Fedor and the UFC
With his decisive TKO victory over Frank Mir, Brock Lesnar is clearly the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion. However, the question remains: is he the best heavyweight in the world?
Many people believe the only way to settle the discussion is for Lesnar to step into the octagon with former Pride heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko.
UFC President Dana White stated in the past that he would like to bring in Emelianenko. After UFC 100, he repeated those sentiments.
“The whole Fedor thing is going on and on,” said White. “I want Fedor. Eventually, Fedor will come to the UFC. We’ll get that deal.”
The goal of bringing Emelianenko to the promotion is simple.
“We’ll get Brock vs. Fedor done,” said White.
Before there are any serious negotiations, Emelianenko first has to fulfill his Affliction MMA contract, and he must get past former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett.
Unlike Emelianenko, the UFC is not interested in bringing back his Affliction opponent.
“People aren’t knocking down my door to bring in Josh Barnett,” White said.
Henderson vs. Silva – the sequel
After defeating Rousimar Palhares, Rich Franklin, and Michael Bisping in successive fights, Dan Henderson believes that he has earned another shot at UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.
“Ultimately, it’s up to Dana White, but I’ve come back, fought some fights, and I deserve it,” said Henderson.
Should Henderson receive the opportunity, he believes there will one major difference in the rematch.
“I’d win,” Henderson said.
White wouldn’t give full confirmation, but the match-up is a definite possibility.
“It could very well be Henderson vs. Silva,” said White.
After hearing that, Henderson responded tongue-in-cheek.
“It’s up to him to make the decision, but it’s up to me to beat it out of him.”
The first time the two fought in March 2008, Silva won by second round submission.
A Prideful rematch
Mauricio Rua and Quinton Jackson had a memorable encounter in Pride Fighting Championships. The fight took place a little over four years ago, and Rua dominated Jackson en route to a first round knockout.
Jackson has not forgotten the loss. After he defeated Wanderlei Silva in December, Jackson made it clear that he wanted to avenge all of his prior losses – especially the one to Rua. Rua would be happy to oblige the former light heavyweight champion.
“I would like to fight him again,” Rua said. “Even though I already beat him in Japan, he’s a great fighter. He’s a famous guy. He’s got a good profile. That would interest me a lot.”
If Rua defeats Lyota Machida at UFC 104 in October, his first defense would likely be against the winner of the Rashad Evans and Quinton Jackson fight tentatively scheduled for December at UFC 107 in Memphis, Tn.
Kimbo Killer’s Return
Absent from the cage since his fourteen second knockout of Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson, Seth Petruzelli is finally ready to make his return.
“I’m having a local fight for Art of Fighting in Florida on August 22nd,” said Petruzelli.
On top of the match-up with the Art of Fighting promotion, Petruzelli has also been in talks with Showtime’s new MMA partner Strikeforce.
“I’m looking to fight with Strikeforce soon,” Petruzelli said. “They have my contract, and they have expressed interest in using me in their future shows — within a few months.”
But when asked about a return to the UFC, Petruzelli left no doubt what his goal is.
“100%,” Petruzelli said. “As long as I win my next couple of fights, I have a really good feeling that they’d have me back.”
What’s next for Bisping?
Former Ultimate Fighter winner Michael Bisping suffered the first knockout loss of his career against Dan Henderson. Now, he has to regroup and look to his next fight.
One of the top candidates for a future opponent could very well be one of Henderson’s training partners. On the Countdown to UFC 100 television special, Krzysztof Soszynski could not help but laugh at many of the boisterous predictions Bisping made about how he was going to defeat Henderson.
White confirmed that a potential Bisping – Soszynski match-up would be very interesting.
“Maybe, that’s not a bad idea at all,” White said.
Soszynski would love to have a fight with Bisping. Even though they presently compete in different weight classes, Bisping has fought the vast majority of his bouts in Soszynski’s light heavyweight division.
“If he wants to come up and fight me, I’d take that any day, any time, any place,” Soszynski said.
Should the bout become official, White already knows where it will happen.
“Bisping’s next fight will take place in the U.K.,” White said.
Legend not done
With the UFC just completing its 100th major show, the man who won the first ever UFC tournament was in attendance. MMA legend Royce Gracie was signing autographs and shaking hands with many of the people in the arena.
Gracie, however, wants to do more than just meet the fans. He wants to return to the cage.
“I’m not done yet,” said Gracie.
Gracie doesn’t have a date or opponent set, but much like the fighters he was randomly matched with in the first few UFC tournaments, Gracie isn’t concerned.
“I don’t choose opponents,” Gracie said.