How about a little the "Iceman" Chuck Liddell vs Mauricio "Shogun" Rua people? Chuck is coming off that impressive win over Wanderlei Silva while Shogun has licked his wounds from the Forrest Griffin loss and is ready to put on the performance we know he is capable of. Rua had this to say about his opponent for UFC 85, June 15 in London England, "A victory over him will give me an "upgrade," but I'm not thinking about the belt -- I'm thinking of Liddell. He is a complete fighter, very tough and on top of the category. He deserves a lot of respect. So, I don't have to think about the belt before this fight against him. I'm thinking of him as a tough opponent that will be in my way, not the belt." This could be a true slobberknocker with two of the best striker's in the game throwing bombs to get back into that title scene.
Josh Barnett and Hidehiko Yoshida have returned from obscurity to be the main event for the inagural WVR event in Japan. The show will be March 5th and the 1st for Josh since his close decision loss to Antonio Nogueira (New UFC Heavyweight Champ) on 12/31/06 while Yoshida returns from a TKO defeat at the hands of Josh Thompson on the very same night. Interesting to see the Judoka master against the "Pro Wrestling Style" Barnett in a class of styles. The WVR event will also feature Takanori Gomi, Phil Baroni, Kazuo Misaki, and more TBA.
Ken Shamrock returns from "retirement" to face Robert Barry 11-7 in the main event at Cage Rage 25 March 8th on Showtime. Ken last fought in October of '06 with his 2nd embarrassing loss in a row to Tito Ortiz and he has lost 4 straight. Robert is a stand up fighter who lost 2 in a row last year and will still probably find a way to KO the 43 year old Shamrock.
Paulo Filho and Chael Sonnen will rematch their last controversial bout for the WEC Middleweight Title in which Chael was in a deep guillotine but did not tap, and the ref still called a stop to the fight. Chael surprised everyone including Paulo by dominating the undefeated fighter before being caught in the submission. It will be interesting to see if Paulo comes in better shape or if Chael has just got the tools to hand Filho his 1st loss and take his belt. That bout will be March 26th.
Matt Serra and GSP rematch in Canada on April 19th at UFC 83 which is shaping up to be a great card. Rich Franklin returns against Travis Lutter in the battle of the guys who can't beat Anderson Silva (both of their last losses). Michael Bisping will make his debut at Middleweight against punching bag Charles McCarthy and T.U.F. winner Mac Danzig will return in a bout against Mark Bocek.
In a little something I like to call "Final Fight News," Tito Ortiz will face Lyoto Machida at UFC 84 in May, and has already said “He’s an egotistical egomaniac,” Ortiz said of White. “He wants to be a fighter and a superstar. I’ve worked so hard for (the UFC) and put my ass on the line. I’ve fought injured and with a torn ACL and a bulging disc and still put my ass on the line, and they still don’t show me respect… Dana’s like Don King. The only thing that separates him and Dana White is the color of their skin.“ He's an ass but always good for a quote and me thinks Tito will be looking for a new home and he's not alone.
Andrei Arlovski vs Jack O'Brien is set for UFC 82 March 1st in Ohio. What is interesting about this, is that the UFC has been forcing Arlovski to their bench because he won't resign with them before his contract comes out. Now they give him a guy who is a straight wrestler and guaranteed to lay on you doing nothing for 3 rounds to make you look bad, and the former UFC Heavyweight Champ doesn't even get on the main card regulated to the "dark matches" that don't make TV. That's gotta hurt and I imagine Team Arlovski moving to a new home soon.
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