Cage Gossip: MMA Rumors - UFC, Strikeforce & DREAM News & Rumors
Your weekly source for MMA rumors
5. DREAM To Resurrect White Cage For DREAM 14
Chris Nelson of BloodyElbow.com reports that DREAM event producer Keiichi Sasahara says DREAM 14 will bring back the white cage, which debuted at DREAM 12. Along with the white cage, DREAM 14 will include the same rules as DREAM 12, 3 x 5 minute rounds and no elbows ala Strikeforce and Bellator.
I personally love the aesthetics of the white cage and wish some of the upstart promotions in America would use a white cage instead of the usual black one. There’s something about it’s white elegance that makes it more befitting a “martial arts” fight. It’s also interesting to note that this will be the second time DREAM utilizes a version of the Unified MMA Rules, a stark contrast to the foot stomps and head kicks to a downed opponent that PRIDE fans still reminisce over.
4. Battle of UFC Hall-of-Famers Possible for IFC: Australia
On the heels of the Josh Barnett/Geronimo dos Santos announcement earlier this week, MMANews.com is reporting that Impact Fighting Championship may also feature a bout between two legends in MMA.
A source close to Mark Coleman’s camp stated that Coleman had been offered a contract to fight Ken Shamrock and agreed to it. The fight has yet to be confirmed.
While this fight holds little meaning in terms of rankings, for old-school MMA fans it is pact full of nostalgia. With Ken Shamrock recently losing his court case with the UFC and the judge ordering him to pay a hefty amount, $175,000, in attorney fees and costs for ZUFFA, it’s no wonder he’s trying to get back into the cage so fast.
3. Roy Nelson vs. Frank Mir?
It was rumored here last week that Roy Nelson would be taking on Cheick Kongo at UFC 116 in July, but a recent back injury to the French kickboxer may have scrapped the fight altogether.
Not to fear “Big Country” fans, FiveOuncesOfPain.com spoke with Roy Nelson this past week, and it appears Roy may be fighting Frank Mir instead. Nelson said of his fight with Kongo, “I believe that is still part of the rumor mill, cause I think I‘m supposed to be fighting Frank Mir too.”
If Nelson and Mir do fight at UFC 116, it will not be the first time they go toe to toe. While Nelson and Mir never fought one another in an MMA cage or ring, they did meet in 2003 at the Grapple Fest Grappling Tournament, a match in which Roy Nelson won. For a video of their first encounter, click here (http://www.lowkick.com/UFC/Frank-Mir-vs-Roy-Nelson-Grappling-Video).
If Nelson and Mir do fight at UFC 116, it will tell us just how serious we are to take Roy and his fat belly. Seven years ago Roy clearly had the edge in grappling, albeit without strikes, but a lot has transpired since that tournament, most notably in Mir’s case, Brock Lesnar.
2. Nick Diaz and “Mayhem” Miller Denied Fights in June
“Mayhem” Miller suffered the consequences for his part in the post-fight brawl at Strikeforce: Nashville when he was taken out of the headlining fight for Strikeforce’s June 16 card. Originally planned to main event the card against Robbie Lawler, he has subsequently been replaced by Renato “Babalu” Sobral, and according to Coker, “Mayhem” will more than likely find himself off the card altogether.
However, “Mayhem” is not alone in being punished for his actions, according to MMAJunkie.com, Nick Diaz’s request to fight on the June 26 Strikeforce card was turned down. Diaz will still be able to participate in his fight vs. Hayato “Mach” Sakurai May 29 at DREAM 14 in Japan however.
Scott Coker says the reason for the two fighters being held off the June cards is, "No one that was involved with that situation (post-fight brawl) was scheduled to fight in June. But if they were ... until the Tennessee Athletic Commission has the hearing and [gives] out suspensions and fines, we're going to wait and support [the commission]."
I’d rather see Miller vs. Lawler than “Babalu,” but it’s not that big of a deal. However, seeing Diaz fight in June, just four weeks after his bout with Sakurai, would have been a treat.
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1. Forrest Griffin Injured; Forced Out of Bout with “Little Nog” at UFC 114
The Forrest Griffin/Antonio Rogerio Nogueria bout, scheduled to co-main event UFC 114 with Rashad Evans and Quinton Jackson in nearly three weeks, is now reportedly off after sources close to Griffin’s camp told MMAWeekly.com that Forrest suffered a shoulder injury and was forced to withdraw from the scheduled encounter between the two top ten fighters.
“Little Nog” plans to stay on the card, but no replacement opponent has been found yet.
This is good news for Forrest, as “Little Nog” was one of the worst matchups for the TUF 1 winner. Options for Nogueria’s opponent include Thiago Silva, Jon Jones, Ryan Bader, and Matt Hamill. While it may be too late, and therefore too much of a risk, to secure Jones for the fight, losing Forrest means the UFC will have to find a suitable opponent with star power to make up for the loss of Griffin.
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