Sadly, the official line from Bellator is that Carano has not signed with the organization. Via Ariel:
Indeed. MMA fans still love Gina — but most of us recognize that sacrificing her to Ronda Rousey for a meaningless yet profitable UFC title fight is a joke on multiple levels. Still, what if Carano took a couple fights in Bellator against some lower-level competition? You’d watch that too, right? And the sudden appearance of Gina Carano in Bellator could create a competitive frenzy between the UFC and Bellator that would be pretty damn entertaining to watch unfold. So yes, we want to believe.
We’ll update you when Bellator’s actual major fight announcement is revealed. Don’t get your hopes up.
(Five minutes later, Lesnar whipped up a fabulous vulture shit salad and the two feasted for days. Photo props go to the UG.)
Here’s what you need to know: a UGer by the screenname hmb recently reached out to UFC President Dana White and asked whether or not The Baldfather thought he could sign Brock Lesnar vs. Fedor Emelianenko in the near future. Improbable, we know. But being a man of the people, DW actually responded to the anonymous question with a question of his own:
Is this the fight u guys want to see? Post a thread asking if people want to see this fight.
Although the likelihood of this pairing ever coming to fruition is beyond implausible, the response was an overwhelming “yes.” And since the popular subject on CP today seems to be fantasy matchups and whether or not we’d actually want to see them, why not partake in a little more needless speculation?
We’ve added a poll after the jump to gauge your level of excitement for this potential match. Vote if you’d like to, and feel free to argue over who would win and how in the comments section. Seriously, we love it when you argue.
(Five minutes later, Lesnar whipped up a fabulous vulture shit salad and the two feasted for days. Photo props go to the UG.)
Here’s what you need to know: a UGer by the screenname hmb recently reached out to UFC President Dana White and asked whether or not The Baldfather thought he could sign Brock Lesnar vs. Fedor Emelianenko in the near future. Improbable, we know. But being a man of the people, DW actually responded to the anonymous question with a question of his own:
Is this the fight u guys want to see? Post a thread asking if people want to see this fight.
Although the likelihood of this pairing ever coming to fruition is beyond implausible, the response was an overwhelming “yes.” And since the popular subject on CP today seems to be fantasy matchups and whether or not we’d actually want to see them, why not partake in a little more needless speculation?
We’ve added a poll after the jump to gauge your level of excitement for this potential match. Vote if you’d like to, and feel free to argue over who would win and how in the comments section. Seriously, we love it when you argue.
Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world’s leading questionnaire tool.
(Nelson becomes the first man ever to successfully narfle the Garthok at the 2009 ADCC Absolute trials.)
Crank up the Bjork and start cubing up the Hakarl, because it appears that Icelandic BJJ phenom and undefeated prospect Gunnar Nelson is headed to the UFC.
The 23 year-old welterweight is undoubtedly one of the hottest prospects outside of the UFC, collecting a perfect 9-0-1 record with just one of those wins making it outside of the first round. Nelson has not been to the scorecards since his debut fight — a draw against John Oleson — and has collected six of his nine stoppage wins by way of submission. FightersOnly were the first to break the news, stating that several close sources had already confirmed this report, though an official announcement from inside Nelson’s camp has yet to be made. There have been several rumors claiming that Nelson was headed to the UFC over the past few years, but this time it seems to be happening for serial.
After acquiring his BJJ black belt in just four years, Nelson first burst onto the MMA scene back in 2007, and gained incredible notoriety in 2009 when he defeated the much larger, multiple-time ADCC medalist and UFC veteran Jeff Monson in the first round of the 2009 ADCC Absolute trials. Nelson most recently scored a first round submission via armbar over Alexander Butenko back in February, his fourth straight to come by way of first round submission.
We know some of you Taters have been clamoring about Nelson for what feels like ages now, so it’s good to know that we might finally be able to see just what this kid is capable of in the near future. As will be the case with Hector Lombard and our buddy Ryan Jimmo, 2012 is looking like it could be a make or break year for prospects outside the UFC.
Lucky for you, CagePotato and Youtube have combined their powers to compile an extensive look at Nelson’s background, which awaits you below.
(Nelson becomes the first man ever to successfully narfle the Garthok at the 2009 ADCC Absolute trials.)
Crank up the Bjork and start cubing up the Hakarl, because it appears that Icelandic BJJ phenom and undefeated prospect Gunnar Nelson is headed to the UFC.
The 23 year-old welterweight is undoubtedly one of the hottest prospects outside of the UFC, collecting a perfect 9-0-1 record with just one of those wins making it outside of the first round. Nelson has not been to the scorecards since his debut fight — a draw against John Oleson — and has collected six of his nine stoppage wins by way of submission. FightersOnly were the first to break the news, stating that several close sources had already confirmed this report, though an official announcement from inside Nelson’s camp has yet to be made. There have been several rumors claiming that Nelson was headed to the UFC over the past few years, but this time it seems to be happening for serial.
After acquiring his BJJ black belt in just four years, Nelson first burst onto the MMA scene back in 2007, and gained incredible notoriety in 2009 when he defeated the much larger, multiple-time ADCC medalist and UFC veteran Jeff Monson in the first round of the 2009 ADCC Absolute trials. Nelson most recently scored a first round submission via armbar over Alexander Butenko back in February, his fourth straight to come by way of first round submission.
We know some of you Taters have been clamoring about Nelson for what feels like ages now, so it’s good to know that we might finally be able to see just what this kid is capable of in the near future. As will be the case with Hector Lombard and our buddy Ryan Jimmo, 2012 is looking like it could be a make or break year for prospects outside the UFC.
Lucky for you, CagePotato and Youtube have combined their powers to compile an extensive look at Nelson’s background, which awaits you below.
Nelson vs. Driss El Bakara (Nelson’s 2nd Pro Fight)
Nelson vs. Iran Mascarenhas (Nelson’s first KO victory)
Nelson vs. Sam Elsdon (BAMMA 2)
Nelson vs. Eugene Fadiora (BAMMA 4)
Nelson vs. Alexander Betenko
GUNNAR NELSON – A CALM MIND
Learn all you need to know about Nelson’s accolades and more on his website.
Although it was previously reported that Jackson would duke it out with Mauricio Rua in a rematch of their PRIDE Total Elimination 2005 fight, our fanboyish dreams were almost immediately squashed when Page was forced to undergo double knee surgery in the fallout of his UFC 144 decision loss to Ryan Bader. Not wanting to sit on the shelf for too long, Rua has opted to take another fight, possibly at UFC 147, to stay active.
Sources within FightersOnly have stated that the Zuffa brass were eyeing the winner of the Silva/Gustafsson bout before they even threw down at last weekend’s event. Silva and Rampage were originally supposed to square off at UFC 130, until Silva pissed hot following his UFC 125 scrap with Brandon Vera and was replaced by Matt Hamill. The fight that resulted was disappointing to say the least.
Jon Jones comparisons aside, Gustafsson has been on an absolute tear as of late, and a win over Rampage would do a lot for him in terms of drawing power and marketability. Granted Jackson is nowhere near the fighter he once was, at least not in his last performance, but a win over a former UFC champ would be a huge accomplishment for “The Mauler,” and could put him in line for a title shot in the very near future.
It has also been rumored that Jackson was offered a fight with Phil Davis previously, but turned it down due to his well known hatred of fighting anyone with a ground game whatsoever. This is a former MMA champion, ladies and gentlemen. Though Gustafsson possesses strong enough grappling abilities to give Rampage trouble, he is primarily a striker and could make for one hell of a fight for Jackson to go out on. Not as great as his fight with Shogun would likely have been, but satisfying to some degree.
(Just so you know, Rolles is the one on the bottom.)
Sad news for those of you who were still clinging to the insane hope that Fedor Emelianenko would be the man to challenge Junior Dos Santos for the UFC Heavyweight title –all six of you– as the rumor currently circulating the MMA blogosphere has “The Last Emperor’s” potential opponent bar set a little…lower. Go figure.
Yes, according to none other than Rolles Gracie himself, via his Twitter, it looks like the other member of the Gracie clan to go one-and-done in the UFC is currently negotiating with M-1 Global to put the fight together this summer, stating:
Where there is smoke there is fire. My manager is under negotiation with M1. We’re really close to make this fight against Fedor to happen.
(Just so you know, Rolles is the one on the bottom.)
Sad news for those of you who were still clinging to the insane hope that Fedor Emelianenko would be the man to challenge Junior Dos Santos for the UFC Heavyweight title –all six of you– as the rumor currently circulating the MMA blogosphere has “The Last Emperor’s” potential opponent bar set a little…lower. Go figure.
Yes, according to none other than Rolles Gracie himself, via his Twitter, it looks like the other member of the Gracie clan to go one-and-done in the UFC is currently negotiating with M-1 Global to put the fight together this summer, stating:
Where there is smoke there is fire. My manager is under negotiation with M1. We’re really close to make this fight against Fedor to happen.
Fedor was previously rumored to be fighting in St. Petersberg, Russia on June 21st against an unnamed opponent; we’re going to assume that this will be the location that hosts their showdown.
Emelianenko last fought at Dream: Fight for Japan on New Year’s Eve, where he picked up a quick and violent first round KO over former Olympic gold medalist Satoshi Ishii. Prior to that, he scored a unanimous decision over UFC veteran Jeff Monson in November, a win which snapped a three fight losing streak under the Strikeforce banner.
Since getting bounced from the UFC following a disastrous first round TKO at the hands of Joey Beltran at UFC 109, Gracie has scored 2 and 1/3 wins in a row against opponents with a combined record of 23-34. That 1/3rd we’re referring to would be his most recent win, a first round submission via punches over Bob “Gunna Tap” Sapp at One FC 2. At this point in Sapp’s career, a win over him should not be considered an entire victory, because that would assume that he actually fought back.
In case you aren’t exactly picking up what we’re putting down, Rolles Gracie is a dead man.
We’re not even going to talk up Gracie’s incredible ground game like it would present some possible outlet for victory. Citing Fedor’s loss to Fabricio Werdum as further proof that Gracie stood a chance would be an insult to your intelligence. Fedor is going to steamroll Gracie, probably inside of three minutes, and the world will halfheartedly watch with disappointment as Emelianenko continues to fight beneath his level.
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Watch below as UFC president Dana White talks about Saturday night’s UFC 139 card, reuniting with Dan Henderson, whether Wanderlei Silva is fighting for his job, his post-UFC on FOX hangover, the second UFC on FOX show, Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen 2, and Zuffa’s lawsuit in New York.
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Watch below as UFC president Dana White talks about Saturday night’s UFC 139 card, reuniting with Dan Henderson, whether Wanderlei Silva is fighting for his job, his post-UFC on FOX hangover, the second UFC on FOX show, Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen 2, and Zuffa’s lawsuit in New York.
