Humpday in MMA

Columns, News

Another Humpday is upon us. Let’s cover my Top Seven news bites since the Jeremy Botter’s Weekend News Update and Botterm Dollar.

1. Couture vs. Liddell

The MMA word is abuzz with the possibility of Couture vs. Liddell IV which would take place June 13th in Cologne Germany – the event would be UFC 99. Liddell was originally rumored to be fighting Anderson Silva at UFC 95 in London, England.  To read Inside Fights original breaking story click here.

The idea seemed to never materialize for two reasons. Dana White was never sold on the fight in the first place. After the UFC got back their PPV numbers (around 300,000) for UFC 90 they lost confidence in Anderson Silva carrying a fight card.

The rumored bout has garnered mixed reactions from MMA fans. People are either relieved that Liddell isn’t going to get killed by Silva, think a fourth fight between the two doesn’t make any sense, or are genuinely intrigued to see these UFC hall of famers fight one last time.

My biggest gripe: That the winner of this fight will likely be crowned the No 1 contender in the heavyweight division and be the first to fight the winner of the Heavyweight tournament.

I have no problem with Couture fighting his way into that position against someone like Gabriel Gonzaga or the loser of Nog/Mir.

I can’t just see how Liddell would get that opportunity after going 1-3 over the last 18 months in the light heavyweight division. I have no problem with this being a superfight – in fact I thought the UFC would pair these two in both their final fights.

I just don’t think that a No 1. Contender status in the HW division should be guaranteed with Liddell in the fight. With that being said the UFC wins from a PPV perspective. Couture vs. Liddell will do well and help them gain traction in the European market.

They also win no matter who wins the fight. A Couture win would set up a huge PPV rematch with Lesnar while many would estimate that Liddell vs. Lesnar would do even bigger PPV numbers – possibly bigger then the 1.2 PPV buys that Liddell vs. Ortiz did back at UFC 66.

2. Faber vs. Pulver II

According to Five Ounces of Pain a rematch between former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber and former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver is set to take place at WEC 38 on Jan. 25 in San Diego California.

Faber and Pulver headlined the largest show in WEC history on June 1 in Sacramento, Calif. earlier this year. Faber retained his WEC featherweight title with a five-round unanimous decision victory – the fight is considered one of the best fights of the year.

Both fighters returned to action earlier this month in separate bouts at WEC 36 in Hollywood, Fla. Both lost via first round TKO. Faber lost his title in an upset to Mike Thomas Brown while Pulver to fellow former UFC lightweight Leonard Garcia. The loss ended Faber’s 13-fight winning streak while Pulver is 1-4 in his last five fights.

A rematch between the two makes sense from a marketing perspective and a win by Faber would set up a likely rematch with Mike Brown. Look for Garcia, who publicly asked for a title shot after beating Pulver, to get the nod. The WEC, who is still looking to put on their first PPV event, would undoubtedly be pleased with a Faber vs. Brown rematch to anchor that card.

Another possible PPV fight for the WEC would match Urijah Faber vs. Miguel Torres. Miguel fights at WEC 37 coming up on December 3. To read more about Torres click here.

3. Eddie Alvarez back in action

While he lacks UFC fame, Eddie Alvarez is considered by many to be second best lightweight in MMA – behind BJ Penn of course. The former Elite XC fighter and 2008 DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix star will make his return fight at the Tropicana in Atlantic City, N.J., on January 23 under the Extreme Challenge banner.

Many were looking forward to seeing Eddie Alvarez fight Nick Diaz for the vacant Elite XC lightweight title on November 8, but alas Elite XC folded and so did the fight. There was also speculation of a fight with Joachim Hansen but that honor went to Gesias Cavalcante.  An opponent for Alvarez, a Philadelphia native, has not been announced at this time. Alvarez has this to say:

“The only thing I know 100 percent sure right now is Jan. 23 I’ll be fighting here in Atlantic City at the Tropicana,” Alvarez told iGuillotine.com. “Bring it back home. I’ve been fighting overseas a lot lately. And (with) the jet lag and everything else, it’s good just to drive 40 minutes from home, get a fight and then go home and rest.”

Many MMA fans would love to see Alvarez test the UFC lightweight waters, and based on his current contract flexibility that shouldn’t be a problem – that is if both parties want to make it happen.

4. Fabricio Werdum- Carry on Wayward Son

One thing we should have all learned after the John Fitch debacle is that, within a fighter’s contract, there is a clause which stipulates the UFC can cut a fighter at anytime following a loss.

After his shocking knockout loss at UFC 90, Dana no longer seemed interested in retaining Werdum’s services.

While a loss is a loss, it is more likely they cut the consensus top ten heavyweight due to his vocal frustration, albeit justified, over being left out of the current heavyweight mini-tournament. He also seemed to suffer from a lack of marketability – something that even top Brazilian fighter Anderson Silva has fallen victim too.

In an interview with Tatame, Werdum has the following to say about his situation and future:

“When I first heard the rumors, I didn’t know anything. I had four more fights left with them on my contract, which ran to 2010. But they demanded to renegotiate my exiting contract by cutting my pay in half. It’s a pity I would have liked to continue with the UFC but now we forge ahead.

There are several possibilities now including fighting in multiple organizations. Affliction, Sengoku and Dream are big events, but I think the possibility of fighting for Affliction in particular will give me the best chance to fight the best in the world, Fedor, in addition to Arlovski, Josh Barnett and several other big names, that would be a great opportunity for me”


5. Rampage Jackson in best shape ever

That’s according to trainer/manager Anthony McGann who said: “You will never have seen the Rampage you’re going to see at UFC 92. This is Rampage who has been training with top sparring partners and top experts in all the various fields, top conditioners, and top strength and diet experts like Kerry Kayes (trains Ricky Hatton).

This is the Rampage who is going to win back his UFC title and defend it for years.”

Kayes, who has trained elite athletes, bodybuilders and power lifters over a 40-year career in sports, says he was approached by the Wolf’s Lair several months ago. He now serves as a consultant for the gym, considered one of the best MMA centres in the world.

“I didn’t know what to make of Rampage when I first saw him, but what a nice, lovely human being he is. He’s one of the nicest, funniest guys I’ve ever met, and I worked with Ricky Hatton for over 10 years. Rampage is a real character and although I am more of a consultant with the Wolf’s Lair, Rampage has been to my gym in Manchester where Ricky used to train, I’ve been to the Wolf’s Lair and I am always on the end of a phone for all those guys.

It looks like Rampage is doing all the right things to prepare for his fight against Wanderlei Silva, a man who viciously knocked Jackson out twice during their Pride days. While Jackson’s mental state was being questioned, after his recent troubles, a rejuvenated Rampage will be a treat for everyone watching at UFC 92. Let’s hope Silva is bringing his “A” game as well.

-Thanks to Telegraph.co.uk for providing the quotes.

6. Bisping gaining confidence

“I’d love to fight Rich Franklin. But I’d love to fight Henderson too. They’re household names and legends of the sport and it would be an honour and a privilege to fight one of them. I think I stack up well against them. I’d go out there to win – and I think I could. I think I can beat both of them. It wouldn’t be easy, but my confidence is growing with every fight.”

Bisping, 29, who will captain the UK team on season nine of “The Ultimate Fighter”, went on to say he is tipping The Ace to overcome 39-year-old Hendo’s challenge. He told SunSport: “I’d pick Franklin to beat Henderson. I think he’ll outsmart him with his footwork. “But it’ll be a close match and it’ll be a great fight to watch.”

Ironically, Rich Franklin and Dan Henderson will be fighting at 205, so one would assume the winner will drop down to 185 for a fight with Bisping. That is assuming of course that either Franklin or Henderson accept to be the coach opposite Bisping. There have been rumors that Demian Maia, and even Nate Marquardt could be the opposing coach.

If so, the winner of that fight would look to get a title shot against Anderson Silva – that is assuming Silva decides to say in the MW division. If he does stay and Franklin were to win out, that would set up a third fight between the two – something most people wouldn’t be inclined to watch based on the way the last two fights ended. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

-Thanks to The Sun for providing quotes.

7. Quote of the week: Dana White on UFC 94

“Right now I think Anderson Silva is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world…The winner of BJ Penn and Georges St-Pierre moves right up there. And if Georges wins, he could get a shot at Anderson.
I’m just coming off a promotion [UFC 91] where I was saying it’s the biggest fight in UFC history in terms of most pay-per-view buys. I truly believe this fight has the potential to break that [Couture vs. Lesnar]. BJ and Georges are heavyweights when it comes to star power.”

-Dana White, talking about how enormous the rematch between two of the greatest fighters ever could potentially be.

With just over 2 months to go Dana White will be on a non stop media blitz hyping up this fight. This match certainly has all the components to be the UFC’s first true superfight. Stay tuned to Inside Sports for continuing coverage of UFC 94.

-With so much news (and rumors) circulating throughout the world of MMA I decided to focus on seven news bites (with a little opinion mixed in) that I thought were most relevant & attention-grabbing. As always feedback, both negative and positive, is encouraged.

Brian has been an avid fan of MMA ever since he saw Randy Couture beat Vitor Belfort back at UFC 15. In 2008, he decided to embark on a new career by combining his love of MMA and writing. Brian received his M.B.A. from Texas Tech University and currently resides in New York City.