MMA News Round Up

Tito Ortiz is crying again. Tito is now claiming that on top of his "injured knee," at UFC 59 Forrest Griffin put baby oil on his legs to keep Tito from taking him down. Hmmmm, interesting, except for the fact the refs check for that very problem. Also, if his knee was so hurt, why was he jumping up and down on it before the match even began? Answer, Tito was surprised at how tough Forrest was and is making excuses for his performance. Tito has informed Dana White (UFC co-owner) that he will not be able to fight Ken Shamrock in July. Forrest has offered to step up in his place to fight. It has yet to be made official, but a Shamrock vs Griffin fight would be exciting!

The UFC is creating a lightweight championship belt! They offered the fight to BJ Penn and Sean Sherk to determine the champion. Penn has turned the fight down claiming he wants to move up in weight and fight at 185lbs! No word on who will fight Sherk as of yet.

Jake Shields won the Rumble On The Rock tournament to become their first ever belt champion. At the event, Frank Trigg, who lost via armbar to Carlos Condit, may now retire from action. He stated, he may go to work full time as a commentator for Pride now that Bas Rutten has cut all ties to the organization.

As just mentioned, Bas Rutten has quit Pride FC to coach in the IFL. Originally he had planned to do both, but Pride changed their mind at the last minute. An agitated Bas, said he would move on to the IFL because he was tired of Pride trying to control his destiny.

Former Olympic gold medalist Rulan Gardner (not Kurt Angle), is slated to return to MMA in Pride's Open Weight Grand Prix against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. A tall order for Gardner who has fought on once in MMA gaining a decision victory.