MMA Melee: News On Free Agents, Retirements, & Power Rangers!

Nick Diaz (22-7) dispatched Marius Zaromskis in a 1 round war to become the new Strikeforce Welterweight Champion, but just who will he defend the title against? It was widely thought that Jay Hieron's win over Joe Riggs would grant him the title shot he signed with Strikeforce for, but Scott Coker is leaning toward a bout with Hayato "Mach" Sakurai instead. Perhaps Strikeforce does not find the "Thoroughbred" marketable enough yet, but he has a 7 fight win streak combined with just horrible luck. Jay's big fight at Affliction vs Jason High was a highlight reel KO that nobody saw as the PPV went off the air too soon. Last night, Hieron's bout was broadcast live on the Internet via EA Sports but the feed was unwatchable. Now the Xtreme Couture fighter is a free agent and will be looking for that title shot even more or possibly a move to the UFC. Diaz isn't impressed with the idea of fighting either guy but probably won't get what he wants, that being a title shot against the UFC's Georges St. Pierre or Anderson Silva.

Bobby Lashley is looking for a title shot against Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem after 5 meaningless bouts against jobbers. The "Demolition Man" says he is currently a free agent and may sign with the UFC if they can work out a few more things in his possible contract! We may never see Fedor Emelianenko vs Alistair Overeem now and Lashley should just keep fighting people the level of Bob Sapp, who recently broke his finger in an interview with a lady (true story). Also it should be noted, Lashley found himself joking around with Wes Sims at the post fight press conference when Sims unexpectedly shoved Bobby and things got awkward. Wes seemed to no longer be joking though the "Boss" didn't accept the taunt.

Ultimate Fighting Championship will present their 112th card in Abu Dhabi on April 16th, on what will be the first ever outdoor UFC event. I have actually seen events outdoors and they are not helpful to the fighters. 1 event was actually flooded with rain while another I saw was very hot and humid causing the fighters to gas out earlier than normal for a bad card. We shall see how this plays out as Zuffa gambles with mother nature.

In mighty important MMA news, former Mighty Morphing Power Ranger Jason David Frank won his MMA pro debut with a omo plata tapout victory. Opponent Jon Mack landed some punches early that hurt Frank, but he took Mack down and secured the basic submission win. The sky is the limit people and the fight will be shown on HD Net in the coming weeks.

We hardly knew ya "Big Baby." Marcus Jones (4-2), a sentimental favorite from last season's TUF, has already called it a career after only 1 UFC bout. The "Darkness" was KO'd by Matt Mitrione in the TUF finale and has decided at 37, that its just too late in the game to make a serious run in MMA. Jones is a respectful happy giant who would make a great commentator for any promotion and we wish the the gardener all the best in future endeavors.

Former pro boxing Heavyweight Champion Shannon Briggs is set launch a career in MMA. Briggs, a 2-time former champion, has signed a deal with Madison Avenue Sports and Entertainment and will be in Manhattan Wednesday to begin working out with noted MMA trainer Dan Anderson. There is no date or site for when Briggs, a Brooklyn native, will make his MMA debut, though it's unclear whether he has abandoned his boxing career. Briggs, who could not be reached for comment, last fought on Dec. 3 scoring a first-round knockout over Marcus McGee at the Hammerstein Ballroom. It was his first fight since losing the WBO heavyweight title to Sultan Ibragimov in 2007. Big fella, bad idea.

Finally Don Frye (20-8-1) has retired. Sort of. “I’m pretty much quitting MMA. I’ve had enough of the shit. I’m done with it,” announced Frye. “The competitive urges still flow through me, but I’m tired of the promoters. The fight game isn’t a respectful profession any more,” he stated. “They’ve made a mockery out of it by letting Jose Canseco fight, and now Hershel Walker, and all these other jackasses in their 40’s who have never fought.

“They’re getting paid more than the guys who have been putting years into it. It’s an embarrassment and a shame.” My guess is we will see the "Predator" return as he is only 44 and has gone 2-2 in the last 2 years against marginal talent. I will miss you most of all porno mustache.