Cage Gossip: MMA Rumors - UFC & Strikeforce News & Rumors
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5. The Tennessee Athletic Commission to Discipline Fighters Involved in Strikeforce: Nashville Brawl
Following the post-fight brawl between Team Cesar Gracie and “Mayhem” Miller at Strikeforce: Nashville this past Saturday, The Tennessee Athletic Commission has begun a formal investigation into the incident. The Commission will study the available video to determine who, if anyone, is directly responsible for the altercation, and plan to possibly dole out fines and suspensions to the fighters involved (“Mayhem” Miller, Jake Shields, Gilbert Melendez, Nick and Nate Diaz).
I personally think the embarrassment of the brawl itself and the backlash of the fans and media regarding the incident is punishment enough for the fighters. Even though three of the fighters mentioned are Strikeforce Champions, none of them make enough money to warrant a heavy fine, and any form of suspension would be overkill.
4. Tito Ortiz Sick?
A photo has surfaced of Tito Ortiz, dated April 15, which shows him even thinner than his early UFC days. The photo found on the Punishment Athletics website, shows Ortiz modeling off a new t-shirt for the site’s store.
Tito tweeted on March 16 that he had been hospitalized for flu-like symptoms and lost nearly 15 pounds. Tito typically walks around at 220-225lbs, and a 15 pound loss would put him at weigh-in day size. But in the photo above, Tito looks like he’s lost quite a bit more than 15 pounds, in-fact he looks like he’s ready to start fighting at 185. Hopefully this photo was taken shortly after he came out of the hospital, and not some indication that Tito is battling an undisclosed illness.
3. UFC On Versus 2 - Aug 1, UFC 117 - Aug 7
According to MMAJunkie.com and The Salt Lake City Tribune’s Scott Sherman, the Utah Athletic Commission’s Bill Colbert has stated that UFC On Versus 2, not the UFC PPV featuring Anderson Silva vs. Chal Sonnen, will take place in Salt Lack City, Utah on August 1. The Silva/Chonnen fight will go down nearly a week later in “northern California”, possibly Oakland, at UFC 117 on August 7.
This report conflicts with Dana White’s earlier statement of Silva fighting Sonnen in Utah. So much for Silva being the first champion to fight on a prelim.
2. Scott Smith vs. Cung Le II Possible for Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum
Unofficially a rematch between Scott Smith and Cung Le is being reported to take place June 26, at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum. The card is currently scheduled to air on premium network Showtime.
After a climatic first encounter in December of last year on the Strikeforce: Evolution card, in which Smith upset Le in the third and final round of their bout, a rematch between the two popular fighters will surely enhance the currently anemic fight card which so far features only the main event between Fedor Emeilanenko and Fabricio Werdum.
Since his upset loss in December, Le has been itching to get back in the cage and avenge his defeat at the hands of Scott Smith. His desire for the fight is so much that the “Tekken” star has reportedly declined numerous film offers to focus on his training.
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1. The Winner of Daly/Koscheck to Coach Against St. Pierre on Ultimate Fighter 12
MiddleEasy.com is reporting that the winner of the Paul Daly/ Josh Koscheck fight on May 8 at UFC 113, will be rewarded with the coaching position on the next TUF, The Ultimate Fighter 12. The other coach will be none other than the UFC Welterweight Champion George St. Pierre.
What this means is that the proposed Anderson Silva vs. George St. Pierre fight that was hyped prior to UFC 112 has fallen through; most likely because of Silva’s performance in the main event against Damien Maia. In a recent Joe Rogan podcast, he mentioned that the UFC feels they can’t trust putting Anderson Silva in a big fight because they don’t know how he’ll perform. Will he pull off another dud in the main event like he did against Cote, Leites, and Maia or will put on a godly performance like he did against Forrest Griffin at UFC 100?
Well, it seems Dana and co. didn’t want to risk it, and have decided to give the Daly/Koscheck winner a shot at the title. If the Daly/Koscheck fight ends with a bang as expected, the hype generated from being on TUF could make this the biggest welterweight title fight since UFC 83 over two years ago, when St. Pierre avenged his loss to Matt Serra in Montreal and won back his title.
That’s it for this week’s edition of Cage Gossip, be sure to check back next Tuesday for the latest rumors in MMA universe!
By Jeffrey Concerto
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer