MMA Melee: Anderson Silva Now vs. Demian Maia, & Hidehiko Yoshida To Retire

Vitor Belfort is out of his title fight with Anderson Silva at UFC 112 in the holy land mecca of MMA, Abu Dhabi. It looks like the Zuffa brass have tapped Demian Maia to be the replacement/sacrifice. The mat magician is 6-1 in the UFC (12-1 overall) and fights out of Wanderlei Silva's team. The "Phenom" stays about as healthy as James Irvin and thus is out of the title shot he didn't really, well not at all earn.

Randy Couture is most likely not getting a title shot against Lyoto Machida, yet. Rich "Ace" Franklin is set to step up to the old challenge and the bout is proposed for UFC 115 in Canada. Chuck Liddell vs Tito Ortiz 3 is also slated for the bill. Get ready for the old man killer Couture. Remember what happened to Ken Shamrock's career after he met with Franklin? History is about to repeat itself.

Speaking of the weary warrior Ken Shamrock, his coming off a year long steroid suspension fight with Seth "Kimbo Killer" Petruzelli, has been pushed back from March until May but is still on. Also, Ken is trying to keep your attention by saying he will then fight step-brother Frank Shamrock. Good luck with that.

1992 Olympic judo gold medalist Hidehiko Yoshida's MMA career will come to an end on April 25 at "ASTRA" at the Nippon Budokan in Japan. The legendary Judoka burst onto the MMA scene during his Pride FC run that began back in 2002. His record now stands at 9-7-1 which does not point out the unbelievable popularity and courage this fighter had in Japan. On New Year's Eve, he defeated Satoshi Ishii the 2008 Olympic judo gold medalist by unanimous decision.

Both of the brothers Emelianenko will take part in the championship of Russia in Combat Sambo. Four-time world champion in Combat Sambo heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko will be competing at the championship of Russia in Combat Sambo, which will be held from 19 to 22 February in Krasnokamsk, Russia. It is interesting to note Fedor could possibly meet brother Alexsander Emelianenko in competition this year.

Gegard Mousasi has amicably parted ways with M-1 Global opting for a new management team. The move was strictly business and relations are still good with the Russian based MMA group. This should open talks with the UFC as Zuffa will look to work closer with anyone not associated with M-1. Oh the possibilities.

Chuck Liddell is all over the news these days with fans awaiting his return to the Octagon, the shooting of TUF 11 with Tito Ortiz, and a pointless 3rd fight with the jarhead. Tito recently talked about the "Iceman" claiming he had a drinking problem which did not set well with Chuck. "Yeah you know, I kind of knew going to fight him again, that he was going to say something to piss me off. I just thought it would take a little bit longer. I mean I was taking it as a tuneup fight. I mean I knocked the guy out twice. I mean what is there to get motivated for? But now I'm going to try to kill him. So good job Tito. Good job."

Frito Whortits has found himself in the role of the heel as always, but after talking trash safely away from Mark Coleman after probably his last MMA fight (of importance at least), even the "bad" guys want a piece of him. Fellow heel Josh Koscheck Twittered after UFC 109 "Why is Tito Ortiz such a bitch? Talking shit to Coleman right after his lose. After @ChuckLiddell fucks him up. I want my shot 2 fuck him up." Good times and what is Twitter?

The "O.G. Hammer" Mark Coleman, Rolles Gracie, Frank Trigg, Tim Hague, Phillipe Nover, and Justin Buchholz were all given the pink slip after UFC 109. I only feel a little bad for the "Thrashing Machine" who got jobbed in his Decision loss to Chris Tuchscherer.

Finally, with the recent success of the "Scrap Pack" another member is making a comeback for the team. David Terrell (6-2) has not competed since a 2006 RNC loss to Scott Smith. A myriad of injuries, sinus, and ear problems have kept the "Soul Assassin" sidelined these many years though he has always helped everyone train out at Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Now after a new surgery he thinks he can try to make another run at the sport and possibly add more gold to the stacked "Scrap Pack" trophy case.

*Scrap Pack Team: Gilbert Melendez Strikeforce Lightweight Champion, Jake Shields Strikeforce Middleweight Champion, Nick Diaz Strikeforce Welterweight Champion, Nate Diaz, & David Terrell.