Cage Gossip: MMA Rumors for UFC, Bellator & Strikeforce Rumors
Your weekly source for MMA news & rumors about Batista, Bellator vs Strikeforce, free UFC fights & more!
5. WWE Star Batista to Fight in Strikeforce
In an “interview” with TMZ.com this past weekend (http://www.tmz.com/2010/06/21/dave-batista-wwe-mma-strikeforce-mixed-martial-arts/), Batista, the former WWE superstar, said that he’s signed with Strikeforce and already has an opponent, but won’t disclose who.
However, Strikeforce director of communications Mike Afromowitz told 5thRound.com, “The report is not correct. Batista is not signed.”
Where there’s smoke there’s usually fire, and although Strikeforce is currently denying the signing of Batista, all signs indicate that Batista will officially be fighting for the #2 promotion by month’s end.
Honestly, I have no desire to see the Batista in MMA. He’s 41 years old, wasn’t a good wrestler, and likely is going through a mid-life crisis. I wish him nothing but the best, but it’s insulting to the sport and its fighters that “muscular actors” think they can jump into the MMA cage like it’s a Jacuzzi. I hope Batista proves me wrong, but I doubt he will.
4. Canada or the Middle East? The First International TUF
Following the upcoming 12th season of The Ultimate Fighter in September, featuring George St. Pierre and Josh Koshceck, the UFC has plans to make their 13 th season the very first international Ultimate Fighter. Dana White said it is “neck and neck” between Canada and the Middle East as to which location will host the first international TUF, but considering Canada’s depth of fighters and large fan base, “The Great White North” is the heavy favorite.
During promotion for UFC 115, White hinted at a February 2011 start date for the first International TUF, setting the stages for it to debut on Spike TV in the summer of 2011.
This is just one of the many steps being taken by the UFC to ensure to worldwide growth of the sport and the brand, and if it the show can do for the Middle East and China what it did for the US, Dana White’s proclamation that the “UFC will be the biggest sport in the world by 2020,” may turn to prophecy.
3. Dana White Promises “Huge Fight” for Free TV
After the debacle that was UFC 112’s main event between Anderson Silva and Demian Maia, Dana White vowed to the fans that he would make it up. This past week, White had this to say regarding his promise, “What I'm going to end up doing is probably taking a big, huge fight that should have been on pay-per-view and put it on free TV. I'm actually working on it right now. I said I'd make up for that, and trust me, I'm gonna."
Currently rumored fights that could fit the bill are:
- Lyoto Machida vs. Rampage Jackson
- Frank Mir vs. Cain Velasquez
- Michael Bisping vs. Wanderlei Silva
The Bisping/Silva fight seems the most likely to occur, as both Machida/Jackson and Mir/Velasquez are blockbuster fights that could make serious money on PPV. I don’t think Dana White needs to make up for the UFC 112 main event, but since he promised, he now has to follow through.
2. Strikeforce 185-pound Tournament Participants
With Jake Shields defection to the UFC becoming ever more likely with each passing day, Scott Coker is getting more and more determined to hold a 185-pound tournament to crown a new middleweight champion.
Coker has gone on record stating that the tournament will likely take place in August, and recently broke the news that it would take place over only two events; meaning the semifinals and finals would be fought on the same night.
The 8 rumored participants are:
- Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza
- Robbie Lawler
- Tim Kennedy
- Dan Henderson
- Nick Diaz
- Jason "Mayhem" Miller
- Scott Smith/Cung Le winner
- Jorge Santiago/ Kazuo Misaki winner
If this tournament comes to fruition, it could be the best tournament in MMA since DREAM’s Lightweight Grand Prix in 2008, and Pride’s Open Weight Grand Prix in 2006. Hopefully, if the tournament is well received, it will get the UFC thinking about having their own middleweight tournament if/when Anderson Silva moves up to light heavyweight.
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1. Bellator vs. Strikeforce New Year’s Eve Event
MiddleEasy.com broke the rumor this past weekend, saying, “There has been a discussion between Bellator and Strikeforce to host a New Years Eve Event similar to Dynamite!! in which we will see 'Bellator vs. Strikeforce' matches similar to what happened at Dynamite!! 2009 with Dream vs. Sengoku.”
A Bellator vs. Strikeforce event would be one of the biggest events of the year, and easily draw attention to both promotions from casual and hardcore fans alike as both companies team together to try to make a dent in the mega giant that is the UFC.
The card would likely feature 3 champion vs. champion fights; including Eddie Alvarez vs. Gilbert Melendez, Hector Lombard vs. the Strikeforce 185-pound tournament winner, and Lyman Good/Ben Askren vs. Nick Diaz. A mammoth of a card, which if successful, could easily become an annual event.
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