs
• Justin Haskins vs. Judah Ciervo [BCX Title] 170 lbs
• Jon Jones vs. Moyses Gabin [USKBA Title] 205 lbs
• Tim Troxell vs. Lester Caslow [USKBA Title] 145 lbs
• Pat Audinwood vs. Andrew Montanez [BCX Title] 155 lbs
• Josh Keys vs. Jose Figueroa 155 lbs
• Dwayne Shelton vs. Kevin Roddy 145 lbs
• Levon Maynard vs. Mike Medrano 170 lbs
• Jacob Kirwan vs. Daniel Tavares 155 lbs
• Chris Volo vs. Don Wagner 205 lbs
• Dan Baker vs. Shawn Foreman 170 lbs
• Carlos Eduardo vs. Ryan Contaldi 205 lbs
• Joey Camacho vs. Micah Goss 145 lbs
• Hercules Benjamin vs. Paul White 265 lbs
• Joey Brown vs. Fernando Bernandino 155 lbs

Though most of these guys are virtual unknowns in mainstream MMA, I am definitely looking forward to seeing a lot of the local talent. Being a born-and-raised Jersey girl, I get a little extra kick out of seeing other east coasters in the ring. But in particular, I expect to see some good fights out of the top of the card. I liked what I saw from Carlton Haselrig at Elite XC’s Primetime event, so I hope to see a repeat performance. But of course, Joe Abouata will give him a run for his money (although he hasn’t yet fought in 2008, and his last fight was a loss). Likewise, coming off a great win in BCX IV is Justin Haskins, facing another BCX IV victor, Judah Ciervo. And rounding out the top 3 fights is a hot 4-0 Jon Jones who will attempt to defend his streak against Moyses Gabin (coming off a submission loss only 2 months ago).

All in all, it’s looking to be an interesting night of fights. It’s in illustrious Atlantic City and at least for this event, I don’t have to listen to Mike Goldberg stumbling over his words!

Episode 214 of HDNets “Inside MMA”

Bas and Kenny are joined by guest panelists former UFC Heavyweight Champion Ricco Rodriguez, Real Fighter Magazine Writer Mike Carlson, and Hall of Fame Jockey Gary Stevens. Ron Kruck reports all the latest MMA news and provides the week’s best highlights. The results from the EliteXC – Strikeforce Championship are discussed along with a preview of the upcoming April 4th IFL event. Also, Bas goes “Toe-To-Toe” with viewers’ emails and the #6 fighter is revealed from the “Inside MMA All-Time Top 10.” Inside MMA airs Fridays on HDNet. Check www.hd.net for air times.

Last Fridays HDNet “Inside MMA” which features Tim Sylvia’s “Big Announcement”.

“Bas and Kenny are joined by guest panelists MMA legend Pat Miletich, respected referee Big John McCarthy, and IFL coach Don Frye. Ron Kruck reports on all the latest MMA news and provides highlights from the week’s best fights. The EliteXC showdown between Frank Shamrock and Cung Le is previewed. Also, Bas answers viewer emails and the #7 MMA fighter is revealed from the “Inside MMA All-Time Top 10.” Inside MMA airs Fridays on HDNet. Check www.hd.net for air times. ”

HT: BloodyElbow

Bas and Kenny are joined by guest panelists MMA Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton Jackson, MMA sensation Cung Le, and radio host Scott Casber.

Also, don’t miss an interview with Forrest Griffin. Inside MMA airs Fridays at 9:30pm ET

“Join hosts Bas and Kenny as they discuss the latest MMA news and results from UFC 82: Pride of a Champion, HDNet Fights Presents: The IFL and more. Guests include 2-time NCAA Wrestling Champion and undefeated MMA fighter Johny Hendricks, IFL Heavyweight Champion Roy “Big Country” Nelson, and “Mask” from the MMA reality series TapouT.”

Aired on March 7, 2007

“Join Bas and Kenny as they discuss the top news stories and upcoming events in MMA. Guests include Light Heavyweight Fighter Justin “The Insane One” McCully, MMA Manager Ed Soares, and EliteXC: Street Certified Fighter Rafael Feijao. Also, don’t miss Ron Kruck in the news cage for updates and the best highlights from around the globe.”

According to Adam Swift over at Sherdog, Randy “The Natural” Couture has signed a contract with HDNet for a possible fight with Fedore Emelianenko. The signing of the contract is the reason HDNet asked a Texas judge to rule on the exact date to witch Couture’s promotional contract ends with Zuffa. If a ruling is made and coutures becomes a free agent, we are likely to see a co-promoted fight between Randy Couture and Fedor Emelianenko broadcast on HDNet. The fight could be held after October 12, when Randy Coutures employment contract expires.

M-1 Global, Fedors promotion has not entered into anything as of yet, but has worked with HDNet in the past.

According to the filing, HDNet Fights has entered into a contract with Couture that is scheduled to commence upon the expiration of his Zuffa promotional agreement. At that time, the company plans to promote a fight between Couture and Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) in Dallas, assuming terms can be reached with the highly regarded Russian heavyweight.

The existence of an actual contract between HDNet Fights and Couture is believed to be key to the company’s action in Texas. Without it, it is unlikely that the court would find an actual controversy ripe for adjudication.

HDNets “Inside MMA”, Originally aired February 15 on HDNet.

Join Bas and Kenny as they discuss the top news stories and upcoming events in MMA. Guests include MMA legend Randy Couture, his wife Kim Couture, who will make her amateur MMA debut February 29th on HDNet and undefeated MMA fighter and American Gladiator Gina Carano. Also, join Ron Kruck in the news room for the latest updates, and highlights from all over the country.

I bet you didn’t see this one coming, Mark Cuban owner of HDNet and the Dallas Mavericks basket ball team has filed suit against UFC owners, Zuffa LLC. According to Adam Swift, Cuban is trying to get the court to make a ruling on when Randy Couture’s contract ends with Zuffa.

With the mixed martial arts industry focused on the Zuffa v. Couture proceedings scheduled to begin with a preliminary hearing March 4 in Las Vegas, billionaire Mark Cuban and his HDNet Fights company has quietly entered the fray, opening a second front in the Couture-UFC war, Sherdog.com has learned.

On Wednesday, in district court in Dallas, HDNet Fights filed suit against Zuffa seeking a declaratory judgment concerning the contractual status of Couture under his Zuffa promotional contract. In an ironic twist, Zuffa’s co-defendant in the suit is technically none other than Couture himself.

What Cuban wants from the Lawsuit:

The lawsuit filed by HDNet Fights asks the Texas court to provide the company with declaratory relief — a ruling on when Couture’s promotional contract will expire. A favorable ruling could clear the way for a highly anticipated showdown between Couture and Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) this fall, potentially promoted by HDNet Fights.

“Sue and Be Sued”

Forget the Lawsuits and have Dana White take on Randy Couture in a boxing match, just like the one he had scheduled with Tito Ortiz on SpikeTV. If Dana wins Couture stays and fights Nogueira, if Couture wins Dana tears up Couture’s contract.

And just for some excitement, Couture must fight with one hand tied behind his back.