Nah-Shon Burrell isn’t a boxer, so when he says that he is from Philadelphia  and competes in MMA many might not take him serious. However, that is far from the case, as the Strikeforce welterweight has made a name for himself in a quick time with an 8-1 record in his career with six knockout victories.

This Saturday night, Burrell will take on Chris Spang at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. The bout will be part of Strikeforce’s main card on Showtime. Burrell currently trains with Tuan Pharm and The Fight Firm in Philly, but is branching out to train with former UFC fighter John Howard and Bombsquad.

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James Wilks, who captured the title of Ultimate Fighter winner on season nine, has announced his retirement from MMA. Wilks went 2-2 in his UFC career, defeating Peter Sobotta and initially DaMarques Johnson to capture the TUF title. However, he hasn’t fought since October 2010 and apparently for good reason.

The British-born fighter suffered a fractured vertebra as a youth and was informed by doctors that he could face paralysis if he continued to fight and rggravated the injury.

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Rick Story needs a win to get back on track as does his new opponent at UFC on FX 4. Story was scheduled to face Rich Attonito, but Attonito has been forced out with an injury. As a result, Papy Abedi will step in Attonito’s place on the June 22 card at the Revel Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

UFC officials have confirmed the change. The lineup is highlighted by a lightweight match between former title-contender Gray Maynard and Clay Guida.

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Strikeforce is putting a lot of pressure on Gilbert Melendez and “El Nino” plans on delivering for as long as is needed. The current lightweight champion is one of the few shining stars to not have been signed away to the UFC. While Melendez would like nothing more than to compete inside the Octagon, he understands why Zuffa wants him in Strikeforce.

As a result, instead of preparing for the likes of UFC lightweight title-holder Benson Henderson or even a former champ such as Frankie Edgar, Melendez will train for a third meeting with Josh Thomson on May 19 on Showtime.

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Saturday night, Nate Diaz and Jim Miller will lock horns inside the Octagon as the main event at UFC on FOX 3. The card takes place from the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

With the UFC’s lightweight division at its deepest in recent memory, any chance to headline and have a strong showing keeps a fighter’s name in the talk for a title-shot. And, it now appears that the Diaz-Miller fight is indeed a #1 contender match – just not for both fighters.

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It appears the planned Wanderlei Silva-Vitor Belfort match could take the main event spot at UFC 147 now after Anderson Silva-Chael Sonnen was shipped to UFC 148. Silva, who is currently coaching opposite Belfort on TUF Brasil is seeking revenge against “The Phenom” for a knockout loss handed to him several years ago.

“The Axe Murderer” has been posting video blogs during the build to his rematch with Belfort where he’s offered up some interesting words  including quotes from the Bible and a number of inspirational tales.

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In what might be viewed as a surprise decision, Ed Herman will be the fighter to face Jake Shields in his middleweight debut under the UFC banner. The two are set to square off at UFC 150 from Denver, Colorado on August 11.

Shields (27-6-1) will be returning to the 185-pound division where he held the belt in Strikeforce after four fights inside the Octagon at welterweight, going just 2-2 and prompting the move back up.

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An interesting light heavyweight match is in order for UFC on FOX 4, as Lyoto Machida and Ryan Bader have agreed to face off at the August 4 event.

The UFC has confirmed the match-up on their website, meaning Machida-Bader will join Brian Stann-Hector Lombard and Joe Lauzon-Terry Etim at the Los Angeles event.

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