GEARING UP FOR
THE 2016 ARNOLD
CLASSIC AUSTRALIA
The 2016 Arnold Classic Martial Arts Festival is already at our
doorstep! Following the success of last year’s inaugural Australian
instalment, this year is proving to be bigger and better on all fronts.
The 2016 festival will be held over 18, 19 and 20 March
at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.
The Arnold MMA Championships will bring together the best
novice and experienced amateur Mixed Martial Arts competitors
Australia has to offer. Not only will competitors be competing in the
iconic Arnold Classic, they will be competing in the first ever IMMAF
sanctioned Australian Championships. Competitors from the Arnold
Classic will be selected for the Australian team to compete at the 2016
IMMAF World Amateur Championships in Las Vegas during the UFC
Fightweek! For more information, tickets and to sign up and compete,
visit http://www.acamultisport.com.aufightaustralia.com.au FIGHT AUSTRALIA | 11
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DIEP NGUYEN
GETTY IMAGESHENDO GOES BELLATOR
In a major move by Bellator MMA, former UFC and WEC
lightweight champ Benson Henderson has announced
he his moving from the UFC to the rival organisation.
“I’m beyond excited for this next phase of my career,”
said Henderson in a statement. “It’s a big move, like
any move when switching employers or jobs after
having worked somewhere for such a long time.
“I’d be remiss to not thank [UFC president] Dana
White and [CEO] Lorenzo Fertitta for the opportunities
they presented me, you guys have helped me change
my life for the better and to be able to provide my
family with the things I didn’t have while growing up.
“For that I’ll always have the utmost appreciation.
Thanks for all the advice you guys gave too,
both business-wise and personal.”
Dana White revealed that the UFC did make Henderson an
offer, but decided Bellator’s deal was the right one for him.
“The truth is we made him an offer that would have
paid him substantially more — like not even in the
same ballpark — than he’s getting now if he were to
become world champion again, but he chose their
deal, which offered more up front,” White said.
“He’s a former world champion who’s ranked No.
15 now. We’re looking for top-5 guys, guys that are
going from 15 to 1, not the other way around.
“But I’m honestly happy for Benson. I’m not angry.
Who knows? This could be the last
contract he ever signs. He got the
right deal for him. He’s a great guy,
and we wish him all the best.”@FightAustralia Follow us on Twitter
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