Cage Gossip: MMA News & Rumors for Strikeforce & the UFC
Your weekly source for MMA news & rumors about James Toney, Vitor Belfort, Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen & more!
1) James Toney is One and Done in the UFC
After weeks of running his mouth to anyone that would listen, James Toney’s stint in the UFC is over. For a man that made his living boxing, Toney threw zero punches while standing and was taken down to the mat and mauled in short order by the more experienced Randy Couture. UFC President Dana White announced at the post-fight press conference that Toney would not be invited back to fight for the UFC, but Toney has commented that his MMA career is not necessarily over.
2) A #2 Contender’s match in the UFC Middleweight Division
Recent reports have mentioned that a match between middleweights Vitor Belfort and Yushin Okami is in the works. Essentially, this bout would create a pecking order once Anderson Silva returns to action and rematches Chael Sonnen. Both Belfort and Okami were mentioned to fight Silva for the belt, but injuries prevented both bouts from ever happening. Early reports have indicated that the bout will take place on November 13th at UFC 122, which is rumored to be aired for free on Spike. Evidently, this is the olive branch extended by the UFC to the fans for the disappointing UFC 112.
3) Speaking of the UFC Middleweight Division…
According to the LA Times, a rematch between Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen is tentatively scheduled for this coming winter. For those that don’t remember, Sonnen talked trash leading up to the fight and was not given much of a chance against the dangerous Silva. Little did we know, Sonnen would put on a display, pummeling Silva for 4½ rounds before Silva could slap on a triangle choke and finish the fight. Silva’s broken ribs should be healed in the next few months and the UFC is looking at holding the rematch either on New Year’s Eve 2010 or during Superbowl weekend.
4) Noons vs. Diaz Rematch in the works
Strikeforce is in the process of making a rematch between Nick Diaz and KJ Noons in a title fight for Diaz’ welterweight belt. In their previous meeting in 2007, a cut on Diaz led to a doctor stoppage, leaving Noons victorious. There is certainly no love lost between these two fighters, so the pre-fight hype could be one for the ages.
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5) King Mo is on the shelf
During his unsuccessful title defense against Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante, Mo Lawal appeared to wince and stiffen up at one point in the fight. Following the fight, Lawal had his left knee examined and found that he had torn both the anterior cruciate ligament and the posterior cruciate ligament (ACL and PCL). Though no timetable is set for Lawal’s return he will not be in the gym for the foreseeable future as getting back into fighting shape after a major knee surgery (Lawal’s second in the last few years) is no easy task.
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