UFC Roundup: Diaz Released, Gomi Opts for K-1, Pulver’s Future Unclear, and More
Posted by Kris Karkoski on Jul 12, 2007 at 1:00 pm ET31 Comments
- Nick Diaz has reportedly been released from all contracts he had with Zuffa. The move clears the way for Diaz to fight for EliteXC later this year although who knows what repercussions this could have considering his brother, Nate Diaz, just won the fifth season of The Ultimate Fighter.
- Reports suggest that current PRIDE Lightweight Champion Takanori Gomi has opted to join K-1, not the UFC. The details are not confirmed yet but if true the loss would be a blow to the UFC’s hopes of putting on major matches between all of the UFC and PRIDE champions.
- The Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale drew a very good 2.0 rating beating HBO Boxing on the same night.
- Sokoudjou may not be completly out of reach for the UFC. Published reports suggest the young mixed martial artist has not finalized his deal with EliteXC although, barring a drastic change, a contract should be in place soon.
- Jens Pulver’s future is not exactly clear according to recent reports. While he is rumored to be fighting on September 5th in the WEC, Pulver has stated he could remain a lightweight with his next fight not officially booked.
- Former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez will be coaching Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic leading up to his UFC 75 fight against Cheick Kongo. The training is expected to focus on cage tactics.
- Sam Stout appears to be gone from the UFC. Last appearing at UFC Fight Night 10 in a war against Spencer Fisher, Stout is set to appear at TKO 30 to defend his lightweight title.
- Top MMA heavyweight Josh Barnett is officially a free agent. After making the announcement on MySpace Barnett has stated that Bodog and the UFC are the top promotions looking to add him to their stable of fighters.
- There are rumors that the UFC may soon be adding featherweight and bantamweight divisions bringing the total to 7. The UFC has stated that they were going to keep lighter weights in the WEC but after the classes appeared temporarily on the official UFC website there is legitimate speculation that the UFC is planning on adding the weight classes later this year.
- Top contenders Jon Fitch and Diego Sanchez will go toe-to-toe later this year at UFC 76. The welterweight fight will be one of the top fights on the card although the main event the fight will be behind on the card may not be revealed for some time.
- Lightweight UFC fighter Jeremy Stephens will be temporarily fighting outside of the UFC. Stephens debuted in May with a loss to Din Thomas and will be looking to add to his win column when he fights outside of the UFC later this month. A win will allow him to return to the UFC sometime this fall.
- Zuffa is one loss away from kicking Joe Riggs out of the organization. Rigg’s will face Dan Chambers next weekend at a Hardcore Championship Fighting event will more than PRIDE on the line. The win would keep Joe in the WEC or UFC while a loss would send Riggs out and likely earn Chambers a shot in the WEC or UFC.
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You just reported that the liddell vs. Silva match was off…..Do you have sources that say that they are on again?
Nick Diaz possibly going to EliteXC is a shame. Nick brings exciting fights to the Octagon everytime. The UFC has some stick up their ass when it come's to the Diaz's. Well see how Nate takes this. On a positive note, we'll finally get to see the rematch between Lawler and Diaz. UFC should be doing everything possible to get Diaz and Lawler back instead of cutting them loose.
Gomi going to K1 kinda tells me the UFC is not negotiating with fighters strong enough. How the hell does K1 get Gomi when he is a top fighter that would add well to the UFC's divsion.
As for Silvia vs Liddell, I'm not sure what to believe. It clearly stated on his site that it's on and now Dana says Silva is backing off. I don't believe Dana.
The article's edited now. I pre-wrote this last night as I was traveling today but when news broke this morning of the Liddell/Silva fight being off I wrote that and never thought to update this. Thanks for the heads up.
I still have a feeling this fight could take place. With no explanation yet from Silva's camp after the fight being advertised on the site, I have a feeling they are pulling our legs.
Steve24 – I agree with you, I think the UFC really should have held on to Diaz but I think he was just too much of a risk largely due to his positive drug test. I would not be surprised in the least if he wins in EliteXC and comes to the UFC when is contract is done.
The surprising thing about the Gomi loss is his last MMA fight was a loss to Diaz. I thought they would have at least kept one of them but it will be interesting if its true or not.
Now we know it's off. UFC.com is reporting it and thats as official as we get. Know we turn to who the UFC will tap to replace Silva as I truly believe Liddell will stay in the main event for UFC 76. It's interesting to say the least.
Kris: It just surprises me how Dana constantly rambles how he will have the best fighters in the world, yet Gomi just slipped through the ropes. Silva turning down Chuck now makes me think he didn't agree with the UFC on a contract negotiation, which if the UFC really wanted the fight, they could have made it happen.
Like i said previously, who is possibly some what in line to fight Chuck besides giving him a scrub (which no one wants to watch). Tito and Rashad are busy, no way in hell they'll give him Bisping (UK poster boy, they want his record clean). I think it's either Griffin or Jardine (who should be fighting each other on their next fight.
Any worthy opponents that would not be considered a scrub?
Steve – I would say this is possible but with an announcement on UFC.com it is highly unlikely. More often than not fighter websites are run by someone other than the fighter themselves which means that my the time the update was written and posted the information was basically incorrect. From what I can gather the fight was agreed upon in principle which leds to the announcement on the site. Then, Silva changed his mind yesterday and called it off which resulted in a lot of incorrect statements both on his site and elsewhere.
If it were up to me I think the UFC should just forget working on the matchup. While it would have been great for it to finally happen I would prefer to see Chuck and Wanderlei fight different opponents sooner rather than waste time trying to get this fight set up.
I agree with you. The match up is over. Time to move on.
Same question, who is available, that is a worthy opponent?
I'd like to see Chuck vs Houston Alexander.
He should drop weight and take on Anderson Silva.
Chuck is fighting Jardine in September. I called it. Only good available matchup besides Griffin.
Good call. While the matchup is pretty solid I too would have preferred a Forrest-Liddell or Alexander-Liddell matchup but those could still happen in November.
Liddell can't compete at middleweight and I think Silva would win it anyways to experience at the weight class.
Alexander is fighting at UFC 75 so it's not possible for that match up.
Right Steve24, just saying I would have preferred seeing Alexander face Liddell. It's not possible, just wishful thinking. I mean I think everyone would prefer to see the guy who did the KO'ing rather than the guy he KO'd.
From what I hear the rumors are stating that Takanori Gomi is heading to k-1 Heroes. If true, that is good news. There is better competition at LW for him than if he were to enter the UFC IMO. But, the question is, "How do we know if UFC even tried contacting Gomi?" To me it seems like Dana White does not even care about losing him.
Some say that Gomi is afraid to face Sherk in the LW title in the UFC. First of all, I do not think this is case. I believe that Gomi will knock him out in the 1st round. Second, Gomi does not have to worry about MMA Rankings if he keeps up with what he is doing (fighting top 10 LW's in the world). Sherk is the one who has to set up a date and a meeting with Gomi if he ever "thinks" about getting to the #1 LW spot in the WORLD, and not just the UFC.
15 – Right, K-1 Heroes. There has been little news recently so it may have just been rumored after all. We will see.
16 – I doubt Gomi would be afraid. I could see hesitant but to stay good in this sport you need to be confident in your skills. Look at Elvis Sinosic. He's been beaten so many times but keeps coming back for more because he thinks he is still good enough to beat some of the people he is facing.
Hey Kris,
I want to know the answer to, "Does Sherk know that there is a guy named Takanori Gomi out there?"
Also (if) Gomi signs with K-1 Hero's and Nick Diaz still under contract with EliteXC, does it make a Gomi-Diaz II possible?
Do you agree with me that Gomi should be ranked #1 Lw in the world? Where can I see other MMA rankings?
"Liddell can't compete at middleweight and I think Silva would win it anyways to experience at the weight class."
I know that, I was just frustrated at how the fight went, and was really wanting someone to come along who could beat Silva. Anyways, I agree that Silva probably would win.
I would love to see someone who could beat Sherk. He's tough and extremely strong, but aside from his quickness and ability to regain control of his opponent and take him down, he's really dissapointing to watch, because he doesn't do much else. It's like Manny from TUF-5, where he would tire his opponent by just laying on top and picking shots every now and then. I want to see two fighters who are going to really go at, but Sherk, with his take down and control ability, won't let that happen.
The biggest complaint about Sherk is that all he does is control the ground and I have to agree. I think someone will come along who will be able to defend the takedowns and will finally catch Sherk. I think he is a good champion and great for the UFC in the US, I do not think he will hold the belt for much longer.
I am not sure if Gomi vs. Diaz is possible or not. Quite simply it depends whether their contracts are exclusive to one organization or not. I would say right now Gomi is still on the top but I think Hayato Sakurai could soon become the number one.
The UFC is light on lightweights and until the talent from The Ultimate Fighter 5 develops I don't see that changing drastically.
As far as rankings of UFC fighters goes, stay tuned
Mikey,
They say the best offense is a great defense. I know you think Sean Sherk is boring to watch and many people agree with you, but in the end it is who has their hand raised that matters. It is not Sean's job to fight the way you want him to. In MMA their are many BJJ specialists who should be able to submit him, if he goes five rounds with these guys and they can't do it that impresses me. I truly do not enjoy seeing people get hurt, so I like his style. In the end he is what every champion should be, victorious.
MrRee, very well said. Too few fans are able to realize this and instead turn to booing at the stadiums because they perceive his strength and ability to keep the fight on the ground as boring.
I know Dana White does not like most of Sherk's perfomances. In the end, Dana wants what his fans want, and that is to give the fans an exciting fight.
Sorry Soren Cap, but I think you are mistaken about Dana Whites' opinion of the fight. Go to UFC.com and watch the post fight press conference to hear his opinions. In brief he says," What do the people expect Lions and Tigers to come out of a hole in the ground". An obvious reference to gladiators. Watch the video.
I don't think White was disappointed in Sherks fight. If anything I would have to guess he was disappointed in the fans reactions to Sherk controlling the fight on the ground.
I was speaken of the Hermes Franca versus Sean Sherk post fight press conference.
Right. He was basically saying that fans can't expect a standup war in every fight and that the booing of wrestling makes no sense because it (wrestling) is as much of the sport as striking, BJJ, etc.
Kris,
What is the situation with Gomi's contract???Does he still have an existing contract with Zuffa/Pride???
What is your prediction of Gomi's future??? K-1 Hero's or UFC???
I am not to happy with how the UFC has been handling the situation of PRIDE. Since they bought PRIDE, I have NO CLUE of where PRIDE fighters are including Fedor… Please inform me of Dana White's future plans.
As far as I know on the situation Gomi is under contract with PRIDE. To come to the UFC all he had to do was sign to say his contract could be transfered and he would have been a UFC fighter but it doesn't appear that's happened.
As far as predictions go unless I hear the UFC is actively pursuing him I think he is going to K-1. Nothing official has been released so it's really hard to say but that seems like the most likely situation at this point.
Fedor is a free agent as well but the UFC is expected to sign him and have him fight before the end of the year.
Hope that clarifies things a little bit for you.