Soko Given Four Fight Contract with EliteXC

As reported yesterday, Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou had been in talks with the UFC, bodog, and K-1. It seems he has decided to take the offer from EliteXC and have his management team peruse the details. The contract is not signed yet, but that seems likely. No word yet on the terms, but it is for four bouts.
Another loss for the UFC. Sure Soko has only two stunning wins on his 4-1 pro record, but there is no doubt this guy is for real. His grappling is world class, toss in a KO win over anyone named Noguiera, and an equally impressive KO over top 10 LHW Ricardo Arona and you have the makings of a star.
With the way Gary Shaw does business, he isnt gonna be losing many fighters if they're successful. Congrats to Soko. He deserves the best.

Dana White Confirms UFC = U Fight Cheap

Gary Shaw at the EliteXC/Strikeforce press conference made some joking remarks that the UFC doesn't pay their fighters well, actually calling the UFC - U Fight Cheap. Dana responded:

“Fighters can make more money here or there, but the UFC is the place to create your legacy,” White said. “Fifty years from now, people are going to ask who was the best ever and the UFC has the best fighters.”

What the hell do fighters care about legacy? This is the same type of crap boxing promoters used to say as they were running off to the bank pocketing fighter's purses back in the 50's. You worry about legacy after you're set up for life, not when your 4-0 in the Octagon and still working a part time job to make ends meet, like Jon Fitch has had to do along many others. I'm telling ya, within three years there will be an equal or a serious rival to the UFC. You can't continue to rake in the kind of dinero the UFC is and then pay the talent that gets it for you peanuts and expect to survive. That business model has never worked and never will.

Forrest Griffin Flying the Coop for EliteXC?

On the ProElite website, they are showing the press conference. At the 29:00 min mark, Gary Shaw, the president of EliteXC, tries to introduce Forrest Griffin. Forrest is eating free food at the buffet and cant be found, but Gary says, "He fought ( past tense ) for the U Fight Cheap organization." What the heck? He signed a 6 fight deal after winning the first season of the Ultimate Fighter and that contract was up after the Hector Ramirez bout, but I'm totally shocked the UFC wouldn't throw mad money at one of their most popular fighters.
In this bloggers opinion, the UFC is making serious errors lately regarding fighters. Yes, they are the biggest, but this sport is still growing. If they don't lock up all the best fighters now, someone can and will come along and challenge their current supremacy. Soko, Arona, Fedor, Hansen, and Kang all have had discussions lately with the UFC, and none seemed happy in their dealings with Dana and the crew. Those are some BIG names right there. Any organization that signs them instantly grows that much more respectable and that much more marketable.
UFC = U Fight Cheap.

Sokoudjou Confirms Talks with the UFC

In an interview with CBS Sportsline reporter Sam Caplan, his blog: FiveOuncesofPain, Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou confirms that his management team of Ryan Parsons and Dan Henderson have been in talks with the UFC, and K-1 and bodogFIGHTS. He has two fights left of his old Pride contract, but apparently, he was one of the smarter fighters and had a clause stating he could refuse bouts if Pride was sold.

Where Soko will end should be determined by the end of this week. Rumors have swirled that the Soko camp wasn't happy with the UFC's offer. I earlier this week put that rumor to rest with a quote from Dan Henderson saying that they were not insulted, but Soko did confirm the offer is less than his current Pride contract.

He also touched on a something that makes all hardcore fans drool, a possible match with World #1 Contender Mauricio "Shogun Rua! Soko said he felt that bout would be a great measuring stick to see where he's at in MMA.

To read Sam's entire article, go here.

Notes from MMAWeekly Radio with Phil Baroni and Jens Pulver

The MMAWeekly radio team of Damon Martin and Jeff Caine agree with me that rd 3 of the Franklin/Okami round should have been a 10-8 round.

Both guys think Clay Guida won, but arent disappointed since the fight was so close.

Baroni up first... Phil fights Frank Shamrock for the Strikeforce MW title this Saturday

You cant hear Phil at all.

Has been training at Xtreme Couture. Feels this is the hardest he has ever trained and honestly wants to hurt Frank. He has trained for a full five rounds, but seriously doubts it'll go that far.

He has an open contract with Strikeforce, so where he goes afterward depends on what happens Saturday.

Says he can fight in the UFC anytime he wants. He thinks the guys on TUF are "shit".

He's sad Pride is gone. He was happy to be apart of the show, and loved the stomps to the head.

He says if anyone doubts his power that they should ask Ryo Chonan.

Both guys think that Baroni is the favorite.

Jens up now...

He's healthy with no injuries, he is already at 155 and will fight at around 150, and knows how tough BJ is.

On TUF, he really grew to care for the guys. Corey Hill was training with MFS, but got hurt during training. He then went home to his family, and Jens hasnt heard from him since.

Jens got rid of Karo since he was the guest. He said Karo had been there for days, and probably had worn thin on Nate.

He will go where he's told, but would love to go to the WEC and fight at 145. If the UFC asks him where he want to go, he said he wants to fight at 145 and battle with Urijah Faber.

Jens and Spencer Fisher trained with each other for their current bouts.

He says he will not fight slow and plans on pushing the pace. Jens has been training his wrestling hard for his fight with BJ. He says he could care less that he's not on PPV. The Jens you saw on camera is exactly who he is.

Word to the fans: he's bringin it. He has no fear of BJ's ground game, he respects it, but plans on going for the win. No matter what, he wants his fans to be entertained. He plans on ending his feud with BJ as soon as the fight is over.

Denis Kang notes

He has not signed anything yet, but he will make his decision this week.

bodog and the UFC seem like the leaders right now.

He wants money first, to be treated like a star, and championship level competition.

He will not fight in the WEC.

He thinks what's going on with the UFC and Pride is a little fishy.

He has no idea where Fedor is going.

Whatever contract he signs, he must be allowed to fight in Korea and Spirit MC.

Denis thinks Cole Miller will have an easy time with Andy Wang. He says Cole grew up in MMA, not a single discipline. He thinks Cole is part of the future of MMA, guys who start very young in MMA and that by the time they're 23, they've had 10-15 fights.

His first fight was an illegal bare-knuckle NHB fight.

Thinks Franklin would be perfect for him.

Thinks Hendo is number one at 185, followed by Denis Kang, and Denis Kang.

Props Sherdog Radio.

Shinya Aoki is Really That Good

Shinya Aoki MMA/Grappling Highlight Vide
Uploaded by Lowbr0w

I just cant get over the news that this guy may be signing with the UFC is some capacity. Sporting an 11-2 MMA record and riding an 8 fight win streak, he is sure to make waves at 155 or 170. His only two losses are to Mach Sakurai and Jutaro Nakao early on in his career. The vid above highlights some of his never-seen-before-in-MMA subs, including a standing armlock submission, and MMA's first gogoplate sub. Not many are gonna be able to deal with this guy at 155. He has future champion written all over him.

Dispelling Rumors the Best I Can Part 1

According to Dan Henderson, the UFC's offer was NOT insulting to Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou. Written by Hendo himself on the UG:
"I never said the UFC made him an insulting offer. As Ryan said, the offer was fair. We are not unhappy with it at all."
The Ryan is Ryan Parsons.
No one outside Soko's inner circle seems to know what the offer is, but if it's in the $20/$20 range for around 3 fights, I think he should take it. He'll get bank on sponsorships, with his style he's bound to get a fat bonus check from the UFC, and within 3 fights should be up for a title shot and lucrative contract renewal.

Crocop on a Mission

"I will destroy my "english shame". I want to win and I don't care against whom i fight. I am full of motivation."

"I am training every morning from 6:30 to 9:00 o'clock. Thats one thing I learnt from my loss in Manchester. Obviously, theres no summer vacations for me this year. I will train without a break"
Props: Nova TV.

Watched bodogFights Last Night

Man, I'm really beginning to think that with some added talent, bodogFight could rival the UFC with international fans. No elbows to the head, talking seriously of implementing knees to the ground, and it's in a ring! I know US wont like that for the most part, but they put on a good show and dont let their fighters stall.
Anyway, last night, Denis Kang was doing some between fights color commentary. I guess his affiliation with bF is more than just casual. And that sucks for the UFC and American fans in general. He is one of the best p4p fighter alive today. Few in the UFC would give him much of a challenge save the usual suspects in Filho, ASilva, Nate, and Rich ( and I doubt that one after last night).

A vid to show you what I mean. The other fighter is Melvin Manhoef, another unknown, yet great fighter.

The Fast Lane - Episode 1
Uploaded by Beatdown77