Often in MMA fighters are quick to share their dislike for their opponent publicly, but shortly after they go at it, the hatred soon dissipates; sometimes, it's even acknowledged, the insults were merely just a means to hype the fight. But according to Lino Santoro, his upcoming bout with Trent Thorne at King of the Cage Canada's July 18th, "Capital Excalibur" card in Edmonton, Alberta, is not just about furthering his MMA record; it's about settling a personal grudge.

 

"I hate the guy, whatever,' Santoro told KOTC Canada. "He doesn't like me; I don't like him, he wants to bring up my past and talk sh## whatever. This is the first guy I hate. It's not going to be technical fight; it's going to be an all out brawl."

For MMA fans who also like to gamble from time-to-time, a new King of the Cage themed slot machine may be coming to a casino near you. According to Canadian Gaming Service's Perry Colpitts, the KOTC game is receiving rave reviews by those who have played it.

 

"The King of the Cage theme is quite popular," said Colpitts, who is located in Moncton, New Brunswick, where CGS distributes software content for slot machines across Canada. "Of all of the themes, King of the Cage has really got a lot of interest."

 

"The game is being played in the U.S. in different jurisdictions," Colpitts added. "There are some placements going in Asia; the game is extremely popular so I wouldn't be surprised if they don't come out with a newer version down the road. If our customers, casino owners, want to look at enhancing the King of the Cage game, if customers want a sequel, we are in a position to facilitate that."

It was another impressive performance for King of the Cage's World Lightweight and Canadian Lightweight Champion Rory MacDonald this past weekend, as the Team Toshido fighter made the most of his welterweight debut, by tapping out veteran Elmer Waterhen at the promotion's ‘Island Pride' event in Nanaimo. The 19 year-old caught the experienced and widely respected Waterhen with an armbar just 1:27 into the bout, extending MacDonald's undefeated record to 8-0.

 

"This fight I felt pretty much comfortable wherever, standing or on the ground," said MacDonald, when asked to reflect on the bout. "I just had the game-plan that I was just going to fight my fight. I felt like I was stronger in all areas than Elmer would be, and I thought I could win the fight anywhere. So I decided to go in there, fight my fight, take what he gives me and go from there. That's what happened."