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Canadian John (The Natural) Alessio could be fighting for a welterweight belt soon -- just not the one he thought when the year began.
Alessio, from Duncan, B.C., has reportedly signed a three-fight deal with EliteXC. He was formerly a title contender with the WEC, but after a loss by disqualification in March to Brock Larson was unable to work out a new contract with the organization.
The news of a deal with the rival promotion was reported earlier in the week by a number of mixed martial arts web sites, including fiveouncesofpain.com and MMAonTap.com, and numerous messages were left on Alessio’s Facebook page.
Alessio, who has not confirmed any deal, said he hopes to fight again in September or October.
The five-foot-nine fighter, who has won four out of his past five fights since losing to Carlos Condit in a WEC championship bout in March 2007, would become an instant 170-pound contender in EliteXC. He could even be matched up against current belt-holder Jake Shields by year’s end. Shields defeated Nick Thompson by submission to claim the vacant crown on Saturday in Stockton, Calif.
Alessio’s last win was by rear naked choke over veteran Pete Spratt at a recent joint MMA/boxing event in Las Vegas.
NOTES: The US$45,000 Shields earned for his win Saturday was the fourth most on the California card, behind Antonio Silva ($200,000), Robbie Lawler ($90,000) and Nick Diaz ($60,000). … According to MMAjunkie.com, less than half the tickets sold for the event at the Stockton Arena were paid for. Out of 8,541 total tickets, 2,871 were given away and 2,023 went unused. … According to Spike TV, more viewers in the coveted "men 18-34" demographic watched its replay of UFC 84 Saturday than CBS’s "Saturday Night Fights" live coverage of the EliteXC event. … Lawler, who successfully defended his middleweight title against Scott Smith, was given a 60-day medical suspension due to a skull laceration. ... Condit makes another belt defence Sunday as one of three championship fights from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Condit takes on Hiromitsu Miura in the main event of WEC 35, while Brian Stann (205 pounds) and Jamie Varner (155 pounds) each makes his first title defence, against Steve Cantwell and Marcus Hicks, respectively. Larson has to wait before his title shot as he takes on Carlo Prater on the undercard.
Alessio, from Duncan, B.C., has reportedly signed a three-fight deal with EliteXC. He was formerly a title contender with the WEC, but after a loss by disqualification in March to Brock Larson was unable to work out a new contract with the organization.
The news of a deal with the rival promotion was reported earlier in the week by a number of mixed martial arts web sites, including fiveouncesofpain.com and MMAonTap.com, and numerous messages were left on Alessio’s Facebook page.
Alessio, who has not confirmed any deal, said he hopes to fight again in September or October.
The five-foot-nine fighter, who has won four out of his past five fights since losing to Carlos Condit in a WEC championship bout in March 2007, would become an instant 170-pound contender in EliteXC. He could even be matched up against current belt-holder Jake Shields by year’s end. Shields defeated Nick Thompson by submission to claim the vacant crown on Saturday in Stockton, Calif.
Alessio’s last win was by rear naked choke over veteran Pete Spratt at a recent joint MMA/boxing event in Las Vegas.
NOTES: The US$45,000 Shields earned for his win Saturday was the fourth most on the California card, behind Antonio Silva ($200,000), Robbie Lawler ($90,000) and Nick Diaz ($60,000). … According to MMAjunkie.com, less than half the tickets sold for the event at the Stockton Arena were paid for. Out of 8,541 total tickets, 2,871 were given away and 2,023 went unused. … According to Spike TV, more viewers in the coveted "men 18-34" demographic watched its replay of UFC 84 Saturday than CBS’s "Saturday Night Fights" live coverage of the EliteXC event. … Lawler, who successfully defended his middleweight title against Scott Smith, was given a 60-day medical suspension due to a skull laceration. ... Condit makes another belt defence Sunday as one of three championship fights from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Condit takes on Hiromitsu Miura in the main event of WEC 35, while Brian Stann (205 pounds) and Jamie Varner (155 pounds) each makes his first title defence, against Steve Cantwell and Marcus Hicks, respectively. Larson has to wait before his title shot as he takes on Carlo Prater on the undercard.
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