(When Keepin’ it Real Goes Wrong: Breakdance Edition. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.)
Like the mighty osprey as it descends from the sky to feast on a trout, the fallout from Matt Riddle’s UFC on FUEL 7 bout with Che Mills was swift and fierce. Not only was Mills lambasted/fired for putting on a piss-poor performance, but Riddle was similarly bashed by Dana White for his efforts in victory and released from the promotion shortly thereafter (following his second failed post-fight drug test). Despite the setback, Riddle stated that he was happy to finally be freed from the hypocritical bonds of Zuffa to crush some cans, so much so that he would probably never come back to the UFC if they asked him to.
In either case, it looks like Riddle will be given plenty of opportunities to do just that in the Texas-based organization Legalize It Legacy Fighting Championships, which Riddle announced he had signed a multi-fight deal with over the weekend via Twitter:
You have to appreciate how Riddle, being the witty bastard that he is, managed to reference both his recent quotes about beating his kids and the State of Texas’ history with blood baths in one masterfully written tweet. That’s what he was doing, right?
And in other news, Riddle’s opponent at UFC on FUEL 7, Che Mills, has successfully landed on his feet as well.
Despite “giving up” in the third round of his fight with Riddle (White’s words, not ours), Mills has already signed a five-fight deal with UK-based promotion Cage Warriors, a promotion that has seen such names as Irish phenom Conor McGregor, Paul Daley, and TUF 6 runner-up Tommy Speer fight under its banner.
None of the details regarding Mills’ signing figures or debut opponent/date have been made available, but Cage Warriors CEO Graham Boylan had the following to say upon breaking the news (via MMAJunkie):
Che Mills is the best U.K. welterweight outside of the UFC at the moment, so I’m extremely happy that he has decided to come on board. A fighter of his caliber wouldn’t have been short of offers, but the fact that Che has opted to sign for Cage Warriors is proof that the guy is determined to return to the top. I have no doubt that he’ll get there too.
I’m a big fan of Che Mills. When the UFC recently released a bunch of guys, Che was the one I really wanted to bring in. He comes from a great camp and is always exciting to watch.
We will update you on the details of these two signings as soon as we are made aware.