On July 18th, Edmonton heavyweight prospect Nick Penner will look to extending his winning streak to six by earning his ninth professional MMA victory; he will hope to do so, by defeating one of the sport's more notable pioneers in Mark "The Smashing Machine" Kerr. The two will square off at King of the Cage Canada's upcoming "Capital Excalibur" event at Rexall Place, and for the Canadian Penner, he couldn't be more excited.

"When I found out I was fighting Kerr, I was kind of shocked," said Penner, who did not have his first pro MMA bout until October, 2007, while Kerr's took place one decade prior, in January, 1997. "He is a guy I have watched for years. He was the best fighter in the world at one point; it is a real honour to fight him."

"Ruthless" Ryan Chiappe is looking forward to his upcoming bout with Jason "The Hitman" Volpe, not only because the Revolution fighter enjoys the competition, but particularly in this case, because he will be gunning for King of the Cage Canada's middleweight crown. The opportunity, which will take place at the promotion's "Capital Excalibur" card, July 18th, comes as a welcome surprise for the British Columbia resident; presenting a new challenge for Chiappe, he feels he's ready for.

 

"I was pleasantly surprised obviously," said Chiappe, who has gone 4-2 competing for KOTC. "I've fought at welterweight four or five times now, and I've done a bunch of catch-weight fights around the 180 mark also. I was happy for sure and I'm really looking forward to it. I kind of know Jason a bit; I've seen him fight a few times, and I think he's a good match-up for me."

 

"I'm a pretty big welterweight," Chiappe added, when asked as to how he thinks he'll adjust to fighting at 185lbs. "I cut a lot of weight, so, I've found that the dieting and cutting weight can be a little much at times. I think 185 is more of a natural home for me to be honest. I'm walking around at about 195 right now, so I'm cutting down to make 185. Making 170 in the past has been a real chore so I think 185 will be my new home."

Edmonton MMA fans will have a hometown fighter to cheer for in King of the Cage Canada's upcoming July 18th middleweight title fight, as the city's own Jason "The Hitman" Volpe; will take on British Columbia's Ryan Chiappe at the promotions "Capital Excalibur" event. According to the 26 year-old fighter, his hopes of getting a shot at the belt have finally been answered.

 

"I was talking to Ken about it last July," said Volpe, who has put together a record of 4-2 since he began fighting in November, 2006. "He put me up against Trevor Stewardson, and I thought that it would be for the belt but it wasn't, and I lost that one. So I wasn't expecting a title shot right off the bat; I thought I'd have to win another one before hand. So when he approached me and told me, I was shocked. I didn't know who I was fighting at first, but I said ‘sure why not.' I was happier than hell."