Unarmed Combat: Pedro Rizzo vs Gilbert Yvel reported for June 27

by Jesse Holland on Apr 23, 2009 11:19 PM EDT Comment 24 comments

Former Affliction hired help Pedro Rizzo (16-8) and Gilbert Yvel (35-13-1) have been scheduled to face off on the main card of Prize Fight Promotions "Unarmed Combat" scheduled for the Gulf Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Miss., on June 27 according to MMAWeekly.

The 34-year-old Rizzo, a four-time Brazilian Muay Thai champion, may be feeling a sense of urgency. "The Rock" still garners respect from his ability to hit like a wrecking ball, but he’s not been able to demonstrate the kind of striking that made him famous earlier in his career.

His knockout loss to Josh Barnett at Affliction "Banned" last July probably hasn’t helped matters, but it looks like he’ll get another chance to turn things around against Yvel.

From a career standpoint, it could be now or never -- against a fighter who has 30 (T)KO wins to his credit.

Yvel was roughed up at Affliction: "Day of Reckoning" at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., by former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett (24-5) on January 24.

The Dutch Muay Thai specialist had a difficult time getting licensed to fight in the United States because of a history of "dirty" behavior inside the ring — everything from assaulting referees to eye gouging to biting opponents.

In fact, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) rejected his application to compete against Sergei Kharitonov at PRIDE 33 in Las Vegas as recently as February 2007.

The California State Athletic Commission eventually pushed his license through, but suffice it to say "The Hurricane" was under the microscope when he faced Barnett.

Prior to the beating he took against "The Babyface Assassin", Yvel was enjoying a seven-fight win streak, dating back to mid 2006. His last win was a stoppage over Alexander Timonov via technical knockout (punches) in just 22 seconds at M-1 Challenge 9.

"Unarmed Combat" features a main event between colossal heavyweights Bob "The Beast" Sapp and former WWE headliner Bobby "The Dominator" Lashley. Affliction promoter Tom Atencio as well as UFC veteran Din Thomas are expected to appear in action as well.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more on this developing fight card.

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gilbert by KO

by sac165 on Apr 23, 2009 11:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

YAWNNNNNN

by thetuf75 on Apr 23, 2009 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not at all!I think it will be an,interesting event,I’m for sure,gonna try to find a free steam an watch it.Yep!,I really,like Yvel,and i was disappointed by is lack of performance against out of shape Barnett.Rizzo makes an excellent match up for him!Also,we get to see Lashley evolution,Din yero in action and masseuse Atencio in interaction…What more can we ask for!!!

by Alpha Male 360 on Apr 24, 2009 7:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is a damn good match up between 2 solid Heavyweight strikers. I would have to give the advantage to Gilbert on toughness alone. Gilbert is simply the tougher man….I think Buentello is going to break, late in the fight and Gilbert will finish him.

Say what you want about Gilbert, but he is a Nasty striker and he is a tough SOB! Im happy to have Bilbert fighting in the USA. Lets hope the badboy doesnt mess it up!

This event seems like its going to be half decent

by john on Apr 24, 2009 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn!Was thinking that he was figthing Rizzo.But,true Buentello His also a good match up!!

by Alpha Male 360 on Apr 24, 2009 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks,to confuse me john!Gilbert he’s taking on Rizzo!

by Alpha Male 360 on Apr 24, 2009 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Im an idiot! He is facing Rizzo. I dont know why I am thinking about Buentello. My bad! Still a great match up between two Heavyweight Bangers. Should make for an exciting match up and I look forward to it!

by john on Apr 24, 2009 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yvel by TkO

he looks like a black gonzaga

by ufcaddict on Apr 24, 2009 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the card dosn’t sound bad to me, i hope rizzo has a ground game or he might be in for a world of hurt.

by roy on Apr 24, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thats what I was thinking roy, but if he does Yvel is in trouble, my sons ground game is better than his!

by kevin on Apr 24, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like this fight. I wanna see it. Rizzo can win if he takes it to the ground.

by NameNotRequired on Apr 24, 2009 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hard to think of Rizzo only being 34 years old. Especially when you remember those wars vs Couture and the stellar KO of Barnett. That Barnett knockout will always be one of my favorite KO ending fights.

by Synyster on Apr 24, 2009 12:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I also enjoyed the KO of Arlovski.

by ndnmma on Apr 24, 2009 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

why does it even say that Josh Barnett was a former UFC Champion, he tested positive for steroids right after the fight so he never actually had it. He’s a joke anyways.

by Frick on Apr 24, 2009 2:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

good catch

by Alex on Apr 24, 2009 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he is such a joke that he would beat every ufc hw or at least be near the top and is ranked #2 in the world on alomost every ranking.

by roy on Apr 24, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol, agreed Roy (we’re having a good day)! I tell you what though, if his next fight isn’t Fedor, what will it be? Also, the fight with Yvel wasn’t overly impressive! Yes he dominated, but to mount a guy with zero ground game and not finish is a little pathetic!

by kevin on Apr 24, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Any ranking with barnett @ #2 is also a joke.

by robthom on Apr 24, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds fair enough, if not at all that interesting.

Two iffy “on or off”ers.
Maybe either might win or maybe either might lay an egg.
Which is kind of a shame since these used to be two guys that once upon a time were guaranteed to bring heat.

I’d rather see either of these guys vs a nobody, since it would at least get the nobody a leg up.

Whoever wins (or loses) in this one is going nowhere anyway.

by robthom on Apr 24, 2009 3:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow what a pounding the body takes when you’re a brawler. I would have put pedro around 40 something not 34.

by getrawbc on Apr 24, 2009 6:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He’s put on more years than his age.

by robthom on Apr 24, 2009 7:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How many times did I ko chuck liddell last night on my ps3? About 17 times!! Don’t worry though, I switched over and Rua got his too!! :-)

by Dragon on Apr 24, 2009 8:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good for Yvel. He’s not fighting someone that’s going to put him on his back and pound him out. Gilbert just needs to be careful and connect on the chin, then it’s lights out for Rizzo.

by Fugitive on Apr 24, 2009 9:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs