Shine Fights 3 is this weekend, and its flat-out unfortunate that two of the most interesting org's behind the UFC are competing on the same night (Strikeforce: "Heavy Artillery" is also Saturday night).
Just as an FYI, we have arguably the most acclaimed and successful boxing and BJJ crossovers making their MMA debuts on the card. I think Mayorga was easily the biggest and best boxing prospect making the jump into MMA before Toney was signed by the UFC, and Braulio Estima may have the best BJJ credentials of any sport grappler that's tried their hand at MMA.
My point isn't to argue that they are the best examples from each individual sport; just that they're easily amongst the top candidates from their respective arts of individual combat, and its not often that we see such high-caliber athletes taking the jump into MMA.
With all of the excitement stemming from UFC 113 and the long awaited stateside return of heavyweight striker Alistair Overeem at Strikeforce: "Heavy Artillery" on the same night, the impressive third cycle from the budding Shine Fight Promotions is potentially being overlooked.
Getting their feet wet with their first event in May of 2009, Shine Fights debuted with a local show in Ohio, and then made great strides with their second iteration, "ATT vs. The World"; which gathered together several former UFC'ers, American Top Team standouts, and MMA veterans for a giant leap forward in fighter drawing power and overall presentation. The same respectable increment of both product and promotional enhancement exudes from Saturday night's blockbuster pay-per-view event as well, highlighted by the significance of our first glimpse at two of the sport's extremely unique new prospects.
Shine Fights 3: "Worlds Collide" features nonpareil boxing crossover Ricardo Mayorga, who has fearlessly agreed to face wily technician Din Thomas in the event's headliner. Mayorga joins James Toney as the most successful and high-profile pugilist of the sweet science attempting to make the transition to the harsh environment of MMA: he defeated Fernando Vargas and Vernon Forrest in his storied boxing career, and also squared off with top flight competition like Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad, and Shane Mosley.
Mayorga has already treated fans to the brash persona and outlandish pre-fight talk he was known for in professional boxing. As only Ricardo Mayorga can, he lit up a cigarette and volleyed creative insults with Din Thomas through his translator at the event press conference, sparking a brief physical outburst after the pair confronted each other when their heated words continued to escalate.
FULL ARTICLE AT THE GARV