Holy freaking monkeys, there’s a lot going on. Fedor signs! Randy Quits! Liddell/Silva signed…maybe! Plus we have a PPV, possibly another reality show, and your weekly dose of Rachelle Leah. Hit it…
FEDOR DECIDES: Fedor Emelianenko made his decision to where he’ll be fighting…and it’s NOT the UFC. He opted to sign with the Russian based M-1 organization and signed for what is apparently a ten million dollar contract. So UFC fans are all crying a single tear in our Mickey’s Malt over not getting to see Fedor vs. Randy Couture. Hey, at least we still have Randy Couture. Actually…
RANDY DECIDES TOO: In what has to be the most shocking MMA news of the year, Randy Couture resigned from the UFC, relinquishing the heavyweight title and quitting as a commentator. One reason was the fact that he has nothing left to prove if he isn’t getting the Fedor fight. The other reason had to do with money and that he wasn’t getting paid enough of it. Unfortunately when it comes to contractual issues it’s usually a he said/she said situation, but I think Randy may have a point. When he gets $250K for successful title defenses and someone like Cro Cop got $300K in each of his last two fights to suck, I’d be pissed too.
UFC 77: Earth shattering news and defections aside, there is still a PPV this weekend “UFC 77: Hostile Territory.” I’ll take Rich Franklin over Anderson Silva, Brandon Vera (still my pick for heavyweight champ) over Tim Sylvia, Stephan Bonnar over Eric Schaffer, Kalib Starnes over Alan Belcher, and Jason McDonald over Yushin Okami.
CHUCK LIDDELL VS. WANDERLEI SILVA: One bit of good news for the UFC is that, apparently, rumour has it, the long sought after Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva fight has been agreed to verbally. Originally set for December, methinks they might move it to the Superbowl Weekend show, what with them not having a heavyweight champion right now. It’s an interesting fight because, besides everyone wanting to see it forever, both fighters are coming off of consecutive losses.
ELITE XC STARTS GETTING REAL: Apparently Pro Elite/Elite XC is getting into the reality TV hustle with reality guru Mark Burnett. It’s said to be a cross between “Ultimate Fighter” and “Pros vs. Joes” where they are going to train C-level celebrities to be MMA fighters and fight each other. Herschal Walker and Jose Canseco are said to be the first two contestants. Meh.
And just because Rachelle Leah is hot…
