Can it finally be true? Will we finally see the fabled Wanderlei Silva vs Chuck Liddell? According to John Hackleman, Chuck's long time trainer, and Dave Meltzer, a long time respected MMA journalist, the two sides have verbally agreed to compete December 29th in Vegas! It seems like the perfect time with both men coming off back to back losses and needing to reestablish themselves in the MMA game. Still, I'm not holding my breath until I actually see them face to face in the octagon.
Tito Ortiz will not have his rematch with Rashad Evans who has instead signed to fight Michael Bisping stopping his proposed rematch with Matt Hamill. Ok, this is confusing. Tito claims he isn't at 100% to fight and "I'm trying to pay my bills injured and making guys like Forrest and Evans look good. Everyone wants the old Tito back and I'm going to give it to them." Huh, that old 'Tito is back' line is the exact same line he used before the Rashad fight saying he was back to his true form. Bisping claims he took the fight because Hamill is having knee surgery and said "Rashad is a great guy and a great fighter and someone had to meet him, seeing as Tito Ortiz didn’t have the balls to fight him again." Meanwhile Hamill's hands are flying in the air as he claims his minor surgery wouldn't keep him out of a rematch with Bisping but to be fair, I'd imagine he just misunderstood the contract talks. So, some interesting matchmaking to say the least and Tito's courage, or lack there of, is called into question yet again.
Nick "Diablo" Diaz has now signed a long term deal with Elite XC after his win last month over Mike Aina. Though not one of Nick's more impressive wins, he found himself in the hospital after the fight with a serious staff infection in his knee that he didn't know he had, and fought on anyway. The next Diaz fight is supposed to be for an as yet created 160 lb. belt.
Mirko Cro Cop is back training again after his 2nd loss in a row for the 1st time in his career. Cro Cop had successful nasal surgery that is supposed to fix his recent breathing problems and his broken rib is healing fine. Other sites reported Mirko was no longer taking calls from the UFC and thus might be released, but this is untrue. Cro Cop says he is adjusting his game and plans to still hold the UFC title before he retires.
Kurt Angle has an apparent death wish as he is about to sign with the IFL for a real fight. Angle claims his present employer, the pro wrestling company TNA, is allowing him time off to train for MMA and this is not a wrestling storyline. Angle also let it slip that Brock Lesnar, another fellow pro wrestler trying to change over to MMA, has already signed with the UFC, but will not be revealed to their audiences until the end of the year or early 2008. Angle's words, not mine. I personally think Kurt has no idead as to what he is getting into and will probably get his "fused" neck crushed in the ring. Granted they'll throw tomato cans to him at 1st, but if he fights a real opponent, he's screwed.
In more IFL news, they have released Frank Shamrock and his team the Razorclaws citing they are not going to expand the teams instead staying at 12. Frank was not giving enough time to his team as he is still fighting for Strikefore, and helping run that company. The split was amicable and the door is open for future business together. The IFL also could not come to contract terms with Ben Rothwell and Mike Whitehead who are now pulled from the IFL's Grand Prix. Rothwell has become a popular and unbeaten fighter in the IFL while Whitehead has improved greatly while training with Randy Couture and is on a 10 fight winning streak. Both are viable options other companies may try to pick up if the IFL doesn't get their act together.
The IFL has so few "stars" in their company currently, and even less even known fighters that one would think they will resign them. The IFL is going "live" with their fights this year on MyNetworkTV channel, which has long been a complaint of MMA fans who cannot wait for TV tapings. Fights are much more exciting live and this plus the consolidation of teams and a 2008 draft may help ratings and the level of product for the IFL. I'm still not sold on the IFL concept, but they are taking steps forward but still seem to have a product below Elite XC ( & their partners), Strikeforce, and of course the UFC.
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