Jon Fitch Cut From UFC Contract

After refusing to allow his likeness to be indefinitely used by the UFC, top 5 welterweight Jon Fitch was unceremoniously cut from his contract. His scheduled UFC 94 bout against Akihiro Gono is obviously off the table. Christian Wellisch, another AKA fighter, was also fired while the rest of the organization has been put on notice.

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Paulo Filho Released From WEC

Numerous sources are reporting that Paulo Filho has been released from his Zuffa contract and is not likely to be picked up by the UFC. Filho has battled losses, weight cutting issues, and depression during his tenure as an WEC champion.

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UFC 95: Liddell Vs. Silva?

Anderson Silva vs. Chuck Liddell? It sounds like something you might dream up in the UFC video game, but according to The Sun, it could be a reality. Read more for our analysis on the possibility of this super fight.

In all honesty, I don't see why the UFC would make this fight, other than for one huge payday. Silva would be expected to win for sure, probably somewhere in the neighborhood of -200. And if Silva did win, what would that mean? Since he would be expected to win, the victory would do little for Silva. However, it would delegitimize Liddell (further) and essentially put the cap on The Iceman's career. Yeah, he's gonna have to retire eventually, but do you really want your biggest retail draw to be embarrassed?

On the other hand, a Liddell win could be even more devastating to the UFC. It would take more than a KO of Anderson Silva to thrust Liddell back into title contention, so the only thing they would be doing is destroying their most talented star. Silva has always been the answer to Fedor fans in the pound for pound debate, and a loss would all but hand that title over to the Russian. This is not the fight the UFC wants. Let Silva wait for Bisping or Maia at MW, or let him test the waters against Georges St. Pierre. For Liddell, it's much simpler. Offer him one more shot at Jackson or a fourth fight with Couture.

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UFC 91 Reaction

UFC 91 may just be the pay-per-view of the year. With 5 stoppages in 5 fights on the main card, fans around the world were treated in an unbelievable night. Another chapter was written in the age-old storylines of “old school vs. new school,” “experience vs. youth” and “size vs. knowledge”. Brock Lesnar, four fights into his mixed-martial-arts career, defeated the most decorated and beloved UFC champion of all-time. It was no secret that the entire live audience and most fans at home were rooting for “The Natural”. How great would it be if a 45-year-old beat a younger 280-pounder?

However, I think that Brock beating Randy is much better for the UFC and for MMA. Is this not a perfect “passing of the torch” moment? Brock Lesnar is unbelievably marketable. Much more so than Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Frank Mir, or even Randy Couture. That factor is usually overlooked. Marketability is key to a sport’s and a company’s success. For instance, look at Kimbo Slice. He’s terrible. However, he is probably the most famous mixed-martial-artist in the world.

Brock Lesnar is legitimately good. He’s not just some 280-pound animal that mauls everybody…well actually, he is…but he’s much more than that. His wrestling is dominant, his striking is improving every day, and his work ethic is insane. He’s the first one to the gym every day and the last one to leave. He’s got a hunger for learning and he’s a fast learner, which is a scary combination. His combination of size and speed is unparalleled in the world of fighting. Brock Lesnar has proved that he’s legit and that he’ll be around for quite awhile.

Where does Randy go from here? He probably fights the loser of Nogueira-Mir. There shouldn’t be any talk of Fedor vs. Randy unless Couture is the champion.

Kenny Florian put on a dominating performance against Joe Stevenson. With the way that Florian was dominating the stand-up I was very surprised when he took Stevenson to the ground. Florian looked better than ever on his feat, getting in and getting out with minimal damage done to himself. However, it was when he took it to the ground that he put on a clinic. His mount of Stevenson looked effortless, as did the resulting rear naked choke. Florian is much improved since his last title shot and I think that he could give BJ Penn some major problems.

In two great shows of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills, Dustin Hazelett and Demian Maia moved their way up the ladder of their respective weight classes. Fans were treated to a beautiful transition from an omoplata to straight armbar in another videogame-like submission courtesy of the newly crowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blackbelt, Dustin Hazelett. Hazelett’s armbar broke Demian Maia’s 3-fight “submission of the night” streak. However, Maia’s performance was more impressive. Maia took down Quarry, mounted him, got his back and choked him out in just over 2 minutes. He is the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter in MMA and he needs to fight either Michael Bisping, Rich Franklin, or Dan Henderson next.

Gabriel Gonzaga knocked out the UFC rookie Josh Hendricks in 1:01 in what seemed like a “business as usual” fight for the heavy-handed heavyweight. It was an absolutely dominating striking performance by the Brazilian. I’d like to see Gonzaga’s next fight be the winner of Cheick Kongo vs. Mustafa Al-Turk.

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