Cage Gossip: MMA Rumors for UFC & Strikeforce Rumors
Your weekly source for MMA news & rumors about Chuck Liddell, Brock Lesnar's next fight, UFC 116 cuts & more!
1) Dana White says Chuck Liddell will retire from MMA
1) First off, some sad news… During the pre-fight interview before Saturday’s UFC 116, Dana White told the press that Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell will not fight again inside the Octagon. White told mmajunkie.com that he considers Chuck to be a close friend and that Chuck just does not have the chin to compete any longer in the UFC. The Iceman has dropped 5 of his last 6 fights, all against upper-echelon fighters, with his lone victory over Wanderlei Silva. Let’s hope Chuck chooses to retire instead of other career paths that he may choose.
2) Brock Lesnar's Next Fight? Versus Cain Velasquez for the UFC Heavyweight titlle
Following his surprise victory over #1 Contender Shane Carwin (the victory is not the surprise; the method of victory is the shocker. Brock Lesnar by submission???), Brock Lesnar now has his sights set on his next contender. Dana White confirmed Saturday after the fight that Lesnar would next square off against rising star Cain Velazquez. Many thought that Velazquez deserved a shot at the champ before Carwin, but Carwin’s ability to consistently finish off opponents was likely the deciding factor. While Lesnar knows who he will face next, we can only speculate who Carwin will meet next, with names like Minotauro Nogueira, Randy Couture, and Junior Dos Santos coming to mind.
3) Strikeforce Middleweight Tournament taking shape, Jake Shields released from Strikeforce contract
As was previously reported, Strikeforce's Middleweight tournament picture was made a little more clear lately as far as the participants go. Cung Le put on a show in defeating Scott Smith in their rematch, solidifying his spot in the tournament, but then chose not to participate in the 185-pound tourney. The tournament is being held due to the impending departure of Strikeforce’s incumbent middleweight champ, Jake Shields. Shields was released from his contract with Strikeforce because Shields wanted more money than Strikeforce thought he was worth. This is ironic because the UFC was in the same boat with Dan Henderson leaving the UFC due to the same reason. Shields, of course, defeated Henderson in Hendo’s first fight for Strikeforce.
4) Fabricio Werdum wants a rematch with Fedor - in Russia
Following his stunning victory over the seemingly unbeatable Fedor, Fabricio Werdum is not taking the victory and putting Fedor in his rearview mirror. Werdum stated prior to the fight, and again following the fight to TATAME that he would like a rematch with “The Last Emperor” with a slight twist. Werdum would like to fight Fedor in Russia, ala Rocky IV. Time will tell if this will ever come to fruition with the ever-frustrating M1 Global still in control of Fedor’s fights, but it will be interesting to see the challenges it presents for both fighters. One thing to look forward to is Werdum’s drastic changes in training methods, including growing a beard, outrunning KGB cars through the snow, pulling sleds through the snow, and screaming Fedor’s name from the peak of a mountain. Werdum's Possible Training Methods?
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5) Will Matt Brown, Goran Reljic & Seth Petruzelli fight in the UFC again after their UFC 116 losses?
As is the case with every fight card in the UFC, several fighters put their career on the line. In jeopardy with the UFC following UFC 116 are the following: Matt Brown, who dropped his 2nd consecutive fight by way of submission, Goran Reljic whose 3 fight contract expired following his decision loss to Kendall Grove, Reljic’s 2nd loss in 3 fights in the Octagon; and Seth Petruzelli, who lost for the 3rd time in his 3rd stint in the UFC. In an attempt to save his job in the UFC, Stephan Bonnar put the brakes on a 3 fight losing skid to probably stick with the organization. Bonnar was looking to avoid the fate of fellow TUF alum Keith Jardine, who was recently cut from the UFC after being a mainstay in the Octagon for several years.
That’s it for this week’s edition of Cage Gossip, be sure to check back next week for the latest MMA rumors universe!
By Curt Heinrichs
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer