Peter Staack ([info]orochiyamazaki) wrote,
@ 2007-10-11 16:28:00
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Entry tags:mma

Randy Couture Severs Ties With UFC - Drops Heavyweight Title
Randy CoutureRandy Couture has just announced he is cutting ties with UFC / Zuffa, and dropping the Heavyweight Championship. It doesn't sound like he's too broken up about leaving the UFC behind, either.

Randy cited a tumultuous history between him and Zuffa, including not being paid what he feels he's worth, and Fedor Emelianenko (oft considered the #1 MMA heavyweight in the world) signing with M-1 instead of UFC. It sounds like Randy feels Fedor is the last true test for him, in his career. Quitting UFC, on top of ditching all the problems Randy and Zuffa have had in the past, will allow Couture to eventually face Fedor and perhaps spend more time with his other business endeavors (running a world class training camp, promoting his clothing and accessory lines, etc.) and spend time with his family. It's a shame we didn't get to see a few more good UFC match-ups, and it may make it harder to see Randy's future fights, I'm all aboard whatever is best for him and his future.


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[info]koreagle
2007-10-12 04:45 am UTC (link)
i know it was surprising. But hes a hungry man at age 45+, and he wants Fedor.

M-1 being bought up by Mark Cuban is going to cause some big noises.

I think Elite XC, K-1 Heroes, Spirits MC(korea), and M-1 are all going to form together into a newish kinda "pride" under the arms of billionare Mark Cuban.

i guess the only oddballs are chonan and some other jap dudes choosing UFC.

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[info]orochiyamazaki
2007-10-12 05:31 pm UTC (link)
The prospects of Mixfight M-1 are intriguing, right now, because it's so smoky. Aside from the fairly-substantiated rumors that it's being backed by Mark Cuban, it'd be interesting to see who else has their hands in it, and what venues they're going to promote. If it isn't Cuban, someone else with major dough is behind the scene, if they could outbid Zuffa for Fedor and offered a less-restrictive contract. If they stay abroad, they could also buck some of the less-appealing rules of the North American sporting commissions (my personal favorite is longer/more rounds and tournaments), and attract more Asian and European fighters.

I'm all for competition in MMA. I hope to see another international mega-force that isn't as prone to self destruction (I'm shocked DreamStage didn't collapse sooner) pump some more energy into the world MMA scene. Hopefully, there'll also be more opportunity for cross-promotional "dream matches" in the future. Rampage vs. Hendo lost a little of it's appeal knowing Dan's PrideFC title was a paper title, after UFC acquired PrideFC and signed the match. It'll hopefully make the sport hotter in broader markets, advertisers will feel the buzz, and it'll become more lucrative for fighters and all the promotions.

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