Post by !!!PUNCH!!! on Jul 29, 2009 5:09:05 GMT -5
This week might mark the ultimate change in the landscape of the UFC Heavyweight Division, and the UFC as a whole. As many of you may or may not know, Affliction folded last week, and it's next card was canceled indefinitely, which places UFC now solely at the top as the preeminent body in all of MMA. And as such of Affliction going the way of Pride FC and Elite XC, chances are a few of their prominent fighters will be coming (or returning) to UFC. The biggest bit of news is a story that broke yesterday, of a Press conference to take place on Friday between where UFC president Dana White will announce the absorbing of 20 Fighter's contracts into the UFC, one of which being non other then the one, the only...Fedor Emelianenko. Fedor himself will be holding a press conference later today, where it's expected he will most likely announce publicly that he's moving on to the UFC, which would be the biggest boon for the UFC since Lensar's arrival 2 years ago. Fedor, easily the best Heavyweight on the planet, and arguably one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world, would be a natural choice to be a potential challenger for Lesnar, but it's expected he'll have to fight at least one non-title match before the super fight is booked. Of course there are many other fighters now looking for work as well, such as former UFC Heavyweight champs Tim Silvia and Andrei Arlovski. Arlovski has stated that he wants to move into Boxing and face one of the Klitschko Brothers, but right now the money is bigger in MMA then Boxing, so chances are he may rethink his strategy.
But wait, there's more. There's ANOTHER fighter who was affiliated with Affliction that's also looking to return to the UFC, none other then "The Huntington Beach Badboy" Tito Ortiz. Granted, the fallout 4 years ago when he left was a big one, but as it stands time heals all wounds, and Dana White himself said that "They were kids back then still." Ortiz said when asked "There were things said back then between me, Dana and Chuck that was pure emotion. We're all passionate guys, so you expect that. But we're all older now, and wiser. I'm willing to put what was said and what was done in the past for the sake of advancing forward in my career, and being a part of the UFC." So needless to say, it seems Dana White and Tito are willing to let by-gones be by-gones. No word from Chuck Liddell yet on the subject, but we can most likely expect to here from The Iceman once things settle into place. You add to this the fact that at the next meeting of New York State Senate in January they'll FINALLY be passing the bill sanctioning MMA as a legal sport in New York State, that means the UFC will be able to hold an even IN New York State, case in point...Madison Square Garden. The next few months will be months that changed the sport for the absolute best. This is truly the best time ever to be an MMA fan, as we're FINALLY going to get to see the best fighters in the world square off, and finally get a lot of questions answered.
Oh yea, almost forgot. Another guy from Affliction who will most likely be returning to the UFC for the 1st time in over 7 years...Vitor Belfort, who presently fights at 185. If there is ANY man who can give Anderson Silva a run for his money, It's Belfort. It's going to be a VERY fun 7 months leading to February 2010, when we can expect the announcement of UFC coming to NYC for the 1st time ever.
But wait, there's more. There's ANOTHER fighter who was affiliated with Affliction that's also looking to return to the UFC, none other then "The Huntington Beach Badboy" Tito Ortiz. Granted, the fallout 4 years ago when he left was a big one, but as it stands time heals all wounds, and Dana White himself said that "They were kids back then still." Ortiz said when asked "There were things said back then between me, Dana and Chuck that was pure emotion. We're all passionate guys, so you expect that. But we're all older now, and wiser. I'm willing to put what was said and what was done in the past for the sake of advancing forward in my career, and being a part of the UFC." So needless to say, it seems Dana White and Tito are willing to let by-gones be by-gones. No word from Chuck Liddell yet on the subject, but we can most likely expect to here from The Iceman once things settle into place. You add to this the fact that at the next meeting of New York State Senate in January they'll FINALLY be passing the bill sanctioning MMA as a legal sport in New York State, that means the UFC will be able to hold an even IN New York State, case in point...Madison Square Garden. The next few months will be months that changed the sport for the absolute best. This is truly the best time ever to be an MMA fan, as we're FINALLY going to get to see the best fighters in the world square off, and finally get a lot of questions answered.
Oh yea, almost forgot. Another guy from Affliction who will most likely be returning to the UFC for the 1st time in over 7 years...Vitor Belfort, who presently fights at 185. If there is ANY man who can give Anderson Silva a run for his money, It's Belfort. It's going to be a VERY fun 7 months leading to February 2010, when we can expect the announcement of UFC coming to NYC for the 1st time ever.
Creator of !!!JONNY PUNCH!!!, Advice Dog & Courage Dog.