DREAM.15: Alistair Overeem vs. Ricco Rodriquez & Gegard Mousasi vs. Jake O’Brien (Update)
Alistair Overeem’s next fight is lined up, but it won’t be against Fabricio Werdum, Fedor Emelianenko or anyone who is expected to present him with much of a challenge. Assuming bout agreements get signed, Alistair will take on Ricco Rodriquez at DREAM.15.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned from sources close to the promotion that Overeem (33-11 MMA, 3-0 DREAM) has verbally agreed to face former UFC champion Ricco Rodriguez (42-11 MMA, 0-0 DREAM) at DREAM.15.
Bout agreements are expected to be finalized shortly, and a formal announcement for the heavyweight contest should come soon after.
Yes, this is the same Ricco Rodriguez who earlier in his career won a UFC championship and beat Randy Couture, but later fell off the cliff of relevancy with a string of weight and drug problems that oddly enough landed him on VH1’s Celebrity Rehab. While you probably haven’t heard about it, Ricco has been on a comeback trail of sorts with seven straight wins in the past year. Of course, the chances of that streak extending to eight with Alistair Overeem in his path are slim, but as we learned this past weekend, anything is possible.
In other DREAM.15 fight booking news, Jake O’Brien is expected to take the final spot in DREAM’s 4-man light heavyweight grand prix against Gegard Mousasi. It’s an interesting choice of opponents for Mousasi considering how he struggled with King Mo’s wrestling back in April.
Image via Sherdog
Update: There seems to be a little confusion about the Alistair Overeem vs. Ricco Rodriguez fight. According to a report on MMA Fighting, Alistair Overeem’s camp says the fight isn’t happening.
However, a source close to Overeem told MMA Fighting that the fight isn’t close to being official and that there is a “90%” chance that Overeem won’t be fighting on the card altogether.In addition, Overeem’s trainer, Martijn de Jong, told The Fight Show’s Mauro Ranallo Thursday afternoon that Overeem is “definitely not” fighting Rodriguez at DREAM.15.
The trainer added that Overeem is currently in Sweden, and his camp will officially decide whether he will fight on the card Friday.
DREAM and Rodriguez’s camp both maintain the fight was agreed upon and bout agreements were sent out. Doesn’t sound like they should expect Overeem to return his.
Ask the Fight Doc: Should pro MMA fighters face sticter licencing requirements?
Following the unfortunate and recent death of South Carolina MMA fighter Michael Kirkham, the MMA industry again has turned its attention to pro-fighter licensing requirements.
Kirkham's death is still under investigation, so it's not clear if the tragedy could have been avoided.
But after reading the guidelines put forth by South Carolina and other state athletic commissions, MMAjunkie.com medical columnist Dr. Johnny Benjamin proposes some enhanced standardized requirements that may just help future competitors.
Keith Jardine’s Story Is Only ‘Half-Written’
Last week I was let go by the UFC. I was sad to get the news but it was expected. I’ve always been proud to be a UFC fighter and they have been real good to me. I can’t help but to feel a bit like I’m losing a family… As for now, I’m more motivated than ever. I’m going to take a vacation for a week then get back to work. Already, there are a lot of offers for fights coming I’m. Some are exciting. Starting over doesn’t sound so bad to me. Although my career is at a crossroads my story is only half written. I have a lot of fight left in me and I continue to improve with every fight. Anyway, I’m best when the chips are stacked against me and I will make it to the top. Thanks to all of my fans.
—Keith Jardine, via KeithJardine.net, talking about his release from the UFC
A few wins in the regional circuit and I bet we see Keith Jardine back in the UFC before most know he’s even gone.
Image via Sherdog
Shane Carwin On SportsCenter: ‘You’re Going To See Brock Lesnar Knocked Out On The Canvas’
Shane Carwin on SportsCenter this morning:
“Over the course of my fighting career, the stand-up game has become my passion. I hope we get to stand on our feet and throw some leather… I’m not concerned at all (about conditioning). I’ve got a great training camp, we train at a high altitude, and my coaches have prepared me for a five-round war… You’re looking at the top two heavyweights in the world, and we’re both at the top of our game right now. He’s got the real belt and I’m coming after it Saturday. You’re going to see Brock Lesnar knocked out on the canvas.”
Shane Carwin talking to MMA Fighting about his pay if he becomes the UFC Heavyweight Champion:
“Beating Brock does not make you Brock. I will still need to insult most of the fighters in my division, flip off the fans, insult the biggest sponsors the UFC has and then and only then will I renegotiate with Zuffa. Dana and Lorenzo have taken good care of my family and I. They have given us more than they are obligated to and we are happy.
My manager always says it is not about making money when you fight but to make money when you are not fighting. We really do not have our hands out for anything more – if it comes we will take it and smile. I love fighting for the UFC and for me I choose to do this, I do not have to fight to survive. I am honored to be working for the UFC and representing them in the ‘fake’ champions category.”
UFC Fight Night 22 likely headed to Frank Erwin Center in Austin
The UFC's third trip to Texas is nearly a done deal.
The promotion is in the final stages of securing the 16,000-seat Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas, for the Spike TV-televised UFC Fight Night 22 event, MMAjunkie.com has learned.
A match-up between middleweight contenders Demian Maia and Alan Belcher is expected to headline the Sept. 15 event, which UFC executives have not officially announced.
Following UFC release, light heavyweight Keith Jardine weighing new offers
Following a majority-decision loss to Matt Hamill at The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale - his fourth consecutive defeat in the UFC - Keith Jardine received his walking papers.
However, the 34-year-old "Dean of Mean" doesn't consider his career over and is gearing up for a comeback.
In fact, he's already weighing options with other MMA promotions.
Dana White’s "stunning" announcement? Vuvuzela noisemakers banned at UFC 116
In what's likely more of a good-natured publicity stunt than a vital new policy, UFC officials today announced a ban of vuvuzelas at this weekend's UFC 116 event.
Vuvuzelas are horn-shaped noisemakers popularized (and perhaps overused) during this year's FIFA World Cup.
UFC president Dana White is credited with implementing the ban.
With strong UFC 116 ratings, UFC weigh-in broadcasts could return to Spike TV
For the first time in three years, Spike TV will air a live UFC weigh-in special with the broadcast of Friday's UFC 116 official fighter weigh-ins.
And though this week's live coverage is a one-time deal for Spike TV, strong ratings could prompt future specials.
Spike TV officials declined to comment on the possibility. However, a source close to the UFC's longtime cable partner told MMAjunkie.com that Spike TV could air future UFC weigh-ins if the ratings are strong.
HDNet airs XFC 11 live on July 9 with Miller vs. Connors, Couture vs. Kheyfets
The popular Florida-based Xtreme Fighting Championships - a fast-rising MMA promotion that averages approximately 10,000 fans for each of its fan friendly shows - returns to HDNet on July 9 for "XFC 11: The Next Generation."
The event takes place at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa and airs live on the cable station.
WEC and DREAM veteran Micah Miller meets fellow featherweight Bruce Connors in the headliner, and Kim Couture takes on 135-pound newcomer Marianna Kheyfets in the co-headliner.
