As always, we only have so much time allocated on “MMA Connected” to bring you the latest headlines from the world of Mixed Martial Arts. Here’s some of the other news floating around that, unfortunately, didn’t make the show.
Strikeforce Updates
News surrounding Strikeforce’s April 17th card in Nashville is beginning to leak out, with various sources confirming the organization’s second show on cable will have three title fights.
The main event will likely see middleweight champion Jake Shields putting his title on the line vs. Dan Henderson, while the co-main event is expected to be a light heavyweight tilt between champion Gegard Mousasi and challenger “King Mo” Lawal.
The third title tussle comes to us courtesy of SI.com’s Josh Gross, who’s getting word that lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez is expected to square off against Dream champ Shinya Aoki.
The Shields/Henderson main event apparently squashes any chance of Fedor Emelianenko headlining the card. The word out there is that Fedor’s management, M-1 Global, is looking to renegotiate their contract with Strikeforce. In a strange (but true) interview with lowkick.com, M-1 Global’s Vadim Finkelstein says Fabricio Werdum is the only matchup for Fedor right now (likely to take place in May) and that champion Alistair Overeem is not a worthy option for them. Who they truly want is Josh Barnett (who recently signed with Dream in Japan) and that they do not care for championship belts, be it Strikeforce’s, Dream’s or even the UFC’s, stating “Fedor is above these things”.
In a strange twist of events, Brett Rogers, who lost to Fedor in his last bout is apparently being rewarded with a non-title bout vs Overeem. This according to Overeem, who stated the proposed bout is set for Strikeforce’s May card in St.Louis. With Fedor’s contract stating that he must be the main event whenever he fights, will Strikeforce make the non-championship bout a co-main event? I doubt it. All this translates into unnecessary headaches and ulcers for Strikeforce executives.
On a side note, Andrei Arlovski has re-signed with Strikeforce and is expected to face Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva on this May card as well.
Trash Talk Boundaries Being Crossed?
We discussed how Frank Mir’s recent commentary about arch nemesis Brock Lesnar rocked the “Fight Hype Boat”, but it was no different than Lesnar’s comments about wanting to “murder” Mir before UFC 100, and Kenny Florian’s “Kill The Master” (referring to BJ Penn) and Penn’s “to the death”, “kill you” warning to GSP.
Now we have Marcus Davis tweeting “I hope Hardy dies of aids”, referring to “The Outlaw”, Dan Hardy who defeated Davis at UFC 99, both mentally before the bout and physically during the scrap. Many believe Davis hasn’t been the same since the lead-up to that bout and with statements like this, one has to wonder if it is true confirmation that Davis is obsessed with Hardy.
Davis and his management have since addressed these comments and issued an apology…sort of.
As for Hardy, his recent blog is an interesting diatribe that takes a variety of shots at the critics that believe is title shot vs GSP at UFC 111 is unwarranted. Some of “The Outlaw’s” victims include Jon Fitch, Josh Koscheck, Mike Swick and Nate Marquardt.
Dana White Donates Funds To Young Girl With Brain Tumour
Love him or hate him, UFC President Dana White should receive high praise and credit for donating $7500 towards cancer treatment for Ruby Owen, a British toddler, who, at two years of age, is fighting for her life. Her family is trying to raise the £250,000 required to give her life saving treatment in America.
Misc News and Notes
- The Ultimate Fighter 11 cast has been revealed and it includes one Canadain, Nick Ring. You can see the video here
- Round 5 releases their “Ultimate Collector 2″ Series featuring Kimbo, Penn, Ortiz, Forrest, Bisping and Couture.
- Randy Couture vs Rich Franklin at UFC 115 in Vancouver? This according to “The Natural”
- Michael Bisping vs Dan Miller likely at UFC 114 in Las Vegas
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