Well, less than 24 hours after my post about Rashad Evans possibly facing Chuck Liddell at UFC 85, mmaweekly.com is reporting that this match has been confirmed. It’s potentially huge for Rashad as a win could push his career to new heights. It’s not a particularly ‘glamorous’ UFC bout but it’s a fight I’d love to see. I truly hope Rashad comes out on top and moves into the top ranking light-heavyweights. How far would a title shot be with a win over the legendary ‘Iceman’?

I’m all set to buy my tickets for the show and hearing that this match is confirmed has boosted my hopes of yet another solid UFC card.

Continuing today’s “UFC Fighters Blogging” theme, Evan Tanner wrote a candid post on his blog regarding his loss to Yushin Okami last weekend at UFC 82:

That moment, in the silence of the dressing room, faced with crushing disappointment, numbing embarrassment, and that heavy sadness, I faced the old demons. I felt so low, as if everything had been lost. I wanted to drink. I faced those old demons again, and I beat them down. I won the battle, and I won the war. I didn’t drink, and I won’t. That was my great test, one I had to face before I could really move on. I passed it. I stand triumphant, solid, UNSHAKEABLE.

The loss at UFC 82 was a setback, and I am very disappointed in that, but considering what I just came out of, the fact that I was near collapsing just months ago, that I was almost on the streets, I feel it was huge that I was even able to step into the ring again. I faced my fears, and my greatest weakness, and won. Despite the loss, I’m feeling very good, and highly motivated. There is still a belt out there to win. Now it’s time to get to work. I’m not going anywhere. I’m back in training this week.

Simply put, Tanner’s blog is awesome. He’s completely forthcoming about his issues in the past, and you can see how much fighting in the UFC means to him. While he didn’t win the fight this weekend, it looks like he’s definitely on the track back to MMA glory.

Following the announcement that Shogun is injured and will miss the main event of UFC 85, we’re left with a dilemma. Who will replace him and face Chuck ‘The Iceman’ Liddell in London, England on June 7th?

At the moment, I’m thinking it could be Rashad Evans. Let’s look at why it could be Rashad.

Wanderlei Silva and Keith Jardine are already signed to face off at UFC 84 and Chuck has faced both of those guys within the past six months, so it isn’t going to be either of those guys. Tito Ortiz is also signed for UFC 84 and that could be his final UFC match as his contract will expire at the event. Forrest Griffin and ‘Rampage’ Jackson are set to fight at UFC 86, so it isn’t going to be either of these two. That kind of limits things within the light-heavyweight division and leads me to the unbeaten Rashad Evans.

He main-evented UFC 78 against Michael Bisping and gained the victory in that bout, so he’s experienced fighting in main event before. He also took Tito Ortiz all the way at UFC 73 and gained a lot of respect in their draw.

So why not Rashad? He’s not the biggest draw in the company but I think he deserves the opportunity to face ‘The Iceman’.

MMAFightline’s Tim Ngo has an interesting news bit up today about the potential of Tito Ortiz signing with EliteXC after his contract expires with the UFC. Apparently there is “talk” that Ortiz will sign with the organization based on a post Ortiz made on MMA.TV’s underground forums.

Tito’s post simply said “Findlly Dana is shown for who he really is!!” After that, Tito pasted in a Jake Rossen column from Shredog.com about CBS’ deal with EliteXC.

Take it for what you will, but this sounds like one of those proverbial “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” situations. If Tito is unhappy with Dana White, a move to EliteXC would make complete sense, as Ngo points out.

It looks like the CBS deal is already having a big impact.

Another great UFC show is in the books. In all honesty, I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as the last two, but it was still well worth the $44.95 price tag.

Main Event for the Undisputed Middleweight Title: Anderson Silva d. Dan Henderson via rear naked choke submission  (4:52, Round 2)

I was hyped up for this fight, and it delivered. I came in figuring that Dan Henderson had no chance, despite his stellar record. I mean, come on, it’s Spider Silva–he looks unbeatable. Henderson changed my mind, though, controlling Silva on the ground for the last part of the first round. I settled in at that point, thinking we might actually see a Silva fight go the distance.  Boy, was I wrong.

(more…)

Mark Coleman, who was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame tonight in Columbus, OH (he’s an Ohio native), dropped a bombsell in an interview with Joe Rogan: he will fight Brock Lesnar in August.

This is a really, REALLY big surprise to everyone, considering the word on the street was that Lesnar would be facing Justin McCulley.

It’s also surprsing since Mark Coleman is 43 years old. Still, don’t count him out–the guy is world class, and just because he’s in his 40s doesn’t mean he still can’t go. Hell, just look at Randy Couture.

Wow. The news just gets bigger on the MMA TV front this week. Everyone’s heard the rumors that EliteXC would be broadcast on CBS, and now it’s official. According to a news release on Pro Elite’s web site, the deal is done:

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 28 — The CBS Television Network and ProElite, Inc., a Los Angeles-based leading entertainment and media company that produces world class mixed martial arts (MMA) events, today jointly announced a multi-year agreement that will bring one of the fastest growing spectator sports to a major broadcast television network for the first time.

CBS will broadcast four MMA events per year, produced by ProElite’s EliteXC fight division, as two-hour live primetime specials targeted for Saturday nights.

That is STAGGERING news. With all the rumors of UFC getting a network TV gig, EliteXC has beaten them to the punch. Rumors had UFC trying to a deal with CBS. According to MMAPayout.com, that deal stalled, and CBS went a different direction. UFC officially has some serious competition.

MMAPayout is also reporting that FOX is now interested in the UFC, going so far as to bid to purchase UFC. I highly doubt Zuffa would sell, but it sounds like FOX may become the network home of the UFC. If that happens, I’d bet my bottom dollar that Ultimate Fight Night cards will end up on FOX.

Combine this news with the new promotion from Golden Boy and Affliction potentially airing on HBO, and you’ve got one crowded MMA marketplace.

The UFC has officially announced the first set of matches for UFC 84 in May. It seems to prove the fact that the UFC is stacked full of talent at the moment. The world lightweight title match between BJ Penn and Sean Sherk should be well worthy of main event status.

The first light-heavyweight match will see Tito Ortiz will make his return against Lyoto Machida. Lyoto is coming off the back of a win over a submission win over Sokoudjou at UFC 79 and should prove to be decent competition for the cocky Tito Ortiz.

The second light-heavyweight bout is very interesting to say the least. Keith Jardine VS. Wanderlei Silva. Now, both of these guys last fight was against Chuck Liddell. Keith beat him and Wanderlei lost to him. Although it’s not as simple as that because the Chuck who faced Keith was a shadow of the Chuck who beat Wanderlei at UFC 79. The ‘Chuck’ factor throws the outcome very much ‘up in the air’ for me.

It’s shaping up to be a good card…

Now, at UFC 82 this Sunday live on PPV, it’s going to be Anderson Silva defending his world middleweight championship against Pride veteran, Dan Henderson. Following Anderson winning the title back at UFC 64 from Rich Franklin, we’ve seen him defeat Travis Lutter, Nate Marquardt and Rich Franklin in a rematch from UFC 64. He’s looked quite literally, unstoppable.

In my humble and short opinion…NO.

Anderson will win before the end of the fifth round. I just don’t see any other outcome.

And it begs another question:

WHO can stop Anderson Silva?

Karo Parisyan was the guest on the February 21 edition of PWB’s Official Podcast Hotline. Karo discuessed several topics, including rumors that he ducked a fight with Jon Fitch. Here’s what Karo had to say about Fitch:

“That is bullcrap, that is like, absurd, I have never been offered to fight Jon Fitch in my life. Joe Silva has never called me and said ‘Karo, would you fight Jon Fitch?’ Jon Fitch is starting to get on my nerves with his camp. I’d like to say right now is, who in the hell is Jon Fitch? All of a sudden he’s beaten Diego Sanchez that I lost to and that makes him mister tough guy, like he can challenge me and if I don’t take the challenge that means I’m afraid? These guys were in there mom’s stomach when Karo Parisyan was fighting in MMA…I’d like to clear this up with everybody, there is no way in my life I’ve ever ducked or dodged any opponent…”

As you can see, Karo’s a straightforward guy–this was one of the better interviews that Ian and I have done. If you haven’t checked it out, do so today over at the Podcast Hotline site.