NOT SO FAST, ANDERSON STILL WANTS TO SWING
http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/...=9352&zoneid=2
Hot on the heels of reports that Anderson Silva had acquired a permanent taste for the 205-pound division, it appears that the most dominant middleweight champion in UFC history isnt quite ready to relinquish his throne at 185.
A recent column by Yahoo! Sports writer Dan Wetzel stated that Silvas manager, Ed Soares, told UFC President Dana White that his client was willing to make the move to light heavyweight permanent, even if it meant dropping his middleweight belt in the process.
Not so Soares told MMAWeekly.com, saying hes not sure where that information was drawn from.
Its not true. I never said that to Dana, stated the Brazilians chief negotiator. I never said he would move up and relinquish the title. I have said to Dana that hed like to fight again at 205 (but not permanently).
After UFC 101, where Silva dismantled Forrest Griffin at 205, White indicated that Silvas next bout would likely be a drop back down to 185 to defend his belt against Dan Henderson. That would be a rematch of their first bout of a year-and-a-half ago, when Silva won with a decisive second round submission.
Soares isnt so sure that Henderson is the person that deserves the next middleweight title shot.
Since losing to Silva at UFC 82, Henderson has three straight victories: a unanimous decision over Rousimar Palhares at 185, a split decision win over Rich Franklin at light heavyweight, and a middleweight knockout victory over Michael Bisping.
Does that really make him a number one contender? I feel a true number one opponent (at 185) would be if Henderson fought the winner of Nate Marquardt and Damian Maia, Soares told MMAWeekly.com. That would produce a true number one contender... we could take another fight at 205 or a catchweight fight (in the meantime).
As for his clients future, nothing has changed.
Ive always said the same thing, he wants the biggest fights possible, whether its at 205 or 185.
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A knee injury has forced UFC veteran Chris Lytle (27-17-5 MMA, 6-9 UFC) out of a scheduled UFC Fight Nigh 19 bout with Carlos Condit.
Ken Pavia of MMAAgents.com, which reps Lytle, today told MMAjunkie.com (
http://www.mmajunkie.com) the longtime UFC fighter and runner up on "The Ultimate Fighter 4" tore his meniscus and now has a "blown ACL."
The UFC has not officially announced Lytle's departure from the card, though the organization has ample to find a replacement for the Sept. 16 fight, which was part of the night's Spike TV-televised main card.
UFC Fight Night 19 takes place at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., and serves as a lead-in for the debut episode of "The Ultimate Fighter 10."
Lytle, fresh off a "Fight of the Night" victory over Kevin Burns at The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale in June, has won two of his past three fights, the lone loss coming to Marcus Davis via split decision. Lytle continued his recent windfall by picking up his third straight "Fight of the Night" bonus and fourth overall. In fact, including fight-night bonuses for submissions and knockouts, he's won six bonuses in his past eight fights.
A timetable for the veteran's return is not immediately known.
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The UFC set to counter Strikeforce this Saturday with UFC 100 replay
The UFC are at it again with their counter programming policy, this time targeting Saturdays Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg event with the historic UFC 100 show from last month.
It has been revealed that the UFC will counter with several bouts from the night in question free on SPIKE TV, although the order has not been confirmed. Past experiences would expect them to run the majority of the main card which featured championship bouts between Brock Lesnar, Frank Mir, Georges St. Pierre and Thiago Alves.
The UFC have used this tactic in the past to great effect with Affliction and have made it public that they are not on good terms with Strikeforce, especially since the California based promotion snapped up WAMMA heavyweight champion, Fedor Emelianenko.
By Michael Pepper.
Original source: FoxSports.com