DALLAS, June 18 – Veteran lightweight Conor Heun spoiled the Strikeforce debut of Brazil’s Magno Almeida in preliminary card action at American Airlines Center Saturday, scoring a hard-fought unanimous decision in a compelling three round scrap.

Almeida vs. Heun

Scores were 29-28 across the board for Heun.

Solid groundwork was turned in by both men in the opening stanza, with Almeida working his submission attempts while Heun unleashed hard punches on the mat, as well as kicks while his opponent was on his back.

The second round was a closely contested one as well until Almeida broke it open late with an armbar attempt that looked like it was going to finish the bout. Heun battled his way free though, drawing an appreciative roar from the crowd.

The nip and tuck action continued in the third, with Almeida almost finishing Heun with a choke. But with his usual resilience, Heun broke loose and fired away with ground strikes for the majority of the rest of the round, ending the exciting battle in style.

Heun improves to 9-4 with the win; Almeida falls to 9-2.

So I was bumbed out this morning, it was the third morning that I woke up pretty much unable to walk.  I got caught in a vaporizer on Monday night when I was rolling with Eddie Bravo.  I didn't feel it at the time but he got me pretty good and I woke up super stiff and unable to walk.  My right leg was about 1 1/2 times the size of my left one.  I went to the gym this morning anyway and brought my new friend Matt up there with me.  After the lesson Eddie started doing belt promotions.  I had gone to the locker room to change as I wasn't able to roll live due to my leg being all jacked up.  My buddy Einstein said to come back out to the mat because he thought he was getting promoted and wanted me to hold the camera to take his picture.  As it turns out, it wasn't Einstein who was getting the promotion.

Eddie handed over my brown belt this morning after 3 years and three months of my dedication to the 10th planet system.  I felt a great sense of accomplishment but also felt that I wasn't ready to be a brown belt.  As I sat back and thought about it as the day progressed I sort of wrapped my mind around it and realized that I really had earned it.  It was the fastest promotion to Brown Belt in the history of the 10th Planet system (to the best of my knowledge).  I definitely owe my teamates a big thank you for all the work they have all done with me on my path.  I have been very lucky to be surrounded by great people along the way and have a great family behind me that has supported me in every way.

Be on the lookout because the journey is nowhere near over, this is just the begining. 

"We Takin' Ova!"

So I was offered a fight a few weeks ago. Then I was told it was a mistake and was offered a different fight. I missed the deadline for that fight and thought I was out of luck. I was disapointed to say the least. I mean I really need the money and that's to say nothing of my deep seated need to express myself through physical violence. I was pissed, depressed, and feeling a little hopeless.

Today I was offered another fight and this one I took. This fight is going to be much more difficult than the one I was initially given. This fight is sooner than I had planned on fighting. This fight is my destiny.

I'm fighting Edson Berto on the Elite XC Heat card in Sunrise Florida on Oct 4th. My Fight may or may not be televised but I can guarantee you won't want to miss it. This is my first opportunity to get back in the cage following my victory on March 21st in which I broke my jaw. I have put in a lot of work, made huge sacrifices, and changed both as a fighter and as a person.

Mark your calenders, set your tivos, and check out proelite.com on Oct 4th because it's my time to shine. Win or lose, you will see me bare my soul to the world and redefine determination and heart. It's going to be beautiful and I promise you won't want to miss it.

Infinite love and gratitude bitches, it's time to bang.