Falaniko Vitale steps up at the Playboy Mansion

Falaniko Vitale has agreed in principle on a multi-fight deal that will put him in both the K-1 HERO's ring and Strikeforce cage, the Hawaiian's manager Ken Pavia confirmed to Sherdog.com Tuesday evening. The deal puts an end to any discussion of Vitale fighting Riki Fukuda on the Showtime-televised EliteXC card in Honolulu on Sept. 15. "We tried to take as professional a course as we could during negotiations," said Pavia, who spoke with ProElite about a deal for Vitale since June. In the end, the manager indicated the K-1/Strikeforce offer was more attractive for Vitale because the agreement yielded "more money and provides international exposure." Vitale is expected to appear on either the Sept. 17 K-1 HERO'S card in Yokohama, Japan, or Sept. 29's Strikeforce event at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007 by Sherdog.com Staff